Monster Energy AMA Supercross, an FIM World Championship, heads to Sam Boyd Stadium in Las Vegas this Saturday night for the final round of the series.
At last weekend’s race at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, GEICO Honda’s Eli Tomac topped the field in the 450SX class while Red Bull KTM’s Marvin Musquin took the win in the 250SX class and clinched the 2015 Eastern Regional 250SX Class Championship in the process.
Tomac passed Team Honda’s Cole Seely on lap 13 to take the lead during the 450SX main event and took advantage of the clear track in front him to take his third win of the season. Tomac is second overall in the championship standings.
“The track really broke down out there. I just tried to be as consistent as I could and keep it on two wheels, and I started to close in on Cole [Seely],” explained Tomac following the Main Event last weekend.
“He made a couple mistakes that allowed me to get on his rear fender and I just pulled the trigger in the whoops. Once I got out front I was able to just get through lappers and bring it home.”
Red Bull KTM’s Ryan Dungey finished second at MetLife Stadium, marking his 15th consecutive podium finish of the season. Dungey is a two-time winner in Las Vegas and is the only rider competing in this weekend’s race that has won both classes in Las Vegas.
“The track was a little rough today and it was hard to make passes in the main event,” stated Dungey. “All in all, it was a really great day of racing. I’m happy to be on the podium and looking forward to the final round in Las Vegas.”
Seely rounded out the 450SX class podium in East Rutherford, which gives him seven top-five finishes and 10 top-10 finishes of his rookie season.
“I locked down third in the points and third for the night, so today was good” said Seely. “I’m stoked to be on the podium. Another win would’ve been great, but I just ran out of energy at the end. Every little mistake you make, you lose some energy here or there so when that started happening, I just figured I would secure third.
“Once I was in third, I knew I had a pretty big gap on fourth so I just tried to ride a smart race and finish on the podium. The track was super-soft, the lines were changing each lap and the track was just really difficult. Bike setup was key tonight, and I feel like we did a good job getting the bike dialed. I didn’t have a ton of huge expectations for my rookie year, so to be third in points, be the highest-placing rookie, and to have a win is a huge plus.”
In the 250SX class, Musquin has been on the podium at every race of the Eastern Regional 250SX Class season. In addition to his six wins, he has two runner-up finishes, which was good enough to win the Eastern Regional 250SX Class Championship.
“It feels so amazing to get this title,” remarked Musquin. “To get the win at the final race makes it that much better. My bike was great today as it has been all season. I want to thank my team and my family for all of their help in allowing me to accomplish this goal.”
Yamalube/Star Racing/Yamaha’s Cooper Webb has already wrapped up the Eastern Regional 250SX Class Championship and has been on the podium at every race except at the season opener in Anaheim, where he finished in seventh place.
Other 250SX Class winners this year include: Justin Bogle, Jeremy Martin, Jessy Nelson, and Malcolm Stewart. Historically, KTM has only won in Las Vegas twice to Yamaha’s five. With the Eastern and Western Regional division tied at nine races apiece, this weekend’s race is up for grabs.
During last year’s 450SX Class Main Event in Las Vegas, Monster Energy Kawasaki’s Villopoto won his seventh race of the year ahead of Ryan Dungey and Ken Roczen.
In the 250SX class, Rockstar Energy Racing’s Jason Anderson, who had four wins on the season, wrapped up the Western Regional 250SX Class Championship while Monster Energy/Pro Circuit/Kawasaki’s Dean Wilson wrapped up his 250SX career with a race win in the 250SX West Region Main Event.
GEICO Honda’s Justin Bogle won the Eastern Regional 250SX Class Championship as Yamalube/Star Racing/Yamaha’s Jeremy Martin captured his first race win of his career in the 250SX East Region Main Event.
In the Dave Coombs Sr. East/West Shootout, Monster Energy/Pro Circuit/Kawasaki’s Justin Hill led wire-to-wire in the 10-lap race.
450SX Class Season Standings:
- Ryan Dungey, Belle Plaine, MN, KTM, 365
- Eli Tomac, Cortez, CO, Honda, 283
- Cole Seely, Laguna Beach, CA, Honda, 259
- Chad Reed, Dade City, FL, Kawasaki, 212
- Blake Baggett, Grand Terrace, CA, Suzuki, 208
- Trey Canard, Edmond, OK, Honda, 204
- Jason Anderson, Edgewood, NM, Husqvarna, 200
- Broc Tickle, Holly, MI, Suzuki, 183
- Andrew Short, Smithville, TX, KTM, 180
- Ken Roczen, Clermont, FL, Suzuki, 156
Western Regional 250SX Class Season Final Standings:
- Cooper Webb, Newport, NC, Yamaha, 186
- Shane McElrath, Canton, NC, KTM, 124
- Zach Osborne, Chesterfield, SC, Husqvarna, 117
- Justin Hill, Yoncalla, OR, KTM, 116
- Aaron Plessinger, Hamilton, OH, Yamaha, 113
- Alex Martin, Millville, MN, Yamaha, 111
- Malcolm Stewart, Haines City, FL, Honda, 107
- Jessy Nelson, Paso Robles, CA, KTM, 106
- Tyler Bowers, Corona, CA, Kawasaki, 105
- Josh Hansen, Elbert, CO, Kawasaki, 91
Eastern Regional 250SX Class Season Final Standings:
- Marvin Musquin, Corona, CA, KTM, 194
- Justin Bogle, Cushing, OK, Honda, 171
- Jeremy Martin, Millville, MN, Yamaha, 143
- Joey Savatgy, Thomasville, GA, Kawasaki, 133
- RJ Hampshire, Hudson, FL, Honda, 100
- Anthony Rodriguez, Cairo, GA, Yamaha, 98
- Kyle Peters, Greensboro, NC Honda, 91
- Jimmy Decotis, Peabody, MA, Honda, 87
- Kyle Cunningham, Aledo, TX, Kawasaki, 72
- Martin Davalos, Cairo, GA, Husqvarna, 63
2015 Las Vegas Supercross Photo Gallery