Monster Energy Kawasaki’s Eli Tomac showed up when round four of the 2017 Monster Energy AMA Supercross Series visited University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale, Arizona, Saturday night.
To be clear, Tomac had competed in all three previous rounds of the series, but in Glendale, before 54,274 fans, the Tomac that many supercross fans had expected to see–and most, probably, wanted to see–showed up and dominated the 450cc main event en route to his first 450cc AMA Supercross win of 2017 and the fifth of his career. Tomac looked like the same man who was flat destroying the 2015 Lucas Oil 450cc Pro Motocross circuit before a mid-season shoulder injury forced him to the sidelines. He was the fastest qualifier for the 20-minute-plus-one-lap main, and when the gate dropped he led the race from start to finish, crossing the finish line with just over 11.8 seconds in hand.
After regressing from his fifth-place finish at the season-opening Anaheim Supercross, Tomac had seen himself slip backward in the series standings, finishing sixth and then eighth at the next two rounds. At round four, however, he was so fast and smooth that he didn’t even look like the same rider.
“The only thing I can say is I’ve been in a funk lately,” Tomac said. “It’s been a bummer, and it’s been tough mentally, too. All I can say now is I feel like I’m back. I was able just to ride [tonight]. The past three weeks it wasn’t me, and it was pretty scary at one point, but we’re here [on top of the podium].”
Tomac pulled the holeshot when the 450cc main event left the line, leading Smartop/MotoConcepts Racing Honda’s Justin Brayton, Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Ryan Dungey and Team Honda HRC’s Cole Seely through turn one. Neither these three nor anyone else in the field could match Tomac’s torrid pace, as he built a huge lead within the first few laps and continued to cruise out front for the rest of the race.
Behind him however, a tremendous battle took place for the remaining podium positions as Seely shot past Brayton on the opening lap. Dungey would follow Seely to take over third place a couple laps later.
Enter Monster Energy/Yamalube/Chaparral/Yamaha Financial Services/Yamaha’s Chad Reed. The two-time Monster Energy AMA Supercross Champion had started sixth, but he made his way to Dungey’s rear fender by lap four. Reed then began to challenge Dungey, the three-time and defending series champion, on lap seven, and the Australian made a successful pass for third place, only to see Dungey retake the spot part way into the very next lap.
Dungey was clearly motivated as he homed in on Seely and passed the Honda rider on lap 10, but Seely fought back and regained the spot temporarily. However, Reed was flying, and he shot past both Dungey and Seely in a rhythm section on lap 13 to take over second place for good.
“I’m frustrated, to be honest with you,” Reed said afterward. “The season should have started like this. We missed our calling at Anaheim I, to be honest with you, but finally we’re on the right track. My performance is there. My fitness is there. You’re only as good as what you’ve got to work with. I’m glad that we’re in the window now. I’m just happy but mad, to be honest.”
Dungey finished third.
“It was a good night,” Dungey said. “We’re up here on the box, but I really would have like to have been up front,” said Dungey. “Chad [Reed] was on my heels and no matter what I did I couldn’t seem to open up the gap. He was riding really good. No excuses [from me], tonight was a little bit of an off night. I wish I could have just been a little bit better.”
Dungey still holds a comfortable lead in the Monster Energy AMA Supercross Series points standings, with 89 points, 15 more than teammate Marvin Musquin, who finished ninth in Glendale, behind the top three, Seely, Davi Millsaps, Brayton, Blake Baggett and Cooper Webb. Jason Anderson, who was disqualified for an off-track incident at the previous round, returned to action in Glendale to finish 10th. Tomac’s win moved him into a tie with Seely for third in the standings; both men have 69 points.
The season’s next stop is Oakland Alameda County Coliseum in Oakland, California, February 4. The race will start earlier than usual, getting underway at 4 p.m. PST.
2017 Monster Energy AMA Supercross Series
University of Phoenix Stadium
Glendale, Arizona
Results: January 28, 2017 (Round 4 of 17)
450cc Main
1. Eli Tomac-Kaw
2. Chad Reed-Yam
3. Ryan Dungey-KTM
4. Cole Seely-Hon
5. Davi Millsaps-KTM
6. Justin Brayton-Hon
7. Blake Baggett-KTM
8. Cooper Webb-Yam
9. Marvin Musquin-KTM
10. Jason Anderson-Hus
11. Dean Wilson-Yam
12. Josh Grant-Kaw
13. Broc Tickle-Suz
14. Malcolm Stewart-Suz
15. Mike Alessi-Hon
16. Vince Friese-Hon
17. Tommy Hahn-Yam
18. Christophe Pourcel-Hus
19. Nick Schmidt-Suz
21. Jake Weimer-Suz
22. Cody Gilmore-Kaw
2017 Monster Energy AMA Supercross Series Points Standings (after 4 of 16 rounds)
1. Ryan Dungey-89/ 1 win
2. Marvin Musquin-74
3. Cole Seely-69
4. Eli Tomac-69/1 win
5. Davi Millsaps-55
6. Ken Roczen-51/ 2 wins
7. Chad Reed-49
8. Jason Anderson-47
9. Josh Grant-46
10. Cooper Webb-44
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