Jason Anderson put on one of the most impressive battles of his life to take an exciting victory in the 450 class aboard his Husqvarna 2018 FC 450 Rockstar Edition.
Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing’s Jason Anderson rallied from a sixth-place start to meet Team Honda HRC’s Ken Roczen in a battle for the lead on the last lap, which ended with Anderson taking the win by less than a second.
“Today was a roller coaster day,” said Anderson. “I went over the bars in the first practice, then was able to regroup and come out third in qualifying. I didn’t have the best heat race, but then came back in the main and had the battle of my life. It was great. The track was insane, but I’m happy to come out of it with a win.”
Last week’s winner Monster Energy Kawasaki’s Eli Tomac started seventh and struggled to a 13th place finish. The Rocky Mountain ATV/MC/KTM/WPS Team ride of Blake Baggett started fourth and found his way to third for his first podium of the season.
In the 250SX Class Main Event, Monster Energy/Yamalube/Star/Yamaha Aaron Plessinger worked his way to the front after starting sixth to capture his second straight win, leading eight of the 19 laps. Plessinger is the only rider to maintain the points lead for two consecutive weeks.
“I got off to a great start,” Plessinger said on the podium. “‘I’ve been sick since Thursday; I thought I had the flu. I had to work through it; it was probably the hardest race I’ve ever done in my life, but the guys tell me never quit.”
Monster Energy/Pro Circuit/Kawasaki’s Joey Savatgy earned his third podium of the season after a tight battle with Autotrader/Yoshimura/Suzuki Factory Racing’s JustinHill who earned his first podium of 2018 with a third-place finish.
Oakland Results
250SX West Main Event
1. Aaron Plessinger
2. Joey Savatgy
3. Justin Hill
4. Christian Craig
5. Alex Martin
6. Chase Sexton
7. Adam Cianciarulo
8. Kyle Chisholm
9. Mitchell Harrison
10. Hayden Mellross
250SX West Rider Point Standings
1. Aaron Plessinger – 118 points
2. Joey Savatgy – 110 points
3. Shane McElrath – 99 points
4. Adam Cianciarulo – 93 points
5. Christian Craig – 89 points
6. Chase Sexton – 86 points
7. Justin Hill – 79 points
8. Kyle Chisholm – 68 points
9. Mitchell Oldenburg – 58 points
10. Mitchell Harrison – 58 points
450SX Main Event
1. Jason Anderson
2. Ken Roczen
3. Blake Baggett
4. Marvin Musquin
5. Justin Barcia
6. Cole Seely
7. Cooper Webb
8. Broc Tickle
9. Justin Brayton
10. Josh Grant
450SX Rider Point Standings
1. Jason Anderson – 115 points
2. Ken Roczen – 100 points
3. Justin Barcia – 98 points
4. Cole Seely – 87 points
5. Justin Brayton – 82 points
6. Weston Peick – 82 points
7. Blake Baggett – 78 points
8. Marvin Musquin – 73 points
9. Josh Grant – 71 points
10. Cooper Webb – 68 points