SX returns to Anaheim for third bout of 2015

Supercross heads back to Angel Stadium for Third Stop of Monster Energy Supercross 2015

After two races into the Monster Energy AMA Supercross Suzuki’s Ken Roczen has established a nine-point lead in the season standings over Red Bull KTM’s Ryan Dungey as racing action returns to Angel Stadium in Anaheim, California this Saturday night.

KTM’s Jessy Nelson, who won the season opener in Anaheim, leads the way in the 250SX Class over Yamaha’s Cooper Webb.

Click the video below to watch the highlights from Phoenix’s 450SX Class Main Event
[youtube id=”UucaW6WcIbY” width=”853″ height=”480″]

Some key insights to watch heading into this Saturday night’s race include:

• Eli Tomac became the 58th different 450SX Class race winner. Only 10 times in Monster Energy Supercross history has a first time winner followed their first-ever win with a win.
• KTM or Husqvarna have never won the second race in Anaheim, can Anderson or Dungey give these brands their first-ever win?
• There have been five different riders to make the 450SX Class podium, #WhosNext?
• The winner of the opening race in Anaheim has gone on to win the second Anaheim seven times, can Roczen make it eight?
• Chad Reed can tie Jeremy McGrath on the all-time start list with 172 this weekend.
• Roczen and Nelson have never held the points lead in their respective racing divisions; can they extend it this weekend?

While Roczen put his name in the #WhosNext hat, he was joined by GEICO Honda’s Eli Tomac, who scored the first win of his 450SX Class career, as the first two winners of the 2015 season. Tomac, a former 250SX Class Champion, traded positions with early race leader Roczen before making a pass that would stick on Lap 8. Once in the driver’s seat, Tomac eventually won by a 6.4 second margin of victory. At the first race in Anaheim, Tomac finished 20th and with his win in Phoenix he moved up to sixth in the point standings, a 14-position advancement.

“That was one of the [most fun] races of my life and to come away with a win is a cherry on top,” exclaimed Tomac, who crashed twice in last weekend’s Main Event en route to a 20th-place finish. “To beat a guy like Ken [Roczen]; we respect each other and race each other hard. It’s just great. We definitely put our biggest effort into this [after last weekend’s misfortunes], and this is what he came out here to do.”

The most consistent rider of the season, Roczen finished comfortably in second place and has his sights set on his second win in Anaheim.

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“I got off to a fast start but overall I didn’t feel the greatest on Saturday,” said Roczen. “I put it down the first 10 laps [or so], but then Eli got me. He rode better than me, but I’m very happy to have finished on the podium. We’ll do some work this week and come out next weekend looking to get a good start, ride smart and come away with another good result.”

Autotrader.com/Toyota/Yamaha’s Weston Peick rode the best race of his 450SX Class career, holding off Dungey for the number-three position until Lap 17. Peick is currently fifth in the season standings, just one point out of fourth place.

Webb, who finished seventh at the season opener, captured the first win of his young career in Phoenix. Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing’s Zach Osborne led the field after capturing the SupercrossLive.com Holeshot Award but GEICO Honda’s Malcolm Stewart assumed the lead in the early stages before being passed by Webb on Lap 4.

“I got an awesome start and that helped a lot,” said Webb, who won in his 11th career start. “Phoenix was one of my favorite races last year, so to get it done here feels awesome. It feels good to [move into] second in points, but I’ll feel better to get that red plate [as the championship leader].”

Although Stewart fell short of earning his first 250SX Class win, second place was the best finish of his career, and he sits eighth in the points standings after finishing a disappointing 22nd at the season opener.

In what appears to be a breakout season for Nelson, he has finished 1-3 in the first two races of 2015 and has a six-point cushion in the championship standings.

“It was great getting my second [career] supercross podium and two [podiums] in a row to start the season,” said Nelson. “I felt great; I just had to battle there for six or seven laps. I’ll just need to work on some things this week. We have a six-point lead and still have the red plate [as the points leader], so all in all it’s a good night.”

Four-time AMSOIL Arenacross Champion Tyler Bowers sits third overall in season standings after a fourth-place finish in Phoenix.

