Monster Energy®/Pro Circuit/Kawasaki’s Jo Shimoda Earns First Podium Finish of the Season During Triple Crown Event in Glendale
. By Bikeland Staff
Round 5 of the Monster Energy AMA Supercross Championship welcomed 54,781 fans to the three-moto, action-packed, Triple Crown race format in Glendale, Arizona, where Monster Energy/Pro Circuit/Kawasaki’s Jo Shimoda finished with 5-3-3 250SX Main Event scores for third place overall. In the 450SX Class, Monster Energy Kawasaki rider Jason Anderson was in the hunt for the overall win until a mistake in the second 450SX Main Event resulted in a 12th place finish. Anderson’s 2-12-2 race finishes were good for fourth overall. Meanwhile, in the 250SX Futures race, Monster Energy Kawasaki Team Green’s Ryder DiFrancesco once again proved he’s the man to beat and came away with his third consecutive win.
Monster Energy/Pro Circuit/Kawasaki’s Shimoda used the morning qualifying sessions to quickly learn the technical Glendale track layout and attempt different line choices through the grueling rhythm sections. With the track featuring an extended start straight and multiple lines of attack through the longer than usual rhythm sections, it was clear a clean start and line choice would be deciding factors throughout the night. When the 250SX qualifying sessions finished, Shimoda had the fifth fastest lap time (1:03.484).
When the gate dropped on the first main event of the night, Shimoda launched out to a sixth-place start and made quick work of the first two riders ahead to advance up the field. With the front group bunched up during the opening laps, the Japanese rider utilized his impressive blitz speed through the whoop section to reel in his opponent and make the pass for third in the following corner. However, continued pressure from behind resulted in Shimoda making contact with a Tuff Block at Turn 2 and dropping back multiple positions. Shimoda quickly remounted his KX™250 in sixth and instantly began charging forward. The No.30 would eventually make the pass for fifth stick in the latter stages of the race just before the checkered flag flew.
A well-timed jump off the gate at the start of the second 250SX Main Event earned Shimoda excellent track position until the field pushed wide heading into the first turn and allowed a few competitors to tuck inside and advance ahead. As the riders in front continued to push forward, Shimoda used his smooth riding style to swiftly maneuver past his opponents and make his way to third. As the final laps of the race wound down, the Monster Energy/Pro Circuit/Kawasaki rider made the pass for second just before the rough sand section. The No.30 KX250 fought hard for a podium position and would cross the finish line in third.
The final 250SX Main Event of the evening began with Shimoda running in fourth shortly after the gate drop. Action during the opening laps had fans on the edge of their seats as the second through fifth place riders were all within one and half seconds of each other. Much like in the first race of the evening, Shimoda used the whoops section to reel in his opponents and would make a pass for third stick late in the race by taking command of the inside line just before the triple jump. The Suzuka, Japan native would ride comfortably in third for the final laps of the race where he would ultimately finish and earn his first podium of the season.
“It feels good to be back on the podium. I’ve put so much time and effort into my training that I know I should be up here every weekend but there are still some small things to work on for me. Racing three main events for the first time in two years was a challenge but with the support from everyone at Monster Energy/Pro Circuit/Kawasaki I was able to keep the mistakes to a minimum this weekend and get back on the box. I hope this is the start of a podium streak for us!”
- Jo Shimoda
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Monster Energy Kawasaki’s Anderson wasted no time finding his rhythm on the technical Arizona track layout. Expecting from past experience that the track would deteriorate quickly, Anderson elected to make small bike changes before the final timed qualifying session. These changes proved beneficial as the No.21 finished timed qualifying in third with a 1:01.649 lap time.
When the first 450SX Main Event of the night began, Monster Energy Kawasaki’s Anderson emerged from the first turn in third before dropping to fourth the following lap. The New Mexico native rode patiently in fourth, examining his competitor’s lines and plotting his attack. At the halfway mark, Anderson’s plan came to fruition when he reeled in the third place rider through the whoops and proceeded to make the pass before entering the next rhythm lane. With his focus locked on the next rider ahead, the No.21 experimented with using alternate lines to make up time on the competition and ultimately made the pass for second to finish runner-up in the first main event.
At the beginning of 450SX Main Event 2, Anderson rocketed his Kawasaki KX™450SR out of the gate to a second-place start. The No.21 again used the position to strategically plan his attack. Unfortunately, Anderson’s charge ahead was cut short after a mistake in one of the challenging rhythm sections resulted in Anderson going down from contact with a tuff block. After successfully remounting his motorcycle in 18th, it was all about salvaging as many points as possible. With an overall podium still a possibility, the No.21 never slowed down and made a respectable effort to finish the race in 12th place.
The third and final 450SX Main Event of the night began with Anderson running in eighth after the gate drop. The No.21 continued to use the entire track during the race to his advantage, again taking alternate lines which resulted in Anderson running in fourth by Lap 4. The Monster Energy Kawasaki backed rider was clearly a man on a mission as he impressively blew by the reigning Monster Energy Supercross champion, took over third during the following lap, and a few turns later Anderson brought the Arizona crowd of over 54,000 fans to their feet as he made the move into second by railing the inside corner after the finish line jump to pass the points leader. With a clear track ahead, Anderson hammered down and recorded some of the quickest lap times of the race to cut the gap down by half a second. However, despite his best efforts to claim a second win this season, the No.21 had to settle for second when time ran out on the final race