Two-time Monster Energy AMA Supercross champion Eli Tomac was living in unfamiliar territory until last week’s Triple Crown event at The Dome at America’s Center in St. Louis.
Eleven rounds into the season, he had yet to win a race.
It was an odd statistic to see paired with the Colorado native who ranks second on the all-time 450SX wins list. Admittedly, Tomac was beginning to doubt his capabilities.
“I was getting in a bit of a slump or a rough patch, or whatever you want to call it,” Tomac said. “I was just struggling with a lot of things — a little bit my body, a little bit just riding on the track…I didn’t like where I was finishing before this weekend.”
He also noted he’s been struggling with comfortability on the soft conditions the field has frequently encountered on the Supercross circuit.
Tomac finally put the internal questions to rest on Saturday night, as he swept all three motos at the Triple Crown and earned his first overall victory in 16 races.
During the post-race press conference, Tomac revealed he “tweaked” his ankle three weeks ago, resulting in a loss of balance on the bike — perhaps explaining his recent trio of results outside the top five.
It appears the trouble may be behind him with five races to go in the season.
“This was goal number one for my comeback, just to get an overall and know I could still be capable of doing it, whether it was Triple Crown or normal main event, I’ll take it,” Tomac said. “I was just back to my old self.”
Webb Tightens The Points
The St. Louis success didn’t end there for Star Racing Yamaha, as a second blue rider made it into the top three on Saturday night.
With 5-6-2 scores, Cooper Webb parked his No. 2 Yamaha in the runner-up spot. The podium appearance, combined with the eighth-place finish of points leader Jett Lawrence, allowed Webb to close within eight points of his title rival.
“Just trying to claw my way back into it every chance I get. It’s huge for a points swing…it definitely keeps you more hopeful. (To get the deficit into) single digits is huge for me,” Webb said.
Webb is seeking his third Supercross championship.
Hunter Lawrence Earns First 450SX Podium
From the moment the gate dropped on race one, it looked like a new Hunter Lawrence behind the handlebars of the No. 96 Team Honda HRC machine. The elder Lawrence brother took the lead out of the gate in the first moto and went on to finish 8-2-4 in the Triple Crown event.
“My riding’s been getting better, so hopefully, this kicks in a little bit more momentum for the last couple of rounds. We’d love to get a conventional podium, with no penalties for anyone, so that’s next on the list,” Lawrence said.
News Nuggets
Four riders (Jett Lawrence, Chase Sexton, Jason Anderson and Webb) were penalized in the second race of the night for jumping the Red Cross Flag at the finish line.
Adam Cianciarulo sustained a minor ankle injury after being caught in an incident on the opening lap with Mitchell Oldenburg and Sexton. Also, St. Louis marked the final Supercross round for Cianciarulo’s longtime mechanic, Justin Shantie, who is pursuing an opportunity with Ty Gibbs’ crew in the NASCAR Cup Series.
The coming weekend marks the final schedule break for the series. Supercross will resume April 13 at Gilette Stadium in Foxborough, Mass.