When Eli Tomac crashed while running in third place at the 2017 Arlington Supercross, he lost a lot of points in the 2017 Monster Energy Supercross Series race for the title. But during round at Ford Field in Detroit on Saturday night, the Monster Energy Kawasaki rider rolled to his fourth consecutive win. Over the course of the four races, he has pulled back 20 points and now sits just seven points behind defending champion and series leader Ryan Dungey.
Tomac’s win, which came before 46,324 fans was further proof that he is on a clear mission to earn his first career AMA 450cc Supercross title, and he set himself up well for another win when he shot off the line behind Red Bull KTM’s Marvin Musquin and RMATV/MC-WPS-KTM’s Davi Millsaps in the points-paying main event. Meanwhile, Dungey was a little off the pace, running in seventh place on the opening lap.
Tomac waited for just three laps before making a pass on Musquin for the lead and then gapping the KTM man. As Tomac pulled away, Dungey worked to minimize the points damage by moving forward to fifth place on lap three. He passed Monster Energy Kawasaki’s Josh Grant for fourth place, but Millsaps, who ran third, was still along ways into the distance. However, Dungey was finally catch and pass Millsaps for the final podium position on lap 21.
Tomac had a fairly easy time of it as he finished the race 8.4 seconds ahead of Musquin, while Musquin was just 2 seconds ahead the charging Dungey.
“I’m putting myself in a good position in the main event,” Tomac said afterward. “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.”
Prior to the start of Tomac’s win-streak, he faced a 27-point deficit to Dungey. Tomac’s fourth-straight win and seventh victory this season places him only seven points back of the championship lead with five races remaining. Musquin gained solo hold of third in the standings, sitting 47 points behind Dungey.
“I think the hardest thing is where we’ve been during the first lap over the past few races,” Dungey said. “I can’t do anything back there. Eli is out front and I’m not able to do anything. But we did charge hard for third. We have to put ourselves in a better position at the start but we’ll work through it. We need to start turning it up here over the next few races.”
The Monster Energy AMA 250SX East main event was a close-fought contest. Monster Energy/Pro Circuit/Kawasaki’s Adam Cianciarulo got the early lead while series leader Zach Osborne was caught up in a serious mid-pack crash. Osborne was forced to pit to change a damaged front wheel. As the opening lap commenced, it was Cianciarulo, Yamalube/Star Racing Yamaha’s Dylan Ferrandis, Savatgy, and Smith all together in the hunt for the lead.
The riders were barely around their first lap when Ferrandis got by Cianciarulo, and then on lap two Savatgy pulled into the lead with Cianciarulo in tow. On lap three, Cianciarulo went down and Ferrandis and Smith raced by, but the Kawasaki rider was able to remount in fourth. On lap five, while leading, Savatgy surrendered the lead to Ferrandis after going down.
The Frenchman Yamaha rider would lead another eight laps in the lead before the duo of Smith and Savatgy over took him for the top two spots, respectively, on lap 13. With championship implications for both riders, Smith and Savatgy duked it out with Savatgy entering the final lap with the lead. Just a few corners after receiving the white flag, Smith sped by Savatgy and was able to hold on to receive the checkered flag and celebrate his first career victory.
As Smith took his spot on top of the podium and Savatgy second, remarkably Cianciarulo came from several seconds back to secure the final podium position in third after passing Ferrandis with two laps to go. Entering points leader Osborne was able to return to the race, but ultimately finished 18th and relinquished the points lead to Savatgy.
“It was an unbelievable day,” Smith said. “I had to go to the LCQ (Last Change Qualifier), and I won that. [In the main], I got a great start from the outside. I had to make a few passes and the track was really tough, which was causing people to make mistakes. I’m so thankful for so many people. It’s an amazing feeling [to win] and I can’t wait to share it with everyone.”
Osborne did get back in the race, but a dismal 18th-place finish allowed Savatgy to regain the 205SX East series points lead. Savatgy now holds a 10-point lead over Smith. Osborne is now third, 10 points behind Savatgy.
The 2017 Monster Energy Supercross season continues next Saturday, April 1, for the 13th round of the championship inside The Dome at America’s Center in St. Louis.
2017 Monster Energy AMA Supercross Series
Ford Field
Detroit, Michigan
Results: March 25, 2017 (Round 12 of 16)
450cc Main Event
1. Eli Tomac-Kaw
2. Marvin Musquin-KTM
3. Ryan Dungey-KTM
4. Blake Baggett-KTM
5. Davi Millsaps-KTM
6. Jason Anderson-Hus
7. Broc Tickle-Suz
8. Josh Grant-Kaw
9. Dean Wilson-Hus
10. Cole Seely-Hon
2017 Monster Energy AMA Supercross Series Points Standings (after 12 of 16 rounds)
1. Ryan Dungey-254/2 wins
2. Eli Tomac-247/7 wins
3. Marvin Musquin-207/1 win
4. Cole Seely-196
5. Jason Anderson-170
6. Davi Millsaps-152
7. Blake Baggett-149
8. Chad Reed-131
9. Broc Tickle-130
10. Dean Wilson-127
250SX East Main Event
1. Jordon Smith-KTM
2. Joey Savatgy-Kaw
3. Adam Cianciarulo-Kaw
4. Dylan Ferrandis-Yam
5. Kyle Cunningham-Suz
6. Mitchell Harrison-Yam
7. Christian Craig-Hon
8. Gannon Audette-Kaw
9. Anthony Rodriguez-Yam
10. Luke Renzland-Yam
Eastern Regional 250SX Class Championship Standings (after 6 of 9 rounds)
1. Joey Savatgy-124/1 win
2. Jordon Smith-115/1 win
3. Zach Osborne-114/3 wins
4. Adam Cianciarulo-113/1 win
5. Dylan Ferrandis-86
6. Christian Craig-65
7. Luke Renzland-61
8. Alex Martin-60
9. Anthony Rodriguez-58
10. Mitchell Harrison-52
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