DETROIT — Monster Energy Star Racing Yamaha’s Eli Tomac claimed victory Saturday night in front of 47,043 fans in a wild race at Ford Field that will be re-watched for years to come.
Tomac became the first rider this season to win three consecutive Monster Energy AMA Supercross races, stretching his points lead to 42 after 10 events in the 17-round series.
Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing’s Malcolm Stewart rode a smart race to bring home a second-place finish, matching his career-best result and moving into a tie for second in the points. Troy Lee Designs Red Bull GASGAS Factory Racing’s Justin Barcia finished in third after leading early.
In the Eastern Regional 250SX class, Team Honda HRC’s Jett Lawrence took the win, his third of the season.
After Cade Clason grabbed the holeshot, Twisted Tea Suzuki’s Justin Bogle jumped into the early lead in the 450SX event with Red Bull KTM’s Marvin Musquin right behind. Bogle maintained the top spot through the early laps with Musquin close, Barcia sitting third, Red Bull KTM’s Cooper Webb holding fourth and Monster Energy Kawasaki’s Jason Anderson in fifth. Just over two minutes into the 20-minute plus one lap race, Barcia pushed his way past Bogle. Anderson and Webb were by soon after that while Eli Tomac was up to sixth after a mid-pack start.
Less than five minutes in, Anderson got by Barcia in the whoops. A lap later, Tomac passed in the whoops, this time blitzing past Webb for third place. One lap after that, Tomac repeated the move on Barcia, putting him into second place. At the race’s midpoint, Tomac took over the lead, Anderson counterattacked from second and Malcolm Stewart rounded out the top three.
The tacky, rutted track had created plenty of drama and crashes in the heat races and LCQs, and at this point in the race it began to dramatically impact the racing and title points standings.
Team Honda HRC’s Chase Sexton caught Cooper Webb. Then Webb shorted a jump out of a corner and Sexton landed on him. Both riders went down in a brutal tangle. Sexton was out, Webb slowly remounted and valiantly tried to ride laps with his left arm tucked against his chest. He was hurt but doing what he could to salvage points.
Shortly after, Anderson washed out his front end in a corner entrance. He remounted, then pulled off down the next straight after realizing he’d been injured.
Just a couple laps later, Monster Energy Star Racing Yamaha’s Dylan Ferrandis ran into trouble and pulled out of the race. In the closing laps Musquin made a charge for the final podium position, but the track got its final say in the results as Musquin washed out his front wheel in a bowl turn and lost his chance for a spot on the podium.
Eli Tomac earned his third consecutive Monster Energy AMA Supercross triumph Saturday at Detroit’s Ford Field. (Feld photo)
The chaotic race was a thriller, and one surely to be watched again and again over the years as one of those sporting events that stands out as a wild and unique race. It resulted in a huge mix-up in the points, granting Tomac a seemingly insurmountable lead.
Only time will tell which riders will be recovered enough to line up on the gate next weekend in Indianapolis.
When the gate dropped in the Eastern Regional 250SX class, Lawrence was credited with the holeshot but Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing’s Stilez Robertson jumped past into the lead.
The two battled for the opening laps with Lawrence taking over the spot for good at the end of the first lap. Troy Lee Designs Red Bull GASGAS Factory Racing’s Pierce Brown was next to get around Robertson with Monster Energy Pro Circuit Kawasaki’s Cameron McAdoo getting past and into third before two minutes ticked off of the clock in the 15-minute plus one lap race.
At the race’s midpoint, Brown was slowly chipping away at Lawrence’s three second lead. Then a lapped rider prevented Lawrence from jumping the finish line and Brown was on the Honda’s rear wheel. After some close battling Lawrence inched away as McAdoo caught Brown’s rear tire.
With just over four minutes left on the clock McAdoo took over second but wasn’t able to close on Lawrence. The finish extended Lawrence’s points lead to eight after four rounds of the nine-race regional series.
Keyword: It’s Three Straight For Eli Tomac