The Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing Team rolled into Glendale, Arizona’s University of Phoenix Stadium to do battle in the desert for round four of the AMA Supercross Series. 450 series points leader Jason Anderson dealt with his biggest test yet, having to overcome huge challenges from the star studded field at the start of the Main Event to dig deep and battle back to a fourth place ride. Jason’s ability to limit the damage on the night meant he would leave with the series points lead once again and will hold onto the red plate as the series heads to Oakland, CA next week for round five. Dean Wilson, still recovering from his big get off at round one, showed true heart as he rode through the discomfort to turn in a 15th place ride on the technical and demanding Glendale track. Mitchell Harrison didn’t let the mistakes from the early rounds follow him to Arizona as he rode a mistake-free and consistent 250SX West Main Event and grabbed his best finish of the season.
Jason Anderson was the fastest qualifier of the day aboard his Husqvarna 2018 FC 450 Rockstar Edition. Feeling confident, he pulled the holeshot in his heat, pulled away, and took another heat race win in dominating fashion. He got a great start in the 450 Main Event and immediately started battling near the front, but was in the middle of a freight train of riders and shuffled back a few spots. He regrouped and began reeling in riders with seven minutes plus two laps remaining in the race. Putting in an amazing charge, he set the fastest lap of the race with two laps to go and finished an impressive fourth. He holds on to the red plate and maintains his lead in 450 rider point standings.
“My practices were great today,” said Anderson. “I was able to figure everything out. I got pretty set up and was good for the night show. I qualified first in practice and was able to get another heat race win. I started out great in the Main but got shuffled back to around seventh but then worked my way back to fourth. I just need to keep the ball rolling.”
Mitchell Harrison was top-10 at the start of his 250SX West heat and came out of the first lap in fifth. He made the pass for fourth at the beginning of the second lap, conceded to fifth a few turns later, but made his way back into fourth after Joey Savatgy crashed in the whoops. He went back two spots toward the end of the race and finished sixth to transfer to the 250SX West Main Event. He was mid-pack at the start of the 250SX West Main Event and came out of the second lap in 14th. Putting on an impressive charge, he pushed his way into the top-10 by the fifth lap. He made the pass for ninth shortly thereafter and took over seventh in lap seven. He held strong in the top-10 the remainder of the race and finished eighth. He sits 11th in 250SX West rider point standings.
“I felt amazing on the bike all day,” said Harrison. “I had a great heat race, but I unfortunately fell. I was able to get up quickly finish sixth. I worked my way through the pack in the Main and finished eighth. It was good progress for me, and I’m looking forward to more progression at the next race.”
Dean Wilson worked hard to find his rhythm all night. He was fourth at the start of his heat and quickly moved into third. He made the pass for second in lap two and would eventually finish fourth to transfer to the 450 Main Event. He had a consistent Main Event and pulled a mid-pack start, stayed right around 15th the entire race, and finished 15th.
“This weekend was definitely better than last weekend,” said Wilson. “I’m still trying to heal from my Anaheim 1 injury. It’s unfortunate to be riding where I’m at, but I’m out there trying to get some points. I definitely want to keep trying hard, improving, and healing.”
