Rice-Eccles Stadium was filled Saturday night for Round 16 of the Monster Energy AMA Supercross, an FIM World Championship series in Salt Lake City, UT. It was an exciting night with GEICO Honda's Eli Tomac taking the win and wrapping up the Lites West Championship with one round still remaining. Team Honda Muscle Milk's Justin Brayton rode a solid Supercross race, finishing in fourth place to gain valuable points.
The Race
Brayton rode an impressive heat race aboard his factory CRF450R, finishing second after leading throughout the majority of the race. In the main, Brayton got a mid-pack start and spent the race charging forward through the pack to finish fourth.
"Today was a little frustrating for me. I had a hard time finding my rhythm on the track during practice but in the heat race things started to feel really good. I led the majority of the race but after a good battle, Millsaps got by me," said Brayton. "In the main I got a bad start, which made it really tough to get to the front where I needed to be to battle with the leaders. After being on the podium so many times it's hard not to be up there, and I'm determined to get on the top of the box. With one more round I am hoping to make it all count and take the win in Vegas."
After an impressive win in Seattle, Andrew Short finished a respectable seventh place aboard his new Chaparral Honda CRF450R.
In the Lites West class, GEICO Honda's Eli Tomac grabbed his fourth win of the season and wrapped up his first-ever Supercross title. Tomac got a mid-pack start in the main but quickly made his way through the field. Once in the lead, Tomac never looked back, checking out and taking the checkered flag. Both Tomac and teammate Justin Barcia will head into the final round in Las Vegas with the number one plates.
"This is an awesome feeling. Honestly, I didn't even know I had won the championship at first. I came off the track and had no idea. Then when someone told me I couldn't believe it. I have worked so hard this season, so knowing it has paid off is great," stated Tomac.
Teammate Wil Hahn finished second in his heat, and a solid fourth in the main.
The Focus: GEICO
GEICO Motorcycle Insurance is underwritten by GEICO Indemnity Company and has been designed to meet the unique insurance needs of all powersports fans. In addition to covering street bikes and scooters, GEICO also specializes in insuring off-road vehicles, boats and personal watercraft. If you use an RV to tow your favorite ride, GEICO can handle your RV insurance needs as well. GEICO has been a factory Honda sponsor for two years, and is also the title sponsor of the GEICO Honda team that recently swept both the 2012 Lites championships.
Supercross Main Event
1. Ryan Dungey
2. Davi Millsaps
3. Jake Weimer
4. Justin Brayton (Honda)
5. Mike Alessi
6. Broc Tickle
7. Andrew Short (Honda)
8. Josh Grant
9. Robert Kiniry
10. Tyler Bowes
Supercross Championship Points (after 16 of 17 rounds)
1. Ryan Villopoto 323
2. Davi Millsaps 244
3. Justin Brayton 237
4. Ryan Dungey 232
5. Jake Wiemer 211
6. Mike Alessi 192
7. James Stewart 178
8. Brett Metcalfe 174
9. Kevin Windham 166
10. Broc Tickle 161
Supercross Lites West Main Event
1. Eli Tomac (Honda)
2. Jason Anderson
3. Martin Davalos
4. Wil Hahn (Honda)
5. Marvin Musquin
6. Matt Moss
7. Billy Laninovich
8. Topher Ingalls
9. Vince Friese
10. Scott Champion
Supercross Lites West Points (after 8 of 9 rounds)
1. Eli Tomac 159
2. Dean Wilson 132
3. Marvin Musquin 127
4. Cole Seely 119
5. Jason Anderson 95
6. Matt Moss 92
7. Billy Laninovich 84
8. Ryan Sipes 83
9. Nico Izzi 78
10.Travis Baker 75
About Honda
American Honda Motor Co., Inc. is the sole distributor of Honda motorcycles, scooters, ATVs and MUVs in the U.S. American Honda's Motorcycle Division conducts the sales, marketing, and operational activities for these products through authorized Honda dealers. For more information on Honda products, go to powersports.honda.com.
©2012 American Honda Motor Co., Inc. All Rights Reserved.
