With clear skies over Daytona International Speedway Saturday night, Eli Tomac, reigning series champion, took home the win at the 51st Annual DAYTONA Supercross.
Colorado’s Tomac, aboard a Kawasaki, tied the Greatest of All Time Ricky Carmichael with his fifth win at the DAYTONA Supercross. His other titles came in 2016, ’17, ’19 and ‘20. Tomac led from the first lap in the 20-minute/plus one lap race to take home the victory.
He tied Carmichael, who said, “I think he’s got even more wins (at Daytona) in him.”
The 2019 series champion Cooper Webb, from nearby Clermont, Fla., finished second on a KTM bike. Aaron Plessinger, from Hamilton, Ohio, finished third, his first career podium finish. Ken Roczen, still looking for his first Daytona triumph, was fourth.
“All I can say is that Daytona is our house,” said Tomac. “I love it. I was so pumped on that start. It was crucial for us to get this win. I just love riding my dirt bike here and it shows. This was so big for us.”
The DAYTONA Supercross, the longest continuous Supercross race in America dating back to 1971, featured the best Supercross riders in the world battling for a coveted win in this special Monster Energy AMA Supercross, an FIM World Championship event. For the 14th straight year, five-time DAYTONA Supercross champion Ricky Carmichael lent his signature design to the most grueling Supercross course on the circuit.
Prior to the headlining 450SX main event, the 250SX main was won by first-time winner 23-year-old Cameron McAdoo of Sioux City, Iowa on a Kawasaki. Riders from the Monster Energy Pro Circuit Kawasaki team have won four of the last five years here. McAdoo had a sizable lead and a dominating victory – the first of his career in 250SX competition. GasGas rider Pierce Brown of Sandy, Utah and Husqvarna rider Stilez Robertson of Bakersfield, Cali. finished second and third.
“This is unreal,” said McAdoo. “That is what we worked for, and I have such a great group of people behind me. I have all the guys at Kawasaki and my whole family to thank. My mom is up in section 365 (of the Daytona frontstretch seating). A shout out to her, because in 2016 she drove me here in a van. This is just awesome. We worked our butts off to get here, but this is just the beginning.”
Racing began Saturday night with heat events – two apiece for the 450SX and 250SX classes with each heat sending nine drivers to the main events. Webb and Roczen won the 450 heats, while Cameron McAdoo (Kawasaki) and Hunter Lawrence (Honda) took the 250 heats.
Following the heats, respective Last Chance Qualifier (LCQ) races advanced the top-four finishers from each going to the mains. Hardy Munoz (Yamaha) took the 250SX LCQ; Dean Wilson (Husqvarna) was the 450SX winner.
Bike Week At DAYTONA continues through March 13 where fans and visitors can enjoy the Bike Week Motorcycle Marketplace, the area’s largest motorcycle marketplace featuring the nation’s top motorcycle parts and apparel vendors. This will be the only Bike Week location in the Daytona Beach area offering free manufacturer demo rides. Participating manufacturers include BMW, Kawasaki, Indian, Polaris, Vanderhall and Yamaha. Guests can also enjoy Harley-Davidson Thunder Alley featuring free live music and the latest Harley-Davidson rides and gear.
Tickets are still available for America’s most historic motorcycle race, the 79th DAYTONA 200, on Saturday, March 13 and start at $30 with kids 12 and under free. To purchase tickets, please visit www.daytonainternationalspeedway.com or call 1-800-PITSHOP.
To ensure the safest environment possible for guests, Daytona International Speedway is implementing enhanced COVID-19 safety protocols and procedures including screening guests before entering the facility, requiring face coverings to be worn and six feet social distancing maintained throughout their visit.
For information on other Daytona International Speedway Bike Week events, please visit www.daytonainternationalspeedway.com. Fans can stay connected with Daytona International Speedway and see the latest speedway news on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.
About Daytona International Speedway
Daytona International Speedway is a state-of-the-art motorsports facility and was awarded the SportsBusiness Journal’s prestigious Sports Business Award for Sports Facility of the Year in 2016. Daytona International Speedway is the home of The Great American Race – the DAYTONA 500. Though the season-opening NASCAR Cup Series event garners most of the attention – as well as the largest audience in motorsports – the approximately 500-acre motorsports complex, also known as the World Center of Racing, boasts the most diverse schedule of racing on the globe. In addition to at least nine major event weekends, the Speedway grounds are also used extensively for events that include concerts, civic and social gatherings, car shows, photo shoots, production vehicle testing and police motorcycle training.