Rockstar Energy Husqvarna's Jason Anderson was looking to wrap up the 2018 Monster Energy AMA Supercross 450SX title in Salt Lake City but a first turn crash would see the points leader finish 17th.
Anderson went down in the first turn after getting sandwiched between Monster Energy Kawasaki’s Eli Tomac and another rider. Anderson broke three spokes in his front wheel in the accident and was forced to pull into the mechanics area to replace the damaged wheel. When he returned to the racetrack he was two laps down on Red Bull Factory KTM’s Marvin Musquin.
Anderson would work his way up to 17th by the end of the race, dropping 20 points to Musquin.
“I was pretty good in practice all day,” said Anderson. “I had a solid heat race and qualified well. I just went down in the first turn in the main and had to go all the way around the track. I broke some spokes in the first turn and had to come into the mechanics area to get my front wheel changed. By that time I was two laps down. I was able to unlap myself and get up to 17th and at least get some points. I’m going into next week in Vegas with a 14 point lead.”
Musquin was second at the start of the Main then made the pass for the lead in the second lap. Looking smooth, he started pulling a gap as he charged ahead of the field. He held his ground and claimed another impressive victory. He currently sits second overall in 450 rider point standings heading into what promises to be an exciting final round of the series.
“The track conditions were crazy and dry, but the track crew did a good job,” said Musquin. “I had no idea about Jason. Obviously towards the end I was going through lappers, and I knew Jason would take it easy today to get points, but I only knew how he did when the race was over. I’m excited to head to the final round in Vegas next week.”
Tomac would recover from a bad start to finish second ahead of KTM’s Blake Baggett in third.
450 Main Event
1. Marvin Musquin
2. Eli Tomac
3. Blake Baggett
4. Christian Craig
5. Justin Barcia
6. Justin Brayton
7. Weston Peick
8. Benny Bloss
9. Vince Friese
10. Tyler Bowers
450 Rider Point Standings
1. Jason Anderson – 338 points
2. Marvin Musquin – 324 points
3. Eli Tomac – 292 points
4. Justin Brayton – 264 points
5. Blake Baggett – 264 points
6. Weston Peick – 235 points
7. Dean Wilson – 193 points
8. Broc Tickle – 184 points
9. Cooper Webb – 181 points
10. Justin Barcia – 163 points
Photo: Simon Cudby