Previous-round winner Team Honda HRC's Ken Roczen led most of the race but settled for second and defending champion Monster Energy Kawasaki's Eli Tomac fought forward and finally reached as high as third for a podium finish. The penultimate round of the Western Regional 250SX Class saw Monster Energy Star Racing Yamaha's Nate Thrasher take his second career win in front of fans stretched across the grandstands in limited capacity, pod-style seating.
Heading into the third consecutive event on the high-speed track stretched out across the infield at Atlanta Motor Speedway, Cooper Webb enjoyed a 13-point lead in the series but hadn't looked in his best form on the red Georgia soil. When the gate dropped Monster Energy Yamaha Factory Racing's Aaron Plessinger jumped into the early lead with Roczen and fastest-qualifier Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing's Jason Anderson right on his rear wheel.
On the opening lap Monster Energy Star Racing Yamaha's Dylan Ferrandis ran into the back of Anderson on a corner entry, sending both riders to the ground and ending their hopes of a win. Just over a minute and a half into the 20-minute plus one lap race, Ken Roczen passed for the lead and immediately started to distance himself from the pack. Six and a half minutes into the race Webb got around Plessinger but did not have the speed early in the race and Roczen continued to disappear on the track ahead. Webb was staying just out of reach of Plessinger, Troy Lee Designs / Red Bull / GASGAS Factory Racing's Justin Barcia and Tomac behind him.
Then with just under five minutes remaining on the race clock, Roczen got wild in the whoops and stepped off the bike. Roczen nearly stayed on his feet and remounted quickly, still with a comfortable lead. But all was not well. Roczen would tell later that his handlebar had gotten bent from the impact. Webb saw the opportunity and he broke away from Plessinger and Tomac and ate into Roczen's five second lead. With 23 seconds on the clock, effectively two laps remaining, Webb charged through a sand section, dove under Roczen in a bowl turn, and cut down to close off any chance of a retaliation. One bobble late on the last lap added some drama, but Webb held on for the win that meant a six point swing in the points, had he not gotten around Roczen.
Nate Thrasher proved his victory at Round six was no fluke. He had the other racers handled with a convincing second career win. Photo Credit: Feld Entertainment, Inc.
Results
1. Cooper Webb, Newport N.C., KTM
2. Ken Roczen, Clermont, Fla., Honda
3. Eli Tomac, Cortez, Colo., Kawasaki
4. Aaron Plessinger, Hamilton, Ohio, Yamaha
5. Justin Barcia, Greenville, Fla., GASGAS
6. Malcolm Stewart, Haines City, Fla., Yamaha
7. Dylan Ferrandis, Lake Elsinore, Calif., Yamaha
8. Dean Wilson, Murrieta, Calif., Husqvarna
9. Marvin Musquin, Corona, Calif., KTM
10. Chase Sexton, Clermont, Fla., Honda
Standings
1. Cooper Webb, Newport N.C., KTM (339)
2. Ken Roczen, Clermont, Fla., Honda (323)
3. Eli Tomac, Cortez, Colo., Kawasaki (299)
4. Justin Barcia, Greenville, Fla., GASGAS (264)
5. Aaron Plessinger, Hamilton, Ohio, Yamaha (234)
6. Jason Anderson, Rio Rancho, N.Mex., Husqvarna (223)
7. Malcolm Stewart, Haines City, Fla., Yamaha (209)
8. Dylan Ferrandis, Lake Elsinore, Calif., Yamaha (199)
9. Marvin Musquin, Corona, Calif., KTM (182)
10. Joey Savatgy, Clermont, Fla., KTM (177)
Western Regional 250SX Class Results
1. Nate Thrasher, Livingston, Tenn., Yamaha
2. Justin Cooper, Menifee, Calif., Yamaha
3. Seth Hammaker, Temecula, Calif., Kawasaki
4. Hunter Lawrence, Wesley Chapel, Fla., Honda
5. Kyle Peters, Greensboro, N.C., Honda
6. Jalek Swoll, Belleview, Fla., Husqvarna
7. Enzo Lopes, Huntersville, N.C., Honda
8. Mitchell Harrison, Murrieta, Calif., Honda
9. Dilan Schwartz, Alpine, Calif., Suzuki
10. Coty Schock, Dover, Del., Honda
Western Regional 250SX Class Championship Standings
1. Justin Cooper, Menifee, Calif., Yamaha (180)
2. Hunter Lawrence, Wesley Chapel, Fla., Honda (160)
3. Cameron McAdoo, Sioux City, Iowa, Kawasaki (158)
4. Seth Hammaker, Temecula, Calif., Kawasaki (142)
5. Jalek Swoll, Belleview, Fla., Husqvarna (138)
6. Nate Thrasher, Livingston, Tenn., Yamaha (127)
7. Garrett Marchbanks, Coalville, Utah, Yamaha (125)
8. Kyle Peters, Greensboro, N.C., Honda (111)
9. Coty Schock, Dover, Del., Honda (99)
10. Mitchell Harrison, Murrieta, Calif., Honda (90)
Feld Inc