Cycle News Staff | March 5, 2022
The Monster Energy AMA Supercross Series heads to the world center of racing, Daytona International Speedway, for round nine. This is always one of the toughest tracks on the circuit. Not only is it long and rough, but the design of the course mixes fast straight-aways with tight split-turn sections. Eli Tomac and Jett Lawrence claimed the big wins in tonight’s main events.
Cooper Webb found himself at the front of the field with a holeshot in the 450SX main event. Tomac, Anderson, and Stewart were all up front through turn two. Anderson squished Stewart between Tomac in a pass attempt and ended up in second place. Just one turn later, Stewart returned the favor to Anderson and both riders ended up on the ground. This allowed Webb to squirt away with the lead.
After a podium in Arlington, Webb looked rejuvenated and led 15 of the 18 laps ahead of Eli Tomac. Webb held off the charging Tomac for a number of laps but lost the top spot when the lead duo lapped Shane Mcelrath. Mcelrath moved over in an attempt to get out of the way but ended up blocking Cooper Webb who was on the inside. This allowed Tomac to get by and Webb went on to finish second.
Eli Tomac won the 450SX main event, his sixth win at the legendary Daytona venue. Tomac started up front but just didn’t have what it took to get Webb in the early stages of the race. As the main event wore on, the Eli Tomac of old came to play and the Yamaha rider began taking tenths out of Webb’s lead every lap. Tomac showed a wheel multiple times and eventually got the pass when Webb got hung up with Mcelrath. Tomac’s bike began to spew smoke late in the race but he continued to lead the final three laps without issue. This win breaks Ricky Carmichael’s record of five wins. Tomac now leads the points 17 over Jason Anderson.
Chase Sexton rounded out the podium in Daytona. The number-23 had a quiet ride, starting up front in second but eventually giving the spot up to Eli Tomac. Sexton set the second fastest time of the race and cruised it home for another podium. He is fifth in the overall standings.
Big action on the track came from Malcolm Stewart and Jason Anderson. The two rivals came together in turns two and three with both riders ending up on the ground. They charged through the pack together but a tip over from Malcolm late in the race caused Anderson to fall once again. Stewart went on to finish seventh while Anderson crossed in eighth. This is a huge deficit for both riders as they lose points to Eli Tomac.
RESULTS
450SX
1. |
Eli Tomac |
(Yam) |
18 Laps |
2. |
Cooper Webb |
(KTM) |
+05.273 |
3. |
Chase Sexton |
(Hon) |
+10.293 |
4. |
Dylan Ferrandis |
(Yam) |
+15.536 |
5. |
Justin Barcia |
(GG) |
+17.248 |
6. |
Marvin Musquin |
(KTM) |
+21.966 |
7. |
Malcolm Stewart |
(Hus) |
+35.026 |
8. |
Jason Anderson |
(Kaw) |
+37.685 |
9. |
Ken Roczen |
(Hon) |
+40.360 |
10. |
Dean Wilson |
(Hus) |
+1:17.151 |
250SX
The 250SX main event kicked off with another holeshot from Stilez Robertson. The Husqvarna rider relinquished the lead in turn two as Jett Lawrence took over and never looked back. After an up-and-down night in Arlington, Lawrence led every lap of tonight’s main event and proved that he is the man to beat in the 250 class. He now controls the points lead five over Cameron Mcadoo.
Stilez Robertson held it down in second place for the entirety of the main. Robertson grabbed the early lead and despite handing it over to Lawrence, he still rode a safe and solid race to finish on the podium. This is the second year in a row that Robertson has finished second at Daytona. He jumps to third in the overall point standings.
The real battle of the night was for third place with four riders duking it out for the almost whole main event. The Club MX Yamaha’s of Enzo Lopes and Phil Nicoletti started in podium territory but eventually faded back as the likes of Pierce Brown, RJ Hampshire, and Cameron Mcadoo charged through the field.
