Monster Energy AMA Supercross is Back, Tomac Still on Top

Rice-Eccles Stadium, Salt Lake City, UT — May 31, 2020

Motorsports are leading the way in the resumption of sporting events from the pandemic shutdown. It’s easy to social distance when you are wearing a helmet. Monster Energy AMA Supercross is the latest event schedule to resume fulltime.

Seven events remained for the 250SX and 450SX riders after the last race, Round 10, at Daytona International Speedway on March 7th. Following the NASCAR model of no fans in the stands and limiting the event locales, all remaining competitions will be held at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City, UT. The schedule, including broadcast stations, is as follows.

Sunday, May 31 (3-4 p.m. ET, NBCSN; 4-6 p.m. ET, NBC);
Wednesday, June 3 ( 10:00 pm – 1:00 am ET, NBCSN);
Sunday, June 7 (5-8:00 p.m. ET, NBCSN);
Wednesday, June 10 (7–10 p.m. ET, NBCSN);
Sunday, June 14 (7-10 p.m. ET, NBCSN);
Wednesday, June 17 (7-10 p.m. ET, NBCSN);
Sunday, June 21 (3-4:30 p.m. ET, NBCSN; 4:30 – 6:00 p.m. ET, NBC)

250SX Main

Points leader Chase Sexton(1E) won the 1st heat of the 250SX riders and Shane McElrath(12), 2nd in the points, won the second heat. Apparently, not much changes, even after an 85-day layoff.

However, in the 250SX Main Event, it was all McElrath as he earned the holeshot and led every lap. Sexton made several runs at the leaders but could never get close enough to make a serious challenge. The short course at the University of Utah football stadium meant lapped traffic was an obstacle for lead riders to deal with all day long. Only five of the 22 riders finished on the lead lap.

McElrath’s win shaved three points off Sexton’s lead in the 250SX East points race.

250SX Results

250SX East Points Standing

450 SX Main

The same scenario held true with the 450SX riders. Points leader Eli Tomac(3) won the 1st Heat. Ken Roczen(94), also 2nd in the 450 SX points battle, took the win in Heat 2.

The Main Event featured some drama as Tomac rolled off 5th at the start and Roczen 10th. Blake Baggett(4) grabbed the holeshot win followed by Vince Friese(64) and Adam Cianciarulo(9).

Cianciarulo went down in the rhythm section on Lap 1, Tomac ran over Adam’s bike and defending champion Cooper Webb(1) ran over Cianciarulo. Adam managed to crawl off the track but sat dazed on one of the trackside tuff blocks.

Baggett built a three-second lead while Tomac and Webb were battling for 3rd place. Webb won the spot and Roczen had moved up to join the battle and he passed Tomac as well. Like many of his races this year, Tomac’s determination settled in and began to pick off the riders in front of him. One by one Tomac moved to the front, taking the lead on Lap 12.

Once in the top spot, Tomac moved away for the victory. Webb finished 2nd and Roczen 3rd, allowing Tomac to stretch his points lead to eight over Roczen. In an incident coming to the final lap of the race, Roczen landed a jump on the tuff blocks. Somehow he was able to remain upright and rode out the last circuit to the checkered flag. Cianciarulo never returned to the track and finished last.

450SX Results

450SX Points Standing