Image: Octopi Media.

The Muc-Off Honda team has determined the cause of Justin Brayton’s mid-air crash to be ‘failure of a modified part’. Brayton will be sidelined for Arlington 2, with Mitchell Oldenburg stepping in to fill the team’s spot in the premier class.

Brayton had just returned to Supercross action after a practice crash forced him to miss rounds nine and 10 of the series.

Sustaining hand injuries in Tuesday’s incident, the 37-year-old will now miss round 12 of the series to recover, giving him over three weeks to recover before the series resumes in Atlanta on 10 April.

“The bike locked up in the air,” said Brayton. “It’s unfortunate but it happens. My hands are busted up and I am focused on my recovery now.”

Oldenburg, the team’s 250SX East rider, will be stepping in to fill his 450SX spot. Oldenburg has lined up for two rounds aboard the team’s CRF450 this season, his best finish being 15th in the main event in Daytona.

“I am gutted for my teammate,” Oldenburg said, “and no one likes to see anyone injured, it’s a brutal sport. I will just line up and do my best again.”

The 2021 Monster Energy Supercross championship continues this Saturday in Arlington, where Oldenburg will look to make his second 450SX main event of the year.