2016 San Diego Supercross Preview
Monster Energy AMA Supercross, an FIM World Championship, heads to PETCO Park in San Diego this Saturday night for the second round of the series.
The 2016 Supercross season opener last weekend at Angel Stadium in Anaheim, California was initially halted by a red flag when Team Yoshimura Suzuki Factory Racing’s James Stewart and Red Bull KTM’s Ryan Dungey collided at the very end of the first lap. Stewart hit his head hard on the Anaheim dirt and was unable to line up for the restart. Whether or not Stewart will line up in San Diego this weekend is still unknown.
On the restart, Rockstar Energy Husqvarna’s Jason Anderson made a strong statement by making his way through the pack after a seventh place start and into the lead on lap 13 en route to his first premier class win. “Honestly, I just felt great out there tonight,” said Anderson on the win. “I was coming through the pack and just made it happen. You work hard to do this as a kid, and it feels great.”
Defending 450SX Class Champion Ryan Dungey went down in the first few laps, remounting in seventh place. However, he would put a charge and make his way back up the second place when the checkered flag flew. “I got off to a good start on the restart but crashed,” said Dungey. “I am glad to have rebounded and to have a solid finish.”
Team Honda HRC’s Cole Seely led the first 12 laps of the main event before being passed by Anderson and Dungey. The second year 450SX class rider finished third and now has seven career podium finishes and nine consecutive top-five finishes in his young career.
Team Honda HRC’s Trey Canard looked poised to score a podium finish displaying blistering speed in the beginning laps while running in the top three in the first part of the 20 lap main event. However, a crash near the halfway point put him back several positions and he would go on the finish seventh.
In the Western Regional 250SX Class, Yamalube/Star Racing/Yamaha’s Cooper Webb got off to a great start in his pursuit of back-to-back championships. He moved into third place on lap one and passed Troy Lee Designs/GoPro/Red Bull/KTM rider Jessy Nelson for the lead and would go on to achieve his seventh-career victory. “It’s awesome to start the season like this,” said Webb. “I don’t like to lose so this really makes tonight great. I was patient and pulled it off. I’m look forward to next weekend in San Diego.”
Nelson would have to settle for second place, just missing out on a second consecutive Anaheim Opener win. Unfortunately, Nelson will unlikely line up for round two in San Diego as he suffered a high-speed crash while at the test track on Tuesday. Nelson was taken to the hospital immediately after the accident and stayed overnight to in order for the medical personnel to attend to him. The extent of his injuries and recovery time is not known at this time.
Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing’s Zach Osborne rounded out the podium in third, which marks the seventh podium finish of his career. This weekend will mark his 40th 250SX Class start.
During last year’s 450SX Class Main Event in San Diego, Canard earned his fifth career 450SX Class victory. He tied Mike Kiedrowski, Kent Howerton, and Davi Millsaps on the all-time 450SX Class win list. In the Western Regional 250SX Class, Webb earned his fourth career 250SX Class victory. It was his eighth career podium and 14th top-10 finish in 15 total 250SX Class starts
2016 450SX Class Championship Standings:
- Jason Anderson – Rio Rancho, NM – Husqvarna – 25
- Ryan Dungey – Belle Plaine, MN – KTM – 22
- Cole Seely – Sherman Oaks, CA – Honda – 20
- Eli Tomac – Cortez, CO – Kawasaki – 18
- Ken Roczen – Clermont, FL – Suzuki – 16
- Chad Reed – Dade City, FL – Yamaha – 15
- Trey Canard – Edmond, OK – Honda – 14
- Davi Millsaps – Murrieta, CA – KTM – 13
- Dean Wilson – Wesley Chapel, FL – KTM – 12
- Justin Brayton – Mint Hill, NC – KTM – 11
2016 Western Regional 250SX Class Championship Standings:
- Cooper Webb – Newport, NC – Yamaha – 25
- Jessy Nelson – Paso Robles, CA – KTM – 22
- Zach Osborne – Lake Elsinore, CA – Husqvarna – 20
- Jimmy DeCotis – Peabody, MA – Honda – 18
- Jordon Smith – Belmont, NC – Honda – 16
- Alex Martin – Millville, MN – Yamaha – 15
- Colt Nichols – Muskogee, OK – Yamaha – 14
- Joey Savatgy – Thomasville, GA – Kawasaki – 13
- Mitchell Oldenburg – Alvord, TX – KTM – 12
- Kyle Peters – Greensboro, NC – Honda – 11
2016 San Diego Supercross Preview – the Facts Infographic
