2015 AMA Supercross East Rutherford Race Results

Eli Tomac Grabs Third Win Of Monster Energy Supercross Season At MetLife Stadium

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Monster Energy AMA Supercross, an FIM World Championship, enjoyed a historic afternoon in the greater New York City area on Saturday as 60,582 fans were on hand inside MetLife Stadium to be a part of the first ever live broadcast on the FOX broadcast network. On the track, GEICO Honda's Eli Tomac emerged victorious thanks to a strong charge in the closing laps to secure his third win of the season and the third victory of his career. Following a dominant season for Red Bull KTM in which he finished no worse than second in eight races, Frenchman Marvin Musquin clinched his first title on U.S. soil with the Eastern Regional 250SX Class Championship, winning his sixth Main Event on a day where he needed to finish 16th or better.

BTO Sports KTM's Andrew Short kicked off the 20-lap 450SX Class Main Event by racing to the SupercrossLive.com Holeshot Award ahead of Team Honda HRC rider Cole Seely and Autotrader.com/Toyota/Yamaha's Weston Peick. Behind them, both Tomac and Red Bull KTM's Ryan Dungey, the 2015 Monster Energy Supercross Champion, had to battle their way forward from starts outside the top-five.

Just as he did just a couple weeks ago in Houston when he won his first career 450SX Class Main Event, Seely set a torrid pace out front to open a healthy lead over the field. Tomac made quick work in fighting his way to the front and was able to take control of second from Peick on Lap 2. Just a few moments later Dungey followed into third.

At the halfway point of the race Tomac started to close in on Seely and moved to within just over a second of the lead, but a mistake by Seely brought the two riders within a few inches of one another. Just after they crossed the finish line to start Lap 13, Tomac moved alongside Seely and made the pass through the whoops. Once out front, Tomac pulled away to take a comfortable win.

[caption id="attachment_45399" align="alignleft" width="199"] Photo: Simon Cudby[/caption]

"The track really broke down out there. I just tried to be as consistent as I could and keep it on two wheels, and I started to close in on Cole [Seely]," explained Tomac. "He made a couple mistakes that allowed me to get on his rear fender and I just pulled the trigger in the whoops. One I got out front I was able to just get through lappers and bring it home."

Dungey made a strong push as well in the closing laps and was able to also pass Seely to earn a runner-up finish and extend his podium streak to 15 races. Seely held on for third.

"The start wasn't the greatest, and I had a couple close calls out there," said Dungey. "The track got really nasty and with about five laps to go [after passing Seely] I just settled in. We're moving forward [to the next race] happy. We got one more to go; we'll give it all we got and hope for the best."

Tomac and Seely, who sit behind Dungey in second and third in the 450SX Class point standings, further asserted their positions heading into the last race of the season.

Supercross LIVE Highlights Video - 450SX Class East Rutherford

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wVAmMsAbtoI&feature=player_embedded

[caption id="attachment_45398" align="alignright" width="300"] Photo: Simon Cudby[/caption]

GEICO Honda's Justin Bogle, the defending Eastern Regional 250SX Class Champion, needed a win in order to even have a chance at repeating in 2015 and he got the start he needed in the Main Event by grabbing the SupercrossLive.com Holeshot Award. Musquin was right behind in second.

Musquin applied some early pressure on Bogle, but the Honda rider was able to fend it off and pull away. Behind the leaders Monster Energy/Pro Circuit/Kawasaki's Joey Savatgy, who slotted into third, started to come under fire from Yamalube/Star Racing Yamaha's Jeremy Martin, who started seventh, establishing an exciting battle for the last spot on the podium. On Lap 7, Martin briefly passed Savatgy going into a turn, but Savatgy got back under him and pushed him off the track. As this happened Musquin made another run on Bogle and closed in again, ultimately making the pass for the lead on Lap 10. Three laps later Martin and Savatgy resumed their battle for third, but this time Martin crashed while trying to turn under Savatgy.

Musquin pulled away over the final five laps of the 15-lap Main Event to take the win and the title. Bogle was second, while Savatgy earned his third straight podium finish.

