Image: Octopi Media.

A ninth-place for Honda HRC Progressive’s Dean Wilson during Saturday night’s 450SX main event in East Rutherford ‘felt like a win’ for the team, which has endured a trying 2025 season so far with injuries.

After Jett and Hunter Lawrence bowed out with injury earlier in the season, fan favorite Wilson stepped onto the CRF450RWE for round 13 onwards, beginning in Philadelphia, and recorded a top 10 finish in a stacked 450SX field in just his second race back.

Wilson featured inside the top 10 as the gates dropped at MetLife Stadium, before being shuffled back into 11th place. Strong late-race speed combined with a couple of falls elevated the number 15 to ninth, which is where he would finish.

“I’m happy with how the night went, it was nice to be back inside the top 10,” commented Wilson post-race. “I definitely didn’t ride my best, but after last weekend, my goal was just to get solid laps in. I backed it down to about 80 percent and focused on being consistent.

“I felt a lot more comfortable this weekend, and the team did an awesome job. The bike was great. I’m still getting over a bit of sickness, but I think we’ll be in an even better spot heading into Pittsburgh. I’m really enjoying the process and having a great time with the team.”

Team manager Lars Lindstrom expressed excitement for Wilson following the main event, describing the performance as what felt like a win for the team.

“When [Dean] was able to hold off [Justin] Hill for ninth in the main, I was so pumped up for him – it felt like a win! His day was great, and he was a beast in the whoops. The ghosting software showed that he was on par with Chase Sexton in the first sectors, which is impressive.”

Three rounds remain in this year’s 450SX season, with Wilson and the team aiming for more in Pittsburgh’s Acrisure Stadium this weekend.