McElrath Two for Two after San Diego 250SX

Troy Lee Designs/Red Bull/KTM’s Shane McElrath is clearly feeling confident as the 2017 Monster Energy AMA 250SX West Series rolls onward.

After pulling of a wire-to-wire win at the opening round of the series, McElrath came to Petco Park in San Diego and won round two, although this time he had to come from behind to do it.

McElrath could only muster a fifth-place start while GEICO Honda’s Jimmy Decotis pulled the holeshot when the 250SX West main event left the gate. Yamalube/Star Racing Yamaha’s Dan Reardon and Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing’s Martin Davalos ran second and third respectively. Decotis then moved out to a comfortable lead while Davalos battled his way past Reardon to take over second place. Reardon would then crash out of third, handing McElrath fourth place.

Davalos the began to cut into Decotis’s lead just past the halfway point, and the Husky rider took the lead on lap 10. of the Main Event and eventually was able to mount a challenge and make a pass for the lead on Lap 10. McElrath also passed Decotis for second on the same lap. T

McElrath attacked Davalos as the clock ran out on the 15 minutes-plus-one-lap moto, and he made the winning pass on lap 16. After lapped traffic allowed Monster Energy/Pro Circuit/Kawasaki’s Justin Hill and Yamalube/Star Racing Yamaha’s Aaron Plessinger to close up on the leaders, Hill made the pass for second place and charged after McElrath. Hill to tried to dive underneath McElrath and steal the win in the last corner, but McElrath took the win by half a bike length. Plessinger displaced Davalos for third place.

“I try to just treat the race as another practice day,” McElrath said. “We go through pretty much every scenario that we can be in during a race. We’ve been working hard, spiritually, mentally, and physically,” said McElrath. “I’ve just kind of been in the zone all around and I think that’s been the biggest part [of my success]. Last weekend could have been seen as a fluke, but tonight I proved a lot to myself and I’m just happy to keep it going.”

The 2017 Monster Energy Supercross season continues next Saturday, January 21, at Angel Stadium in Anaheim, California.

2017 Monster Energy AMA 250SX West Supercross Series
Petco Park
San Diego, California
Results: January 14, 2017 (Round 2 of 8)

250SX West Main
1. Shane McElrath-KTM
2. Justin Hill-Kaw
3. Aaron Plessinger-Yam
4. Martin Davalos-Hus
5. Austin Forkner-Kaw
6. Jimmy Decotis-Hon
7. Jeremy Martin-Hon
8. Phil Nicoletti-Suz
9. Hayden Mellross-Yam
10. Josh Hansen-Hus
11. Tyler Bowers-Yam
12. Cole Martinez-Yam
13. Chase Marquier-Hon
14. Justin Starling-KTM
15. Scott Champion-Yam
16. Kyle Chisholm-Hon
17. Dan Reardon-Yam
18. Killian Auberson-KTM
19. Zach Commans-Kaw
20. AJ Catanzaro-Yam
21. Bradley Taft-Yam

2017 Monster Energy AMA 250SX West Supercross Series Points Standings (after 2 of 8 rounds)
1. Shane McElrath-50/1 win
2. Aaron Plessinger-42
3. Justin Hill-38
3. Martin Davalos-38
5. Austin Forkner-29
5. Jeremy Martin-29
7. Jimmy Decotis-27
8. Tyler Bowers-20
9. Mitchel Oldenburg-18
9. Dan Reardon-18