In front of a crowd of 49,841 fans inside NRG Stadium, Monster Energy Supercross, an FIM World Championship, made an epic return to Houston on January 13 for Round 2 of the 2018 season.
For Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing’s Jason Anderson, a win in Houston secured the 450SX Class points lead. At the start, Monster Energy/Knich/Yamaha Factory Racing’s Justin Barcia edged out Team Honda HRC’s Ken Roczen for the holeshot ahead of Autotrader/Yoshimura/Suzuki Factory Racing’s Weston Peick and Anderson in fourth. While the leaders jockeyed for position, Anderson captured his first win of 2018 and second-consecutive podium ahead of Roczen and Barcia.
“That race was tough for me but at the same time I felt good all day,” Anderson said on the podium. “I’m just excited to come out with the win. I feel good. I’m riding good. I’m thankful to have these opportunities to keep achieving my goals, and I just really want to keep staying up here.”
Team Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Marvin Musquin showed up to Houston with the 450SX Class points lead and a red number plate after winning the Anaheim Opener but a crash in the Heat Race put Musquin out of the night show and 10th in points. Last year’s championship runner-up, Monster Energy Kawasaki’s Eli Tomac, opted out of competition while recovering from a crash at the Anaheim Opener.
In the Western Regional 250SX Class, Monster Energy/Pro Circuit/Kawasaki’s Joey Savatgy took the holeshot ahead of Troy Lee Designs/Red Bull/KTM’s Shane McElrath and Monster Energy/Pro Circuit/Kawasaki’s Adam Cianciarulo. The Monster Energy/Yamalube/Star/Yamaha Racing ride of Aaron Plessinger battled from a 10th place start to eventually overcome the entire field and claim the podium ahead of Savatgy in second. For third place’s rookie Chase Sexton, it was his first career podium in his second professional start.
450SX Class Results
1. Jason Anderson, Rio Rancho, N.M., Husqvarna
2. Ken Roczen, Clermont, Fla., Honda
3. Justin Barcia, Greenville, Fla., Yamaha
4. Cole Seely, Newbury Park, Calif., Honda
5. Weston Peick, Menifee, Calif., Suzuki
6. Justin Brayton, Mint Hill, N.C., Honda
7. Blake Baggett, Grand Terrance, Calif., KTM
8. Broc Tickle, Holly, Mich., KTM
9. Joshua Grant, Wildomar, Calif., Kawasaki
10. Jeremy Martin, Carlsbad, Calif., Honda
450SX Class Championship Standings
1. Jason Anderson, Rio Rancho, N.M., Husqvarna (49)
2. Ken Roczen, Clermont, Fla., Honda (42)
3. Justin Barcia, Greenville, Fla., Yamaha (42)
4. Cole Seely, Newbury Park, Calif., Honda (36)
5. Weston Peick, Menifee, Calif., Suzuki (36)
6. Justin Brayton, Mint Hill, N.C., Honda (33)
7. Broc Tickle, Holly, Mich., KTM (30)
8. Joshua Grant, Wildomar, Calif., Kawasaki (28)
9. Blake Baggett, Grand Terrance, Calif., KTM (27)
10. Marvin Musquin, Clermont, Fla., KTM (26)
Western Regional 250SX Class Results
1. Aaron Plessinger, Hamilton, Ohio, Yamaha
2. Joey Savatgy, Thomasville, Ga., Kawasaki
3. Chase Sexton, Clermont, Fla., Honda
4. Shane McElrath, Canton, N.C., KTM
5. Christian Craig, Orange, Calif. Honda
6. Mitchell Oldenburg, Alvord, Texas, Yamaha
7. Adam Cianciarulo, New Smyrna, Fla., Kawasaki
8. Bradley Taft, Nixa, Missouri, Yamaha
9. Kyle Chisholm, Valrico, Fla., Yamaha
10. Justin Hill, Yoncalla, Ore., Suzuki
Western Regional 250SX Class Championship Standings
1. Aaron Plessinger, Hamilton, Ohio, Yamaha (49)
2. Shane McElrath, Canton, N.C., KTM (45)
3. Joey Savatgy, Thomasville, Ga., Kawasaki (42)
4. Adam Cianciarulo, New Smyrna, Fla., Kawasaki (37)
5. Chase Sexton, Clermont, Fla., Honda (36)
6. Christian Craig, Orange, Calif. Honda (36)
7. Mitchell Oldenburg, Alvord, Texas, Yamaha (34)
8. Justin Hill, Yoncalla, Ore., Suzuki (29)
9. Bradley Taft, Nixa, Missouri, Yamaha (27)
10. Kyle Chisholm, Valrico, Fla., Yamaha (27)