For Rockstar Energy Husqvarna’s Jason Anderson, a win in Houston secured the 450SX Class points lead as red plate holder Marvin Musquin crashed out in qualifying and failed to make the main event with an injured shoulder. Also not starting the events, both with shoulder injuures, were Eli Tomac and Dean Wilson who both got hurt at Anaheim last week. Both tried to ride at Houston, but were not fit enough.
At the start of the main, Monster Energy Yamaha’s Justin Barcia edged out Team Honda HRC’s Ken Roczen for the holeshot ahead of Suzuki Factory Racing’s Weston Peick and Anderson in fourth. Roczen took the lead on the opening lap and it looked like he was going to make a dream return to racing after his horrendous injuries a year ago.
The Honda man, who last won a main event 364 days before, was no match for Anderson who reeled him in, made a clean pass and took the win. Behind them, Barcia battled with Honda’s Cole Seely for third. Seely got by but Barcia made an aggressive move in a corner to take back third place which he held to the flag.
“That race was tough for me but at the same time I felt good all day,” Anderson said on the podium. “I’m just excited to come out with the win. I feel good. I’m riding good. I’m thankful to have these opportunities to keep achieving my goals, and I just really want to keep staying up here.”
El Hombre takes the win!
Team Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Marvin Musquin showed up to Houston with the 450SX Class points lead and a red number plate after winning the Anaheim Opener but a crash in the Heat Race put Musquin out of the night show and 10th in points. Last year’s championship runner-up, Monster Energy Kawasaki’s Eli Tomac, opted out of competition while recovering from a crash at the Anaheim Opener.
In the Western Regional 250SX race Pro Circuit Kawasaki’s Joey Savatgy took the holeshot ahead of Troy Lee Designs KTM’s Shane McElrath and Pro Circuit Kawasaki’s Adam Cianciarulo. The Monster Energy Yamaha rider Aaron Plessinger battled from a 10th place start to eventually overcome the entire field and claim the podium ahead of Savatgy in second. For third place’s rookie Chase Sexton, it was his first career podium in his second professional start. Cianciarulo fell twice, meaning his podium dream came to an end.
Plessinger took a come-from-behind win
450SX Class Results 1. Jason Anderson, Rio Rancho, N.M., Husqvarna
2. Ken Roczen, Clermont, Fla., Honda
3. Justin Barcia, Greenville, Fla., Yamaha
4. Cole Seely, Newbury Park, Calif., Honda
5. Weston Peick, Menifee, Calif., Suzuki
6. Justin Brayton, Mint Hill, N.C., Honda
7. Blake Baggett, Grand Terrance, Calif., KTM
8. Broc Tickle, Holly, Mich., KTM
9. Joshua Grant, Wildomar, Calif., Kawasaki
10. Jeremy Martin, Carlsbad, Calif., Honda
450SX Class Championship Standings
1. Jason Anderson, Rio Rancho, N.M., Husqvarna (49)
2. Ken Roczen, Clermont, Fla., Honda (42)
3. Justin Barcia, Greenville, Fla., Yamaha (42)
4. Cole Seely, Newbury Park, Calif., Honda (36)
5. Weston Peick, Menifee, Calif., Suzuki (36)
6. Justin Brayton, Mint Hill, N.C., Honda (33)
7. Broc Tickle, Holly, Mich., KTM (30)
8. Joshua Grant, Wildomar, Calif., Kawasaki (28)
9. Blake Baggett, Grand Terrance, Calif., KTM (27)
10. Marvin Musquin, Clermont, Fla., KTM (26)
Western Regional 250SX Class Results
1. Aaron Plessinger, Hamilton, Ohio, Yamaha
2. Joey Savatgy, Thomasville, Ga., Kawasaki
3. Chase Sexton, Clermont, Fla., Honda
4. Shane McElrath, Canton, N.C., KTM
5. Christian Craig, Orange, Calif. Honda
6. Mitchell Oldenburg, Alvord, Texas, Yamaha
7. Adam Cianciarulo, New Smyrna, Fla., Kawasaki
8. Bradley Taft, Nixa, Missouri, Yamaha
9. Kyle Chisholm, Valrico, Fla., Yamaha
10. Justin Hill, Yoncalla, Ore., Suzuki
Western Regional 250SX Class Championship Standings
1. Aaron Plessinger, Hamilton, Ohio, Yamaha (49)
2. Shane McElrath, Canton, N.C., KTM (45)
3. Joey Savatgy, Thomasville, Ga., Kawasaki (42)
4. Adam Cianciarulo, New Smyrna, Fla., Kawasaki (37)
5. Chase Sexton, Clermont, Fla., Honda (36)
6. Christian Craig, Orange, Calif. Honda (36)
7. Mitchell Oldenburg, Alvord, Texas, Yamaha (34)
8. Justin Hill, Yoncalla, Ore., Suzuki (29)
9. Bradley Taft, Nixa, Missouri, Yamaha (27)
10. Kyle Chisholm, Valrico, Fla., Yamaha (27)
Photos by Feld Entertainment and Simon Cudby/Husqvarna Images
