DENVER — The track at Broncos Stadium at Mile High for the 15th round of the Monster Energy AMA Supercross, an FIM World Championship was under snow a few days prior, but conditions were dry for racing as Kawasaki won both classes in front of 59,718 fans who braved the cold night.
Monster Energy Kawasaki’s Eli Tomac was dominant in what was a hometown race for the Colorado racer and at a venue that’s only been on the schedule once before, 23 years ago.
With the win Tomac pulls to within 18 points leader Cooper Webb, who finished second.
In the penultimate round of the Western Regional 250SX Class, Monster Energy/Pro Circuit Kawasaki’s Adam Cianciarulo had a near perfect night to stretch his points lead from five to eight.
It was the fifth time Kawasaki has won both the 450SX and 250SX rounds in the same night this season.
Red Bull KTM’s Marvin Musquin grabbed the holeshot in the 450SX Class Main Event with Monster Energy Kawasaki’s Joey Savatgy and Cycle Trader/Rock River Yamaha’s Ryan Breece right behind. Tomac sat around sixth and wasted no time diving under Red Bull KTM’s Webb for fifth.
The two title contenders had had a great battle in their heat, but in the main event Tomac passed and pulled away. Two and a half minutes into the twenty minute plus one lap race Tomac got around third place rider, Team Rocky Mountain ATV/MC KTM WPS’ Justin Bogle, and set his sights on his teammate Savatgy; it took Tomac one minute to catch and pass Savatgy and next target Musquin, who held the lead just over three seconds ahead.
Two minutes later Tomac blitzed by Musquin in the whoops and checked out from the field, not to be challenged for the win.
Meanwhile, Webb steadily worked his way past Bogle, Savatgy and Musquin to take second with three minutes remaining. He was over eight seconds behind Tomac at that point so a chance at the win was out of reach. Tomac crossed the line to the screams of the Colorado fans. With the victory, Tomac closed the championship points to eighteen over Webb. Musquin dropped back to twenty-three points down.
The only other rider still with a mathematical chance at the title, Team Honda HRC’s Ken Roczen, had a lackluster night and finished seventh, dropping back to 49 points behind Webb.
“I mean, that’s like what I dreamed of and that was by far the coolest crowd, best atmosphere. And they were so loud,” Tomac said. “It was like it was, just loud, like coming over the triple there, battling for the lead, it was the loudest thing I’ve ever even heard. It’s so special. [So very] cool.”