Photography by Kit Palmer
It was a year in the making, but Dean Wilson showed everyone he still has what it takes to win 250 Supercross races, as the Monster Energy/Pro Circuit Kawasaki rider was perfect on the night – being the fastest qualifier, winning his heat race and finally scoring victory in the final. But Wilson’s perfect night was in doubt as he ran a couple of seconds behind fast-starting Cole Seely for most of the race. But just as Wilson was making his final surge he finally got some luck go his way, as Seely washed out his front end on a turn and crashed out of the lead.
While Wilson might have caught a break with Seely’s crash, but there was a lot of skill involved too in not getting caught up in the accident. Wilson ran high on the berm trying to avoid the downed riders and actually had to come to a complete stop and back up a bit before getting back underway. Fortunately for Wilson (and Seely ) third-place Cooper Webb was far enough back that he wasn’t able to make up any positions in the miscue.
Rockstar Energy Racing’s Jason Anderson, who came into tonight’s race with a six-point lead in the season standings, was working his way through the field when he collided with Troy Lee Designs/MAVTV Honda’s Malcolm Stewart, who won his Heat Race earlier in the night, on Lap 2. Anderson dropped several positions and by Lap 8, had moved into eighth place.
The end result is that Seely and Anderson are tied going into next Saturday’s race in San Diego. With the win Wilson moved to within 12 points of the series leaders.
Wilson was emotional on the podium, having a tough time holding back tears.
“This win really means a lot to me,” Wilson said. “The race was shaping up to be exciting during those last few laps, but I received a break. This is really emotional for me. I gained some good points and we still have some races left. I am going to come out and do my best at those races.”
It was Wilson’s seventh win of his career and his first since last year’s season opening race of the Eastern Regional 250SX Class Championship in Arlington, Texas.
250SX Class Results: Anaheim
1. Dean Wilson, Wesley Chapel, Fla., Kawasaki
2. Cole Seely, Lake Elsinore, Calif., Honda
3. Cooper Webb, Newport, N.C., Yamaha
4. Justin Hill, Yoncalla, Ore., Kawasaki
5. Jason Anderson, Rio Rancho, N.M., KTM
6. Malcolm Stewart, Haines City, Fla., Honda
7. Jake Canada, Sun City, Calif., Honda
8. Shane McElrath, Chesterfield, S.C., Honda
9. Jessy Nelson, Paso Robles, Calif., Honda
10. Dakota Tedder, Surfside, Calif., Kawasaki
250SX Class Season Standings
1. Jason Anderson, Rio Rancho, N.M., KTM, 109
2. Cole Seely, Lake Elsinore, Calif., Honda, 109
3. Dean Wilson, Wesley Chapel, Fla., Kawasaki, 97
4. Cooper Webb, Newport, N.C., Yamaha, 85
5. Justin Hill, Yoncalla, Ore., Kawasaki, 82
6. Zach Osborne, Chesterfield, S.C., Honda, 69
7. Malcolm Stewart, Haines City, Fla., Honda, 69
8. Jessy Nelson, Paso Robles, Calif., Honda, 61
9. Shane McElrath, Chesterfield, S.C., Honda, 55
10. Dean Ferris, Murrieta, Calif., KTM, 52
