Last weekend in Glendale, Supercross fans were treated to some amazing racing and a touch of heartbreak. The 250 class has been delivering in a big way this season, and round 4 kept with this trend. Jordon Smith is the fourth rider to win this season in the first four rounds, and this was also the first Supercross win for the Triumph Racing team as they entered the sport last season. We saw a good race from Haiden Deegan and a salvage from Julien Beaumer, who made multiple unforced errors but recovered to grab a fourth-place overall finish. The biggest story of the weekend would have been the performance by Cole Davies if not for the first Triumph win. Cole won both of the first two races in the triple crown but got a terrible start in the third race, but was able to work his way forward to still grab a third overall.
The action in the 450 class was just as good as we saw Chase Sexton leave with an overall win and the first rider to repeat as a winner this season. He did this with consistent results and no individual race wins on the evening. While Roczen, Webb, and Tomac all grabbed race wins and had solid overall results. But the big news of the weekend was the potential injury to Jett Lawrence who dabbed his knee on the opening lap of the third race, leaving his future in question for the rest of this season.
450 SX Class
Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing’s Cooper Webb grabbed his second podium of the season after starting the night with a win in Race 1. Webb’s Race scores of (1-5-3) were good for second overall. The red-plate holder coming into Glendale, Progressive Insurance ECSTAR Suzuki’s Ken Roczen earned a victory in Race 2 and rounded off the podium with third place overall and (4-1-5) Race scores. Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing’s Eli Tomac won Race 3 and took fourth overall with (6-4-1) finishes. Defending Monster Energy Supercross Champion and Reigning SMX World Champion Team Honda HRC Progressive’s Jett Lawrence was in a good position entering Race 3, but a dab on the ground ended his night at the second corner with a (2-2-DNF) for eighth overall. After the race his team reported that he’d felt a strong, unfamiliar pain in his knee and pulled off; it was unclear what this meant, but there was optimism that he’ll be back on the track at the next round.
“The first two races were chaos. I had to fight really hard to get to a good position and be on the podium. In the last race I made a dumb mistake and let Eli get by me. Honestly, I’m a little bummed I didn’t win that last race; I wanted that one. But I got the overall win and that’s what we’re here to do. We’re here to win and get the red plate back, and consistency paid off tonight. My speed was good… we’re in a good spot and I’m ready to fight for this thing.” – Chase Sexton
“It’s been a rough go here in this stadium… I’ve heard it all week how I suck here, so everyone can shut up now… Honestly, I had a lot of fun today. I turned the page. It was so close – one point from a win and I won a [Race], so I’m stoked with the night. We’ll keep the ball rolling as we head east. Those are my conditions that we’re headed to now, and I’m super stoked with everything.” – Cooper Webb, in reference to doubters and his sub-par past finishes at the Glendale round.
“I did know that I had to get [Justin] Barcia [in Race 3] for the [overall] podium, but I kept messing up the rhythm in the middle of the track. So I would yo-yo with Justin, and honestly almost didn’t think I was going to get him, but then with two laps to go I just left it all out there and absolutely went for it… I’m stoked to be back on the podium, and I guess it’s a breath of fresh air to be kind of bummed [with a podium], because I feel like I let a better spot slip away, along with the red plate. But overall, I gave 100% every Race, and there are a lot of positives to take away from here… we’re going to fight back next weekend and hopefully snag that red plate again from Chase.” – Ken Roczen
250 SX Class
In the Western Regional 250SX Class, the sport’s history books were opened up and Triumph added its name to the winner’s list thanks to Triumph Racing’s Jordon Smith’s fast and consistent (2-3-1) Race performances and the overall 250SX Class victory.
In Western Regional 250SX Class racing, Jordon Smith’s consistency earned himself and the Triumph Racing team the win. Smith becomes the fourth racer in four rounds to win, and Triumph becomes the fourth manufacturer to put their bike atop the 250SX podium this season. Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing’s Haiden Deegan had speed enough for consistent (3-2-4) Race finishes and second overall. Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing’s Cole Davies was having a break-out ride in his fourth professional Supercross. The young New Zealand rider earned wins in Race 1 and Race 2, but a big crash in Race 3 put him at the back of the pack. Davies charged through the pack and his (1-1-8) Race scores earned him the third spot on the podium. Points leader Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Julien Beaumer had two crashes while leading the first two Races. He kept it on two wheels in Race 3 and used (4-7-2) scores to earn fourth overall in Glendale and retain the points lead.
“It’s unbelievable to get the first win for the Triumph brand… It feels good to be up here and get the win. The track got very tricky. [The track crew] didn’t touch those whoops since this morning so they were treacherous, but it’s just unbelievable to get this win. The bike is amazing. I think a lot of people may have questioned me leaving Star, but I believed in these guys from day one and we worked our butts off all [during the] off-season and it really shows. I’m just so happy to be back up here on the top step.” – Jordon Smith
“It was a good ride today. I’m happy with it, P2 on the day. Obviously congrats to Smitty, that’s big for him and that’s super cool. Two week break now [for the 250SX West division] and we’ll come out swinging at the next round.” – Haiden Deegan
“I didn’t get off to a great start [in Race 3]. A rider landed on a Tuff Blox and it [moved] and landed in front of me. Then I landed on the Tuff Blox. There’s not much I could have done other than getting a better start. But I fought back, I did the best I could, so [I gained] a lot of confidence going to Arlington. I’m going to work hard during this break.” – Cole Davies, explaining his crash on the first rhythm section in Race 3.
