Flawless Win for Roczen at Salt Lake City 5 AMA Supercross

Team Honda HRC’s Ken Roczen took back second place in the AMA Supercross points standings with a picture-perfect ride to victory in the 450SX main event on Sunday. The German started in second but took over the lead on lap four, and that’s where he stayed for the remainder of the 29-lap race, establishing a comfortable margin along the way. It was Roczen’s fourth premier-class win of the season and the 15th of his career, though it was his first during this seven-race stretch to be held at Salt Lake City’s Rice-Eccles Stadium; Roczen has been battling health problems since the return to racing, but he put those issues behind him at round 15.

Roczen’s teammate Justin Brayton finished eighth in this, the fifth-consecutive race to be held at the venue. After being held up in the first turn and completing lap one back in 13th place, Brayton mounted a charge that put him eighth by the finish. Fellow Red Rider Malcolm Stewart also put in a solid ride aboard his Smartop/Bullfrog Spas/MotoConcepts Honda, finishing fifth.

Only two events remain in the series, with round 16 to take place this Wednesday and the finale set for Sunday, June 21. 

NOTES

●   Salt Lake City saw excellent weather conditions over the weekend, with a high of 75 degrees Fahrenheit.

●   On Friday, Ken Roczen revealed via Instagram that in addition to the virus he has been battling, he tested positive for shingles last weekend. Nonetheless, Roczen vowed to continue doing everything in his power to be ready and healthy for the remaining rounds.

●   As they had done the previous two weeks, Team Honda HRC spent time on Friday at the Flying Iron Horse Ranch private test track, with Roczen and Justin Brayton putting in laps in preparation for Sunday’s race.

●   After Friday’s practice, the Roczen and Brayton families hosted a team dinner at the Braytons’ short-term rental home near the private test track, and the Team Honda HRC crew enjoyed the opportunity to spend down time together and a eat home-cooked meal. Several had also gone cycling or hiking that afternoon, while a handful did extreme tubing and alpine sledding at nearby Olympic Park. 

●   The schedule for round 15 was identical to that of the previous event, with the evening program kicking off at 5 p.m. local time. The practice format followed the typical timeline, with riders getting a decent break between each class’s second heat race and its LCQ. Additionally, pre-stage and staging procedures were the same as at round 14.

●   Most teams’ personnel and riders continued to follow all COVID-19-related rules and procedures and were reminded to do so for the remainder of their time in Salt Lake City. Officials stressed the importance of sitting at least five seats apart in the stadium, even with others in their functional group, and covering both nose and mouth with masks.

●   The track layout changed for round 15, with the start gate moving from the middle to one side of the stadium floor. The layout made it challenging for riders to pull off the track from the middle lanes.

●   The stadium-exit procedure also differed from at previous events. After crossing over the finish line, riders were directed to make the next corner, then continue down the straightaway to the following corner and exit through the stadium’s northwest tunnel. Interviews were reserved for first place after most races and up to fifth place following the main events. AMA officials directed riders to either the stage or the pit area depending on the needs of the TV crew. 

●   In the season’s last 250SX West race, GEICO Honda rider Jett Lawrence put in an impressive performance to notch the first AMA podium of his young career. The rookie, who had challenged for the win at round four in January only to crash and break his collarbone, was midpack in the early going, but he steadily worked his way forward, moving into podium position with just a couple of laps remaining. Jett’s brother and teammate Hunter, in just his second AMA race, took seventh, with Christian Craig finishing 10th on another GEICO Honda after challenging for the lead early on.

●   With this event hosting the last normal 250SX West round, those West riders and teams that won’t participate in the East/West Showdown were asked to leave the pits with their rigs immediately after the conclusion. A nearby parking lot was provided for those who needed it.

●   The entry protocol for the East/West Showdown guarantees a spot to the top 20 in points from each region. If a qualified rider is unable to compete, an invitation is extended to the next rider (i.e., 21st in points, etc.). 

●   One hour after the 450SX main event, the top three from both classes participated in the virtual post-race press conference via Zoom.

●   Roczen posted the fifth-fastest lap during afternoon qualifying, with a 43.860” in the final session, while teammate Brayton had a 10th-best time of 44.206”. Smartop/Bullfrog Spas/MotoConcepts riders Malcolm Stewart and Justin Hill were ninth- and 12th-best, with times of 44.142” and 44.470”, respectively.

●   Roczen led the second heat race start to finish, with Stewart and Smartop/Bullfrog Spas/MotoConcepts teammate Vince Friese taking third and seventh, respectively. Brayton was sixth in the first heat, one ahead of Smartop/Bullfrog Spas/MotoConcepts racer Justin Hill.  

Media contact:

Kayla Mead // Jonnum Media // kayla@jonnummedia.com // +1 (760) 822-4786