Ryan Nitzen | February 11, 2023
Cooper Webb was back to his old self after taking the win at the Tampa Supercross. It was his first win since 2021 at Salt Lake City.
Cooper Webb celebrates his first win since 2021. Photos: BrownDog Wison
Webb stalked Chase Sexton throughout the 25-lap main event, which started with Sexton taking the early lead and Webb settling into second place ahead of his Red Bull KTM teammate Aaron Plessinger. Despite Sexton establishing a fast pace, Webb matched Sexton move for move as the two inched away from Plessinger.
Sexton, however, seemed in control as he led the way lap after lap after lap, seemingly able to counter any attack by the former Supercross champ. Still, he could not shake the KTM rider. And just when it seemed Sexton might be able to hold off the threatening Webb, Sexton lost control of his bike in a whoop section after what he said, his bike catching an edge that eventually sent him to the ground. As he climbed back on his bike, Webb rode past and led the final four laps to take the win.
Webb was able to soak in the victory by taking the checkered flag a comfortable 6.169 seconds ahead of Sexton, who also had plenty of room over Plessinger.
“I came into today knowing I needed to execute a good result, but the day didn’t start out that special for me, as I struggled in qualifying and my heat race,” said Webb of his day. “In the main event, I really focused and went to work – I got a good start and rode really solid laps, although the sand and the lapped riders were tough. I saw the leader go down and I was able to take the lead and the win. It’s been over a year since I’ve won a race, so now that I’ve got that winning feeling again, I now have the confidence, equipment, fitness and speed to do it again. From a championship standpoint, we’re in a great spot and confidence is key for me, so I look forward to Oakland.”
The top five riders were fairly spread out at the finish, with fourth place Ken Roczen taking the checkers a full 10 seconds behind Plessinger and another eight seconds ahead of defending champ Eli Tomac.
Aaron Plessinger, Winner Cooper Webb and Chase Sexton filled the Tampa Supercross podium.
Tomac started the race in seventh, made a couple of passes early in the race, and that was that. He had Roczen in his sights, but he just didn’t jell with the slick Tampa track and couldn’t mount one of his usual comebacks.
Jason Anderson, who fell early in the race, ended up sixth, ahead of Justin Cooper, Justin Barcia, Joey Savatgy and Christian Craig, who rounded out the top 10 with his best performance of the season.
Despite having a quiet night, Tomac still leads the championship, but his lead has shrunk to just two points over Sexton, and Webb is now just two points behind Sexton. Anderson is fourth, 16 points behind Webb.
The 250SX East main was a thriller. Nate Thrasher led 18 of the 19-lap race. Thrasher, on the Monster Energy Star Racing Yamaha who had earlier won his heat race, jumped out to an early lead, while points leader Hunter Lawrence (Honda) ran in sixth.
Hunter Lawrence won the thrilling 250SX East main.
Lawrence slowly made his way forward, eventually passing Max Anstie for second place on lap 11 lap. From there, he crept closer and closer to Thrasher, setting the stage for a thrilling last-lap battle for the win with Thrasher. In the last turn, Hunter made his move, diving to the inside and running Thrasher up high in the berm, putting his Honda into the lead.
Thrasher made a run at Hunter as they drag-raced to the finish line, but Lawrence held on to take the win by just a 10th of a second.
Anstie finished a distant third, while Haiden Deegan, who won his heat race, took fourth, five seconds ahead of Jeremy Martin.
Tom Vialle was sixth, followed by Michael Mosiman, Chance Hymas, Jace Owen and Hardy Munoz.
