Ryan Nitzen | May 22, 2024
Remember those old-school mid-week money races? Well, Glen Helen Raceway looked to bring back that vibe as it hosted its first “Stopwatch National” amid its world-famous Thursday practice. The former national venue posted $10,000 up for grabs with two 30-minute plus one-lap motos on the schedule for the day. A stacked 35-rider gate lined up on their “weekend off” for some exciting weekday racing as they prepare for the upcoming start of the 2024 Pro Motocross Championship at Fox Raceway.
VIDEO | 2024 Glen Helen Stopwatch National Highlights
UPDATE May 22, 2024
Motocross Community Raises $7,900 for Alpinestars Medical Unit
(May 22, 2024 Update) The inaugural Stopwatch National race at Glen Helen was a resounding success, attracting some of the biggest names in motocross. We are thrilled with the outcome and the enthusiastic support from fans and participants alike. What made this event particularly special was our commitment to giving back, with all spectator fees being donated to the Alpinestars Mobile Medical Unit.
We are proud to announce that we raised an impressive $7,900 during the Stopwatch National, and 100% of these spectator fees will support the vital services provided by the Alpinestars Mobile Medical Unit. Thank you to everyone who made this possible – your participation and generosity have made a significant impact.
Derek Drake led early in moto one. Photos: Ryan Nitzen
MOTO 1
Derek Drake of the BarX Suzuki Team took off with the early lead in race one. The 450-mounted Drake easily won last weekend’s Mammoth Qualifier at Fox Raceway and is hoping to carry that momentum into the outdoor season.
Brown eventually made the pass for the lead.
He held the early advantage over both Troy Lee Designs Red Bull GasGas 250 riders, Pierce Brown and Ryder DiFrancesco, but later fell victim to Brown and eventually dropped out of the order. With Brown now leading, the order all moved up a spot but DiFrancesco couldn’t get close enough to challenge his teammate for the win. Brown took the win over Ryder D and Broc Tickle.
Drake stayed close before dropping down in the order.
Moto 1 Podium – Brown, Difrancesco, Tickle.
MOTO 2
Tickle fired back in moto two with a big holeshot on his factory-prepped KX450. The larger 450 proved to be a big advantage on the start and the steep hills at Glen Helen but two 250’s of DiFrancesco and Beaumer started closely in tow.
Tickle ran away with the win in race two.
Ryder D again started up front with KTM’s Julien Beaumer just behind in third. Beaumer chipped away at the gap to second and eventually caught the GasGas rider late in the moto. Beaumer’s pass didn’t affect DiFrancesco’s overall score and with Tickle alone at the front, the number-34 cruised it in for third place.
Ryder D rode a strong second for most of the race.
Tickle rode off the front for the entirety of the race and led every lap of moto two. DiFrancesco’s third in the second moto earned him second overall on the day. Beaumer’s pass moved him to second in the race and bumped him to third overall. Brown crashed out of moto two, going 1-31 for 15th overall.CN
Until Beaumer (929) caught and passed him.
Overall podium – Tickle, DiFrancesco, Beaumer.
1. Broc Tickle (Kaw) 3-1
2. Ryder DiFrancesco(GG) 2-3
3. Julien Beaumer (KTM) 5-2
4. Dante Oliveira (KTM) 4-6
5. Marshal Weltin (Yam) 6-5
6. Derek Kelley (KTM) 14-4
7. Parker Ross (Hon) 12-7
8. CJ Benard (KTM) 10-10
9. Mateo Oliveira (KTM) 13-8
10. Romain Pape (GG) 9-13