Red Bull KTM’s Aaron Plessinger earned a hard-fought and emotional win at Round 3 the 17-round Monster Energy AMA Supercross Championship inside a muddy Snapdragon Stadium in San Diego. With the win, Plessinger took over the lead in the championship points.

Supercross returned to San Diego for the 41st time with Snapdragon Stadium hosting the event for its second year. Daytime rain saturated the track that slowly tacked-up throughout the night’s racing in front of the sold-out crowd. Photo Credit: Feld Motor Sports, Inc.    Two-time champion Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing’s Cooper Webb battled forward on the deep-rutted track to take second place and his first podium of the year. Troy Lee Designs Red Bull GASGAS Factory Racing’s Justin Barcia took the runner-up spot under clear skies on the rain-soaked track at the 50th Anniversary Race which commemorates the sport’s 50th year. In the Western Regional 250SX Class, Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing’s Nate Thrasher earned the win after a thrilling battle that had the top three close and trading positions for the entire race.

First place 450SX Class – Photo Credit: Feld Motor Sports, Inc.  “It feels really, really good. I guess it feels like it should. I got off to a good start and just rode a good race. Kenny [Roczen] was in front and then I just applied a little pressure and he ended up going down. Cooper [Webb] was just right there behind me keeping me on my toes, and so was Eli [Tomac, who was a lap down]. Yeah, it was a really good race, I just got a good lead and rode my own race, and stayed up. It seemed like we were lapping a lot of people, so it feels good and I’m ready to do it again next weekend.” – Aaron Plessinger

Second place 450SX Class – Photo Credit: Feld Motor Sports, Inc.  “I think I’ve had a great season so far, but on paper it hasn’t [looked that way]. Anaheim 1 was great but last weekend was not, so like we say, we’re hoping that’s the battle and I can charge on from here. And tonight was great to get those points back, get it back in the mix. I felt great on the track. I felt great all day. I was really wanting that win but it was overall a really good bounce back, and for me just to know that I’m in this thing for sure.” – Cooper Webb

Third place 450SX Class – Photo Credit: Feld Motor Sports, Inc.  “The rebound this weekend was absolutely awesome. I felt really good, just staying in my lane. I didn’t feel the greatest but I ride well in those conditions… I was just sitting back thinking about this table [with the three of us sitting here at the post race conference]. This is a really cool table. We all kind of grew up riding together, [in our] professional career we’ve all trained [together], we’ve all been teammates together on different teams, so this is a really cool podium and I’m super proud to be on this podium tonight. And yeah, I’ll just keep plugging along, getting stronger and hopefully [there will be] a lot more podiums with these boys.” – Justin Barcia

In the Western Regional 250SX Class Nate Thrasher took his fifth career win and his first podium of the year in a Yamaha podium sweep. After fighting into the lead, Muc-Off FXR ClubMX Yamaha’s Garrett Marchbanks settled for second but kept Thrasher close right to the checkered flag. Rounding out the podium was Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing’s Jordon Smith, who stretched out his championship points lead on his nearest competitor.

First place 250SX Class – Photo Credit: Feld Motor Sports, Inc. “[The track] was kinda coming around throughout the night; the dirt was starting to grip back up… I was just trying to do everything, like, ride it like it was dry. That was kinda of my goal going into the main event. It was tougher to ride cautious than it was to go out there and ride all-out. So that was my goal for the night: in the main, just go out there and ride all-out and whatever happens, happens, and it was good.” – Nate Thrasher

Second place 250SX Class – Photo Credit: Feld Motor Sports, Inc.  “Once I passed RJ [Hampshire] for the lead, I’d say for the first lap I was kinda like, ‘Holy crap, I’m actually leading.’ It’s been a really long time since Daytona that I’ve led some laps. I’d say after that it was more putting my head down, just acting like I was at the practice track, just doing some normal laps at ClubMX. Yeah, it is what it is, I got caught up with some lappers, I tried to change some lines up and it wasn’t the best I could do, and [Thrasher] got around me. Nate was riding good and yeah, it is what it is.” – Garrett Marchbanks

Third place 250SX Class – Photo Credit: Feld Motor Sports, Inc.  “I got off to a pretty good start, I think I was in third in the first couple laps with RJ [Hampshire] and Levi [Kitchen] right in front of me. We were still taking it pretty easy on the track, I would say. The lines weren’t cut in and I was just trying to be smart where I was. [It was a] long race, a lot could happen, and then I made a few mistakes and Nate [Thrasher] and Garrett [Marchbanks] both got around me and I just really – not that I tightened up but I was just making a lot of mistakes. I was not putting the track together… I kinda re-focused and then Jo [Shimoda] and Levi were right behind me and we actually were pushing really hard at the end. I think the last five laps were probably the best of the race for me. It was not really any kind of holding back at the end of the race there, it was trying to keep those guys behind me and push forward.” – Jordon Smith

The series now takes a short trip north for the second 2024 race inside Angel Stadium of Anaheim on Saturday, January 27th. The Anaheim 2 Supercross continues the season’s earlier start times with opening ceremonies beginning at 8:00 p.m. EST (5:00 p.m. local time). The race represents both Round 4 of the 17-round Monster Energy AMA Supercross series and also the fourth round of the 31-round SuperMotocross World Championship. The SuperMotocross League is in its second year and draws points from the complete Supercross season and the 11-round AMA Pro Motocross season. In September, points are reset and the top racers are seeded into two Playoff rounds and one Final to crown the SMX champions.

