Words and Photos by Krystyn Slack
This past weekend in San Diego, CA marked the sixth round of Monster Energy AMA Supercross, an FIM World Championship, and another round of exciting and surprising racing. I foolishly keep thinking that we might begin to see some “usual suspects” emerge, but with a third of the season complete, we’re still in an “anything can happen” pattern. This certainly makes the season exciting not only for the fans but for the riders as well. San Diego marked an especially important race for the 250SX class because it is the last Western Regional round until Indianapolis, where both 250SX West and 250SX East riders will converge for an East/West Shootout. Petco Park is situated in the middle of the picturesque downtown San Diego skyline, the perfect backdrop for an exhilarating night of racing. Here’s a look at your Fast Five for Round 6 of Monster Energy Supercross.
5. Aaron Plessinger Creates Epic Gender Reveal for Supercross Fans
Aaron Plessinger has not only had an exciting year of racing thus far as the only rider in the 250SX class in the Western Region to claim three victories, but has had a monumental year in his personal life as well. He kicked off the year announcing on Instagram that he and long-time girlfriend, Kendall Taylor, are expecting their first child together, due in July. It has become popular in recent years to reveal the baby’s gender in a creative way. Aaron and Kendall kicked it up a notch by partnering with Aaron’s helmet sponsor, Bell Helmets, to have a custom lid painted either pink or blue. Saturday morning, the two opened the helmet bag to reveal a blue helmet with “It’s a Boy” painted on the back. Aaron crossed the finish line in 8th place in San Diego, but still hangs on to the points lead as we head in to the Western Regional break.
4. Joey Savatgy Crashes Hard in Free Practice
Joey Savatgy took a hard hit during the first practice of the day and was carted off by the Alpinestars Medical team. At that point, it was assumed by all that Savatgy’s night was over long before it ever began. With San Diego being the last Western Regional race before the break, every rider was on the same mission – earn as many points as possible, especially in Savatgy’s case, who sat second in points coming into Round 6. It was no surprise that Savatgy didn’t line up for the first timed practice, but it was certainly a surprise to see him line up for the second timed practice. He would go on to qualify in a respectable 8th place, which was nothing short of impressive considering he started his day on the back of the Medic Mule. Even more impressive than their riding abilities is the ability these riders have to tap into mental strength that is unwavering. Pushing through the pain for the final race before the break, Savatgy lined up for the Main Event. He snagged the holeshot and led the first lap. Savatgy would ultimately finish the race in 4th after his valiant effort to finish the day strong. Savatgy maintains the second position in the points standings heading into the break.
3. Cooper Webb Wins First Heat Race of the Season
Cooper Webb has had to dig deep to shake off the rookie blues. He was a force to be reckoned with in the 250SX class but has taken time to adjust to his new class of 450SX competitors. Now in his second season in the premier class, Webb is building up momentum week after week but it hasn’t been the easiest journey for the Yamaha rider. San Diego started off as a light at the end of the tunnel, twice. When the gate dropped for his Heat Race, Webb got out to an early lead with some speed. Unfortunately, a freak accident left Justin Bogle in a more than tough position. The Heat Race was red flagged so that the Alpinestars Medical Staff was able to tend to the downed Bogle and make sure he was in good hands. For any rider, a red flag situation is challenging because you have to mellow out your heart rate and refocus in order to do it all over again seconds later. For the second gate drop, Webb did not immediately find himself the leader of the pack, but he was able to regroup nicely and finish out the Heat Race by taking the checkers – the first of 2018 for Webb.
2. Ken Roczen and Eli Tomac Have Tumultuous Trip to San Diego
The gate dropped on the 450SX Main Event in San Diego, and before the first turn the night was off to a less than ideal start for Eli Tomac, Ken Roczen, and a slew of other riders as the dreaded first turn domino effect hit in full force. Roczen would regroup, remount his race steed and charge forward. Tomac gave it a go but quickly found himself in the mechanics’ area. He then pulled off the track and headed back to the pits shortly after. Even though Tomac has led the most laps of any rider this season, he hasn’t sealed the deal in nearly as many outings has he would hope. As Tomac pulled off and called it a night, Ken Roczen was rebuilding his momentum to regroup and hopefully come in with a strong finish for the evening. Unfortunately, just when momentum was building for the #94 of Ken Roczen, he managed to get himself stuck in a rut, literally. Cooper Webb took Roczen a little wide in a turn to make a pass, and in the very next turn Roczen attempted to make what looked like a similar move and regain the position over Webb. But in a very weird chain of events, Roczen’s rear tire somehow slipped into another line and his Dunlop tires found way too much traction, causing him to loop out and get his right hand and arm tangled in the swing arm of Webb’s bike. Webb was able to remount and finish the race but nowhere near the position of where he had hoped after winning his Heat Race. Ken Roczen would end his night before Lap 3 of the Main Event banged up and bruised, and sadly a little broken. Kenny ended up with a fractured second metacarpal in his right hand – a devastating blow to the revival story of a century
1. Justin Hill Claims First Victory of 2018
Current reigning champ, Justin Hill, hasn’t had the most ideal start to the 2018 season. But something clicked last week in Oakland and the fun, cheerful Justin Hill we came to know and love last year finally made his return. When Hill is smiling throughout the Main Event, that’s the danger zone for his competition. San Diego was just the right type of track where Justin Hill excels – tough, technical, and fun. He made some very calculated passes throughout the challenging Main Event and emerged victorious for the first time in 2018. The added confidence and momentum will hopefully carry him through the break until we see him again in Indianapolis.
This week we head east to Arlington, TX to see the 250SX Eastern Regional competitors for the first time in 2018 – it’s almost like a brand new start to the season all over again. This is the most “anything can happen” season in recent years and it only looks to get more exciting as the season progresses.
