Image: Octopi Media.

Rockstar Energy Husqvarna’s RJ Hampshire claimed a huge victory in the 250SX East/West Showdown at Nashville. His third win of the season also resulted in him regaining the championship lead as Monster Energy Pro Circuit Kawasaki’s Levi Kitchen had a rough main event and came home in 14th place.

It was a night to forget for the Pro Circuit Kawasaki team as both Kitchen and teammate Cameron McAdoo had awful nights. McAdoo, who led the 250SX East points by four points entering the night, crashed in qualifying resulting in a shoulder injury. He still tried to give it a go and made the main event, but crashed with Kitchen in the second corner and would eventually DNF.

Team Honda HRC’s Jo Shimoda finished up in second place in what was a lonely race ahead of Red Bull KTM’s Tom Vialle who rounded out the podium and retook the points lead in the 250SX East in the process. Due to the McAdoo DNF, and a sixth place finish for Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing’s Haiden Deegan, Vialle now holds a rather commanding points lead with just two rounds to go in the East championship.

Deegan’s Star Racing teammate Jordon Smith rode his way into a fourth place result after a small crash at the end of the whoops early in the main event initially took him out of third place. Triumph Racing’s Jalek Swoll had a very solid night to round out the top five as he ran fourth for a long time before Smith was able to come up and pass him.

Deegan finished up in sixth as mentioned ahead of FirePower Honda’s Max Anstie in seventh, Honda HRC’s Chance Hymas in eighth, Red Bull KTM’s Julien Beaumer in ninth, and Muc-Off FXR ClubMX Yamaha’s Phil Nicoletti rounding out the top 10.

Hampshire now leads the 250SX West points by two points over Kitchen, while Vialle leads Deegan by 13 points. Both series have two races remaining as the East action continues next week in Philadelphia.

Detailed results