450SX Class podium (racers left to right) Cooper Webb, Aaron Plessinger, and Justin Barcia. Photo Credit: Feld Motor Sports, Inc.Click 250SX Class podium image below for full results

250SX Class podium (racers left to right) Jordon Smith, Nate Thrasher, and Garrett Marchbanks. Photo Credit: Feld Motor Sports, Inc.

450 main

1	7	Aaron Plessinger	Hamilton, OH	KTM 450 SX-F FE	1	–	15	1	25
2	2	Cooper Webb	Newport, NC	Yamaha YZ450F	5	–	0	2	22
3	51	Justin Barcia	Monroe, NY	GASGAS MC 450F	8	–	0	3	20
4	18	Jett Lawrence	Landsborough, Australia	Honda CRF450R	6	–	0	4	18
5	21	Jason Anderson	Rio Rancho, NM	Kawasaki KX450SR	16	–	0	5	17
6	14	Dylan Ferrandis	Bedarrides, France	Honda CRF450R	7	–	0	6	16
7	96	Hunter Lawrence	Landsborough, Australia	Honda CRF450R	15	–	0	7	15
8	1	Chase Sexton	LaMoille, IL	KTM 450 SX-F FE	13	–	0	8	14
9	3	Eli Tomac	Cortez, CO	Yamaha YZ450F	2	–	0	9	13
10	15	Dean Wilson	Glasgow, Scotland	Honda CRF450R	22	–	0	10	12
11	111	Jorge Prado	Lugo, Spain	GASGAS MC 450F FE	11	–	0	11	11
12	94	Ken Roczen	Mattstedt, Germany	Suzuki RM-Z450	3	–	7	12	10
13	9	Adam Cianciarulo	New Smyrna Beach, FL	Kawasaki KX450SR	19	–	0	13	9
14	32	Justin Cooper	Cold Springs Harbor, NY	Yamaha YZ450F	12	X	0	14	8
15	67	Benny Bloss	Oak Grove, MO	Beta 450 RX	10	–	0	15	7
16	12	Shane McElrath	Oakland, FL	Suzuki RM-Z450	20	–	0	16	6
17	22	Freddie Noren	Lidköping, Sweden	Kawasaki KX450SR	17	–	0	17	5
18	81	Cade Clason	Medina, OH	Kawasaki KX450	14	–	0	18	4
19	27	Malcolm Stewart	Haines City, FL	Husqvarna FC 450 RE	4	–	0	19	3
20	28	Christian Craig	San Diego, CA	Husqvarna FC 450 RE	9	–	0	20	2
21	148	Justin Rodbell	Prince Frederick, MD	KTM 450 SX-F	21	–	0	21	1
22	125	Vince Friese	Cape Girardeau, MO	Honda CRF450R

450 points

1	7	Aaron Plessinger	Hamilton, OH	3.3	0	0	3.3	1	60
2	1	Chase Sexton	LaMoille, IL	9.0	0	0	4.0	1	59
3	18	Jett Lawrence	Landsborough, Australia	7.0	1	0	4.7	1	56
4	21	Jason Anderson	Rio Rancho, NM	9.3	0	0	6.3	0	49
5	2	Cooper Webb	Newport, NC	3.7	0	0	6.3	0	49
6	14	Dylan Ferrandis	Bedarrides, France	5.7	0	0	5.7	0	49
7	3	Eli Tomac	Cortez, CO	5.3	0	0	6.7	0	48
8	94	Ken Roczen	Mattstedt, Germany	3.0	1	0	8.3	0	42
9	51	Justin Barcia	Monroe, NY	13.3	0	0	9.0	0	40
10	111	Jorge Prado	Lugo, Spain	9.3	0	0	10.3	0	35
11	9	Adam Cianciarulo	New Smyrna Beach, FL	14.0	0	0	11.0	0	33
12	12	Shane McElrath	Oakland, FL	17.0	0	0	12.3	0	29
13	96	Hunter Lawrence	Landsborough, Australia	12.5	0	0	5.7	0	27
14	15	Dean Wilson	Glasgow, Scotland	16.0	0	0	14.0	0	24
15	32	Justin Cooper	Cold Springs Harbor, NY	13.0	1	0	7.3	0	22
16	52	Derek Drake	Lake Elsinore, CA	16.5	0	0	9.3	0	16
17	27	Malcolm Stewart	Haines City, FL	7.0	0	0	17.3	0	14
18	28	Christian Craig	San Diego, CA	12.0	0	0	18.0	0	12
19	81	Cade Clason	Medina, OH	19.0	0	0	18.7	0	10
20	46	Justin Hill	Yoncalla, OR	19.0	0	0	4.7	0	8

