Photography by Andrea Wilson
Some people doubted that Cooper Webb would even line up for racing at San Diego, that’s how bad his crash was earlier in the day at Petco Park. But the 250 West Supercross leader shook off the pain of a tender shoulder and turned in a brilliant come-from-behind race on his Yamalube/Star Racing/Yamaha to earn his fourth victory of the season and put himself in a very strong position in the series standings. Webb now owns a 30-point lead over Jessy Nelson (136-106) with just three rounds remaining, the West Series now going into the two-month break.
Webb chased down and passed archrival Tyler Bowers with five laps to go and pulled away to a 2.959-second victory over Shane McElrath, who followed Webb around early leader Bowers. Bowers, faded late, but managed to hold on to the final podium spot.
Zach Osborne nailed the holeshot on his Rockstar Energy Husqvarna, but it was Bowers quickly making his to the lead. Malcolm Stewart came up short on a jump on the first lap and crashed hard. He got up and circulated slowly around the track before pulling off.
Webb went to second and McElrath took over third, both getting by Osborne.
Bowers sprint off to a good lead on his Monster Energy/Pro Circuit Kawasaki, but once warmed up, Webb forgot all about his shoulder and began to close the gap. On lap nine he made a clean inside pass on Bowers and there was no response from the former Arenacross Champ. Bowers seemed to be losing steam and McElrath took advantage and also got by Bowers to take second on his Troy Lee Designs/ Lucas Oil/ Red Bull KTM.
That was the way they finished. It marked the first podium finish of the season for McElrath, whose previous best result of the year was sixth.
“I wasn’t going to race tonight,” explained Webb. “My crash was gnarly and I’m just thankful to walk away from it. I knew tonight was going to be a fight. I told myself I can hurt as much as I want tomorrow, but there’s no better feeling than winning.”
Webb’s lead in the Western Regional 250SX Class standings now sits at 30 points over Jessy Nelson, while Bowers is 32 points behind in third. The championship will take a midseason break, giving way to the Eastern Regional 250SX Class, and will return on April 11 in Houston.
Western Regional 250SX Class Results: San Diego
1. Cooper Webb, Newport, N.C., Yamaha
2. Shane McElrath, Canton, N.C., KTM
3. Tyler Bowers, Corona, Calif., Kawasaki
4. Josh Hansen, Elbert, Colo., Kawasaki
5. Alex Martin, Millville, Minn., Yamaha
6. Zach Osborne, Chesterfield, S.C., Husqvarna
7. Zach Bell, Cairo, Ga., Husqvarna
8. Jessy Nelson, Paso Robles, Cali., KTM
9. Tommy Hahn, Decatur, Texas, Honda
10. Chris Alldredge, Powell Butte, Ore., Kawasaki
Western Regional 250SX Class Season Standings
1. Cooper Webb, Newport, N.C., Yamaha, 136
2. Jessy Nelson, Paso Robles, Calif., KTM, 106
3. Tyler Bowers, Corona, Calif., Kawasaki, 104
4. Zach Osborne, Chesterfield, S.C., Husqvarna, 102
5. Shane McElrath, Canton, N.C., KTM, 86
6. Aaron Plessinger, Hamilton, Ohio, Yamaha, 81
7. Justin Hill, Yoncalla, Ore., KTM, 79
8. Josh Hansen, Elbert, Colo., Kawasaki, 79
9. Alex Martin, Millville, Minn., Yamaha, 75
10. Malcolm Stewart, Haines City, Fla., Honda, 69
