Motocross Performance Magazine Canadian Motocross news leader
Words and Photos by Krystyn Slack (@freestylephotocross)
Sometimes mechanics have all of the answers.
From below freezing, to beach weather, and back to cold and rain, the East Coast rounds of Monster Energy AMA Supercross, an FIM World Championship have had almost as many different podium finishers as we have had temperatures. Round 11 of the series brought us to the home of the Indianapolis Colts, Lucas Oil Stadium in the middle of downtown Indianapolis, Indiana. Unique to this facility is the architecture of the building. Where most stadiums we have visited on the circuit are designed to look specifically like a stadium, Lucas Oil Stadium is constructed of reddish-brown bricks and trimmed with Indiana limestone, reflecting many of the other industrial and historic buildings in the area. More than 60,000 fans were in attendance Saturday evening to watch a great night of racing unfold.
Eli Tomac just keeps rolling along as his now has Dungey’s points lead down to twelve.
As the 250SX Eastern Regional Championship has progressed, no single rider has been identified as “the” title contender or one to beat, making for a very exciting race to the championship. On the soft rutted Indiana soil paired with two huge whoops sections the name of the game for Round 11, especially for the 250SX riders, was stay on two wheels as long as possible. While the track was extremely challenging for all riders, the 250SX riders definitely were thrown for more huck-abuck action than their 450SX counterparts – resulting in carnage right and left – leaving practically every 250SX lap adorned with the waving of yellow flags. The big Heat Race winners on the evening were the #44 of Jordon Smith in Heat Race 1 and the #16 of fastest qualifier Zach Osborne in Heat Race 2. Both Smith and Osborne evaded the downed riders in the Main Event finishing in third and first, respectively. Smith spent much of the Main Event chasing his teammate, Alex Martin, with less than a couple bike length between the two riders until Alex found himself over the bars and climbing up and over the two-high tuff blocks to return to his bike. Martin was luckily not injured in his crash, but it did allow for his teammate to make up valuable time and move into a solid third place. Finishing in second on the evening was the #17 of Joey Savatgy. The Monster Energy Pro Circuit Kawasaki rider led the first 9 of the 20 lap Main Event before being passed by the #16 of Zach Osborne. The two riders were extremely close the entire Main, including even making contact a couple of times, but Zach was able to find a line that allowed him to pass Savatgy for the lead and ultimately for the win. Zach would finish 2.201 seconds ahead of Savatgy, maintaining the points lead as we head to Round 12 in Detroit. Osborne, who up unti this year hadn’t yet achieved the elusive “Career First 250SX Supercross Victory”, is now a three-time winner and the points leader.
In the 450SX class, however, a somewhat familiar narrative has been playing out for quite a few weeks in a row now with the #3 of Eli Tomac taking yet another win in Indianapolis. With his awesome riding in the past few weeks, Tomac now has Dungey’s points lead down to just twelve. Now the riders head into the Motor City and Ford Field to renew their battles.
Chad Reed and Ryan Dungey will have to find some more speed in the next few races if they hope to slow down the green Tomac train.
