After an injury in qualifying, the fastest 250SX Class qualifier, Monster Energy Pro Circuit Kawasaki's Austin Forkner did not line up in his Heat Race.
Hoping to be able to go to the LCQ and ride to salvage his points in the Main Event. Unfortunately, Forkner was not able to race in the LCQ equaling no positive points for the leader. Monster Energy/Star Racing/Yamaha’s Justin Cooper shot off the Main Event gate hot, clinching the holeshot and was able to keep his lead for the First Lap until GEICO Honda’s Chase Sexton battled him for the lead spot. Sexton passed him, and Cooper fought back, taking both Sexton and himself down, allowing for Martin Davalos to take over the coveted top step of the podium; his first of the season and fifth of his career in his 99 starts. Sexton and Cooper climbed their way back up past Cycle Trader Rock River Yamaha’s Brandon Hartranft, JGRMX/Yoshimura Suzuki Factory Racing’s Kyle Peters, and TLD Red Bull KTM’s Mitchell Falk, settling in to 2nd and 3rd place respectively.
Forkner’s absence tonight allowed for Sexton to close the 26-point gap between the two to a mere 3-point gap. Sexton, however, does not want to win due to fault, he wants to earn his place, explaining “It’s a bummer that Austin could not race tonight, I do not want to catch him in points that way. It is not the way I want it, but we are going to regroup and go back to work and come back swinging at MetLife. I’m coming for that win; I feel like tonight was mine and I got it taken away from me”.
Martin Davalos explained his trials the last few weeks by stating, “It has been a struggle, and a struggle, and a struggle to get back to where I belong… to be honest with you, I am capable of so much more… I have a lot of issues with my neck. I was put to sleep last Friday to deal with this issue and this was a huge win for me; I have not raced Supercross since Indianapolis, I have been taking care of my neck… but this win, the whole team deserves it”.
With the close proximity to the St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in Memphis, Tenn. and the season-long “THIS SHIRT SAVES LIVES” movement continuing, Nashville provided the perfect backdrop to host the first-ever “THIS RACE SAVES LIVES”event where several St. Jude patients and their families were treated to a night of Supercross where they watched all of the racing from a custom-built, on-track suite specifically designed for them to be as close to the action as possible. Athletes and teams adorned patient-inspired artwork on their race bikes, helmets and gear throughout the night, all of which was donated to an online auction which will kick off on Wednesday, April 10 and run through the final race in Las Vegas on May 4.
The remaining three races will continue to be close battles that are full of suspense for not only the fans, but the riders and teams as well. It will be interesting to see how this plays out next week as Monster Energy Supercross goes to Broncos Stadium at Mile High in Denver, Colorado.
Eastern Regional 250SX Class Results
1. Martin Davalos, Tallahassee, Fla., Kawasaki
2. Chase Sexton, Clermont, Fla., Honda
3. Justin Cooper, Huntington, N.Y., Yamaha
4. Kyle Peters, Greensboro, N.C., Suzuki
5. Brandon Hartranft, Brick, N.J., Yamaha
6. Mitchell Oldenburg, Godley, Tex., Yamaha
7. Kyle Cunningham, Willow Park, Tex., Honda
8. Ryan Sipes, Aledo, Tex., KTM
9. Mitchell Falk, Carlsbad Cal., KTM
10. Alex Martin, Clermont, Fla., Suzuki
Eastern Regional 250SX Class Championship Standings
1. Austin Forkner, Richards, Mo., Kawasaki (151)
2. Chase Sexton, Clermont, Fla., Honda (148)
3. Justin Cooper, Huntington, N.Y., Yamaha (144)
4. Martin Davalos, Tallahassee, Fla., Kawasaki (115)
5. Mitchell Oldenburg, Godley, Tex., Yamaha (105)
6. Alex Martin, Clermont, Fla., Suzuki (105)
7. Brandon Hartranft, Brick, N.J., Yamaha (100)
8. Kyle Peters, Greensboro, N.C., Suzuki (98)
9. Kyle Cunningham, Willow Park, Tex., Honda (97)
10. Jordan Bailey, Orlando, Fla., Husqvarna (76)