After a much-needed weekend off, Monster Energy Kawasaki came into Round 14 of Monster Energy Supercross, an FIM World Championship rested and ready to battle through the final stretch of the season.
When the gate dropped on the 450SX Main Event, Josh Grant came barreling around Turn 1 in fourth with points leader, Eli Tomac buried deep in the field. Tomac began carving his KX™450F through the competition with impeccable speed and by the halfway point had positioned himself into second place. Tomac hunted down the leader in five short laps and muscled his way into lead on Lap 19. Tomac never let up until the checkers flew, winning his ninth main event of the season and taking control of the series standings, building a three point margin. Grant went on to finish fifth place, his best result of the season.
“We made it tough on ourselves tonight,” said Tomac. “It was a little chaotic on the opening laps in the back of the pack, but I was able to start making passes early and find my groove. It feels pretty good to fight back from 10th place and win.”
“Today was awesome,” said Grant. “Started the day off qualifying second and then went on to win my heat race. We got a great start in the main and held onto fourth until the final laps where I got passed for fifth. The bike felt amazing tonight up here in the altitude which gave me confidence.”
Monster Energy/ Pro Circuit/ Kawasaki rider Justin Hill entered Salt Lake City with the chance to earn the 2017 250SX Western Regional Championship. After qualifying on pole and finishing second place in his heat race, Hill was poised and ready to accomplish his dream. When the gate dropped on the 250SX Main Event, it was the KX™250F of Austin Forkner grabbing the holeshot with Hill in sixth place. After Hill quickly moved his way up into fourth, the leader would crash out of the race, moving Hill into third place and into position to clinch the championship. Hill held on to finish third retaking the position in the final corner to win the 2017 250SX Western Region Championship. After getting the holeshot, Forkner would crash twice and finish sixth place.
“This is a dream come true,” said Hill. “The team and I worked hard this year and it paid off. I knew I had a chance to win this from day one and believed that all the way through. I’m excited for what the future holds for me next.”
“Disappointed tonight,” said Forkner. “I felt really confident coming into this race after taking a weekend off and believed I had something to prove. Unfortunately, I made a few small mistakes and ended up on the ground. There’s always next weekend.”
