Round Nine – Southwick MX 8/11/12
Monster Energy/Pro Circuit/Kawasaki’s Blake Baggett commanded his fourth overall win of the 2012 AMA Pro Motocross Championship at Moto-X 338 in Southwick, Mass., with an exciting late-race pass to steal the win with a 3-1 moto result. Baggett battled through erratic weather, a challenging track, and a field of hungry competitors to extend his point lead and keep the red plates on his KX™250F for the ninth-consecutive round.
Baggett came to Southwick a few days early to participate in press day and take a few laps on the dry and sandy track. By Saturday, storms had inundated the area and saturated the track, completely changing the dynamic of the sand-based track. Baggett quickly adapted to the conditions and set the second fastest qualifying time in the 250 class. In the first moto, Baggett got a good start and rode to a third-place finish. In the second moto, Baggett got a better jump off the gate and rounded the first turn in third. He made a pass for second on lap three and began pacing the leader. As the track continued to break down, Baggett kept pressure on the leader while testing new lines. Battling back and forth, Baggett finally got the pass for the lead to stick with two laps remaining. The exciting battle ended with Baggett on top of the podium with a 3-1 result, marking his ninth moto win of the season, and extended his points lead to 24.
“I gave it everything I had out there,” said Baggett. “In the second moto I was trying different lines and feeling out every possible place I could to get around Ken (Roczen). I was tired, but dug deep and was able to get the pass to stick to take the win. I really enjoy racing against Ken, its fun racing against someone who is creative with their lines and races clean. The track at Moto-X 338 is pretty gnarly because it’s really tight and has a lot of bumps. I grew up in Southern California so riding in the deep sand doesn’t come naturally for me, I prefer hardpack. I’m happy I was able to stretch my points lead and want to keep earning as many points as possible to cushion myself as we head into the last rounds of the season. It only takes one point to earn the championship so I am going to fight for every point.”
Next weekend, Monster Energy Kawasaki heads Unadilla MX in New Berlin, N.Y., for Round 10 of the AMA Pro Motocross Championship series. For live event coverage tune into FUEL TV on August 18, 2012, at 12:30 p.m. EDT to catch the first motos in both classes, then switch over to NBC at 3:00 p.m. EDT for the second 450 class moto and NBC Sports Network at 4:00 p.m. EDT for the second 250 class moto.
250 Class Championship Standings
1. BLAKE BAGGETT, GRAND TERRACE, CALIF., MONSTER ENERGY/PRO CIRCUIT/KAWASAKI, 400
2. Justin Barcia, Monroe, N.Y., Honda, 376
3. Eli Tomac, Cortez, Colo., Honda, 368
4. Ken Roczen, Apolda, Germany, KTM, 345
5. Marvin Musquin, La Reole, France, KTM, 294
6. Wil Hahn, Decatur, Texas, Honda, 230
7. Blake Wharton, Pilot Point, Texas, Suzuki, 197
8. Jason Anderson, Edgewood, N.M, Suzuki, 181
9. Jessy Nelson, Paso Robles, Calif., Honda, 170
10. Travis Baker, Temecula, Calif., Honda, 156
15. IVAN TEDESCO, ALBURQUEQUE, N.M., MONSTER ENERGY/PRO CIRCUIT/KAWASAKI, 105
