Cycle News Staff | April 9, 2016
In the fifth race of the Eastern Regional 250SX-class Championship, Yamalube/Star Racing Yamaha’s Aaron Plessinger became the fifth different winner in as many races, dominating en route to his first career Main event victory at his home race in Indianapolis. It was his second career victory.
Aaron Plessinger topped the 250SX East main in Indianapolis. Photography by Hoppenworld.com
In his first race with Monster Energy/Pro Circuit/Kawasaki, Gannon Audette claimed his first SupercrossLive.com Holeshot award to start the Eastern Regional 250SX Class Main event, with Plessinger and GEICO Honda’s Malcolm Stewart in tow. Plessinger wasted little time in moving into the lead and seized control of the race on the first lap, bringing Stewart along with him into second. Audette settled into third, but would soon come under fire from Yamalube/Star Racing Yamaha’s Jeremy Martin and Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing’s Martin Davalos.
As Plessinger and Stewart pulled away out front, Audette lost two more positions to both Martin and Davalos. The top four riders settled into position until just past the halfway point when a big crash from Martin not only took him out of third, but also out of the race. That allowed Davalos to move into third for four laps until a crash while attempting to get around lappers caused him to lose two positions. As a result, Audette found himself back in a podium spot.
Plessinger widened his lead considerably in the closing laps and took the checkered flag more than 10 seconds ahead of Stewart. The Ohio native is the third first-time winner in the 250SX Class this season and the 102nd Main Event winner in the history of the division. It’s also the first time in the history of the Eastern Regional Championship that there have been five different riders in five races.
“I can’t even tell you how amazing this feels. I’m speechless,” said Plessinger, whose hometown is just a short drive in Hamilton, Ohio. “These fans are crazy. I heard them every lap. I was so determined today, especially in front of my hometown crowd. I just put my head down and got the start. It wasn’t easy, but it was easier than my last races for sure.”
Stewart entered the night as the points leader and his runner-up finish allowed him to maintain control of his lead in the championship standings.
“Hats off to Aaron. Now he knows what it feels like to win,” said Stewart. “I’m happy with second. I can’t take anything negative from this. I’m going to keep doing what I’m doing and hopefully I keep the red plate [as the points leader] and win this championship. We only have four races left, so we’ll keep trying to get those points.”
Stewart’s lead in the Eastern Regional standings now sits at 10 points over Plessinger, who moved into second with the win. Davalos, who finished fifth, is third, 25 points out of the lead.
