Rookie Report, Birmingham: Bennick Leads the Way

Rookie report, it’s back! I thought I was bringing this new great idea to the table. Then Troy said that Vurb did this 14 years ago, but to hell with that I’m taking over now. Each week I’m going to report on the rookies in the 250 class and give you a little insight on how the new guys are doing.

Daxton Bennick – Monster Energy / Star Racing Yamaha

Qualified – 6th

Heat- 3rd

Main- 7th

Grade – B-

Dax yet again qualified really well and was able to podium in his heat race. Just like past weeks, he has shown he has the speed to run up front, but when it comes to the mains, he has been struggling big time with his starts. While he savaged a 7th after coming from the back of the pack, Dax is going to have to get his starts dialed in if he wants to get back on the podium.

Nick Romano – Monster Energy / Star Racing Yamaha

Qualified – 8th

Heat – 12th

LCQ – 21st

Grade – C

Nick had a hell of a start to his heat race and was running second for a majority of the race until a little accident would ultimately end Romano’s night. Romano was battling with McAdoo when it looked like he possibly hit a false neutral slowing himself up and McAdoo had nowhere to go and hit him. A complete racing accident and an unfortunate ending to Romano’s podium race he was having. He took to Instagram to say he had the speed but luck was not on his side. Nick has been getting better each week and like his rookie teammate Bennick, they both need to put together a complete weekend.

Preston Boespflug – Toyota of Redlands / Bar X Suzuki

Qualified – 17th

Heat – 9th

Main – 15th

Grade – B+

After an injury in Daytona left Preston sidelined, he was able to bounce back and get into his second career main event. Avoiding the LCQ and going straight into the main was a change of pace for the rookie and he rode pretty well in the main. I’m sure Preston would like better results, but with it being his first year and coming off that crash at Daytona, Boesflug handled the technical track well.

Bryce Shelly – DBD Racing

Qualified – 20th

Heat – 9th

Main – 17th

Grade – A

I think Bryce has been reading these every week and was finally sick of me saying how he just missed the main. In all seriousness Shelly was able to finally get into his first supercross main event and he did it avoiding the dreaded LCQ. Bryce has had troubles all season in the LCQ, just missing the main multiple times. Today was his day though, he was able to go straight to the main from the heat and put in a 17th for the main. Congrats Bryce!

Jorgen Talviku / Tyler Gibbs – CREO KTM

Qualified – 15th / 34th

Heat – 13th/16th

LCQ – 6th / 17th

Grade – A

Remember when I said we would see these guys getting better each week? Well Jorgen backed me up and had his best weekend of SX yet. The technical track seemed to fit Jorgens riding style and helped him be competitive this weekend. Jorgen only missed the main by two spots of a very close LCQ race. Gibbs qualified for the night show but couldn’t find his groove. Making the night show is a step in the process for a supercross privateer, so he’s making strides in the right direction. Gibbs just needs to find his flow.