Jason Anderson has triumphed at A1 handing Husqvarna Factory Racing its first ever 450 SX main event victory.
By Hayden Gregory
A sold out Angel Stadium crowd was treated to a racing spectacle over the weekend which saw Jason Anderson become the 60th different supercross winner in the 450 class. The Husqvarna ace was the pick of a stacked field which saw the starting grid littered with superstars.
The final provided for some stop start action which initially saw the exit of James Stewart after a collision with Ryan Dungey on the second lap saw him unable to make the race restart following a red flag.
As the riders made their way back to the start, it was Team Honda HRC’s Cole Seely who scored the first holeshot of the season. The carnage continued as once again Dungey was caught in a mix up with Trey Canard on the third lap. Both riders were left back in the pack as Seely maintained his dominance from the front of the race.
On lap eight, Jason Anderson started to make his move through the pack storming into second place with impressive speed. He was on a mission to catch Seely and the pass looked inevitable as the Husqvarna rider edged closer and closer with each passing lap. Lap 13 proved the defining moment as Anderson moved into the front pushing ahead to hold out and claim his maiden 450 SX victory.
“Honestly, I just felt great out there tonight,” said Anderson. “I was coming through the pack and just made it happen. You work hard to do this as a kid, and it feels great.”
Dungey recovered from his early race mishap to work his way back into second place passing Seely on the very last lap.
“I got off to a good start on the restart but crashed,” Dungey said. “I am glad to have rebounded and to have a solid finish.”
The top five was rounded out by Eli Tomac and Ken Roczen. Aussie legend Chad Reed had a very successful return aboard his Yamaha working into sixth place. Fellow Australian Lawson Bopping also rode an exceptional round qualifying for the main event via the last chance qualifier. In the first of his six guest appearances Bopping finished the main in 21st position.
450SX Class Results
Jason Anderson, Rio Rancho, N.M., Husqvarna
Ryan Dungey, Belle Plaine, Minn., KTM
Cole Seely, Sherman Oaks, Calif., Honda
Eli Tomac, Cortez, Colo., Kawasaki
Ken Roczen, Clermont, Fla., Suzuki
Chad Reed, Dade City, Fla., Yamaha
Trey Canard, Edmond, Okla., Honda
Davi Millsaps, Murrieta, Calif., KTM
Dean Wilson, Wesley Chapel, Fla., KTM
Justin Brayton, Mint Hill, N.C., KTM
