In Quotebook, a selection of riders detail how their races played out at the latest round of the 2023 Monster Energy Supercross Championship in Arlington.

450SX

Image: Octopi Media.

Eli Tomac (Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing) – Third:
It was a mixed day. We went out there with a really good start in the first main and basically just rode a good race and led the whole thing. That was a perfect start for us. In the second main, I didn’t get the best start and struggled a little bit, and ended up fourth. In the third one, once again, I put myself in a great position and just made a small mistake on the back side of the tunnel jump and lost traction. It was a tricky track that way. It was a track that looked like it had good traction but, at the same time, could be slick. So I’m bummed to make that mistake but also happy to end up on the podium and still be in the points lead.

Justin Cooper (Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing) – Ninth:
It was another tough one for me, but we kept pushing and made some progress throughout the night. Ninth wasn’t the result we were looking for, but it was another good learning experience in tricky conditions. We’ll just keep working.

Jason Anderson (Monster Energy Kawasaki) – Fourth:
From practice all the way through the final race tonight, I felt strong on my KX450SR and I know we’re in a great spot to contend for wins. A small mistake through the first turn of that first race really cost me in the overall standings, but I salvaged what I could and bounced back for race two. We will keep putting in the work during the week and aim to be in the battle again in Daytona.

Christian Craig (Rockstar Energy Husqvarna) – Eighth:
On paper it was better, but I still struggled a bit in the mains. I need to get a start and run up front with those guys and learn that pace more. Starting in the back’s not going to help. Other than that, we went 7-8-8. I need to be better, and we’ve got Daytona coming up so we’ll keep working. I’m moving up in the points, but still want more.

Cooper Webb (Red Bull KTM) – First:
I’m extremely happy to get another win here in the season! Dallas is always a good one for me, so to come here and do well in the Triple Crown is super-cool. The first Race wasn’t my best one, we improved for the second one and then, in the last Race, obviously some mistakes of other riders helped me out, but overall I’m stoked to execute and get another win! I knew I had to get to the front in that final one in the end to get the overall, so that was what I was going for and I felt good, had a great pace going and was comfortable, so it was a good round for us. We’ll see where this carries us for the rest of the season, but I’m feeling confident and know what I can get better at – we’re all riding well and it’s definitely a dog-fight at the moment.

Aaron Plessinger (Red Bull KTM) – Sixth:
I felt good all day in practice and then when the first Race came around, I’m not really sure what went on. I didn’t feel like I had much in me, couldn’t really push that hard, and in that first main event I didn’t have it for whatever reason. I tried to get as much fuel in me as I could before the second one and felt a lot better – likewise for the third one. It was good to turn things around in the night show with 6-5-5 for sixth overall. I’ll take it heading into Daytona and I’m excited for that.

Justin Barcia (TLD Red Bull GasGas) – Seventh:
It was a disappointing night. I rode really good in the first race. The second race was a bit average, and in the third race, I was near the front of the pack, and just had one big mistake. I just lost it, had the crash, and went over the berm. Man, our speed is so good, and the bike’s so good. My starts were solid tonight, so there are a lot of positives, but I need to be better.

Chase Sexton (Team Honda HRC) – Second:
I felt like I elevated my speed all day. I didn’t qualify the fastest in practice, so that gave me some motivation in the night show. In the last race I washed the front in a corner, but with my pace, I still felt like Eli was within reach. I just put my head down until he made that mistake. Unfortunately, I ran into some lappers but I just need to be able to read them better. Overall, I felt really solid in every main event, it was some of the best riding I’ve had. Obviously, I didn’t get the win, but everyone has to face the same thing. Lots of positives to take into next weekend.

Colt Nichols (Team Honda HRC) – 14th:
Another Triple Crown, and a very rough night in the office for me. I wasn’t agreeing with the track and had some mistakes and crashes. I had some bad starts and just put myself in poor positions. Luckily, we get to try again in seven days in Daytona – I really like that place and I’m looking forward to it. I’ve just got to wipe it clean from tonight and focus on next weekend.

Dean Wilson (Fire Power Honda) – 11th:
There are a lot of positives to take from Arlington! I am pleased that we are seeing progress and I know that we will be in that top ten soon enough. Qualifying was really good again and it just shows how close the speed is in the 450SX class. Hopefully we can take another step in Daytona!

Ken Roczen (Progressive Ecstar Suzuki) – Fifth:
I was able to put it on the board pretty much in every practice session, which is something that I haven’t been able to do this year, so that was great. In the races, I had two really good starts. In the first race, I found myself in second, battling for the lead the whole time – I was able to bring it home in second. For the second race, I went a little bit deep into the first turn, but came out in third. On the opening lap, another rider made a mistake before the whoops, and we got together, and we both almost crashed. I lost a position there. We were riding well, but these guys are all fast, and it was tough to pass. Going into the third race we were feeling fairly good, but I messed up the start and wasn’t far upfront. I made some passes and a couple of riders crashed, and I was able to come home in fourth place in the final race. Unfortunately, if I could have passed one more rider I would have finished on the overall podium. We were riding a lot better today. The team has been doing a really good job and putting in a lot of work, so I’m really appreciative and can’t wait for next weekend.

