Round 14 of Monster Energy Supercross in Nashville was wild with two red plates changing hands and some massive swings in momentum across all three championships. Quotebook features compiled comments from riders over the weekend.

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Image: Octopi Media.

Jett Lawrence (Team Honda HRC) – First:
The bike’s been handling great, and I’ve been feeling good the last few weeks; I just couldn’t put myself in good positions. From the first session today, I felt like I had a good flow with the track. I had a great start, which was exactly what I wanted against these guys. I was able to capitalize on some of the mistakes of the guys in front and get into my flow. It was good to get those solid laps in the main.

Eli Tomac (Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing) – Second:
I gave it my all, that’s for sure. I was really good at the beginning of the race after an awesome start. I was able to come into the turn from the outside, which gave me a great angle for the first turn. I led some laps and had a few good lines. I wish I could have fought Jett a little bit harder when he passed me, but unfortunately, I got a little caught up from some downed riders. Overall, I’m happy with the second, but I just need to be a little bit better to get the win.

Cooper Webb (Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing) – Third:
Nashville was an up and down day and night. Qualifying went pretty well. I was second in the heat. Then in the main event, I started third and ended up third, so it seemed like a third-place kind of day. The track was super tough, and I didn’t really seem to gel with it, but we made the most of it, and we’re on the podium again. That’s what needs to happen at this point in the year, so we’ll go back to work this week and come out swinging in Philly.

Jason Anderson (Monster Energy Kawasaki) – Fourth:
Tonight was another step in the right direction. Yes, there were a few things that didn’t go my way, but overall, it was a solid weekend. I started the day off qualifying seventh and then in my heat race, I was buried in the pack, but managed to find my flow and finish sixth. In the main event, I got a better start and quickly found myself battling in the Top 5. I tried to keep my laps consistent and catch Cooper Webb, but the time expired. Another super close podium opportunity, but my Monster Energy Kawasaki team has my bike running amazing. Nashville is always a fun one to race. See you all in Philly.

Justin Barcia (Troy Lee Designs Red Bull GasGas) – Fifth:
Practice was decent, didn’t feel like I was lighting the world on fire, and didn’t qualify where I wanted, but all-in-all it was okay. Heat race, rode average, so I knew I needed to get it together, and we made a few changes for the Main Event. We got off to a decent start, made a lot of passes in the first couple of laps, and then I felt like I rode really well under pressure in the middle of the race. I made a charge toward the end and finished fifth – a top-five feels really good. We’ve been working hard, but it’s been very challenging, and it’s good to be closer to where we want to be. We’ve got a few more races, so we’ll keep at it!

Justin Cooper (Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing) – Sixth:
Overall it was a good day. The track conditions were tough all day. It was dry and slick, so it made for a tough racetrack that could catch you off-guard. I would have liked to have a little less mistakes in the heat race, and the start just wasn’t there in the main event, so I had to get to work to get that sixth.

Hunter Lawrence (Team Honda HRC) – Seventh:
It was a good day of riding. My heat race was really good, and our bike was really good, so there were a lot of positives. We really focused on starts this past week to give ourselves a better shot in the main, and it paid off with a pretty sweet start in the top five in the main. Unfortunately, I got together with another rider early on and had to claw my way back from what felt like dead-last and then some. We’ll take a seventh on the night from that.

Malcolm Stewart (Rockstar Energy Husqvarna) – Ninth:
Nashville, I honestly felt like overall I was riding alright. It was definitely a pretty crazy, notchy track, and we made a few mistakes. I didn’t get off to a good start, wasn’t sure when I was, and then went down after the finish line, but was able to salvage a ninth. We’re trying, doing everything we can to get back up there where we should be, but it’s a matter of time, so we’re just going to take the momentum that we have and fight all the way to the end because we’re not giving up.

Shane McElrath (Twisted Tea Progressive Suzuki) – 13^th:
The dirt here is one-of-a-kind. It has some hardpack, it has some super soft areas, and the track conditions here are really the toughest part of this place. In the heat race I learned a lot and rode decently. In the main, I had good start and was fighting hard in the first couple laps; I was pretty comfortable up there. My Suzuki was even better than last weekend. Everything was going well, and I was in the battle. I landed off the finish line jump on one lap and there was just one little breaking bump right at the base of the berm. When I hit it on that lap, I just stalled it. I rode well after that, and I was still racing forward at the end. It’s frustrating because I’ve been in a good position the last two weekends, I just haven’t finished it. I’m excited to continue growing and keep fighting, and I’m really building a foundation out there, and that’s what I’m excited about.