During last year’s 450SX Class Main Event in Anaheim, TwoTwo Motorsports’ Chad Reed scored his first win of the season and his fourth-ever win in Anaheim.

In the Western Regional 250SX Class, Cole Seely won his first race of the season, which gave him a surge of momentum that ultimately carried him to earning second place in the championship.

Reed and Jeremy McGrath are tied on the all-time 450SX Class win list with eight apiece. Ivan Tedesco holds the all-time 250SX Class win record with five.

450SX Class Results: Phoenix

1. Eli Tomac, Cortez, Colo., Honda
2. Ken Roczen, Clermont, Fla., Suzuki
3. Ryan Dungey, Belle Plaine, Minn., KTM
4. Weston Peick, Menifee, Calif., Yamaha
5. Davi Millsaps, Murrieta, Calif., Kawasaki
6. Jason Anderson, Edgewood, N.M., Husqvarna
7. Andrew Short, Smithville, Texas, KTM
8. Trey Canard, Edmond, Okla., Honda
9. Jake Weimer, Wildomar, Calif., Kawasaki
10. Chad Reed, Dade City, Fla., Kawasaki

450SX Class Season Standings

1. Ken Roczen, Clermont, Fla., Suzuki, 47
2. Ryan Dungey, Belle Plaine, Minn., KTM, 38
3. Jason Anderson, Edgewood, N.M., Husqvarna, 37
4. Trey Canard, Edmond, Okla., Honda, 33
5. Weston Peick, Menifee, Calif., Yamaha, 32
6. Andrew Short, Smithville, Texas, KTM, 30
7. Eli Tomac, Cortez, Colo., Honda, 26
8. Justin Barcia, Greenville, Fla., Yamaha, 25
9. Broc Tickle, Holly, Mich., Suzuki, 22
10. Jake Weimer, Wildomar, Calif., 22
11. Chad Reed, Dade City, Fla., Kawasaki, 22

Western Regional 250SX Class Results: Phoenix

1. Cooper Webb, Newport, N.C., Yamaha
2. Malcolm Stewart, Haines City, Fla., Honda
3. Jessy Nelson, Paso Robles, Calif., KTM
4. Tyler Bowers, Corona, Calif., Kawasaki
5. Aaron Plessinger, Hamilton, Ohio, Yamaha
6. Justin Hill, Yoncalla, Ore., KTM
7. Zach Osborne, Chesterfield, S.C., Husqvarna
8. Shane McElrath, Canton, N.C., KTM
9. Zach Bell, Cairo, Ga., Husqvarna
10. Tommy Hahn, Decatur, Texas, Honda

Western Regional 250SX Class Season Standings

1. Jessy Nelson, Paso Robles, Calif., KTM, 45
2. Cooper Webb, Newport, N.C., Yamaha, 39
3. Tyler Bowers, Corona, Calif., Kawasaki, 38
4. Zach Osborne, Chesterfield, S.C., Husqvarna, 36
5. Justin Hill, Yoncalla, Ore., KTM, 33
6. Aaron Plessinger, Hamilton, Ohio, Yamaha, 32
7. Shane McElrath, Canton, N.C., KTM, 28
8. Malcolm Stewart, Haines City, Fla., Honda, 23
9. Zach Bell, Cairo, Ga., Husqvarna, 22
10. Josh Hansen, Elbert, Colo., Kawasaki, 20
11. Michael Leib, Menifee, Calif., Honda, 20

