Monster Energy Supercross
Tampa, FL
Monster Energy Supercross rolled back into Tampa this year and boy was I ready! The racing this year has just been awesome. I actually really enjoy Tampa, not just because it is really close. Not just because it gives me the option of two rounds to go to a year. Granted, those are all part of it, but I just like the stadium. The pirate ship and little pirate town they’ve got set up is such a cool factor. If you didn’t know, to keep the digression short, I love the whole pirate thing. Love the look, the stories, everything.
250 East Kickoff
Tampa was the kickoff for the East Coast boys in the 250 class so there was lots of hype around this round. Mainly, to see where everyone was at and who were going to be front runners.
I will give two scenarios in which I was extremely surprised about. One, was that this was the return of Jeremy Martin. He’d been out for over a year and was finally back on the gate and wow. He looked like he never left. He looked so smooth all day and rode fantastic in the main ultimately ending up on the podium. Crazy good ride and awesome to see.
Second, was Shane McElrath. Dude was flying. He looked really comfortable on the new bike. I think that, he was riding with a bit of a chip on his shoulder. I don’t know that to be fact but it’s just my own opinion. He made some remarks on the podium that I felt showed that and showed that he means business this year. Whatever the kinks were, he seemed to have worked them out.
This class will be interesting to watch as the rounds progress, for sure. I don’t like to make predictions simply because you never know in this sport. I will say that it’s sure to be exciting. Chase Sexton looked really really fast and had he gotten a better start I think it would have been a fight at the front. Shane got up front almost immediately and he just got away. Can’t wait to watch this East series unfold.
The 450 Class
You hear it every year but DAMN the 450 class is absolutely stacked in 2020.The 450 class is the premiere class in Monster Energy Supercross if you are new to the sport.
The points are tight and Eli Tomac is off to a solid start this year. Much better than previous years at this point. Also, it’s around this point of the season that he starts to really get into his groove. A groove that can lead him to win like 8 races in a row.
Ken Roczen seems to have all the kinks worked out with his illness from last year and he also took that win this year. Getting the monkey off his back by taking that win is something that will go down in our sports history. Or any sports history for that matter. Little better starts and Ken has no problem running up front for the full race.
I’m obviously missing many other components to the season so far but if I covered all of it from one round this article would be huge. I would like to point out though, if anyone had any doubts on how Adam Cianciarulo was going to handle the 450 class — they should have their answer by now. Fastest qualifier every weekend and is consistently up front. He’s right there knocking on the door of a win, just needs to clean up some little mistakes here and there. It’s coming.
Wrapping Up
Starts are always important in supercross but I feel like they are even more key this year. With the level of guys who have had championships in the past digging into top 15, the margin of error is smaller than ever. It’s impossible to predict but one thing you can bet….it’s going to be exciting the rest of the year.
Below are some of my favorite shots from Tampa and some Pit Bits from the day. Hope you enjoy. Next up on the M81 schedule, DAYTONA!!
Be sure to check out the Monster Energy Supercross schedule and get tickets for a stop that’s coming to your city!