"[The championship] feels great and winning the Main Event makes it even better," boasted Musquin. "Every time you race you want to do good, and today I made it happen. I'm ready to move on and chase some more dreams. It has been great to race alongside Ryan [Dungey] this season with all his success [in the 450SX Class] and it's helped me get better as well. We have a great team at KTM and I'm excited to keep it going."

[caption id="attachment_45397" align="alignleft" width="300"] Photo: Simon Cudby[/caption]

It marked the first time this season that Dungey and Musquin failed to win at the same race.

"It hurts to lose [the race] like that and hurts to lose this championship," said Bogle. "I'll just keep working. I'll move to the 450SX Class next year, so I have a lot ahead of me."

Bogle finished runner-up in the final championship standings, while Martin's fourth-place finish helped him secure third.

The 17th and final race of Monster Energy Supercross commences next Saturday, May 2, from Las Vegas' Sam Boyd Stadium. Live broadcast coverage on FOX Sports 1 begins at 7 p.m. PT / 10 p.m. ET.

Supercross LIVE Highlights Video - East 250SX Class East Rutherford

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Prp4j2e5k8s&feature=player_embedded

Source: Supercross Live

GEICO Honda Shines In New York

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If the biggest stars shine brightest on the biggest stage, then no one is bigger in Monster Energy Supercross than GEICO Honda racer Eli Tomac.

Racing in the country's biggest metropolitan area, Tomac dominated the 450cc main event at MetLife Stadium on Saturday for his third victory of the season.

"New York has been great to me: second last year and first here this year," Tomac said after beating 2015 Supercross champion Ryan Dungey by more than 12 seconds.

Dungey clinched this year's championship two races ago, but Tomac isn't laying down as the Supercross season winds to a close. His victory in New York was his second in the last five races, during which time Tomac has finished on the podium at all five races.

And to think he started the season without a victory in Supercross' top series.

[caption id="attachment_45395" align="alignleft" width="300"] Photo: Simon Cudby[/caption]

"My goal was just to get a win," Tomac said. "I didn't get one the year before, so the goal was just to get the first. Anything after that would be a plus."

Tomac was fast all day, leading both qualifying sessions and then finishing second to Cole Seeley in his heat race. His start in the 20-lap main event wasn't the greatest, but he made a nifty move in an opening corner to slide into third place.

"It was just a good day all around, good qualifying - was fastest in both," Tomac said. "Then the heat race was good, second place, and I got a good gate pick. Lucky for me I was able to sneak on the inside there around the 180, get around some guys, and get in the top five."

He quickly slipped into second and began chasing down Seeley, who had jumped out to a large lead. But Tomac was able to slice into the lead and challenge Seeley past the halfway point.

[caption id="attachment_45394" align="alignright" width="199"] Photo: Simon Cudby[/caption]

"Cole and I started duking it out a little bit, yo-yoing each other," Tomac said. "Then I was able to make a move around him. He made a little mistake after the finish line, and I jumped by him there and held on from there."

Tomac now has 10 podium finishes in 16 races in what is his first full year of Supercross. He won in Detroit five races ago, but being the perfectionist he is, he was dissatisfied with not winning until today.

"The way the last two weeks went, maybe I was a little too antsy," Tomac said. "That wasn't good, but I was definitely chasing that third win."

His starting position helped, but Tomac also benefitted from a track surface that came to him as the day wore on.

"Whenever the track gets really soft and rutted like this, I seem to excel on it," Tomac said. "It's just something that suits my riding style, I guess."

[caption id="attachment_45393" align="alignleft" width="300"] Photo: Simon Cudby[/caption]

The GEICO Honda 250cc team had a successful day Saturday at MetLife Stadium, bringing home a pair of top-five finishes in the Monster Energy Supercross East Series finale that resulted in top-five finishes in the season points standings.

Defending East Series champion Justin Bogle followed up that title by finishing second in the standings in 2015, capped by a second-place finish in the season-finale. Rookie teammate R.J. Hampshire finished fifth in the race and fifth in the championship standings.

Bogle got the holeshot and led the most laps in the 15-lap main event, but he ended up finishing second to series champion Marvin Musquin, which didn't sit well with Bogle.