250 main

POS.	#	RIDER	HOMETOWN	BIKE	QUAL	HOLESHOT	LAPS LED	FINISH	POINTS
1	57	Nate Thrasher	Livingston, TN	Yamaha YZ250F	7	–	4	1	25
2	26	Garrett Marchbanks	Coalville, UT	Yamaha YZ250F	2	–	5	2	22
3	31	Jordon Smith	Belmont, NC	Yamaha YZ250F	4	–	0	3	20
4	30	Jo Shimoda	Suzuka, Japan	Honda CRF250R	3	–	0	4	18
5	47	Levi Kitchen	Washougal, WA	Kawasaki KX250	1	–	0	5	17
6	24	Rj Hampshire	Hudson, FL	Husqvarna FC 250	10	X	7	6	16
7	55	Mitchell Oldenburg	Godley, TX	Honda CRF250R	5	–	0	7	15
8	34	Ryder DiFrancesco	Bakersfield, CA	GASGAS MC 250F	8	–	0	8	14
9	85	Hunter Yoder	Menifee, CA	Kawasaki KX250	14	–	0	9	13
10	100	Anthony Bourdon	Hossegor, France	Suzuki RM-Z250	18	–	0	10	12
11	73	Robbie Wageman	Newhall, CA	Yamaha YZ250F	16	–	0	11	11
12	71	Cole Thompson	Brigden, Canada	Yamaha YZ250F	11	–	0	12	10
13	78	Joshua Varize	Perris, CA	GASGAS MC 250F	19	–	0	13	9
14	245	Matti Jorgensen	Helirod, FL	GASGAS MC 250F FE	13	–	0	14	8
15	41	Carson Mumford	Simi Valley, CA	Honda CRF250R	12	–	0	15	7
16	929	Julien Beaumer	Lake Havasu City, AZ	KTM 250 SX-F FE	9	–	0	16	6
17	162	Max Sanford	Pasadena, CA	Kawasaki KX250	22	–	0	17	5
18	135	Lance Kobusch	New Florence, MO	Honda CRF250R	21	–	0	18	4
19	35	Talon Hawkins	Temecula, CA	KTM 250 SX-F	17	–	0	19	3
20	116	Tj Albright	Mt Marion, NY	Yamaha YZ250F	20	–	0	20	2
21	509	Alex Nagy	Richmond, IL	KTM 250 SX-F	15	–	0	21	1
22	36	Phillip Nicoletti	Cochecton, NY	Yamaha YZ250F

250 points

1	31	Jordon Smith	Belmont, NC	2.7	1	0	2.0	1	67
2	47	Levi Kitchen	Washougal, WA	7.0	0	0	3.3	0	59
3	26	Garrett Marchbanks	Coalville, UT	4.3	0	0	4.0	0	57
4	24	Rj Hampshire	Hudson, FL	5.7	1	0	5.3	1	54
5	55	Mitchell Oldenburg	Godley, TX	6.7	0	0	8.3	0	41
6	100	Anthony Bourdon	Hossegor, France	14.0	0	0	9.0	0	39
7	30	Jo Shimoda	Suzuka, Japan	7.0	0	0	10.0	0	36
8	41	Carson Mumford	Simi Valley, CA	9.7	0	0	10.0	0	36
9	85	Hunter Yoder	Menifee, CA	14.3	0	0	10.0	0	36
10	929	Julien Beaumer	Lake Havasu City, AZ	8.0	1	0	11.0	0	33
11	78	Joshua Varize	Perris, CA	15.0	0	0	11.7	0	31
12	57	Nate Thrasher	Livingston, TN	10.3	0	0	13.3	1	30
13	34	Ryder DiFrancesco	Bakersfield, CA	7.3	0	0	12.7	0	28
14	71	Cole Thompson	Brigden, Canada	12.0	0	0	13.0	0	27
15	20	Maximus Vohland	Sacramento, CA	5.0	0	0	8.0	0	20
16	73	Robbie Wageman	Newhall, CA	16.0	0	0	8.3	0	19
17	36	Phillip Nicoletti	Cochecton, NY	10.0	0	0	16.0	0	18
18	245	Matti Jorgensen	Helirod, FL	12.5	0	0	9.0	0	17
19	162	Max Sanford	Pasadena, CA	21.0	0	0	9.7	0	15
20	135	Lance Kobusch	New Florence, MO	21.5	0	0	11.7	0	9