Dungey Takes First Monster Energy Supercross Victory As Roczen of Season as Roczen Crashes Out

In the Western Regional 250SX Class Main Event it was Monster Energy/Pro Circuit/Kawasaki rookie Austin Forkner who grabbed the first SupercrossLive.com Holeshot Award of his career, edging out Yamalube/Star Racing Yamaha's Aaron Plessinger and his teammate Justin Hill. As the field jockeyed for position through the first rhythm section, Hill was able to put his Kawasaki into the lead, with Plessinger following in second and Forkner in third. Behind them, Troy Lee Designs/Red Bull/KTM's Shane McElrath, the championship leader and winner of the first two races, slotted into fifth.

With a clear track ahead of him Hill was able to lay down some of quickest lap times in the early stages of the timed Main Event and established a comfortable lead, as Plessinger settled into second. McElrath, who moved into fourth on the opening lap, closed in on Forkner for third on Lap 4 and made the pass to move into podium position. From there the lead group maintained their positions, each isolating themselves on the track as they encountered lapped riders.

Hill went on to lead the entirety of the Main Event for the fourth win of his career, crossing the line 5.3 seconds ahead of Plessinger in second. McElrath rounded out the podium in third.

"I would say a little bit of pressure is off [with this win]. It's always tough getting that first win [of the season]," said Hill. "Ironically enough these are the exact same scores as last year [starting the season] - fifth, second, and first. It's been a good season so far and I just need to stay in it. I felt off all day, but the team just did so much great work for me. Now I can go into next week looking to do it again."

McElrath maintained his hold of the Eastern Regional points lead, with his three straight podium finishes to start the season giving him a six-point lead over Plessinger, who has also finished on the podium in all three races. Hill now sits just seven points out of the lead in third.

"Being in the championship race has been a whole new thing for me. It's something that we can't be anything other than thankful for [finishing third]," said McElrath. "We've still got the red plate and we're still in the points lead. Tonight everyone was going fast. I gave it everything I had, but tonight that was third."

It was a mixed night for Australia's two racers in the 250 West class. Dan Reardon had a great night, qualifying fourth in his heat race before going on to finish with a seventh place finish in the main event and now sits 9th in the series for the Star Racing Yamalube Yamaha team.

51Fifty Energy Yamaha's Hayden Mellross also looked in great form in his heat, finishing in 5th position. However for the second time at Anaheim this year, Mellross was forced out of the race on the opening lap after being involved in a first turn pile up along with Jeremy Martin and Phil Nicoletti.

The 2017 Monster Energy Supercross season continues next Saturday, January 28, for the fourth round from University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale, California.