"It was a good race," Bogle said. "It tightened up there at the end. I'm very frustrated with myself, with how the end of that race went. I felt like I was good enough to get that win, but congratulations to Marvin and his team. They were better this year.

[caption id="attachment_45392" align="alignright" width="300"] Photo: Simon Cudby[/caption]

"Nothing I can do but keep working. It's going to fuel the fire because that hurts."

Bogle had a terrific season, winning once and finishing in the top four in all eight East races, but it wasn't enough to overcome Musquin.

"It's been a good season," Bogle said. "The whole GEICO Honda team has been incredible, but that race hurts bad. I'm capable of winning, and it doesn't feel good when I don't. We'll keep working and keep it moving."

That's Hampshire's goal, too, after completing a rookie season in which he had one podium, three top-five efforts, and six top-10 finishes.

[caption id="attachment_45391" align="alignleft" width="300"] Photo: Simon Cudby[/caption]

"Wrapping up the season on a high note," Hampshire said.

Hampshire wasn't pleased with his qualifying, but he finished third in his heat to advance to the main and then put in a solid race. He finished two spots ahead of Anthony Rodriguez, the rider with whom he was tied in the points coming into the race.

"We pulled it together with 15 solid laps," Hampshire said. "That's all we needed. I was battling Rodriguez, and he was tied with me in the points, so to come away with fifth overall in my rookie season I'm pumped about that. It was a solid, consistent season."

Fellow rookie Jordon Smith had a crash in qualifying that aggravated his shoulder, and he was forced to skip the rest of the night's racing.

Source: GEICO Honda

Marvin Musquin Crowned 2015 East 250 Supercross Champion

[caption id="attachment_45390" align="alignright" width="199"] Photo: Simon Cudby[/caption]

Red Bull KTM factory rider Marvin Musquin was crowned the 2015 East 250 Supercross Champion after taking the victory at the penultimate round of the US Supercross Series, held at Metlife Stadium, East Rutherford, NJ.

Marvin Musquin has had a great season, registering six wins and two podium seconds in the eight rounds on his way to the title. Musquin's win marks another step forward for the Red Bull KTM factory team, because teammate Ryan Dungey, already declared 450-class World champion in Round 14 of the series, finished in second place to claim his fifteenth straight podium position the season.

Musquin was placed in the second 250SX heat where he got a great jump out of the gate on his KTM 250 SX-F Factory Edition and headed into the first corner in third place. But he then went down in a mass collision as riders collided while attacking the first corner. He then quickly scrambled back into the action and began to pick off riders. By the second lap he had moved into a qualifying position at ninth place then passed another four riders to cross the line in fourth place.

When the gate dropped for the main event, Musquin was second at the first corner and then for the first half of the race, concentrated on closing in on the lead rider. He made his move into the front of the pack with a few laps to go, then went on to win the race. Musquin threw his signature heel-clicker as he crossed the line to celebrate his first career East 250 Supercross Championship title.

[caption id="attachment_45389" align="alignleft" width="300"] Photo: Simon Cudby[/caption]

"It feels so amazing to get this title," remarked Musquin. "To get the win at the final race makes it that much better. My bike was great today as it has been all season. I want to thank my team and my family for all of their help in allowing me to accomplish this goal."

"We are very proud of both of our champions," stated Roger De Coster Red Bull KTM Team Manager. "To claim both championships in the same season is a remarkable feat. We will celebrate these wins and continue to move forward toward our next goal in the outdoor series."

Next Event: Las Vegas, NV - May 2, 2015

Supercross LIVE Interview Video - Marvin Musquin East Rutherford

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dbtsM8Pg8DA&feature=player_embedded

Source: KTM North America

Ryan Dungey Finishes Second At New Jersey Supercross

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Red Bull KTM factory rider and 2015 450 Supercross World Champion, Ryan Dungey wrapped up his race with a solid second place in the main event of the penultimate round of the Monster Energy Supercross Series, an FIM Championship.

