JUSTIN BARCIA MAKES SOLID RETURN TO SMX COMPETITION AT TEXAS MOTOR SPEEDWAY.
250SMX SEES TROY LEE DESIGNS/RED BULL/GASGAS FACTORY RACING’S PIERCE BROWN CHARGE TO P7.
Troy Lee Designs/Red Bull/GASGAS Factory Racing welcomed Justin Barcia back for Texas Motor Speedway and the second stop of the SMX Playoffs, where the 2024 SuperMotocross World Championship (SMX) finals series continued in Forth Worth. It was also a largely positive day for teammate Pierce Brown in charging to P7 in 250SMX, despite going down off the start in both motos!
Barcia was due to return in Charlotte last weekend, but was ruled out following a crash on Friday. This time around he was on track for both gate-drops on his GASGAS MC 450F Factory Edition, and will build on his results from this point. Bam Bam eased into things through Practice and Qualifying, then managed a brave performance when it counted to deliver 12-13 scores for 12th overall.
Justin Barcia:„Texas Motor Speedway was good, always good to be back at the races with the fans! It was a challenging day for me, just because I’m far from being my best self right now with where my body is at. I’m just glad to be here, able to ride, and doing my best. First moto, I rode as hard as I could, and then in the second moto, I had used up a lot of my energy, so nothing to write home about! I’m looking forward to Las Vegas and trying to get that little bit better for next weekend.“
The 250SMX round saw Brown quickest of all in Friday Practice, before he qualified in ninth position. Equipped with the GASGAS MC 250F Factory Edition, PB went down at the beginning of both motos, but pushed on for impressive 9-5 results. That saw him salvage P7 overall, which has him sitting seventh in points with only the SMX Final remaining.
Pierce Brown:„It was a better day for me. I struggled to keep it on two wheels in the first turn – I fell in both starts – but my jumps off the gate were getting better. I came from last to ninth in the first moto and then last to fifth in Moto 2, so that was good. I’m happy with my fitness right now and I’m excited to see what we can do in Vegas for the Final!“
Texas was much the same for teammate Ryder D, the Troy Lee Designs/Red Bull/GASGAS Factory Racing rider affected by troubles in Moto 1 when he went down twice, eventually reaching the checkered flag in P17. The final outing was an improvement with an 11th-place finish, resulting in 13th for the weekend. DiFrancesco is ranked 12th in the 250SMX title race with one round left to run.
Ryder DiFrancesco:„Today was okay. My qualifying sessions were better and then I ended up going down twice in the first one, then in the second one, I moved forward to ninth, but finished 11th. I’m excited to end the season on a good note in Vegas!“
Next Race: September 21 – Las Vegas, Nevada (SMX Final)
Results 450SMX Class – SMX Playoff 2
1. Hunter Lawrence (AUS), Honda
2. Chase Sexton (USA), KTM
3. Jett Lawrence (AUS), Honda
7. Aaron Plessinger (USA), KTM
12. Justin Barcia (USA), Troy Lee Designs/Red Bull/GASGAS Factory Racing
13. Malcolm Stewart (USA), Husqvarna
14. Christian Craig (USA), Husqvarna
Standings 450SMX Class 2024 after 2 of 3 rounds
1. Hunter Lawrence, 90 points
2. Chase Sexton, 89
3. Jett Lawrence, 81
5. Aaron Plessinger, 62
9. Malcolm Stewart, 48
12. Christian Craig, 34
14. Justin Barcia, 33
Results 250SMX Class – SMX Playoff 2
1. Haiden Deegan (USA), Yamaha
2. Tom Vialle (FRA), KTM
3. Jo Shimoda (JPN), Honda
5. Julien Beaumer (USA), KTM
7. Pierce Brown (USA), Troy Lee Designs/Red Bull/GASGAS Factory Racing
13. Ryder DiFrancesco (USA), Troy Lee Designs/Red Bull/GASGAS Factory Racing
15. RJ Hampshire (USA), Husqvarna
Standings 250SMX Class 2024 after 2 of 3 rounds
1. Haiden Deegan, 100 points
2. Tom Vialle, 81
3. Levi Kitchen, 78
5. Julien Beaumer, 69
7. Pierce Brown, 56
12. Ryder DiFrancesco, 39
13. RJ Hampshire, 36
26. Casey Cochran, 4
Text/Bild: GasGas