“The season really starts in Daytona” is a common phrase said by Supercross fans all over. Daytona, the tenth of a 17-race season, is iconic to anyone in the Supercross industry. This year’s race lived up to the reputation of the track; comprised of battles, point-shifting victories, and the unfortunate crashes.
JGRMX/Yoshimura/Suzuki Factory Racing rider, Kyle Peters (55), fired himself off the starting gate in the 250 East Main Event, fast enough to capture the holeshot and lead for just under two laps. The fastest qualifier, Chase Sexton (23) on the Geico Honda, challenged Peters for the position and was got around him early on in the Main Event and was able to maintain his speed throughout to earn 2nd place. Monster Energy Star Racing Yamaha’s Justin Cooper (32) rounded out the podium after winning the heat race earlier in the day. Monster Energy Pro Circuit Kawasaki’s rider Austin Forkner (24) advanced his overall season lead to 23 points over Justin Cooper after earning yet again another first-place finish. Solid through the night, with a heat race win followed by the Main Event win, Forkner has continued on with his winning streak, not giving anyone else a chance to stand on the top step of the podium.
The 450 Main Event started with a bang as Honda HRC teammates Ken Roczen (94) and Cole Seely (14) got tangled up in the first turn, pinning Roczen under the bike and allowing for Rocky Mountain ATV-MC/WPS/KTM rider, Blake Baggett (4), to snag the holeshot. Monster Energy Kawasaki’s Eli Tomac (3) soon battled Baggett for the lead, sealing the deal when he sent it over the wall jump and soaring passed Baggett, where he stayed for the remainder of the race. Red Bull KTM’s Cooper Webb (2) and teammate, Marvin Musquin (25) competed in a vigorous game of cat and mouse that lasted the majority of the race. Webb eventually settled into second place after Musquin made mistakes leaving him to round out the podium in third. Webb advanced his overall points-lead over Eli Tomac. Tomac moved up in the overall standing to second place, due to Ken Roczen’s crash in the first turn, resulting in Roczen dropping from second place to fourth overall. Tomac is now added to the list of greats who have won Daytona 3 times, alongside Mike Kiedrowski, Bob Hannah, Jeremy McGrath, and JGRMX/Yoshimura/Suzuki Factory Racing’s Chad Reed, who finished out the night just within the top 10.
Outside the top 10, all eyes were on Troy Lee Designs Red Bull KTM 250 west rider, Shane McElrath (12) as he decided to ride his 250 in the 450 class. McElrath held his own while riding against the more powerful bikes and ended in the 12th place position, just in front of Cole Seely. The Power of the 450 bikes was demonstrated as Monster Energy Yamaha’s Aaron Plessinger (7) got thrown through the air in the rhythm section. Attempting to land on his feet, Plessinger landed on and broke his heel. Unsure of how long he will change from athlete to spectator, he explained he will be following up with X-Rays.
Despite the injuries and battles, the night ended on a high for many riders, specifically for Austin Forkner and Eli Tomac representing Kawasaki on the Top Step of the podium. Surprising crashes shifted positions amongst the top riders and lowered their overall points standing, allowing the point leaders to advance their lead in the series.
Hey Lexi, Very impressive review! How do you get the piks and keep track of the names and details!?? Quite a job!!! Very well done
Wow! What a great play by play recap of the race. Great job Lexi. I did watch the race on tv but reading this took me right back to the action..Nice !