Our view of the Glendale SX circuit from the press box

The Monster Energy Supercross, an FIM World Championship series arrives in Glendale, AZ. today, and the track looks to be far different from last week. The whoops are out of a bowl turn and are big and long. Other than a silly dog leg after the first turn the track looks amazing. The first untimed sessions were a little slimy. While the Arizona dirt needs overwatering in order to keep from being a dust bowl later on, they need to ease up on the rhythm sections. Both GEICO / Honda riders, Chase Sexton and Christian Craig, took soil samples–Sexton got up and seemed unhurt while Craig seemed sore but alright.

In the 450 untimed session “Alpha Dog” Jason Anderson jumped out front and looks like he knows he is the man everyone is worried about. Marvin Musquin made an attempt to ride, but looks tentative. Ken Roczen, Blake Baggett and Justin Brayton all seem to like this track layout as they looked fast and aggressive from the start of the session. In bad news, I heard privateer hero Tyler Enticknap will not be racing for the foreseeable future as he broke his pelvis in multiple spots on Wednesday practicing.

Adam Cianciarulo (left) and Jason Anderson (right) did track walk together this morning. They must of found some great lines, because both topped their classes with the fastest lap times in the first sessions. Photo by: Mark Lester

In the first 250 A timed qualifying Adam Cianciarulo was fast all session and not much different than any other round he looks extremely fast. Shane McElrath and Mitchell Oldenburg both look solid. On the other hand Justin Hill still hasn’t figured out his issues. He looks timid and uncomfortable. Aaron Plessinger looks incredibly aggressive and to the naked eye I would have guessed he was fastest, but he could only muster a 7th place time.

In the first 450 A timed session, Jason Anderson looks a step above the competition. Ken Roczen looks like he is ready to fight. Dean Wilson also looked ready to battle at the front again. It’s nice to see a few riders coming back from injuries this week. Justin Bogle and Jake Weimer are both out there. Bogle looks alright but Weimer is struggling to get comfortable. On the first lap of untimed practice, all the riders hit the triple but Weimer choose to roll it and Wilson literally jumped right over his head. With this long section of whoops right out of a turn and a long and difficult rhythm section, this track will reward riders willing to “send it”. Watch for Justin Brayton, Malcolm Stewart and Blake Baggett to be making some passes in the whoops. This track is so much better than the turd of a track we had at Anaheim 2.

Jason Anderson is stacked with confidence at the moment. Photo by: Simon Cudby

The second 250 A qualifying session ended with Joey Savatgy edging his teammate Cianciarulo as time ran out. Joey looked good all session and will be tough to beat tonight, Adam is fast but makes lots of little mistakes. Justin Hill looked to awake from his slumber and put in a good session, maybe this technical track is what he needs to get back his confidence. The three of them qualified 1-2-3, but Savatgy’s time was a full second faster than Hill’s in third. The #17 has a share of the red plate—McElrath is tied with Joey—and looks to be feeling it tonight.

In the second 450 A qualifying session, Roczen showed he is here to win. His early season timidity is gone today. He did get edged by Anderson but he is riding with a confidence and aggression I haven’t seen yet this season. There is a big triple on the final straight off the on-off and only the top guys hit this technical jump. Justin Barcia was hovering at the top of the board all session and looks like his early season speed is no fluke. This is the longest whoop section I have seen in quite some time and skimming is the fastest way through the section. Sorry Marvin, but jumping won’t work tonight.

Winner of the last 450 race, Eli Tomac, struggled with only the 10th fastest lap today in qualifying. Photo by: Mark Lester

Check out the final overall 250SX and 450SX combined top 40 qualifying results below.

450SX Top 40 Overall Combined Qualifying Times

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450SX Top 40 Overall Combined Qualifying Times
Savatgy will go to line first after the lights go out in Glendale. Photo by: Ryne Swanberg & Garth Milan

250SX West Top 40 Overall Combined Qualifying Times

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250SX West Top 40 Overall Combined Qualifying Times
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