Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing’s Jason Anderson wasted no time in showing what his all new Husqvarna 2018 FC 450 Rockstar Edition is capable of by absolutely dominating the competition and taking a massive, come from behind main event win and, with it, the points lead and red plate! After a few years off the schedule, AMA Supercross and the Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing Team headed to Houston, TX for the second round of the series. From the very first lap of the day, Anderson was in the zone and rolled on his own momentum all night long riding with the perfect mix of raw speed and control. With 450 teammate Dean Wilson forced to sit out the night due to lingering pain from his Anaheim crash, Anderson stole the show and notched his 2nd career victory in Houston’s NRG Stadium. Mitchell Harrison overcame adversity once again to ride strong and post a 13th place finish on the night.
After posting the fastest qualifying time of the day, Jason Anderson pulled the holeshot in his heat and dominated the remainder of the race to earn his second consecutive heat race victory aboard his Husqvarna 2018 FC 450 Rockstar Edition. He was fifth at the start of the 450 Main Event and quickly moved to fourth. He made the move for third around Weston Peick at the end of the first lap and kept digging to the front. He inched closer to second-place rider, Justin Barcia, found some great lines, then took advantage of a mistake made by Barcia to make the pass for second. He then went on a charge and set his sights on the lead. He patiently waited for his opportunity to strike, then made a successful pass through the rhythm section using an alternate line to take over the lead with just over five minutes remaining. He completely dominated the day and took his first 450 Main Event victory of the season as well as the points lead in the class.
“Houston was probably the most perfect day I’ve ever had in my career,” said Anderson. “I won every time I was on the track – both practices, heat race and main. It was a battle, but it was awesome. I’m in the zone but, at the same time, I don’t want to get ahead of myself. I feel good and I’m in a good spot.”
Mitchell Harrison pulled the holeshot aboard his Husqvarna 2018 FC 250 in the second 250 heat and fought to stay in the front of the pack. He swapped between second and third before going back to 10th after crashing hard in the whoops. He remounted and fought back to finish ninth and transfer directly to the 250 Main Event. He was mid-pack at the start of the 250 Main and came out of the first lap in 11th. He put his head down and focused on moving through the pack. He made his way into the top 10 but went back to 11th in the 11th lap. He would eventually finish the race in 13th.
“I felt really good in practice,” said Harrison. “The bike was great. I got the holeshot in the heat then crashed, but I was able to come back to ninth and qualify for the main. I got a decent start in the main, but I rode tight. I have some things to work on, and I hope to do better next week at Anaheim.”
