St. Louis, MO (April 16, 2016) – Justin Bogle’s journey from the 2014 250SX East Region Championship to a 2016 rookie campaign in the premiere 450SX division has held plenty of ups and downs. His performance on Saturday night in The Dome at America’s Center represented a new high for the Oklahoma native, netting a career-best fourth against the best Monster Energy Supercross racers in the world.
“The day went good, feel like I had a breakthrough night for me,” said Bogle. “Started around ninth but made my way to fourth by the end. Had some good battles along the way, really had to work for the positions, which makes it feel even better. Really starting to come around for me now–best finish of the season and we learned a lot from it.”
After struggling through the early part of the season with injuries, Bogle now has three top tens in the last four races.
Also netting fourth, but in the 250SX class, was RJ Hampshire. This also marked a season-high for Hampshire, and like Bogle he really had to work through the pack to get it.
“I felt much better this weekend,” said Hampshire. “Practice went well, was just feeling good on the bike. The heat race I got a decent start and was just flowing, best I’ve felt on a dirt bike in supercross. Had the two fastest lap times out of both heats so I was pretty pumped on that.”
Starts and accidents have plagued Hampshire all season, and St. Louis wasn’t much better. This time a first-turn crash broke out just in front of Hampshire, but he shrugged all that off and bulldozed his way to the front from just about last.
“Main event came and I got caught up in that first turn garbage,” said Hampshire. ” [Tyler] Bowers and I starting around 20th again, nothing new. Made a lot of passes early then some lapper tried taking me out, almost went down in the sand from it and lost a couple spots. But I felt strong all moto and made a couple passes late in the race. Positivity all around this weekend, which was needed. I haven’t been riding the best but this weekend we had the speed to be on the box. Now we just need to make it happen!”
On the flip side, 250SX East Region points leader Malcolm Stewart endured his worst main event of the season, crashing three times during a trying main event. Stewart started the race third before quickly cutting into second, but then he stalled his bike in the sand and ignited a crash. He’d go down twice more, somehow salvaging eighth—and holding onto his points lead—through it all. He was surprisingly at ease with the situation, realizing the most of his competitors for the 250SX East title have had even worse nights.
“My day at St Louis started really good. Was first in qualifying and was pumped for the night show,” said Stewart. “I got the heat race win and was ready to do the same in the main. Got a third place start in the main and thought it was my night. Then I had a couple falls, but you know what? That happens in racing. I was able to salvage an eighth and keep the red plate. Happy I’m safe and looking to redeem myself next weekend.”
The team is off to the Boston, Massachusetts area to race at Gillette Stadium in Foxboro. It will mark supercross’ first visit to that market in over 25 years.
GEICO Honda Results
St. Louis Supercross
450SX
4. Justin Bogle
250SX
4. RJ Hampshire
8. Malcolm Stewart
