Aaron Plessinger charged to his first career 450SX Main Event victory at Round 3 of the 2024 AMA Supercross Championship, taking a convincing win in rain-soaked conditions and taking control of the series points lead in the process.
Cooper Webb and Justin Barcia round out the 450SX podium at a wet Snapdragon Stadium in San Diego, while in the 250SX class, Nate Thrasher took the win ahead of Garrett Marchbanks and Last weeks winner Jordon Smith.
In a tight 450SX Class qualifying session, Plessinger was thirteenth on the time-sheets, before storming to the second Heat Race win of the evening, Eli Tomac took the win in heat One. Adam Cianciarulo qualified after winning the LCQ. Australian privateer Joel Wightman made it through qualifying into the night’s events but finished the night 14th in the LCQ.
Plessinger looked right at home as he battled at the front of the field, exercising patience as he closed in on the lead held by Ken Roczen at the midway mark. When Roczen crashed it left Plessinger with a clear lead. From there he had a well-managed race up front holding off a determined Cooper Webb to earn his first-career 450SX Main Event – a popular result after coming so close during his career previously. Justin Barcia rounded out the podium with Jett Lawrence and Jason Anderson coming home fourth and fifth respectively.
As a result of his win, Plessinger now becomes the third championship points leader in as many rounds. Teammate Chase Sexton sits only a point away in second while Jett Lawrence is a further four points down in third.
“Man, San Diego! It was a really good race, I managed to get into the lead around the midway point, and just rode clean laps, stayed up, and got the win!” Plessinger said. “On top of that, we take the red plate and points lead into the next round, which is huge for me. We had a great off-season… The team and I worked super hard and to start the season with 4-5-1 results is my best start ever! The fans were crazy sticking it out here in the rain, so I’m stoked to be able to deliver a result to them, and ready to do it again next weekend.”
In the 250 class, RJ Hamshire got out of the gate first and came under pressure from Levi Kitchen before Kitchen, like many would found himself down in the mud. Following a small mistake, mid-race heat race winner Garrett Marchbanks took over Hampshires’s lead. Unfortunately for Marchbanks, he became tangled with another rider which allowed his teammate Nate Thrasher into the lead. From there Trasher would not relinquish the place and remained mistake-free until the chequered flag for his first win of the season. RJ Hampshire got close but crashed before he could make a pass and eventually finished sixth. Garrett Marchbanks crossed the line second with last weeks winner Jordon Smith rounding out the podium.
Jordon Smith now holds the championship lead with Levi Kitchen second and Garrett Marchbanks third.
Racing moves back to Anaheim, California next weekend where the first of the Triple Crown events take place.
