9. Dean Wilson scores career-first 450cc podium in the sands of Southwick.
Dean Wilson’s career has had its ups and downs, as so many riders experience. When the 2017 Monster Energy AMA Supercross season began, Wilson had no calls, no offers, and no ride on the table. After spending many of his previous seasons with factory rides, followed by a double ACL tear, the offer pool had all but dried up for the former champion. For so many riders, it’s a point where they become defeated and decide to hang up their boots.
But not Wilson. Starting the Monster Energy AMA Supercross Series as a full-on privateer with his father as his wrench and a pit board that read “For Hire,” Wilson caught a huge break when he got a call from Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing team manager Bobby Hewitt and was offered a ride with the team. Wilson seized the opportunity and put in steady results that would change his career path. His big moment came at the Southwick round of the 2017 Lucas Oil Pro Motocross Championship where a 6-3 moto score was enough to land on the podium–his career-first in the 450cc class and his first podium appearance since Las Vegas SX in 2014. Not only that, but Wilson followed up his career-first podium with his career-best finish 450cc finish, second place overall, the next weekend at Millville. Wilson ultimately finished the 2017 season in fourth in the points and, for the time being, doesn’t have to worry about whether or not he will have a job next year: Wilson has signed an extension with the Husqvarna team for a full SX and MX contract in 2018.
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