Fast Five // San Diego SX

Fast Five // San Diego SX
Words and Photos: Krystyn Slack

Last weekend in San Diego, Supercross fans and riders had the opportunity to honor our members of the Armed Forces during Military Appreciation Night. Feld Entertainment Inc. continues to elevate their dedication to putting together an extremely special event during our annual Military Appreciation Night. Not only did we have the chance to honor and thank our servicemen and women, but we also got to witness an incredible night of racing!

In no particular order, here is this week’s “Fast Five” – the most memorable and talked about moments from Round 2 at Petco Park in San Diego, CA.

1. Two for Two for Two

For the first time in many years, we have had to implement a “Rainy Day Schedule” for Press Day and practice for the first two round of racing – racing that takes place in Southern California. Never would I have expected to be recounting inclement weather in two for two races thus far. While the exceedingly wet winter has impacted racing, it has not impacted riding speed. But the weather is not the only statistic that is “Two for Two” so far on the season.

Ken Roczen continues to dominate on his lightning fast 2017 CRF450R. Only this week, he didn’t launch into a 16 second lead for the win. The ever-adapting and steady “Diesel”, Ryan Dungey, was ready to challenge Kenny for his podium position this week, and kept him honest the entire 24 lap Main Event. The two dominant premier class riders put on an exhilarating cat and mouse chase that lasted the entire 20 minute + 1 lap Main Event on Saturday night, with Ken Roczen ultimately going two for two with top step appearances on the podium.

Your last “Two for Two” in this week’s “Fast Five” is awarded to Shane McElrath. Only two weeks ago, Shane had never claimed a career Supercross victory – yet now, two weeks into the season, Shane is now a two-time Monster Energy AMA Supercross Main Event winner. A word we hear a lot about in our sport is “momentum” and the momentum and confidence that comes with not only your first career SX victory, but two victories in a row is monumental. The dots have connected in the off-season for Shane in the most ideal of scenarios possible and it’s clear to see that he’s prepared to battle as a legitimate title contender.

2. Justin Hill Claims Pole Position after Qualifying and finishes 2^nd in the Main Event

Justin Hill put down the fastest lap time during the 250SX qualifying practice sessions and took the checkers in his Heat Race – his 4^th Heat win of his career. During the Main Event, however, Hill found himself in 7^th place off the start. He remained nearly mid-pack until the clock hit 3:30 remaining in the Main Event as which point the #46 must have come across some Mario Kart “Star Power”, because in an instant, Justin was decisively picking off riders and making passes turn after turn until he was closing in on a podium position. To come from a mid-pack start to anywhere close to podium contention would be impressive in and of itself, but close to podium contention wasn’t enough for the tenacious Hill. He continued to pick off riders and work his way through not only the riders in front of him, but lapped traffic as well, even almost passing Shane McElrath for the lead during the last lap of the 15-minute + one lap Main Event. Ultimately, Justin would finish an impressive 2^nd on the evening and currently sits 3^rd in points as we head into Round 3 in Anaheim.

3. “The Rippa” Leads Two-Thirds of the 250SX Main

GEICO Honda’s Jimmy Decotis, “The Rippa”, ripped the holeshot in the 250SX Main Event and took a commanding lead over the field. The #57 led the 15 minute + one lap Main Event for an impressive nearly two-thirds of the race. As the battles for position heated up behind the leader, riders like Aaron Plessinger and Justin Hill were picking riders off right and left from mid-pack and were quickly creeping up into podium contention. Decotis soon found himself being challenged for the lead and would ultimately end up 6^th on the night. “The Rippa” currently sits 7^th in the points standings for the 250SX Western Regional Championship.

4. Jeremy Martin Walks Away from Practice Crash

During qualifying practice, the #6 of Jeremy Martin was involved in one of the most visually astounding crashes we’ve seen in a while. While ripping through one of the rhythm sections on the track, a slight undershoot on a jump and coming into the corner a little too hot led to Jeremy being ejected from the bike in a full ragdoll crash. He was launched over the bars and completed nearly three full inversions before coming to a stop, right side up, in a separate section of the track. Miraculously Martin stood up, gave a “what the heck just happened?” look, shook it off, and got back on the bike and completed his qualifying practice as if nothing happened. In the Main Event, Martin unfortunately got a terrible jump off the gate, at 22^nd, but fought through the pack and would ultimately finish a respectable 7^th on the night. Jeremy definitely has the speed to be up front – and shows it in qualifying. Look for the #6 to make an impression out there in the coming weeks.

5. Military Holeshot Challenge and USO Silent Auction

Military Appreciation night always lends to a special energy on Race Day – especially in San Diego, where so many military personnel call home. For this Military Appreciation Night, a special Holeshot Challenge took place featuring Army and Marine Corps veterans – including double leg amputee Jesse Williamson. Just like in the Night Show, the 30-second board was raised and the gate dropped, sending the participants wide open to the SupercrossLIVE Holeshot. It would be USMC veteran, and double amputee, Jesse Williamson, who crossed the chalk first for the win.

This would be the 4^th consecutive year Monster Energy Supercross has hosted a Military Appreciation Night and it is always a fan favorite. In addition to the appearance of countless servicemen and women, special graphics and gear kits, unique pit party and opening ceremonies experiences, Monster Energy Supercross also hosts an online auction to benefit the San Diego chapter of the USO. More than 30 items have been donated – including signed full gear sets, bike plastics with custom Military Appreciation Night graphics, and even brand new 2017 250cc four-stroke motorcycles from each of the six participating manufacturers in the championship. You still have time to bid on these unique items. The initial run of items will close on Wednesday, January 25, 2017.

Click Here to head on over to the auction and support a great cause.