Image: Octopi Media.

The penultimate round of the 2021 Monster Energy Supercross championship is underway from Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City, with Eli Tomac setting the fastest qualifying time in 450SX action, while Christian Craig grabbed the top spot in the return of the 250SX East class.

Reigning 450SX champion Eli Tomac (Monster Energy Kawasaki) set the benchmark time in both 450SX qualifying sessions today and was the only rider to fall in the 46s range, with his 46.980s lap from the first session topping the timesheets.

Red-Plate holder Cooper Webb was second place after setting his fastest lap in the first session as well. The Red Bull KTM rider could potentially clinch his second 450SX championship if the stars align this evening.

Third went to Joey Savatgy who clocked a 47.171s aboard his Rocky Mountain ATV/MC KTM, besting Jason Anderson (Rockstar Energy Husqvarna) in fourth by just 0.001s. Malcolm Stewart (Monster Energy Star Racing Yamaha) ended the afternoon in fifth place, also setting his fast lap in the opening session.

Chase Sexton (Team Honda HRC) ended the afternoon sixth overall despite suffering a massive crash in a rhythm section. It’s unclear whether or not the 450SX rookie will line up for his heat race this evening.

Championship contender Ken Roczen (Team Honda HRC) finished qualifying in seventh place on the day with a 47.284s lap. Roczen looks to keep his championship hopes alive tonight in Salt Lake, if he finishes sixth or better the championship will be decided at the final round next weekend.

Justin Barcia (TLD Red Bull GasGas) was eighth fastest with Dylan Ferrandis (Monster Energy Star Racing Yamaha) and Marvin Musquin (Red Bull KTM) rounding out the final spots inside the top 10.

Image: Octopi Media.

After 10-weeks off, the 250SX East class got back underway and it was Christian Craig (Monster Energy Star Racing Yamaha) topping the timesheets with a 47.564s lap from the first qualifying session of the day. Craig crashed in the second session and was carted off the track by the Alpinestars medical team, but it appears that he will attempt to line up this evening.

Returning from injury to take second place was TLD Red Bull GasGas rider Michael Mosiman, just ahead of Jett Lawrence (Team Honda HRC), who topped the final qualifying session, landing him third overall.

Colt Nichols (Monster Energy Star Racing Yamaha) rounded out the riders inside the 47s range in fourth place, the red plate holder sits eight points ahead of his teammate Craig in the championship standings ahead of tonight’s racing.

Fifth went Jo Shimoda (Monster Energy Pro Circuit Kawasaki) with a 48.332s lap. Shimoda is looking to continue the momentum he built in the final few rounds before the break tonight.

Thomas Do took sixth place on his privateer KTM, ahead of Josh Osby (Phoenix Honda) who was the first rider in the 50s range. Eighth went to Logan Karnow (Kawasaki) with John Short (Suzuki) and Joshua Varize (KTM) rounding out the top 10.

Detailed results