Photo by: Ryne Swanberg

Round twelve of the 2017 Monster Energy Supercross, an FIM World Championship series, and round six of the Eastern Regional 250SX Championship headed to the Motor City for the Detroit SX.

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In the 450SX class, Monster Energy / Kawasaki’s Eli Tomac continued his winning ways—winning his fourth straight main event and his seventh of the 2017 season. Joining Tomac on the podium was Red Bull / KTM’s Marvin Musquin in second and Red Bull / KTM’s Ryan Dungey in third. With the podium remaining the same two weekends in a row, Tomac has cut Dungey’s lead in the 450SX Championship down to just seven points with just five races left on the schedule.

In the 250SX class, Rockstar Energy / Husqvarna’s Zach Osborne came into the Detroit SX with a nine point lead in the 2017 Eastern Regional 250SX Championship, but a first turn crash left him with 18th place points and he is now third in the Championship—13 points behind new points leader, Monster Energy / Kawasaki’s Joey Savatgy.

With Osborne out of the picture in Detroit, Troy Lee Designs / KTM’s Jordon Smith broke through for his first ever 250SX win after battling with Savatgy, Monster Energy / Kawasaki’s Adam Cianciarulo and Star Racing / Yamaha’s Dylan Ferrandis for 15 minutes. At the end of what might have been the best race of ’17, Smith—who’s now second in the points—took the win with Savatgy and Cianciarulo finish second and third.

Jordon Smith scored the first win of his professional career. Photo by: KTM
Jordon Smith scored the first win of his professional career. Photo by: KTM

After the race, we gathered quotes from over a dozen riders talking about their night at the 2017 Detroit SX.

Eli Tomac: (1st in 450SX) “Tonight was an amazing accomplishment. I had a great start from an outside gate and made the move early for the lead. From there it was all about throttle control on a very slick and hard pack track. I’m looking forward to keeping the ball rolling. I’m putting myself in a good position in the main event. I didn’t do that in the heat race, but got my act together for the main and was able to capitalize. I felt very fortunate for having that ninth gate pick. I just felt good and comfortable. This is what we wanted tonight on this sketchy surface and I was able to attack it. It was another really good night of racing.”

 

Jordon Smith: (1st in 250SX) “Today was pretty incredible. Despite having to go through the LCQ [Last Chance Qualifier] I was able to get a good start in the main and race with the leaders early on. The track was really tough so I just focused on hitting my lines and was in the right position on the last lap to take the win. It’s an amazing feeling and I can’t wait to share this with everyone!”

 

Marvin Musquin: (2nd in 450SX) “Today was a really tough day, honestly I don’t really like this track in Detroit. It was so hard and slick, not my favorite conditions. It was a good thing I pulled the holeshot, that really saved my Main Event. I was not the fastest today, [Eli] Tomac pulled away and I was able to keep 2nd place but it doesn’t feel like a 2nd place tonight. It was a long main but we still made it happen. Once again Red Bull KTM has two bikes on the podium but it’s not the center so it’s a little frustrating but we’ll keep pushing to make it happen.”

 

Joey Savatgy: (2nd in 250SX) “Tonight really went down to the line. I rode a little tight in the beginning of the race which caused me to make a mistake and fall back to third. I managed to regroup and finish second. It feels great to have the red plate leading into the final round before a break.”

Ryan Dungey (1) passed Davi Millsaps (18) late in the main event to secure third place points and maintain a 7 point gap over Eli Tomac in the championship. Photo: KTM
Ryan Dungey (1) passed Davi Millsaps (18) late in the main event to secure third place points and maintain a 7 point gap over Eli Tomac in the championship. Photo: KTM

Ryan Dungey: (3rd in 450SX) “I think the hardest thing is where we were at in the first lap of the race in the last few races. Eli gets out front and takes off and I have nothing for him but I put in a hard charge for 3rd and that was good. We just have to put ourselves in a better position and work through it together. We have five races left, but we need to turn it up.”

 

Zach Osborne: (18th in 250SX) “It was a tough night. I felt good all day and was felt great on the track. I got a really good jump in my heat race, but just didn’t get around the first turn very well. In the main I thought I would go a bit wider and then absolutely crushed the start, but then someone came from the outside and we went down and their footpeg went through my spokes so I had to do a pit stop. I’m going to regroup and focus on next week’s race in St. Louis.”

