In Quotebook, a selection of riders detail how their races played out in round 12 of the 2023 Monster Energy Supercross Championship at Glendale.

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Image: Octopi Media.

Eli Tomac (Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing) – First:
It was a fantastic triple crown for us. This year I had two crashes in the first two triple crowns, so my goal for the day was to be mistake-free. We did that, and we gained some very important championship points as well. It was a very slick and dry, hard-packed Phoenix track, one of the drier ones that we’ve had in a long time. For me, it was kind of fun because it’s a surface that we don’t get all the time. It was just a new challenge. The bike worked great on that surface, and we got really great starts. You can’t beat first overall.

Jason Anderson (Monster Energy Kawasaki) – 10th:
Without the crash in the final race of the night, I think I could’ve ended up with a podium finish. I was steadily improving throughout the day and felt good on my Kawasaki KX450SR after the second race. I enjoy a good battle and the one Kenny and I put on for the fans in the second main was a lot of fun. That motivated me heading into the final race but unfortunately, I made a costly mistake that ended my night. Luckily, I was able to get up on my own and walk away without any injuries. The team and I will regroup this week and come ready to bring the battle to Atlanta next weekend.

Adam Cianciarulo (Monster Energy Kawasaki) – Sixth:
I had a very consistent night of racing here in Glendale. This is the first time in my career I’ve made it this far into the season since moving up to the premier class, so my main goal was to keep it on two wheels but still be competitive. I’m pleased to say we accomplished just that, and I was able to secure a sixth place for the team on what turned out to be a very rough and fast-paced track. The team and I have been working hard during the week, and it’s nice to see results starting to show on the track. I’m looking forward to carrying this momentum into the next round.

Cooper Webb (Red Bull KTM) – Fourth:
Not the greatest of days, but not particularly bad either. I was equal third in points on the night, but fourth overall given my last race finishing place, and with 2-5-4 finishes. These Triple Crown races can really swing either way when it comes to points – be really good to you or be costly in points if you let them. In the first race, I rode pretty well and was battling up front for second place, but I just didn’t ride that great in the second and third races, made too many little mistakes and passing was really tough, which cost me the overall podium. I think things will be a lot better in Atlanta next week – I really like racing in ATL. It will be back to a normal main event format, so we will regroup and look to make back those championship points I lost out on tonight.

Aaron Plessinger (Red Bull KTM) – Seventh:
I was feeling decent early in the day, but it was a track that I didn’t gel with and didn’t feel comfortable on. In the first race, I was in a decent spot, but I got held up on the first straight and that put me back a ways. I got another good start in the second race but just went backward, so I made some big changes to the bike for the final race and got a really good start. Again, I went backward a little, but I felt like it was a better race. All in all, it was an off day for me – it was a tough track to pass on, and we haven’t seen hard-pack conditions like that for a while. We’ll rebound next weekend at Atlanta, which has always been good for me.

Justin Barcia (TLD Red Bull GasGas) – Third:
I felt good in qualifying today, and felt really comfortable on the bike. The team did a great job, and made great adjustments. The last main event was my best one. This is my first Triple Crown podium overall, so I’m stoked on that. I’m just super-stoked on my riding and the team, and I’m really looking forward to Atlanta. Keep going for that win.

Chase Sexton (Team Honda HRC) – Second:
My riding was solid tonight, but my starts were a little bit off. It’s tough to push in the main events when you’re starting behind. I’m starting to feel better on the bike again. We made some good progress testing during the off-weekend, and I hope it shows during the next few rounds. I’m excited to head back East for the home stretch.

Colt Nichols (Team Honda HRC) – Eighth:
It was nice to be back racing. The Triple Crown was fun, even though I was basically just an eighth-place guy tonight. Overall, it was good though. The starts were there. I struggled with some little things, but I’m just happy to be back racing. I was excited to make some improvements each time we were out there. I’m pumped for next weekend.

Ken Roczen (Progressive Ecstar Suzuki) – Fifth:
Glendale was a really good race for us. I had fun all day and we were pretty competitive throughout practice and qualifying. This track is super hard pack. It was a different style; it was incredibly open and super-fast. We made some bike changes that I think worked pretty well. We were able to put up a really good fight in all three races. In the third race, I had to make my way up, but I had a great battle. I rode well, the team was great, and I actually had a really, really good time today.

Shane McElrath (Twisted Tea Suzuki) – 13th:
I’m excited about our progress today. Everything was a lot better for my race day. It’s encouraging. We’ve got five rounds left, and I’m going to keep working because I feel like I showed a little bit tonight.

