Image: Octopi Media.

A ‘rough night’ in Arlington has Team Honda HRC’s Colt Nichols shifting his focus to an improved showing this Saturday at Daytona, the premier-class rookie looking to further showcase his potential in 450SX.

Completing the first final ninth, Nichols crashed through the whoops in the second outing which left him to salvage 16th. A challenging start saw the number 45 P15 on the opening lap of final three, ultimately finishing the race in that position for 14th overall.

“Another Triple Crown, and a very rough night in the office for me,” Nichols explained. “I wasn’t agreeing with the track and had some mistakes and crashes. I had some bad starts and just put myself in poor positions. Luckily, we get to try again in seven days in Daytona, I really like that place and I’m looking forward to it. I’ve just got to wipe it clean from tonight and focus on next weekend.”

Currently on a Supercross-only contract with Team Honda HRC, Nichols has scored two top-10 finishes in his rookie 450SX campaign to date. The first was an impressive P6 on debut at Anaheim 1, and he was ninth in Oakland where he showed strong pace to recover from an early incident.

Nichols is 10th in the 450SX standings, just six points off leading rookie Christian Craig (Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing) as the 2023 Monster Energy Supercross Championship moves to Daytona this Saturday for round eight.