JUSTIN BARCIA FINISHES SEVENTH OVERALL IN THE INAUGURAL SUPERMOTOCROSS PLAYOFF RACE.
PIERCE BROWN SCORES TENTH OVERALL IN 250 ACTION.
There was a lot to process for the Troy Lee Designs/Red Bull/GASGAS Factory Racing Team as they headed into zMax Dragway in Charlotte, NC, for the first round of the inaugural SuperMotocross Playoffs. The courses are different, with a hybrid Supercross/Motocross design that forces riders and teams to make setup compromises. Also, the three-event series features a progressive points system, with riders earning a standard points payout for the first round in Charlotte, double points at round two in Joliet, Ill., and triple points at the series finale in Los Angeles, Calif.
450
When the gate dropped for the first 450 moto, Justin Barcia grabbed the early lead aboard his MC 450F Factory Edition. But he slowly slid backwards as the race wore on, eventually finishing sixth in the first moto. The story was similar for moto two, as he started in sixth, and fought to an eighth-place finish and seventh overall for the day. But after factoring in the bonus points, he sits in eighth overall in the series standings.
Justin Barcia: “We really got thrown a bit of a curve ball. Everyone has to deal with the same conditions on the track, but unfortunately, we weren’t able to find a happy medium between Supercross and Motocross with our settings, so we kind of fought it all day. We should have been near the podium, with how I felt body-wise, but I struggled with some arm pump today. We’re going to go home, regroup, try some stuff out, and come out swinging next week in Chicago.”
250
Despite starting moto one in 16th spot, Pierce Brown was able to climb inside the top ten before eventually finishing 11th with his MC 250F Factory Edition. In the second moto he scored an even better start, crossing the line in eighth on the first lap. While he moved up to seventh for a good portion of the moto, he finished in tenth spot for tenth on the day, and 13th in the standings after round one.
Pierce Brown: “For round one of the playoffs, it was a decent day. Qualifying went good, and I felt good in both motos. It was difficult in both motos to come through the pack. I finished tenth overall, so a decent day. It could be worse. We’re going to get back to work with only two to go, so we’ll make the most of it.“
Next Event (SuperMotocross Round 2): September 16, 2023 – Chicagoland Speedway in Joliet, Ill.
Results – 2023 SuperMotocross Playoff 1
250 SuperMotocross
1. Jo Shimoda (Kawasaki) 4-1; 2. Tom Vialle (KTM) 3-2; 3. Haiden Deegan (Yamaha) 1-5 … 10. Pierce Brown (GASGAS) 11-10
450 SuperMotocross
1. Chase Sexton (Honda) 1-1; 2. Ken Roczen (Suzuki) 3-3; 3. Dylan Ferrandis (Yamaha) 2-4… 7. Justin Barcia (GASGAS) 6-8
SuperMotocross Playoff Standings – After Round 1
250
1. Jo Shimoda (Kawasaki) 42 points; 2. Haiden Deegan (Yamaha) 42 points; 3. Hunter Lawrence (Honda) 39 points…13. Pierce Brown (GASGAS) 19 points
450
1. Chase Sexton (Honda) 50 points; 2. Jett Lawrence (Honda) 38 points; 3. Aaron Plessinger (KTM) 38 points … 8. Justin Barcia (GASGAS) 27
Text/Bild: GasGas