Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing’s Max Anstie kicked off the 250SX East Championship in style, scoring his first win with the team Saturday night at the Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida. Daxton Bennick joined him on the podium with a runner-up finish for a career-best result in the class. Nate Thrasher overcame adversity, charging to an eighth-place finish after an early-race incident. Unfortunately, Pierce Brown crashed in the whoops while leading the main event, which drew out the red flag and did not restart the race.
Anstie hit the ground running at the 250SX East season opener, topping the timesheets in qualifying. Although he didn’t get the start he was hoping for in his heat race, the British rider was in the mix and went on to win the re-started race. In the main event, he grabbed the holeshot with his teammates Brown and Bennick right behind. He was passed by Brown on that opening lap, and the duo ran a strong pace up front. Unfortunately, his teammate crashed in the whoops on Lap 6, drawing out the red flag. After the staggered restart, Anstie led the race from start to finish, scoring his third-career 250SX victory and first with the Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing team.
Entering his sophomore 250SX season, Bennick qualified sixth, and then, for the heat race, he didn’t get the start he had been hoping for and finished sixth. Despite a less-than-ideal gate pick, he got a great start to the main event, slotting into third behind Anstie and Brown, where he rode a strong pace to maintain the position. After the restart, he continued to ride his own race in the runner-up spot to return to the podium and score a career-best result in the class.
Thrasher had a strong start to the day, qualifying fourth. The Tennessee rider found himself fifth after the first lap of the heat race but made his way to fourth. In the main event, he got a good start with his teammates around the top five but in the heat of the battle, got shuffled back to 10th. Unfortunately, he and another rider came together on the third lap, putting him at the back of the field. Undeterred, Thrasher put his head down and made an impressive charge back to eighth.
Qualifying seventh, Brown got a great start to the night, grabbing the holeshot in his heat race and setting a blistering pace up front to amass a comfortable lead before the red flag was drawn. After the staggered restart, he and another rider came together, and he was shuffled to fourth but he came back to finish second. In the main event, Brown slotted into second behind his teammate Anstie and then quickly claimed the lead. Unfortunately, on Lap 6, he crashed in the whoops and did not rejoin the race. Brown was evaluated on-site by the Alpinestars Mobile Medical Unit and transported to a local hospital for further evaluation, and underwent surgery on Sunday to repair a fractured T5 vertebrae.
The Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing team heads to Detroit, Michigan, for Round 2 of the 250SX East Championship and Round 6 of the Monster Energy AMA Supercross Championship and SuperMotocross World Championship at Ford Field on February 15.
Jensen Hendler – Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing 250 Team Manager
“It was a rollercoaster night for sure in Tampa. It was a really good night to kick off the East Coast! To end up on the top two spots on the podium with Max and Dax was great!
“Pierce was having a great ride as well and was leading the race. At one point, it looked like we might sweep the podium, which would’ve been amazing. Unfortunately, he had a big crash in the whoops, which we’re all really bummed about. We all wish him a speedy recovery and know he will be back.
“Thrasher got off to a good start, but some early drama in the main put him at the back of the pack. On this coast, the competition is deep, so it was great to see him fight his way through to eighth. We will continue to build with him. He obviously can win races, and that’s what we expect.”
Max Anstie – Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing #31
“We came into the season very prepared. I felt like I was in a good spot, and in each session, we continued to build. It was a wild race. Pierce and I were pushing a really good pace. I had a front-row seat to watch him crash in the whoops, and I hate to see that. He was riding so well. After the red flag, it was me and Dax at the front and it was like another day at the Goat Farm, and I just tried to not do anything too silly. It’s awesome to get the win at Round 1, and to get a 1-2 finish for the team. We’re in a good spot and looking forward to Round 2.”
Daxton Bennick – Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing #34
“It was a good day. In my heat race, I went a little long on the start. The jump was good, but some guys snuck up the inside, so I made the adjustment for the main event and came out third. It was just a ride with the boys. Max and Pierce were up front, and then Pierce went down pretty hard, so I hope he’s okay. After the restart, I just rode my laps, tried to stay calm and know that I was in a good spot, and held it together to finish second. It feels so good to get back on the podium. We’ve been working hard for this, so I’m pumped about it.”
Nate Thrasher – Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing #41
“It felt so good to be back racing this weekend in Tampa. Overall, it was a positive day for me even though the main wasn’t perfect. I’m happy to salvage points, and I’m ready for more racing in Detroit.”
Pierce Brown – Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing #20
“I felt great all night, leading my heat and main. Halfway through the main, I crashed in the whoops and unfortunately broke my T5 vertebrae. I had surgery to get it fixed so that I could get back to racing. I want to thank all my family, friends, fans, and the team for all of their support.”
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