Anderson Grabs First-Career Monster Energy Supercross Win at Season-Opener from Angel Stadium

2016-01-10 17:44
Monster Energy AMA Supercross, an FIM World Championship, saw Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing's Jason Anderson win his and the brand's first-ever 450SX Class Main Event at the season opener tonight. In front of a sold-out crowd of 45,050 at Angel Stadium, Anderson became the class' 60th different winner all time. In a season headlined by the unparalleled depth of talent in the field, six different riders were in position to finish on the podium during the 450SX Class Main Event. Defending Western Regional 250SX Class Champion Cooper Webb, who rides for the Yamalube/Star Racing Yamaha team, made a statement tonight by winning the class' opening race of the championship.

The 450SX Class race was initially halted by a red flag when Team Yoshimura Suzuki Factory Racing's James Stewart and Red Bull KTM's Ryan Dungey collided on the second lap. Stewart was unable to line up for the restart.

Team Honda HRC's Cole Seely captured the SupercrossLive.com Holeshot Award after the restart of the 450SX Class Main Event, while Autotrader/Monster Energy/Yamaha's Justin Barcia moved into second place in the second turn.

On Lap 3, Team Honda HRC's Trey Canard and Dungey collided and Dungey went down, remounting in seventh place. Canard advanced to third place on Lap 5 and second place on Lap 6. Anderson took over third place on Lap 7 and advanced to second place on Lap 8.

Anderson passed Seely, who led the first 12 laps of the race, to take the top spot on Lap 13. The second-year premier class rider never looked back on his way to a career milestone.

"Honestly, I just felt great out there tonight," said Anderson on the win. "I was coming through the pack and just made it happen. You work hard to do this as a kid, and it feels great."

On the race's last lap, Dungey passed Seely for second place.

"I got off to a good start on the restart but crashed," said Dungey. "I am glad to have rebounded and to have a solid finish."

Troy Lee Designs/GoPro/Red Bull/KTM's Jessy Neson opened the Western Regional 250SX Class Main Event with the SupercrossLive.com Holeshot Award with GEICO Honda's Jordon Smith and his teammate Jimmy DeCotis following in second and third, respectively.

Webb pulled into third place on Lap 1 before taking over second place on the following lap. While riding in third place, Smith crashed and Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing's Zach Osborne took over third place.

Webb passed Nelson for the lead on Lap 10 and rode the seventh win of his career.

"It's awesome to start the season like this," said Webb. "I don't like to lose so this really makes tonight great. I was patient and pulled it off. I'm look forward to next weekend in San Diego."

450SX Class Results
Jason Anderson, Rio Rancho, N.M., Husqvarna
Ryan Dungey, Belle Plaine, Minn., KTM
Cole Seely, Sherman Oaks, Calif., Honda
Eli Tomac, Cortez, Colo., Kawasaki
Ken Roczen, Clermont, Fla., Suzuki
Chad Reed, Dade City, Fla., Yamaha
Trey Canard, Edmond, Okla., Honda
Davi Millsaps, Murrieta, Calif., KTM
Dean Wilson, Wesley Chapel, Fla., KTM
Justin Brayton, Mint Hill, N.C., KTM

450SX Class Championship Standings
Jason Anderson, Rio Rancho, N.M., Husqvarna - 25
Ryan Dungey, Belle Plaine, Minn., KTM - 22
Cole Seely, Sherman Oaks, Calif., Honda - 20
Eli Tomac, Cortez, Colo., Kawasaki - 18
Ken Roczen, Clermont, Fla., Suzuki - 16
Chad Reed, Dade City, Fla., Yamaha - 15
Trey Canard, Edmond, Okla., Honda - 14
Davi Millsaps, Murrieta, Calif., KTM - 13
Dean Wilson, Wesley Chapel, Fla., KTM - 12
Justin Brayton, Mint Hill, N.C., KTM - 11

Western Regional 250SX Class Results
Cooper Webb, Newport, N.C., Yamaha
Jessy Nelson, Paso Robles, Calif., KTM
Zach Osborne, Lake Elsinore, Calif., Husqvarna
Jimmy DeCotis, Peabody, Mass., Honda
Jordon Smith, Belmont, N.C., Honda
Alex Martin, Millville, Minn., Yamaha
Colt Nichols, Muskogee, Okla., Yamaha
Joey Savatgy, Thomasville, Ga., Kawasaki
Mitchell Oldenburg, Alvord, Texas, KTM
Kyle Peters, Greensboro, N.C., Honda

Western Regional 250SX Class Championship Standings
Cooper Webb, Newport, N.C., Yamaha - 25
Jessy Nelson, Paso Robles, Calif., KTM - 22
Zach Osborne, Lake Elsinore, Calif., Husqvarna - 20
Jimmy DeCotis, Peabody, Mass., Honda - 18
Jordon Smith, Belmont, N.C., Honda - 16
Alex Martin, Millville, Minn., Yamaha - 15
Colt Nichols, Muskogee, Okla., Yamaha - 14
Joey Savatgy, Thomasville, Ga., Kawasaki - 13
Mitchell Oldenburg, Alvord, Texas, KTM - 12
Kyle Peters, Greensboro, N.C., Honda - 11

Racing continues next Saturday night at San Diego's Petco Park. Tickets are available at the Petco Stadium Box Office, all Ticketmaster outlets, charge by phone (800) 745-3000, or online at www.SupercrossLive.com or www.ticketmaster.com. Practice and qualifying begin at 12:30 p.m. and the Main Event starts at 6:30 p.m. Ticket Prices: VIP $70; CIRCLE $60; P3 $50; P4 $45; P5 $35; TREADHEAD $20. Fans can also get in to the Pits for FREE from 12:00-6 p.m. Race Day when they recycle a MONSTER Energy Can at the stadium's pit entrance (valid only with event ticket).

Source: Feld Motor Sports

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