Rockstar Energy Husqvarna’s Martin Davalos gives Husqvarna its first 250SX win of the year at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta.
All Photos By Rich Shepherd
Rockstar Energy Husqvarna’s Martin Davalos wasn’t the fastest rider in practice, and he wasn’t the faster winner of the two qualifying heat race during tonight’s Monster Energy AMA 250SX East Supercross Series opener at the Georgia Dome.
But Davalos, a veteran of the 250SX wars, was fastest when it mattered most, leading all 15 laps of the main event to post his third career AMA 250SX supercross win and give Husqvarna its second win of the series; Rockstar Energy Husqvarna rider Jason Anderson won the premier class at the series opener in Anaheim, California, in January.
Davalos was strong right from the start of the main event, running about fifth off the starting line while Troy Lee Designs/Red Bull/KTM’s Shane McElrath snared the holeshot then slid wide out of the first turn, tagged a Tuff Blok and crashed off the track. That gave Davalos a clear shot at the lead as the field ran through the first rhythm section, and once he passed The Viewing/Fasthouse/Pacific Coast Customs Yamaha rider Darryn Durham, he was never seriously challenged as he rolled to the win about 1.3 seconds ahead of GEICO Honda’s Malcolm Stewart and 7.8 seconds ahead of third-place finisher Aaron Plessinger of the Yamalube Star Racing Yamaha squad.
“This means a lot to me,” Davalos said. “I’ve had a tough year. I was leading the championship when I was riding for Mitch [Payton, Monster Energy/Pro Circuit/Kawasaki in 2015]. I signed with Husqvarna and got myself in trouble and got Epstein-Barr [virus]. We kind of swapped pages and decided to go train with Timmy Ferry. Man, him and his wife have been like family to me. I’m blessed to be working with them.
“I had a solid race,” Davalos continued. “I felt Malcolm the whole time, and I just wanted to put in consistent laps. That’s what I did.”
Davalos ran into lapped traffic around lap 10, but he was able to stay out of trouble and maintain a strong pace to the finish.
“It was pretty dangerous out there,” he said. “People were going left and ride. I’m glad I kept it up on two wheels.”
That was the one thing Stewart failed to do in the main event after having dominated both timed practice and winning the faster of the two qualifying heat races, although that wasn’t entirely his fault. He didn’t get off to the best start in the main event, but he quickly moved into second place and appeared to have the speed to challenge Davalos. However, a tangle with McElrath, who fell in the sand section on lap XX, derailed Stewart’s chances. He was still able to finish second, and he appears to be a clear contender for the 250SX East title.
“The only thing I can take away tonight is to try to dodge some riders,” Stewart joked on the podium. “That was totally my fault. I didn’t even see him [McElrath] down until he picked his bike up and I was already committed. I was like, ‘Oh boy, get ready for the ride.’ I don’t know who it was, but I just want to say sorry, man, I didn’t mean it. I’m just going to take this as a second. It’s a lot better than where I started of last year, 22nd. Second is better than nothing. Hopefully, we can keep moving forward.”
Plessinger, who scored a podium during his rookie season in 2015, said that he was satisfied with his performance tonight.
“I’ve only got one third before,” he said. “I didn’t get off to a great start, but I fought my way through and I ended up here on the podium. Everybody here in Georgia, the crowd, is awesome. I heard them every lap over the triple. I was just clicking guys off, and I ended up here.”
Missing the podium but putting in impressive rides were Yamalube Star Racing Yamaha’s Jeremy Martin, who fought his way to fourth place after starting 11th and Troy Lee Designs/Red Bull/KTM’s Justin HIll, who tore through the pack to finish fifth after rounding the first turn in 21st place.
2016 Monster Energy AMA Supercross Series
Georgia Dome
Atlanta, Georgia
Results: February 27, 2016 (Round 1 of 8)
250SX Main
1. Martin Davalos-Hus
2. Malcolm Stewart-Hon
3. Aaron Plessinger-Yam
4. Jeremy Martin-Yam
5. Justin Hill-KTM
6. RJ Hampshire-Hon
7. Darryn Durham-Yam
8. Tyler Bowers-Kaw
9. Alexander Frye-KTM
10. Jimmy Albertson-Suz
11. Matt Bisceglia-Suz
12. Dakota Alix-KTM
13. Benny Bloss-Yam
14. Gannon Audette-Kaw
15. Marshal Weltin-Yam
16. Justin Starling-Kaw
17. Anthony Rodriguez-Kaw
18. Paul Coates-Kaw
19. Arnaud Tonus-Kaw
20. Jesse Wentland-Yam
21. Luke Renzland-Yam
22. Shane McElrath-KTM
2016 Monster Energy AMA 250SX Supercross Series Points Standings (after 1 of 8 rounds)
1. Martin Davalos-25/1 win
2. Malcolm Stewart-22
3. Aaron Plessinger-20
4. Jeremy Martin-18
5. Justin Hill-16
6. RJ Hampshire-15
7. Darryn Durham-14
8. Tyler Bowers-13
9. Alexander Frye-12
10. Jimmy Albertson-11
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