Epic.
Just a word and only one word describes Round 17 of the 2017 Monster Energy Supercross series which concluded on Saturday in historical fashion at Sam Boyd Stadium in Las Vegas, NV.
High drama tells the story of the 450 class title fight with Ryan Dungey holding a nine-point edge over Eli Tomac in part thanks to Marvin Musquin letting Dungey by on the last lap the week prior in East Rutherford to allow his teammate and friend grab an extra three points. Despite all the controversy, in the end, the additional points proved futile.
Ryan Dungey (1) got the early lead but it didn't last for long as Eli Tomac (3) grabbed it and the two tussled for 20 laps
Indeed, it was the Dungey and Tomac show as the two battled near the front with Tomac executing a perfectly designed plan to - instead of run away for his 10th win of the year - bait Dungey towards the front, block pass him into corners and get the field involved. It worked but ultimately backfired.
Ryan Dungey (left) and Eli Tomac (right) battled to the end
Tomac pushed Dungey fully off the track once and held him up to a complete stop in several other instances but the three-time Champion refused to hit the dirt or get rattled in his quest for three-straight titles and four overall. Dungey's teammate Jason Anderson lurked behind in third while Tomac's teammate Josh Grant trailed in fourth. Then came Chad Reed with his own drama this year involving Dungey.
Jason Anderson (21) pushes Chad Reed (22) off the track
Tomac and Dungey sprinted away then dropped back several times throughout the race allowing the others to fight for podium contention. As the veteran Reed appeared ready to make a statement, Anderson punted him off the track giving Tomac and Dungey some distance. All Dungey needed was a fourth-place finish as Tomac needed a win and Dungey to finish at least fifth, something he hadn't done in three years.
With half a lap, Tomac again braced for impact but this time got caught up in his own melee with Dungey allowing Anderson to slip away with the lead and Grant to pass Dungey. The checkers flew the first time this season for Anderson as Tomac finished second, Grant posted a season-high third and Dungey fourth. Dungey wins the 2017 450 class Supercross Championship by five points.
What the 450 class finished, the combined 250 East/West class race started.
With the 250SX West class title already wrapped up by Justin Hill, the 250SX East class took center stage at the annual shootout that bridges both classes letting the cards fall where they may. Entering the final round, Jordan Smith held a one point advantage over Joey Savatgy and Zach Osborne while Adam Cianciarulo had an outside shot at the Championship despite a 14 point gap.
Osborne entered Las Vegas with the most wins of any contender and an obvious choice for the checkers but a first turn crash and hang-up with another rider left him in last while the field charged ahead. Cianciarulo grabbed the holeshot and began to distance himself as Smith and Savatgy battled for spots and the necessary points for the Championship. Meanwhile Osborne began his long trek towards the front and the Crown now seemingly out of reach.
Adam Cianciarulo (36) grabbed the holeshot and checked-out but it wasn't enough to claim the 2017 250SX East Championship
Savatgy crashed. Smith nearly crashed. Smith crashed again and bowed out of competition. Savatgy couldn't find his way forward and hung around outside the Top 5. Meanwhile Osborne picked off riders as Cianciarulo continued to lead and possibly steal the Championship. On the last lap, with the Championship in Savatgy's hands, Osborne executed a delicious block pass and parked Savatgy into the corner knocking him to the ground along with his title hopes as Osborne sped towards the finish for seventh-place and securing the points for the 2017 250SX East Class Championship by two over Cianciarulo. Savatgy finished third on the year.
Zach Osborne celebrates his 2017 250SX East Championship
As for the race, Hill finished second and Aaron Plessinger took third which gave him third in the final standings for the West class, just a point behind Shane McElrath who hung on to second for the season despite a rough final outing in 11th.
How is Supercross not a mainstream sport?
2017 Monster Energy Supercross Las Vegas Results
Las Vegas Supercross 450SX Class Results
450 Class
- Jason Anderson
- Eli Tomac
- Josh Grant
- Ryan Dungey
- Dean Wilson
- Chad Reed
- Blake Baggett
- Davi Millsaps
- Justin Brayton
- Cooper Webb
250SX Class East/West Regional Showdown
- Adam Cianciarulo
- Justin Hill
- Aaron Plessinger
- Dylan Ferrandis
- Mitchell Oldenburg
- Jimmy Decotis
- Zach Osborne
- Hayden Mellross
- Mitchell Harrison
- Cameron McAdoo
2017 Monster Energy Supercross Final Season Standings
450 Class
- Ryan Dungey (359) - 2017 450 Class Supercross Champion
- Eli Tomac (354)
- Marvin Musquin (293)
- Jason Anderson (273)
- Davi Millsaps (221)
- Blake Baggett (220)
- Cole Seely (212)
- Dean Wilson (185)
- Chad Reed (182)
- Josh Grant (175)
250SX East Class
- Zach Osborne (173) - 2017 250SX East Class Supercross Champion
- Adam Cianciarulo (171)
- Joey Savatgy (166)
- Jordon Smith (161)
- Dylan Ferrandis (144)
- Christian Craig (97)
- Mitchell Harrison (86)
- Luke Renzland (84)
- Anthony Rodriguez (82)
- Kyle Cunningham (77)
250SX West Class
- Justin Hill (202) - 2017 250SX West Class Supercross Champion
- Shane McElrath (164)
- Aaron Plessinger (163)
- Martin Davalos (145)
- Jimmy Decotis (137)
- Austin Forkner (114)
- Dan Reardon (104)
- Kyle Chisholm (90)
- Cole Martinez (77)
- Mitchell Oldenburg (76)