Kyle Chisholm (Twisted Tea Suzuki) – 16th:
Got through Arlington. I had a little crash there at the end so I’m sore, but overall I had some good moments. I just missed advancing by a couple of tenths of a second and I had to go to the LCQ. But we made the most of that. It’s never fun to be in the LCQ, but if you’re going to be in it, might as well get the win, right? So that was good. At night in the third race I was working my way up, and with just a few laps to go I got a little squirrely in the whoops, hit some tuff blox, and went down pretty hard. I’m sore, not really hurt, more just mad at myself. I just want to be a little closer to the front. I’m looking forward to Daytona. I like that race.

Shane McElrath (Twisted Tea Suzuki) – 15th:
The track was tough. It felt good to really race every single race. I mean, I fell off a little at the end of each one, but we’re making big strides overall, and I’m excited about the progress and learning we’re making. We’re just working together as a team and that’s what I’m really excited about.

250SX

Image: Octopi Media.

Hunter Lawrence (Team Honda HRC) – Third:
I was sitting in a good spot coming into the third race. Unfortunately, on that start I just ran out of real estate on the inside and got pinched – it’s never a good thing when you end up under your bike in the first turn. I just focused on damage control and not making a bonehead mistake or being worse off. There’s still a lot of racing to go – I’ve just got to go back and be better next weekend. That’s the beauty of it–you get to go again.

Chance Hymas (Team Honda HRC) – 10th:
This weekend wasn’t great, but it wasn’t bad. I struggled in qualifying, just wasn’t feeling comfortable enough to push to my limit. My first two mains were pretty good, just need to limit my mistakes and get a little meaner. Third main I ended up crashing and getting 16th. Tenth overall is nothing to be stoked about, but I’m happy to get out of it healthy. Now to get ready for Daytona.

Max Anstie (Fire Power Honda) – Fifth:
It was a busy night in Texas but, all things considered, I’m pleased to leave with a fifth. I know that we could have been on the box, had it not been for that crash in the final main event. It is unfortunate, as there was nothing that I could do, but I’m happy with how we recovered. I will keep making steps forward with my team and we will be ready when gates drop in Daytona!

Jordon Smith (Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing) – Second:
It was a good bounce back from Tampa. I didn’t get a good start in the first main. I had a pretty good jump but got hit in that first turn. The first turn tonight was gnarly with how fast you were coming in – the outside guys could sweep and the inside guys were coming straight – so you had to be careful in the first turn. We made some adjustments for the second and third main, which worked out pretty well. It was a pretty hectic night, especially that third main event. Everything else wasn’t too bad, but that third main was crazy! It felt really good to get a race win, and being second on the podium was good as well. It’s always nice getting a 1-2 for the team.

Haiden Deegan (Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing) – Eighth:
I had a super fun time at my first Triple Crown. I had a little bit of an unfortunate first race, but we are continuing to learn, which is the goal. I’m super excited for Daytona next week!

Nate Thrasher (Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing) – First:
It was a good night. I started off with a second in the first main, and I felt really good with my speed. In the second main event, I didn’t ride my best. I tightened up a little bit and was in a sandwich between Jordon and Hunter (Lawrence). I made a couple of runs on Jordon but couldn’t quite get by, and then I had to protect my position because Hunter was behind me. So it was tricky, but I was happy to get another second. We went into the last one in a good position, I was kind of in the lead, but we were all pretty even. I just had to go out there and win and execute it perfectly at the start. I got out front, and I had a 10-second lead, and I just kind of backed it down a little bit. Then I got tangled with a lapper, but it is what it is. I just need to be a little better.

Chris Blose (Monster Energy Pro Circuit Kawasaki) – Ninth:
The three main event format is challenging because starts are so important. Thankfully, I was able to stay clear of any crashes and find a good position in the first two races. The track was really fast and made it hard to gain time once we got through the first few laps. I’ll take the ninth, but I’m really working toward a top-five.

Talon Hawkins (Rockstar Energy Husqvarna) – 13th:
Qualifying is definitely something I need to work on. I’m going out to Baker’s Factory this next week and I’m going to be there for a while. We’re going to work on some high-intensity training. I know I need it, and I’m excited to implement that style of training. The rest of the day went pretty good. I ended up with a 13th overall. I’m pretty pumped about that. It’s a good base, and I know where to build from here. I’m hoping to get some top-ten finishes. That’s what I want, and I know I can do it. I’ve just got to put it together and ride the way I know how to ride.

Tom Vialle (Red Bull KTM) – Fourth:
Today was good. I felt comfortable in practice, qualifying in seventh and that was my best so far – I felt great on the track. In the first race I was fifth, but struggled a little bit with the start on the second one and finished ninth. The third race was much better, finishing second in that one and I was really close to the winner at the end, so I was happy. We’ve made good improvements in these past weeks, we’re getting closer and fourth is a positive result. Now I’m looking forward to next week in Daytona.

Michael Mosiman (TLD Red Bull GasGas) – Seventh:
Man, it felt like after the last two races that we really went to work and made some adjustments on the bike and it was a lot better on the practice track. It really felt like we had got some momentum on our side back at home and it was going to carry that into the weekend, but we came here and were searching a little bit for comfort and feel. I had a couple of bad starts and I just need to grow my confidence. All we can do is take the positives and move on. I’m happy with my start in the third main and running near the front. It’s disappointing, but I’m glad we righted the mistakes of the first two and were able to put it up towards the front in the last one.

Marshall Weltin (Twisted Tea Suzuki) – 16th:
I had some better qualifying results, got into the show and ended up healthy. I checked off some boxes, but I want more. Working with the team’s been great, everyone’s very responsive so I’m stoked to be able to make progress this week.