Webb, McAdoo & Hammaker All Podium at Birmingham Supercross

Monster Energy’s Cooper Webb (Star Racing/Yamaha) continued to shine on the Monster Energy AMA Supercross tour, this past Saturday racing to a 2nd place podium finish in the premier 450 class at Birmingham’s (Ala.) Protective Stadium.

With the podium effort Webb now has four podium finishes and two positions just off the box (4th) in his last seven races, and keeps 450 class series points leader, Jett Lawrence (Honda), well within striking range at 13 points back in the overall points chase.

Said Webb of his Saturday night main event in Alabama: “I made a few mistakes in the beginning and that gap (between Webb and Lawrence) got there. Then I felt like I did a good job maintaining that. We (Webb and Lawrence) played cat and mouse and I know what it takes now to run at that pace, so I’m pretty happy with tonight. Solid second.”

Rounding out the Monster Energy assault on the top ten in the 450 class at Birmingham were Justin Cooper (Star Racing/Yamaha) in 5th, Jason Anderson (Kawasaki) in 6th and Eli Tomac (Star Racing/Yamaha) in 7th.

In 250 Eastern Region Supercross (ESX) racing at Birmingham, Monster Energy/Pro Circuit/Kawasaki teammates Cameron McAdoo and Seth Hammaker continued to haul the mail, both placing on the podium in 2nd and 3rd places, respectively, for the second straight week. Monster Energy/Star Racing/Yamaha’s Daxton Bennick also continued to shine in his rookie season, placing a solid 7th. Bennick’s Monster Energy/Star Racing/Yamaha teammate Haiden Deegan, still feeling the effects of a rough weekend at Daytona, had his misfortune continue through the heat races and into the 250 ESX main when he was assessed a penalty for cutting the course, and had to give up two spots, per the AMA (7th to 9th). Chance Hymas (Honda) would round out the Monster Energy scoring in the 250 ESX main at Birmingham with a 10th place run.

Said McAdoo, on his late-race 250 ESX main event battle with teammate Hammaker: “Yeah, since we’re back in a stadium (vs. the wide open Daytona infield track last week) setting you case see where everyone’s at. I saw him (Hammaker) the whole race. There were some areas where he was going a better line than me, or he was doing something a little bit better than me. But I kind of knew what time we had left, how many laps we had left. And there was a couple areas of the track that made me nervous, honestly, but Seth was riding well the whole race and kept us (along with race winner Tom Vaille/KTM) honest the whole race.”

450 Highlights

• In 450 class racing Tomac clocked the best qualifying time for Monster Energy racers with a 52.9910 – good enough for 3rd place. Just back in the low 53s were Cooper (4th) and Webb (5th).
• The main event holeshot looked to be Webb’s, but Lawrence cut in at the very last second to take that honor. Webb pulled out in 2nd, Cooper in 3rd and Adam Cianciarulo (Monster Energy/Kawasaki) in 5th.
• Early on in the contest the AMA’s 30-second board girl (signaling the time until the gate drops) got her signals crossed and was in the middle of the track still when the racers came ripping by. Webb looked to have just nicked the girl a bit, sending her giant cards flying – and her to the ground. Fortunately, it didn’t look like anyone was injured that bad and Webb kept it going in 2nd place.
• Cooper would have an excellent battle with Suzuki’s Ken Roczen, holding off the former SX champ for six laps before Roczen made a pass for the third and final podium spot at Birmingham. 
• Cooper’s last three finishes: 7th/Arlington, 6th/Daytona and 5th at Birmingham – a career-best in the 450 class for Cooper.

250 ESX Highlights

• Hammaker was the fastest Monster Energy 250 qualifier in Birmingham, running a near-identical 54.1740 (to top qualifier Max Anstie’s/Honda 54.1720). McAdoo railed his KX 250F home with a 4th best time of 54.5070.
• A number of wild occurrences in the 250 ESX heat races at Birmingham. But the one that stood out most was the Heat 1 collision between Monster Energy’s Hammaker and Deegan – which sent both to the LCQ. Hammaker would win the LCQ, with Deegan just under 10 seconds back in 2nd place to transfer to the main as well. The two would have a discussion in the pits following their Heat 1 get together.
• Continuing in Heat 1, McAdoo managed to land on Monster Energy/Star Racing/Yamaha Nick Romano’s bike (when Romano appeared to miss a gear). Fortunately, McAdoo was able to continue and holds onto 2nd place to transfer to the main.
• Deegan’s streak of bad luck would continue into the 250 main when, per the AMA, it was deemed that Deegan cut the track to gain an advantage. This resulted in his 7th place finish being docked two positions, giving him 9th on the night.
• McAdoo managed to keep pace with Vialle, and hold off a charge from teammate Hammaker, to take 2nd. McAdoo sits in 2nd place overall in the 250 ESX standings, just a point back of Vialle.

Notes & Quotes

• As the Monster Energy AMA Supercross season skips past its halfway point, the series 450 class points battle couldn’t be closer. In fact, Tomac, Webb and Chase Sexton (Honda) all have overall leader Lawrence within reach. One bobble from the leader could lead to a massive points shakeup.
• “I want to keep believing, but I need to see something serious,” said NBC announcer Ricky Carmichael regarding Tomac’s performance at Birmingham.
• Cianciarulo was also docked several (5) points in the 450 main after the AMA caught him jumping on a red cross (medical) flag.
• “That was crazy,” said Webb of his collision with the 30-second board girl. “Pretty scary. I hope she’s all right, but it didn’t affect the race.”
• Said Hammaker on his back-to-back 3rd place podium finishes: “It feels nice to be a consistent podium guy again. It’s been a while since I’ve raced supercross in general. I only had one full season – my rookie season. Hopefully, I can keep this momentum rolling.”

Up next: Monster Energy AMA Supercross runs ‘er back up north, to Indianapolis’ Lucas Oil Stadium, for Round 10 of the series this Saturday, March 16th.