 

Jason Anderson: (6th in 450SX) “My day was ok. The night started out decent. I got a good start, but then fell, but I came back strong to finish sixth. I’m going to put in some work this week and focus on the next week’s race in St. Louis.”

 

Adam Cianciarulo: (3rd in 250SX) “I feel I rode great all day. “We got the ball rolling early in the day in qualifying, which lead into a great heat win. It was unfortunate to tip over in the main but happy to finish up on the box and make up some points. [AC added from Instagram] Detroit has been good to us! A solid podium and a great race. In a great position headed into these last few races – let’s get it.”

Zach Osborne went to Detroit with the red plate and a 9 point lead, but finished 18th and dropped back to third in the championship--10 points down.
Zach Osborne went to Detroit with the red plate and a 9 point lead, but finished 18th and dropped back to third in the championship–10 points down.

Josh Grant: (8th in 450SX) “It was a great night for both the team and me. The bike was perfect all day and I believed it showed in the Main Event. A great start allowed me to run up front and finish with one of my best results of the season.”

 

Christian Craig: (7th in 250SX) “Well, yesterday went from terrible to great to pretty good. As everyone knows, I had a practice incident with Alex Martin. I let my frustrations get the best of me in the heat of the moment. I could sit here and explain my side of the story but I’ll still end up in the wrong so I won’t. Anyway, I got penalized and fined by the AMA. No matter what I got in my heat I would have last gate pick for the main. I ended up winning my heat which was such a good confidence booster for me. I’ve been mentally broken this season and I’ve been trying to get myself to where I was last year. I feel like I’m back as my normal self again. I rode like I knew how and I didn’t give up. I got the holeshot and led every lap. I know it was only a heat race win but that one felt really good.
Going into the main I obviously knew I was going to be last pick so I took the outside gate and was just gonna go for it,” sais Craig. “I actually got a really good start but was caught in a first turn pile up. I would have for sure gotten a top five start if that [the crash] hadn’t happened. I started in 18th and made my way to seventh. With one more lap I could have gotten the two guys in front of me but I was just happy to see myself fight again. This season has been rough and it sucks it’s taken me this many rounds to find myself again but I’m thankful I’m healthy and ready for St. Louis next weekend.” I have been fined and penalized for my actions on the track.”

 

Dean Wilson: (9th in 450SX) “I was top five in qualifying, so that was good. I got a good start in my heat race, which I was happy about. I was battling with Brayton, which slowed me down a bit and caused me to lose some positions. I went into the semi and got third and got into the main. I just barely saved the first corner pileup in the main. I got hit really hard and I barely stayed on two wheels. I made some quick passes then just stayed there and rode a steady and consistent race. This is my third year in the class but it’s almost like a rookie year since I’ve never done a full season . It’s good for me to just keep racing the mains and get top-10 finishes. I’m just trying to be better every weekend.”

 

Alex Martin: [Sat Out Injured, posted on Instagram] Unfortunately due to an incident during practice today in Detroit with Christian Craig, I will not be racing tonight. Really bums me out, but thankful that my injuries weren’t more severe, and I’ll try my best to be back in time for St Louis next weekend.”

Marvin Musquin (25) started in front of Eli Tomac (3) in Detroit, but the #3's pace was too much for the Frenchman. Marvin finished 2nd for the second weekend in a row. Photo: KTM
Marvin Musquin (25) started in front of Eli Tomac (3) in Detroit, but the #3’s pace was too much for the Frenchman. Marvin finished 2nd for the second weekend in a row. Photo: KTM

Cole Seely: (10th in 450SX) “Tonight was a tough night. Things were going really well and I was feeling good after my heat race win. Unfortunately, I just got caught up in the first turn and had to come from behind, but we’re focused on moving forward and looking ahead to the next round in St. Louis.”

 

Trey Canard: (11th in 450SX) “It was a good building race for me. Although my finish was not great we made great progress this week and I will continue to keep my eyes forward.”

Author

Dan Lamb is a 12+ year journalist and the owner of MotoXAddicts.