Kyle Chisolm (Twisted Tea Suzuki) – 11th:
Man, this was a good weekend for me, from press yesterday all the way through today, the bike was just awesome. It’s the best I’ve felt all year – I felt really comfortable on the bike. I’m just pumped about the whole weekend. I’ll take all the positives and work this week and try to repeat next week in Atlanta.

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Image: Octopi Media.

Levi Kitchen (Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing) – Third:
Those two guys [Jett Lawrence and RJ Hampshire] were riding really solid tonight. After how the day started, I think it was a good step in the right direction. I wasn’t riding very well in practice, so to come out and pull three holeshots and put in some solid laps was great. I had a good time riding with those guys. I’m happy with third today, and look to keep building on this momentum in New Jersey.

Stilez Robertson (Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing) – DNF:
The day started out pretty well. Even though I qualified seventh, I felt really good on the bike and was excited about the night show. Unfortunately, the night didn’t go as expected. I ended up crashing. I was fine and then got hit by like four bikes. As soon as that happened, I felt my leg get really hot, so I went to get up and get off the track, and my ankle just straight gave out. I have to give a huge shoutout to everyone who reached out to me, all the medics at the track, and also my girlfriend Hayley for taking care of me. I’m heading to Colorado in the morning to get the surgery scheduled and hopefully knock that out and get on the road to recovery. It’s been really hard on me, but I know at the end of the day, it will all be worth it. We’ll be back!

Carson Mumford (Monster Energy Pro Circuit Kawasaki) – 10th:
The track was pretty challenging and I just couldn’t find my rhythm with it. All things considered, with how I felt and the triple crown format being a long night of racing, I’m thankful we walked away with a top 10. It’s nice that we have two weeks until the east/west shootout so we can work on some things before New Jersey.

RJ Hampshire (Rockstar Energy Husqvarna) – Second:
I felt really good today, I just came up a little short tonight. In the first and second mains I rode well and felt good on the bike. I just didn’t execute in that third main,” Hampshire said. “I’m really happy with my FC250, this whole team, and I’ll just keep on grinding and keep on moving forward and try and knock one of these wins off here soon.

Max Vohland (Red Bull KTM) – Eighth:
It was a tough night in Glendale. I was sick all week coming into the race, so I knew it was going to be challenging. Unfortunately, in the first moto restart, I got taken out in turn three, which resulted in me getting an 18th. The second two motos were better, going 6-6 for eighth overall. I’m looking forward to getting healthy and ready for East Rutherford.

Pierce Brown (TLD Red Bull GasGas) – Fourth:
I had three consistent mains, but they weren’t good enough to satisfy me. I was a little bit off with my intensity. I struggled in the whoops all three mains, and that’s what dictated the night. We have some stuff to work on. I’ll take a fourth after some hectic weeks leading up to this. We’re still building, and we’ll be up to where we need to be before the end of the season.

Jett Lawrence (Team Honda HRC) – First:
I’m super pumped to finally get one of these, and it makes it even better that Hunter won this one last year! I felt like my starts were on point all day, and I was just happy not to have to battle through too much. I focused on the lines I had down and hitting my marks. Next race for us is the East-West Showdown in New Jersey, so I can’t wait to mix it up with those lads. Obviously, I’m hoping Hunter and I are 1-2, but I’m excited to battle there.

Dilan Schwartz (Progressive Ecstar Suzuki) – DNQ:
I got super sick on Wednesday, tried doing everything to be healthy for this weekend, but went out for practice and could barely do two laps, my body just didn’t have it this weekend. Sorry to all my supporters and fans. I wish I were racing out there tonight.

Robbie Wageman (BarX Suzuki) – Ninth:
It was a great night of racing. I felt good on the track and on the bike all day through practice and the three races. I had a little bit of a rollercoaster night with a poor result in the second race, but I was happy to rebound in the third race to get ninth overall. Thank you to the whole BarX Suzuki team for sticking behind me, and giving me the opportunity to do my best!

Matt Moss (BarX Suzuki) – 20th:
It was a tough weekend for me, but was good to get the LCQ win,” said Moss. “I didn’t feel like myself all weekend and struggled. But I’m happy to be on the line for the team and I’m looking forward to working with the team again.

Derek Drake (BarX Suzuki) – 12th:
I struggled with starts, which didn’t help at all with a fast-paced track, I was off on my bike set up, so it was a struggle all day, but I’m glad to get out of Glendale healthy and ready for the next race!

Brandon Scharer (BarX Suzuki) – 13th:
The Arizona Triple Crown was great for me overall, I felt comfortable on the bike all day. In race one I was running sixth until the re-start, I gained confidence from that. The rest of the night was filled with good racing and battles. I went 11-12-14 for 13th overall. It was a massive building day for me and I’m excited for New Jersey next!