Past Winners in Anaheim – 450SX Class

• January 3,2015 Ken Roczen
• February 1, 2014 Chad Reed
• January 18, 2014 Chad Reed
• January 4, 2014 Ken Roczen
• February 2, 2013 Ryan Dungey
• January 19, 2013 Ryan Villopoto
• January 5, 2013 Davi Millsaps
• January 7, 2012 Ryan Villopoto
• February 5, 2011 James Stewart
• January 8, 2011 Ryan Villopoto
• February 13, 2010 Ryan Villopoto
• January 23, 2010 Ryan Dungey
• January 9, 2010 James Stewart
• February 9, 2009 James Stewart
• January 17, 2009 James Stewart
• January 3, 2009 Josh Grant
• January 5, 2008 Chad Reed
• January 19, 2008 Chad Reed
• February 2, 2008 Chad Reed
• January 6, 2007 James Stewart
• January 20, 2007 James Stewart
• February 3, 2007 James Stewart
• January 7, 2006 James Stewart
• January 21, 2006 Ricky Carmichael
• February 4, 2006 Ricky Carmichael
• January 8, 2005 Kevin Windham
• January 22, 2005 Ricky Carmichael
• February 5, 2005 Ricky Carmichael
• January 3, 2004 Chad Reed
• January 17, 2004 Chad Reed
• January 31, 2004 Kevin Windham
• January 4, 2003 Chad Reed
• January 18, 2003 Ricky Carmichael
• February 1, 2003 Ricky Carmichael
• January 5, 2002 David Vuillemin
• January 19, 2002 Mike LaRocco
• February 2, 2002 Ricky Carmichael
• January 6, 2001 Jeremy McGrath
• January 20, 2001 Jeremy McGrath
• February 3, 2001 Ricky Carmichael
• January 8, 2000 Jeremy McGrath
• January 15, 2000 Jeremy McGrath
• January 9, 1999 Ezra Lusk
• February 6, 1999 Ezra Lusk
• January 27, 1996 Jeremy McGrath
• January 28, 1995 Jeremy McGrath
• January 29, 1994 Jeremy McGrath
• January 23, 1993 Jeremy McGrath
• January 25, 1992 Damon Bradshaw
• January 26, 1991 Jeff Stanton
• January 27, 1990 Damon Bradshaw
• January 28, 1989 Rick Johnson
• January 31, 1987 Jeff Ward
• January 18, 1986 David Bailey
• February 2, 1985 Broc Glover
• January 28, 1984 Johnny O’Mara
• January 29, 1983 David Bailey
• January 30, 1982 Donnie Hansen
• January 31, 1981 Kent Howerton
• November 17, 1979 Kent Howerton
• November 11, 1978 Gaylon Mosier
• November 12, 1977 Bob Hannah
• December 4, 1976 Marty Smith

Past Winners in Anaheim – 250SX Class

• January 3,2015 Jessy Nelson
• February 1, 2014 Dean Wilson
• January 18, 2014 Cole Seely
• January 4, 2014 Jason Anderson
• February 2, 2013 Ken Roczen
• January 19, 2013 Eli Tomac
• January 5, 2013 Eli Tomac
• January 7, 2012 Cole Seely
• February 5, 2011 Joshua Hansen
• January 8, 2011 Joshua Hansen
• February 13, 2010 Trey Canard
• January 23, 2010 Jake Weimer
• January 9, 2010 Jake Weimer
• February 7, 2009 Jake Weimer
• January 17, 2009 Ryan Dungey
• January 3, 2009 Jake Weimer
• January 5, 2008 Ryan Dungey
• January 19, 2008 Ryan Dungey
• February 2, 2008 Jason Lawrence
• January 6, 2007 Ryan Villopoto
• January 20, 2007 Ryan Villopoto
• February 3, 2007 Ryan Villopoto
• January 7, 2006 Andrew Short
• January 21, 2006 Grant Langston
• February 4, 2006 Grant Langston
• January 8, 2005 Nathan Ramsey
• January 22, 2005 Ivan Tedesco
• February 5, 2005 Ivan Tedesco
• January 3, 2004 Ivan Tedesco
• January 17, 2004 Ivan Tedesco
• January 31, 2004 Ivan Tedesco
• January 4, 2003 Travis Preston
• January 18, 2003 James Stewart
• February 1, 2003 James Stewart
• January 5, 2002 Travis Preston
• January 19, 2002 David Pingree
• February 2, 2002 Brock Sellards
• January 6, 2001 Ernesto Fonseca
• January 20, 2001 Ernesto Fonseca
• February 3, 2001 Ernesto Fonseca
• January 8, 2000 David Pingree
• January 15, 2000 Tallon Vohland
• January 9, 1999 Casey Johnson
• February 6, 1999 Nathan Ramsey
• January 27, 1996 Kevin Windham
• January 28, 1995 Damon Huffman
• January 29, 1994 Damon Huffman