Cameron Mcadoo eventually locked in the final podium spot. He started in a less than stellar position but still rode inside the top ten. Mcadoo put in a serious effort through the 14 lap main and locked into a series of battles with Hampshire and Brown. Hampshire eventually stalled the bike which allowed Mcadoo to get away and focus on Brown. Late in the race Mcadoo got Brown through the split-lane and he never looked back. On the podium Mcadoo spoke about his knee swelling up after an incident in the heat race. As of now the knee doesn’t seem to be an issue.
After laps of battling, Pierce Brown finished fourth, Enzo Lopes fifth, Jordon Smith sixth, and RJ Hampshire seventh.
250SX Results
1. |
Jett Lawrence |
(Hon) |
14 Laps |
2. |
Stilez Robertson |
(Hus) |
+14.005 |
3. |
Cameron Mcadoo |
(Kaw) |
+18.657 |
4. |
Pierce Brown |
(GG) |
+22.169 |
5. |
Enzo Lopes |
(Yam) |
+30.539 |
6. |
Jordon Smith |
(Hon) |
+35.466 |
7. |
RJ Hampshire |
(Hus) |
+39.306 |
8. |
Phil Nicoletti |
(Yam) |
+40.807 |
9. |
Mitchell Oldenburg |
(Hon) |
+42.784 |
10. |
Joshua Varize |
(Hus) |
+1:16.524 |
QUALIFYING
450SX
The elephant in the room today is the chance for Eli Tomac to break Ricky Carmichael’s Daytona win record. Both riders are currently tied with five wins a piece but a win from Tomac tonight would be the tie-breaker.
Malcolm Stewart looks hungry after last week where he nearly had the win in main event one. He was the only rider to reach the 1:10 mark and was the fastest of the 450 riders. Jason Anderson and Marvin Musquin went second and third fastest, respectively. Points leader Eli Tomac was fifth.
450SX Combined Qualifying (Top 10)
1. |
Malcolm Stewart |
(Hus) |
1:10.902 |
2. |
Jason Anderson |
(Kaw) |
1:11.030 |
3. |
Marvin Musquin |
(KTM) |
1:11.186 |
4. |
Ken Roczen |
(Hon) |
1:11.254 |
5. |
Eli Tomac |
(Yam) |
1:11.272 |
6. |
Dylan Ferrandis |
(Yam) |
1:11.488 |
7. |
Chase Sexton |
(Hon) |
1:11.530 |
8. |
Cooper Webb |
(KTM) |
1:12.090 |
9. |
Justin Barcia |
(GG) |
1:12.248 |
10. |
Dean Wilson |
(Hus) |
1:12.488 |
250SX
250 Injuries. Unfortunately, a few of the pre-season favorites are already out just a few rounds in. Austin Forkner as well as both Star Racing Yamaha riders, Jeremy Martin and Levi Kitchen are out tonight due to injury. Forkner ended up with a broken collarbone after last week’s crash with Jett Lawrence. Kitchen also crashed last week in Arlington, while Martin hit the deck during the week. Here’s hoping to see these guys back at it soon.
Jett Lawrence topped the 250SX charts. He had a wild triple crown last weekend and looks to rebound here in Daytona. RJ Hampshire is back after a nasty crash last week and put down the second fastest time. Enzo Lopes of the Club MX Yamaha team surprised the field with third in the 250’s.
250SX East Combined Qualifying (Top 10)
1. |
Jett Lawrence |
(Hon) |
1:11.947 |
2. |
RJ Hampshire |
(Hus) |
1:12.483 |
3. |
Enzo Lopes |
(Yam) |
1:12.519 |
4. |
Jordan Smith |
(Hon) |
1:12.552 |
5. |
Stilez Robertson |
(Hus) |
1:12.724 |
6. |
Cameron Mcadoo |
(Kaw) |
1:13.559 |
7. |
Kyle Peters |
(Hon) |
1:13.661 |
8. |
Phil Nicoletti |
(Yam) |
1:14.245 |
9. |
Mitchell Oldenburg |
(Hon) |
1:14.304 |
10. |
Jace Owen |
(Yam) |
1:14.342 |
Click here for more Supercross news.