Monster Energy Yamaha Factory Racing Team’s Justin Barcia and Aaron Plessinger claimed top 10 results at Monster Energy AMA Supercross Championship Arlington, Texas.
It was a crazy night of racing. Straight away Barcia had his work cut out for him. The 26yr old started to make progress through the pack after a poor start in his heat, but another rider made contact, ending Barcia’s race early. He bounced back to take a dominant win in the LCQ and went on to get a good jump on the start in the main. Unfortunately, the outside position wasn’t ideal and Barcia ended up in the hay bales. Never one to give up, the team’s veteran rider charged his way from last to finish seventh.
“Crazy day of racing for me for sure. I felt good, the bike was working well. I had a pretty good practice, was right in the times, but in the heat race, didn’t get off to a good start. I was working my way through the pack and got taken out,” said Barcia.
“In the main event, I was on the far outside and got a really good jump off the gate. I was right in it, but I was just so far outside I got pushed out and went into the hay bales and started last. I went from last to seventh. I was riding well, but again wasn’t able to make things happen that I needed to happen. I need to get a better start and put myself in front of the pack where I belong. We’re moving on from this weekend and will get ready for Detroit.”
Although, not quite as dramatic, Barcia’s rookie teammate had some challenges of his own. A downed rider at the start of his heat had Plessinger at a disadvantage, but he put his head down and worked his way back up from 14th to sixth. In the main event, Plessinger got pinched off on the start, but put in the laps to ultimately finish ninth.
“We made big steps in the right direction at Dallas. The bike worked pretty good all day, I just need to get my starts dialed in. We’re going to go off to Florida and ride with Justin for a little bit and hopefully can build some intensity. All in all, I’m pretty happy with tonight and taking steps in the right direction. We’ll move forward from here, and on to Detroit.”
The Monster Energy Yamaha Factory Racing Team will be back in action next weekend for round eight, and the second Triple Crown of the season, at Ford Field in Detroit, Michigan, Saturday, February 23.