Eastern Divisional 250SX Season Opener: Brown Claims Victory
In a highly anticipated start to the Eastern Divisional 250SX Class Championship, Pierce Brown of Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing secured his maiden Supercross victory, showcasing resilience after a tumultuous year. Competing for the first time since November surgery to repair two fractured vertebrae, Jo Shimoda from Honda HRC Progressive launched into the lead with the holeshot, followed closely by Brown and Rockstar Energy Husqvarna’s Daxton Bennick. However, a first-turn crash saw title favorite Cole Davies struggling deep in the pack.
Shimoda quickly built a lead of over three seconds, but as he neared the finish line, red medical lights were activated, requiring him to roll through the next section without jumping. This critical moment allowed Brown and Bennick to gain ground, with Brown seizing the opportunity to overtake Shimoda shortly thereafter.
The remainder of the 15-minute race was marked by Shimoda’s attempts to reclaim the lead, but despite his speed, he could not secure a pass on Brown. In a last-ditch effort with under a minute remaining, Shimoda made an inside move but could not maintain the momentum, resulting in Brown pulling away for a 2.4-second victory.
Brown’s triumph not only marks his first Supercross win in 37 starts but is also a significant comeback from his injury last year at the same event. He now leads the Eastern Divisional standings with a three-point advantage over Shimoda and a five-point margin over Bennick. This win marks the first occasion Brown has carried the red plate, highlighting his ascent in the championship.
Race Results:
- Pierce Brown (Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing)
- Jo Shimoda (Honda HRC Progressive)
- Daxton Bennick (Rockstar Energy Husqvarna)
- Seth Hammaker (Monster Energy Pro Circuit Kawasaki)
- Cole Davies (Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing)