Ryan Dungey was the second fastest qualifier in the morning practice sessions and was placed in the first 450SX heat, where he had a great jump off the line and came around the first corner in third place. Halfway into the first lap he had moved into the lead where he stayed for the remainder of the race. Dungey's heat win gave him the top transfer spot into the main event.

Dungey had a mediocre start aboard his KTM 450 SX-F Factory Edition at the gate drop of the main event and was in eighth position coming around the first corner. But he advanced into the top five after just three laps and began to apply pressure. With five laps to go Dungey was able to close in on the second place ride of Cole Seely. He made the pass stick, moved into runner-up position and carried it to the flag.

"The track was a little rough today and it was hard to make passes in the main event," stated Dungey. "All in all, it was a really great day of racing. I'm happy to be on the podium and looking forward to the final round in Las Vegas."

"We are very proud of both of our champions," stated Roger De Coster Red Bull KTM Team Manager. "To claim both championships in the same season is a remarkable feat. We will celebrate these wins and continue to move forward toward our next goal in the outdoor series."

Next Event: Las Vegas, NV - May 2, 2015

Supercross LIVE Interview Video - Ryan Dungey East Rutherford

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xc6RSq98W98&feature=player_embedded

Source: KTM North America

Monster Energy/Pro Circuit/Kawasaki's Savatgy Finishes On The Podium In New York

Monster Energy/Pro Circuit/Kawasaki's Joey Savatgy earned his third straight podium at Round 16 of the Monster Energy AMA Supercross, an FIM Championship at MetLife Stadium in East Ruthorford, New Jersey. The Georgia native battled throughout the night and rode a smart race to finish third. Discount Tire Racing/TwoTwo Motorsport's Josh Grant finished seventh while his teammate Chad Reed was unable to line up on the gate after suffering a shoulder injury last weekend. Team Chiz Kawasaki rider Kyle Chisholm earned his first top 10 finish of the year with an eighth and Mafia Moto Crew Kawasaki rider Nick Wey put his KX450F in 12th.

Race Long Battle

Savatgy was near the top of the lap times all day despite tricky track conditions and after winning his heat race he was poised for another podium finish. In the main event, Savatgy got a top five start and made his way to third early in the race. Once he was in third he battled throughout the 15 laps to hold on for his fourth podium of the eight-race season.

"It was difficult out there," said Savatgy. "I'm happy to be on the podium but I wanted to get a win for my Monster Energy/Pro Circuit/Kawasaki team. These guys have worked really hard and we all want more than podiums. It was a good battle out there and I rode smart to make sure I didn't lose any positions."

Forced Out

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After injuring his shoulder last week at Santa Clara, Reed came to New York hoping to get back on the podium. After experiencing pain all week while training, Reed went out in the first practice and the pain continued. Reed and his team decided to sit out the rest of the day to allow more time for his shoulder to heal.

Heat Race Win

Savatgy got off to a good start in his heat race battling all the way to first turn. He settled in with the leaders and then charged to take the point, leading five of the six laps. The win gave Savatgy the second gate pick in the main event.

Network Television

For the first time in 12 years, Monster Energy Supercross raced during daytime as the stars of the show were featured on network television for the first time in Supercross history. With blue skies and comfortable temperatures, the daytime race showcased the best of supercross to a whole new audience.

East Coast Dirt

The soil at MetLife Stadium was one of the top stories of the event as the soft dirt led to early ruts and a tough track for the riders. The Dirt Wurx crew worked throughout day to keep the track in good condition. In the main events, the riders had to find new lines as the race went on and the track broke down during the longer runs.

Supercross Finale

The Monster Energy Supercross closes out its season at Sam Boyd Stadium on Saturday. In the 250SX class the Dave Coombs Sr. East/West Shootout will take center stage pitting the top riders from each coast against each other for the first time this season.

Source: Kawasaki Racing

Strong Showing For Suzuki In East Rutherford Supercross

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The FIM/AMA Supercross season is quickly winding down, but Suzuki riders are still heating up. This past weekend's round at MetLife Stadium in the Meadowlands of East Rutherford, New Jersey, was the penultimate round of the series and Suzuki Supercross riders were strong in front of 60,582 fans on hand at MetLife Stadium. Riders and teams enjoyed the added national exposure of the first-ever live broadcast on the FOX broadcast network for a rare daytime event.

