Team Honda HRC’s Ken Roczen was a man on a mission in Indianapolis rounds of the 2021 Monster Energy Supercross after the near misses in the Houston opening rounds.
Roczen pulled out the broom Saturday night as he swept the three races in Indy, mostly by dominating margin aside from a few laps Saturday night that Red Bull KTM’s Cooper Webb gave Roczen a small tussle.
On the 250SX Class East Regional, yes it was Monster Energy Star Racing Yamaha’s Christian Craig who came away with the win, no matter how fortunate of a win it was. However, after crashing hard leading the opening lap, Craigs teammate and overall points leader Colt Nichols, who had the ride of the night. After Nichols recovered from the crash, he was dead last. At the end of the race, Nichols had raced his way all the way to the podium in the third.
With the wins, Roczen extended his points lead, and Nichols kept his while losing a little margin to Craig. As the series shifts to Orlando, expect the riding to get even hotter.
While the racing on the track featured some world class racing, defense, offense in both divisions, there was an incident in the 450 class that needs to be addressed.
Action Sports Today formally states that Vince Friese, 450SX Class rider for Smartop Bullfrog Spas Honda, needs to have his AMA racing privileges revoked immediately. Friese is widely known as a rider who brings conflict on the track, but blatant stupidity in the face of a blue flag should not be tolerated. Not adhering to the blue flag and conceding the lane to the lapping rider is one thing, but to see the flag, look over your shoulder at the oncoming rider and intentionally block them causing a crash is another. Friese needs to go.
For Justin Barcia and Eli Tomac, the riders who actually have a shot at a Supercross title in their careers, to respond calmly to the situation afterwards is a testament to both riders.
Monster Energy Supercross heads to Orlando for two rounds in the first open stadium racing of the year. The second Orlando round will also kick off the Western Regional 250SX Class racing. Tickets are on sale through the Arlington races with Atlanta pre-sale happening now in a limited capacity, pod-seating format. For ticket availability, the race schedule, and airtimes on Peacock and NBCSN please go to SupercrossLIVE.com.
450SX Class Results
- Ken Roczen, Clermont, Fla., Honda
- Cooper Webb, Newport N.C., KTM
- Marvin Musquin, Corona, Calif., KTM
- Malcolm Stewart, Haines City, Fla., Yamaha
- Adam Cianciarulo, New Smyrna Beach, Fla., Kawasaki
450SX Class Championship Standings
- Ken Roczen, Clermont, Fla., Honda (138)
- Cooper Webb, Newport N.C., KTM (122)
- Eli Tomac, Cortez, Colo., Kawasaki (114)
- Adam Cianciarulo, New Smyrna Beach, Fla., Kawasaki (105)
- Justin Barcia, Greenville, Fla., GASGAS (96)
Eastern Regional 250SX Class Results
- Christian Craig, Temecula, Calif., Yamaha
- Jo Shimoda, Menifee, Calif., Kawasaki
- Colt Nichols, Murrieta, Calif., Yamaha
- Mitchell Oldenburg, Aledo, Tex., Honda
- Jett Lawrence, Wesley Chapel, Fla., Honda
Eastern Regional 250SX Class Championship Standings
- Colt Nichols, Murrieta, Calif., Yamaha (143)
- Christian Craig, Temecula, Calif., Yamaha (137)
- Jo Shimoda, Menifee, Calif., Kawasaki (119)
- Jett Lawrence, Wesley Chapel, Fla., Honda (102)
- Michael Mosiman, Menifee, Calif., GASGAS (97)