GLENDALE, Ariz. — Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Chase Sexton took the overall win at the Monster Energy AMA Supercross season’s first Triple Crown event with (3-3-2) race scores inside State Farm Stadium.
After winning the opener, Sexton took back the points lead at Round 4 of the Supercross Championship, which also serves as Round 4 of the SMX Word Championship.
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 means, 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,” Sexton explained. “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.”
Webb was pleased with his result.
“It’s been a rough go here in this stadium,” Webb said. “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.”
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.