Adam Cianciarulo (Monster Energy Kawasaki) – 14^th:
Another one in the books for me. The day started off with some unexpected rain which canceled free practice, so we went straight into qualifying. It was decent and I was able to qualify 12th overall. In my heat race, I was able to lead some laps and fight for the win. That was an awesome feeling, especially since I am still recovering from my ankle injury. In the main, I got a mediocre start and began fighting through the pack, but fatigue late in the race crept in and I finished 14th. Nashville is such a fun race to come to and the fans are great. I’m excited to race Philly next weekend.

Kyle Chisholm (Twisted Tea Progressive Suzuki) – 16^th:
I didn’t get to ride this week because I hurt my ankle last weekend. We had a lot of rain last night. The track was pretty gnarly, so that made it tough. I rode through the heat race decently and made it straight into the main. In the main, I didn’t have much intensity. I only rode within myself; after not riding all week with my ankle being sore, it wasn’t terrible, but it wasn’t good, either. I’m not that pumped, but I’m healthy and my ankle is not any worse from this weekend’s races. Hopefully, I will get a couple days of riding in this week and then try to race better in Philly next weekend.

Ken Roczen (Progressive Ecstar Suzuki) – 21^st:
Alright, after further evaluation it looks like I will be out for a little bit. It turns out I broke my tibial plateau , my foot and my toe. No surgery is required as of right now but we are still gathering some information and further evaluation. That’s really all I have for now.

Chase Sexton (Red Bull KTM) – 22^nd:
Crashed out tonight. A stone cracked my throttle body and the throttle got stuck off of that single-single, which ended my night. Bummer, but nothing’s broken, and we’ll bounce back in Philadelphia.

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Image: Octopi Media.

RJ Hampshire (Rockstar Energy Husqvarna) – First:
First off, I’m so proud of this team. I had that feeling from the beginning – Practice went awesome with P1, then in the Heat race I came from the back to win that, followed by a holeshot in the Main Event to lead every lap for the win! That’s the first time that’s ever happened in my career and it came at a really good time to do it. Tonight, I executed the start in that Main Event, and felt like that was what I really needed. I had the speed, so it was just giving myself a chance, and it was an awesome race from there. I had a couple of moments in the beginning, then settled in and it’s a big weight off my shoulders. I knew I could close the points lead tonight but didn’t expect to get the red plate back – I’m so happy for my whole team and all of our supporters! This Nashville crowd is awesome, I love this state, and it’s pretty cool to come away with the win here tonight.

Jo Shimoda (Team Honda HRC) – Second:
I struggled a lot during the day and wasn’t really sure where we would be during the night show. We made a big change before the heat race, and I spent that race getting used to it. It was good to see my start was dialed in and I could be up front early in the main. From there, we just rode our race to a podium. It’s been great having these good results lately.

Tom Vialle (Red Bull KTM) – Third:
To finish third overall and first on my coast, it was a really good race for me. I tried to stay focused on my own race and had a good pace. The track was pretty sketchy, so you really had to concentrate, and I actually liked it a lot today – I felt like my riding was good all day. Two races to go and we’re getting closer to the end! I really look forward to the next two races.

Jordon Smith (Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing) – Fourth:
It was a pretty good day. The track conditions were tough. It kept changing. At first it was muddy, then it was dry, so it made it tough to get used to the track. Overall though, I had some good starts and was running well. I just had that one little mistake in the main event that cost me a podium. We’ll keep working and come back in Denver.

Jalek Swoll (Triumph Racing) – Fifth:
That’s the East/West Showdown done! It’s been a really cool event; we’ve had some fun and just been building on things with the team. I felt really good on the bike in qualifying, even if I didn’t make the perfect lap. The Heat Race was good to get the jitters out and I was feeling good for the Main. I made a decent start but definitely lacked some intensity in the opening laps and was a little tense at the end, which cost us fourth. These East/West events are gnarly and only one East guy finished in front of me, so we’re second on the night in a way, which is really positive, and we’ll just build on that for the next round.

