Arlington Supercross Roundup: Controversy and First-Time Winners
Arlington, TX – The latest round of the 250 Supercross series yielded significant results with Hunter Lawrence and Pierce Brown securing their first victories, yet post-race scrutiny regarding officiating has overshadowed their achievements.
During the 250SX main event, Jo Shimoda saw his lead evaporate as he rolled the finish line due to a red light warning. Taking advantage of this, Pierce Brown and Daxton Bennick executed jumps through the section, placing Brown in the lead. However, both riders jumped with the warning light activated, prompting controversy. The AMA clarified in a statement that “the presence of the warning light alone does not prohibit riders from executing jumps unless accompanied by additional flag signals.” Consequently, no penalties were issued, a decision met with derision, particularly from Honda HRC’s Team Manager Lars Lindstrom, who stated, “We are absolutely infuriated that there was not more done… I am very disappointed with this decision.”
In the 450 Class, the scenario was similar when Hunter Lawrence rolled in response to a red cross flag displayed but not waved, while Eli Tomac, Ken Roczen, and Cooper Webb completed jumps. The AMA determined that riders were “already committed” to the jump without prior visible warnings, also resulting in no penalties.
Despite the rule enforcement issues, Daxton Bennick shone by clinching his third consecutive podium at an opening round. After qualifying 12th, he finished the main event in third, solidifying already high expectations for his season after a challenging start to his career marred by injuries.
Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing’s Cole Davies, initially considered a title contender after two wins in his rookie season, displayed resilience despite a challenging start in Arlington. After a collision in the first turn resulted in a crash, Davies recovered impressively to finish fifth, asserting himself as a formidable competitor for the 250 East Championship.
In conclusion, while the victories for Lawrence and Brown are noteworthy, the regulatory issues concerning jump penalties have sparked debate within the community, highlighting a potential need for reassessment of rules as the season progresses.
