Image: Octopi Media.

Continuing to build momentum after his Daytona Supercross podium, Aaron Plessinger led over half of the 450SX main event at Atlanta 1, stating he ‘showed them I can be a force to be reckoned with’ following the race.

It’s no secret that the Monster Energy Star Racing Yamaha rider is having a breakout year in his third season in the 450SX class, now sitting just inside the top five in points with one podium so far this season.

The Ohioan continued his impressive form in the first of three races at Atlanta Motor Speedway, grabbing the holeshot and setting a blistering pace. After building a substantial lead, Plessinger hit the ground and ended up with a sixth-place finish on the night.

It was a really good race,” Plessinger explained. “My starts were dialed all day and you know I think once I got out front and started pulling away from them boys I kind of tried to back it down a little bit and tried to chill out.

“But once I did that I lost a little bit of my groove, started over jumping and under jumping stuff, and just lost the front in that little section right there. But overall I’m happy with how everything played out beforehand, and yeah, I showed them I can be a force to be reckoned with.”

Plessinger’s recent success following the breakout podium at Daytona is something he thinks has been a mix between his ability to get off the starting line well and the confidence that’s come following his first premier class rostrum.

“It goes hand in hand,” he continued. “We were working on our starts these last two weeks and you know, I found a little bit of something I was doing. But I think confidence plays into that as well.

“Qualifying third really helped that out and the heat race start really helped that out as well. So yeah I think confidence and a little body position work, I believe hit the nail on the head.”