Haiden Deegan (Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing) – Sixth:
The day started out pretty good, and I haven’t been at the top of qualifying before, so that was pretty lit. In the heat race, I was in second but crashed and was in 11th when I got up. I barely made it into the main, which was a little scary. In the main event, I got the first gate, and got pinched off on the start and came out last. Then I got stuck a little bit in that second turn crash. I just charged forward and made my way up to sixth. So now we just have to come out swinging in Philly.

Chance Hymas (Team Honda HRC) – Eighth:
The showdown was a little chaotic for me—it was crazy having all those guys on the track! Two poor starts on the night, but a good learning experience for my first Showdown. I’ll be able to use this for Salt Lake.

Julien Beaumer (Red Bull KTM) – Ninth:
It was a pretty good night here in Nashville. I made it hard on myself by going through the LCQ and then the Main Event was tough, obviously not having the best gate pick. I got off to a decent start, but then got pushed really far out and was a long way back. I made a good charge up to ninth, and I am happy with my riding tonight, so I’m going to go back to work and get ready for Denver.

Pierce Brown (Troy Lee Designs Red Bull GasGas) – 11^th:
It wasn’t the best night and I’m a little frustrated. I was in a really good spot on the first lap of the Main, made a mistake in the whoops, and that cost me. I feel like I left a good result out there, but sometimes you’ve just gotta move on. We definitely need to improve the result in the next race, but I felt great on the bike all day and that’s what matters. I just need to bring my best version of me to Philly!

Nate Thrasher (Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing) – 13^th:
It was a tough night in Nashville. We were in an unfortunate situation on the first lap, which put me in a bad spot at the beginning of the main. I feel like my riding was decent. I’ve just got to figure out my starts. We’ll put this one behind us and get ready for Denver.

Levi Kitchen (Monster Energy Pro Circuit Kawasaki) – 14^th:
It is crazy how quickly things can change in this sport. I started the weekend off strong with a third overall qualifying spot. In my heat race I got caught behind some riders on the ground and then they red flagged it. After the restart I managed to pull off a sixth. The night quickly changed for me when Cameron and I got together in the rhythm section in the main, causing me to go down very hard on my side and then I was run over by a competitor. I slowly got up and managed to salvage some points, but had to get checked out to make sure I was good. A huge thank you to the Monster Energy®/Pro Circuit/Kawasaki team for keeping my bike dialed all weekend. This championship fight is not over yet!

Casey Cochran (Rockstar Energy Husqvarna) – 15^th:
First Showdown of my career, so a new experience and I’m just learning, building each weekend, so I’m stoked to come back again next weekend. Overall, a pretty good day in Qualifying and the Heat race again… gotta clean up a few mistakes, but I’m happy with my riding and want to continue in this direction.

Anthony Bourdon (Toyota Redlands BarX Suzuki) – 16^th:
Nashville was a special race as it was my first showdown and I didn’t know what to expect. I was pleased with my heat. I was sixth before the red flag, and re-start; and finished eighth after a great battle with the leader. I was happy to quality directly into the main. In the main I had a great start but didn’t change my lines as the track was changing. I finished 16th. I know I can do much better.

Ryder DiFrancesco (Troy Lee Designs Red Bull GasGas) – 19^th:
All day was good for me here in Nashville. I led the Heat race for a while until the last lap, so that was cool to finally lead some laps, and then in the Main Event my start wasn’t good, but I basically came from last to around seventh or eighth in the middle stages. At that point I went for a pass, ended up falling down, and was pretty far back in the pack from there. Everything else was really good throughout the day though, so I am excited for Denver.

Daxton Bennick (Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing) – 20^th:
The day as a whole was tough but knowing that there were a lot of guys out there who crashed and got hurt, I’m thankful we get to head back and get ready for Philly. We’ll put in the work we need to get back on track.

Cameron McAdoo (Monster Energy Pro Circuit Kawasaki) – 22^nd:
Gutted is an understatement. The first qualifying session and the beginning of the second qualifying session were going to plan. My KX250 was feeling good all day, but a crash in the second qualifying session caused me to pull off and get my shoulder checked on before the night show. I made the call to line up for my heat race and see how it felt on the track. I managed to make it into the main after battling my shoulder pain and unfortunately Levi and I got together causing us both to go down and when I got back up, I tried to continue, but the pain was unbearable. We are going to get everything checked out and stay hopeful that I can continue the last few rounds.