This past Saturday, MetLife Stadium played host to its first-ever AMA Supercross race and 62,217 fans were on hand to witness their home-town hero Justin Barcia claim fourth place on his Team Honda Muscle Milk CRF450R. Muscle Milk supported GEICO Honda rider Eli Tomac tied his season-best finish of second aboard his CRF450R, while teammate Justin Bogle scored his second career victory in the Eastern Regional 250SX class and moved into the points lead.
450 Class
Monroe, New York native Barcia secured his position in the main event via a first-place finish in his semi-qualifying race. He got a less-than-desirable jump off the line in the main event, but laid down some impressive lap times en route to fourth.
"I really wanted to win this one, and I'm not happy with how it went down," stated Barcia. "I had so many friends and family here that I haven't seen in a long time, so it would have been really special to get my first win of the season at my home race. I didn't get a good start in my heat race and missed transferring by one position so had to go to the semi. I won that but then didn't get a good start in the main either and could only make it up to fourth."
After posting the fourth-quickest qualifying time in practice, Canard continued to impress during his heat race, holding off the competition and taking the win. In the main event, Canard grabbed a mid-pack start but went down on the first lap, sending him back to 21st. He spent the remainder of the 20-lap race strategically maneuvering himself around riders on the slick course. He went down one more time before the checkered flag but was still able to finish a respectable ninth.
Canard said, "I'm frustrated with tonight's end result. I feel like I keep making progress and then making small mistakes that set me back again. The track was a challenge tonight, but I was really pleased with my bike and how everything was working. I got a good start in my heat race and was able to hold off James [Stewart] and take the win. The main event didn't go as well; I went down twice but luckily was able to work my way into the top 10. I'm looking forward to a fresh start with the Motocross season."
It was an exciting night for Muscle Milk-backed GEICO Honda's Eli Tomac who scored his second podium appearance of the season with a hard-fought second-place finish. "We're getting closer and closer to that number one spot. I'm always satisfied to get on the podium, but of course I want the win," said Tomac. "It's my first year in the class and I've learned a lot. Hopefully, we'll finish strong next weekend and then get ready for outdoors."
250 Class
With one round remaining in the Eastern Regional 250 SX class, Bogle has taken over the points lead for the championship. He won his heat race in commanding fashion and was able to duplicate that performance in the main event. He maneuvered his way through a few riders early in the race and was able to take the lead on lap seven, and rode unchallenged to the checkered flag.
"It was raining during the main and the track was greasy in a lot of spots. The one thing I wanted to avoid was going down early, so I was a little careful," explained Bogle. "Once I got going I just fell into a rhythm and kind of checked out. There were a few moments when things got gnarly but I kept my focus and rode it out. I'm so happy to be in this position. We've got one more race next weekend in Vegas and I want to do the same thing I did here."
Teammate Matt Bisceglia also had a strong showing, putting together one of the best races of his rookie season. In the main event, Bisceglia launched off the line to a second-place start and took the lead early. He led for three laps before stalling his bike on lap eight and falling back to fourth, which is where he finished.
"I'm really upset with myself. I felt great out there and I was really riding well," stated Bisceglia. "My mechanic said the timing showed I was turning the quickest laps of the race. I got into a tricky turn and the bike just stalled. I restarted as quickly as I could, but a few guys got past me."
The Focus: Honda's Dominant Past in East Rutherford
Since the first gate drop in 1987, the Honda Red Riders have won all five races previously held in East Rutherford. Rick Johnson won the first-ever race in New Jersey, followed by a second victory in 1988. Joining Johnson on the podium in 1988 was George Holland and Jeff Leiski; it was Honda's first podium sweep of the season and ninth in the team's history. In 1989, Jeff Stanton won aboard his factory Honda and went on to win the championship the same year. Jean-Michael Bayle was the next Honda Red Rider to top the podium in New Jersey in 1990, followed by Stanton once again in 1991.
450 Supercross Results
1. Ryan Villopoto
2. Eli Tomac (Honda)
3. Josh Hill
4. Justin Barcia (Honda)
5. Ken Roczen
6. Ryan Dungey
7. Mike Alessi
8. Andrew Short
9. Trey Canard (Honda)
10. Weston Peick
450 Supercross Championship Points (after 16 of 17 rounds)
1. Ryan Villopoto 343
2. Ryan Dungey 282
3. James Stewart 271
4. Ken Roczen 265
5. Justin Barcia 232
6. Andrew Short 207
7. Justin Brayton 196
8. Josh Hill 144
9. Broc Tickle 126
10. Wil Hahn 122
250 Supercross East Results
1. Justin Bogle (Honda)
2. Jeremy Martin
3. Vince Friese
4. Matt Bisceglia (Honda)
5. Matthew Lemoine
6. Kyle Cunningham
7. Alex Martin
8. Mitchell Oldenburg
9. James DeCotis
10. Jackson Richardson
250 Supercross East Championship Points (after 8 of 9 rounds)
1. Justin Bogle 166
2. Martin Davalos 149
3. Adam Cianciarulo 120
4. Blake Baggett 120
5. Vince Friese 120
6. Kyle Cunningham 109
7. Matt Lemoine 90
8. Jimmy DeCotis 90
9. Cole Thompson 89
10. Alex Martin 86