Suzuki highlights of this weekend's action included:

• Yoshimura Suzuki Factory Racing Blake Baggett continuing to improve in his rookie 450 season with a fourth-place result - his best since his Daytona podium.
  
• Baggett's excellent result moved him into the top-five in the series standings.
  
• RCH Soaring Eagle Jimmy Johns Suzuki Factory Racing's Broc Tickle bounced back to score a solid sixth-place result.
  
• With six riders in the Main, Suzuki placed more riders in the Meadowlands Supercross than any other brand. All of this in front of a national network TV audience.
  

Fourth Top-Five Finish For Blake Baggett

[caption id="attachment_45378" align="alignright" width="300"] Photo: SMAI[/caption]

Yoshimura Suzuki's Blake Baggett has long said his main goal in his rookie 450 campaign was to make it through the season healthy while learning the ropes on the bigger, more powerful Suzuki RM-Z450. Yet in spite of his cautious approach, Baggett has gone beyond almost all expectations in this series. His rookie year can only be looked at as a major success, and Baggett was certainly back in top form in the Meadowlands. The No. 4 Suzuki rider was locked in a tight battle with Andrew Short during the start of the Main, but Baggett was able to move past the veteran, take off, and open a big gap before crossing the finish line in fourth. Baggett's fourth place finish marked his best finish since his third-place Daytona Supercross podium.

The result in front of a network TV audience was not only one of the best of the season, but it also moved Baggett to a season-best fifth in the series standings with just one round to go.

"It went pretty well," Baggett said in his typical low-key manner. "I didn't get the greatest start and was pretty buried, but I just plugged away and worked my way forward and I ended up getting up to fourth. Third was still a little bit in front of us. I was probably slowly inching up on them, but the track was technical today, which made it hard not to make a mistake in pretty much every rhythm lane. It was hard to get a full clean run in the rhythm lanes, much less a full clean lap. I'm going to keep working to close out the series strong and I look forward to Las Vegas."

Tickle Back To Form

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After a tough outing in Santa Clara, California last week, RCH Suzuki's Broc Tickle came back strong with a sixth in the Meadowlands. It marked his 10th top-10 finish in the last 11 rounds. It was also his best result since a fourth at Atlanta II back in February. He did all this in spite of a bad start to the 20-lap final, which forced him to fully utilize the nimble handling of his Suzuki RM-Z450 to slice through the field.

"The start was terrible in the Main," Tickle admitted. "I got pinched off and I think I came around the first corner pretty much last. I worked past a group of guys and got into ninth and then riders started making mistakes and losing positions."

On the white flag lap, Tickle tangled with Andrew Short, who backed off and made an unexpected jumping combo through one section that found Tickle in the air with nowhere to go but to land into the back of Short's machine. Both Short and Tickle survived the last-lap impact to finish.

"It was definitely better this weekend," Tickle concluded. "I felt like I had better intensity. I've been having fun testing for the outdoors. I'm going to do the same thing this week and go to Vegas to have fun."

Suzuki Has Six Strong In The Main At The Meadowlands

[caption id="attachment_45375" align="alignright" width="300"] Photo: SMAI[/caption]

Suzuki placed six riders in the Main at New Jersey, making Suzuki the manufacturer with the most bikes in the Main. Along with the solid performances by Baggett and Tickle, four other riders - Nick Schmidt (Team3br/DSC Construction Suzuki), Ronnie Stewart (DirtCandy Graphics/PRBC.com Suzuki), Dustin Pipes (Tpj.com/Fly Racing Suzuki) and Tevin Tapia (3TPerformance/DTMX/BRT Suzuki) - all made the big show on Saturday.

Schmidt was 14th, matching his best result of the season. Stewart was 16th, which was his best finish of 2015 and it couldn't have come at a better time. This was a home race for the racer from Easton, Pennsylvania. He was featured in local media and had a huge rooting section of over 300 friends and family on hand to cheering him on, all wearing yellow t-shirts featuring Stewart's No. 69.

