Slaw
We have a title fight on our hands in the 450SX class after Ken Roczen claimed a second straight victory at round 12 of the Monster Energy AMA Supercross Championship on Saturday night in St. Louis, MO.
With Hunter Lawrence finishing third and Eli Tomac taking sixth, we have a three-way fight toward the the title with just five rounds to go. After Saturday, Tomac and Lawrence sit tied atop the standings with Roczen just five back.
In the second 250SX East/West Showdown, Haiden Deegan passed teammate Cole Davies and went on to a dominating win, clinching a second straight 250SX West Division championship. Davies finished second and extended his lead in the 250SX East Division to 11 over Seth Hammaker.
Check out post-race quotes, highlights and more from round 12 below.
Haiden Deegan – 1st Place – 250SMX Class East/West Showdown
“I’m so grateful. This 250 career has been insane. As a kid I wanted to win one championship, that’s every kid’s dream. This is number six. We’re going to keep digging. I ain’t done yet. I’m not done ticking [championships] off and we’re coming to the 450 Class swinging.”
Cole Davies – 2nd Place – 250SMX Class East/West Showdown
“I’m happy with tonight. That track was gnarly. I just rode it home. I’m happy I gained points [in the Eastern Divisional Championship], because there was no need to push it in those conditions. Congrats to Haiden [Deegan].”
Seth Hammaker – 3rd Place – 250SMX Class East/West Showdown
“We’re coming to the closing stretch here [in the championship], so it’s going to be time to take a little more risk and leave a little bit more out there. I try my hardest each and every race. I try to be smart and try to be consistent, but Cole [Davies] has been riding super well. One of the gnarliest tracks I’ve ever ridden tonight, so I’m glad to get through it and get another podium. Four races left. We’ve got to get some more wins and attack.”
Ken Roczen – 1st Place – 450SMX Class
“I honestly still can’t believe it. That track was absolutely brutal and on top of that, it was just extremely busy. It was a brutal Main Event. Even when I had that gap, you just don’t want to make any silly mistakes that allow them to get closer and make it tight at the end. I just can’t believe I pulled off this back-to-back win. I just never stop believing. We’ve got the ball rolling. We’re going to hunker down and keep hammering.”
Justin Cooper – 2nd Place – 450SMX Class
“Three fourth places in-a-row has been a little bit frustrating, so it’s nice to get back on the box here. I think it was the toughest [race] of the year. It was challenging all day, but our setup worked. There was a little bit of cat and mouse in the beginning with Hunter [Lawrence] and Jorge [Prado], and I didn’t do myself any favors there. I couldn’t see Kenny [once into second] but I feel like my pace was really good and we brought it home.”
Hunter Lawrence – 3rd Place – 450SMX Class
“I’m pretty happy. My wrist is still really sore from the crash last weekend so I’m happy to still be in the fight. This track was so freaking gnarly and probably the worst conditions for having a sore wrist. We got in and out in one piece and got the red plate back; or sharing it. How good is this title fight narrowing down to the end? I’m looking forward to this.”