450SX Results (Top 10)
| 1. |
Cooper Webb |
(KTM) |
25 laps |
| 2. |
Chase Sexton |
(Hon) |
06.169 |
| 3. |
Aaron Plessinger |
(KTM) |
13.263 |
| 4. |
Ken Roczen |
(Suz) |
23.082 |
| 5. |
Eli Tomac |
(Yam) |
31.870 |
| 6. |
Jason Anderson |
(Kaw) |
35.567 |
| 7. |
Justin Cooper |
(Yam) |
38.793 |
| 8. |
Justin Barcia |
(GG) |
44.323 |
| 9. |
Joey Savatgy |
(Kaw) |
47.805 |
| 10. |
Christian Craig |
(Hus) |
24 laps |
250SX East (Top 10)
| 1. |
Hunter Lawrence |
(Hon) |
19 Laps |
| 2. |
Nate Thrasher |
(Yam) |
00.134 |
| 3. |
Max Anstie |
(Hon) |
16.116 |
| 4. |
Haiden Deegan |
(Yam) |
21.797 |
| 5. |
Jeremy Martin |
(Yam) |
26.583 |
| 6. |
Tom Vialle |
(KTM) |
41.330 |
| 7. |
Michael Mosiman |
(GG) |
51.980 |
| 8. |
Chance Hymas |
(Hon) |
18 laps |
| 9. |
Jace Owen |
(Hon) |
12.764 |
| 10. |
Hardy Munoz |
(Hus) |
13.432 |
Point Standings
450SX Point Standings (After 5 of 17 rounds)
| 1. |
Eli Tomac |
(Yam) |
113/3 wins |
| 2. |
Chase Sexton |
(Hon) |
111/1 win |
| 3. |
Cooper Webb |
(KTM) |
109/1 win |
| 4. |
Jason Anderson |
(Kaw) |
93 |
| 5. |
Ken Roczen |
(Suz) |
92 |
| 6. |
Aaron Plessinger |
(KTM) |
85 |
| 7. |
Justin Barcia |
(GG) |
80 |
| 8. |
Adam Cianciarulo |
(Kaw) |
67 |
| 9. |
Joey Savatgy |
(Kaw) |
67 |
| 10. |
Colton Nichols |
(Hon) |
61 |
250SX East Point Standings (After 2 of 10 rounds)
| 1. |
Hunter Lawrence |
(Hon) |
52/2 wins |
| 2. |
Max Anstie |
(Hon) |
44 |
| 3. |
Haiden Deegan |
(Yam) |
38 |
| 4. |
Jeremy Martin |
(Yam) |
36 |
| 5. |
Tom Vialle |
(KTM) |
33 |
| 6. |
Michael Mosiman |
(GG) |
33 |
| 7. |
Nate Thrasher |
(Yam) |
31 |
| 8. |
Chance Hymas |
(Hon) |
30 |
| 9. |
Jordon Smith |
(Yam) |
29 |
| 10. |
Jace Owen |
(Hon) |
23 |
Qualifying
Welcome to Tampa for round five of the 2023 Monster Energy AMA Supercross Series. Tonight’s military appreciation night sees most riders and teams sporting special kits in honor of those in the armed services. Stay tuned for more updates throughout the day.
450SX
The Tampa track is tight and features a huge sand section that’s sure to give the riders fits all night long. Everyone is doing the relatively the same line in the rhythms so the lap times are tight. All of the top three riders dipped into the 48-second range and set the three best times of the day. Chase Sexton again ran the best time of the day just ahead of Jason Anderson and Eli Tomac.
Sexton secured the top spot in qualifying. Photos: Brown Dog Wilson
Jason Anderson was second just ahead of Tomac.
Eli Tomac rounded out the podium in qualifying.
450SX Combined Qualifying (Top 10)
| 1. |
Chase Sexton |
(Hon) |
48.555 |
| 2. |
Jason Anderson |
(Kaw) |
48.599 |
| 3. |
Eli Tomac |
(Yam) |
48.711 |
| 4. |
Adam Cianciarulo |
(Kaw) |
49.051 |
| 5. |
Cooper Webb |
(KTM) |
49.355 |
| 6. |
Justin Cooper |
(Yam) |
49.405 |
| 7. |
Ken Roczen |
(Suz) |
49.591 |
| 8. |
Christian Craig |
(Hus) |
49.880 |
| 9. |
Aaron Plessinger |
(KTM) |
49.945 |
| 10. |
Benny Bloss |
(Yam) |
50.436 |
250SX
Hunter Lawrence topped the time sheets late in the final session as he was the only 250 rider to dip into the 49 second range. Jordon Smith grabbed second just three-tenths ahead of Max Anstie.
Hunter Lawrence claimed the fastest 250 time, the only one to get into the 49’s. Photo: Brown Dog Wilson
Jordon Smith clocked the second fastest time.
Max Anstie is fast again today. He’s third going into the night show.
250SX East Combined Qualifying (Top 10)
| 1. |
Hunter Lawrence |
(Hon) |
49.708 |
| 2. |
Jordon Smith |
(Yam) |
50.081 |
| 3. |
Max Anstie |
(Hon) |
50.345 |
| 4. |
Nate Thrasher |
(Yam) |
50.415 |
| 5. |
Chance Hymas |
(Hon) |
50.470 |
| 6. |
Michael Mosiman |
(GG) |
50.537 |
| 7. |
Jeremy Martin |
(Yam) |
51.237 |
| 8. |
Tom Vialle |
(KTM) |
51.423 |
| 9. |
Haiden Deegan |
(Yam) |
51.457 |
| 10. |
Cullin Park |
(Hon) |
51.781 |
Pics From The Pits
Ken Roczen’s Progressive Suzuki has some ghosted military themed graphics. Photos: Brown Dog Wilson
While the Twisted Tea / HEP team is rocking this Warthog theme.
Here’s the full kit on Kyle Chisholm’s RM-Z.
Tan and camo for Jeremy Martin and the Club MX team.
The Phoenix Honda team is rocking this Army green livery. Here’s Caden Braswell #243.
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