"MetLife 2015 was a great experience, "Stewart said. "I really enjoyed racing during the day and was overwhelmed with all of the support from friends and family. We had quite the cheering section; it was definitely cool! Every time I went into that left-hand corner on the far side I couldn't even hear my bike because there were so many people screaming and yelling for me."

In addition to the six riders who made the Main, Suzuki also recognizes Ryan Smith, Alexander Nagy and Gregory Crater who raced in the evening program on their Suzuki RM-Z450s.

[caption id="attachment_45373" align="alignleft" width="300"] Photo: SMAI[/caption]

In the 250 East ranks, AJ Catanzaro made the final and scored a 13th. It marked his best result of the season. "My motor is great," Catanzaro said. "That was pretty obvious when I pulled the holeshot from the outside in my Heat race."

Michael Mims also made the evening program aboard his Suzuki RM-Z250.

Vicki Golden ended her 2015 quest to become the first female to qualify for an evening program at an FIM/AMA Supercross event. She's been hampered by lack of energy all season and just found out that she was suffering a fairly severe bout of mononucleosis for most of the Supercross season. In spite of being unsuccessful in her goal, she gained the respect of many of her fellow competitors and bravely endured the relentless spotlight shone on her all season.

"Hopefully I put all my bad luck into this year and next year will be problem free," Golden said. "At least we made it through the year and learned a bunch. We can carry that to next year and be 100 percent prepared and come out swinging."

The 2015 Supercross season concludes this coming Saturday, May 2nd at Sam Boyd Stadium in Las Vegas. Fans can meet and get autographs from riders, including Yoshimura Suzuki's Blake Baggett and RCH Suzuki's Broc Tickle on Friday, May 1 at Carter PowerSports, 6275 S Decatur Blvd. in Las Vegas from 6-7:00 pm. If you can't make the season finale in person, you can watch live on Fox Sports 1 starting at 10:00 pm Eastern.

Source: Suzuki Factory Racing

East Rutherford SX Overview And Point Standings

2015 AMA Supercross East Rutherford Image Gallery

Overall Results - Supercross Class

Rider Point Standings - Supercross Class

Statistics

• Race Time: 18:12.765
  
• Margin of Victory: 12.805
  
• Winner's Avg. Laptime: 54.638
  
• 2nd Place Avg. Laptime: 55.278
  
• Best Qualifier: #5 - Ryan Dungey
  
• Holeshot: #29 - Andrew Short
  

1. Ryan Dungey - 365 / 2015 Champion
   
2. Eli Tomac - 283
   
3. Cole Seely - 259
   
4. Chad Reed - 212
   
5. Blake Baggett - 208
   
6. Trey Canard - 204
   
7. Jason Anderson - 200
   
8. Broc Tickle - 183
   
9. Andrew Short - 180
   
10. Ken Roczen - 156
    

Manufacturer Point Standings - Supercross Class

1. KTM - 365
   
2. Honda - 362
   
3. Suzuki - 284
   
4. Kawasaki - 255
   
5. Yamaha - 218
   
6. Husqvarna - 207
   

Overall Results - Supercross Lites East Class

Rider Point Standings - Supercross Lites East Class

Statistics

• Race Time: 13:36.668
  
• Margin of Victory: 03.107
  
• Winner's Avg. Laptime: 54.444
  
• 2nd Place Avg. Laptime: 54.651
  
• Best Qualifier: #1 - Justin Bogle
  
• Holeshot: #1 - Justin Bogle
  

1. Marvin Musquin - 194 / 2015 Champion
   
2. Justin Bogle - 171
   
3. Jeremy Martin - 143
   
4. Joey Savatgy - 133
   
5. RJ Hampshire - 100
   
6. Anthony Rodriguez - 98
   
7. Kyle Peters - 91
   
8. James Decotis - 87
   
9. Kyle Cunningham - 72
   
10. Martin Davalos - 63
    

Manufacturer Point Standings - Supercross Lites Class

1. KTM - 359
   
2. Yamaha - 341
   
3. Honda - 311
   
4. Kawasaki - 270
   
5. Husqvarna - 181
   
6. Suzuki - 36