Eli Tomac is back on top
St. Louis Mo., (March 31, 2024) Eli Tomac is back on top.
Monster Energy Star Racing Yamaha’s Eli Tomac sweeps the last Triple Crown during the 12th round of the Monster Energy Supercross by Feld Entertainment. Eli won the first and last race however, during the second race, it was Honda’s Jett Lawrence who supposedly won but was docked two positions by the AMA for jumping over a red cross flag. Team Honda’s Hunter Lawrence earned his first career 450SX podium, while Cooper Webb closed the overall points gap to just eight, finishing a consistent second behind Eli.
The win gave Eli his 52nd career 450SX, second all time behind the King of Supercross’ Jeremy McGrath’s 72. This is also his first win after his Achilles injury a year ago. He became the sixth different rider to win this season.
“I had so many questions, and honestly doubt, in my mind that at this point [in the season] before this weekend. You know, questioning the comeback and where I was. So to do this here, to feel that way, to get those rides in all through those motos, that felt like old me. So this was so awesome… Thank you to the team for believing in me, Monster Energy Star Yamaha, everyone, so thank you St. Louis.” – Eli Tomac
The biggest drama of the night was the collission between TLD Gasgas rider Justin Barcia and points leader Jett Lawrence which knocked out the latter for a good finish in the last race. Barcia apologized to Jett after the race, which Jett seemingly accepted. Hunter had this to say during the podium:
“…I’m bummed to not have Jett up here with me. We all saw what happened, that sucks, but yeah I’m honored to be sharing the podium with Tomac and Webb. You know, I watched these guys racing on this stage when I was still in Australia as a kid, so it’s pretty cool. We’ll take it, try and build, and we’ll try and get a really legitimized one next time we’re back [after the break].” – Hunter Lawrence
The biggest winner of the night was the crowned 2024 Triple Crown overall champion Cooper Webb! His quest for a third title is also in a much better position cutting the lead of overall points leader, Jett Lawrence, to just eight.
“It was a crazy night. The first two [Races] didn’t go my way – the second one, especially. I was running a good spot, fell over, and just – these Triple Crowns, you never know what can happen, and that’s what the team just told me, is, ‘Don’t give up. Go in there in this last one and give it your all.’ And it worked out. You know obviously I don’t know what happened to anybody yet [in terms of crashes in Race 3], but I just know me and Eli were out front – me, him and Chase – and we were in the clear. [It] just felt great to ride. I rode really well in that last one. Eli was really clicking his laps and made the pass on Chase, which was great. And I got to second and we started clicking some good laps there at the end but, you know, a second place is good tonight. I’ll take it, especially after the first two [Races]. To win this Triple Crown championship’s all new, so it’s pretty cool. Hopefully we keep the ball rolling.” – Cooper Webb
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