Honda Riders Top the Podium, Regain Lites Points Lead in Seattle

Race fans filled Century Link Field in Seattle, WA, on Saturday night to see Honda riders take on Round 15 of the Monster Energy AMA Supercross, an FIM World Championship series. Team Honda Muscle Milk's Justin Brayton rode a strong race to place fourth overall, while L&Mc Racing's Andrew Short put in an impressive ride aboard his Honda CRF450R to grab his career-first Supercross win. GEICO Honda's Eli Tomac had another solid ride aboard his CRF250R, finishing third overall to regain the Lites West points lead.

The Race

After placing third overall in his heat race, Team Honda Muscle Milk's Justin Brayton was ready to take on the main. On the first lap, Brayton began working his way towards the front of the pack and was able to stay consistent under the pressure of multiple riders to finish fourth. "I'm happy to finish fourth and be able to get some valuable points," said Brayton. "I'm just ready to be in that top position. The bike was running great, so I'm ready to go home, continue my training this week and head into Salt Lake City strong."

In the main event, L&Mc Racing's Andrew Short was quick to find his groove on the challenging Seattle track after grabbing the holeshot aboard his Honda CRF450R. Despite being pressured early in the race, Short was able to maintain his lead. He rode a consistent and solid race all the way to the checkered flag to take his first Supercross class win. 

"This feeling is completely unreal to me, and I don't even know what to say," Short stated. "After my heat race, I knew track position off the start was huge, so I really tried to dig deep to grab a good start and maintain it the entire race. I have been close to winning before but was never able to pull it all together. Now to be able to get this win after coming off an injury is huge. I was really nervous the whole race, so being able to see that checkered flag while being in the lead is unreal. I'm so excited for my team, myself and my family."

In the Supercross Lites West competition, GEICO Honda's Eli Tomac had an exciting race, exchanging hard passes with another rider. Tomac was able to battle his way to a third-place finish, despite having a bent shifter. "That was the wildest race of my entire life," said Tomac. "It started a little rough, obviously, with the battle between me and Wilson. We made a few contact passes, but unfortunately there weren't many places to pass on the track. My focus is just to be smart and finish strong the rest of the rounds. I'm here for the championship."

Troy Lee Designs/Lucas Oil/Honda's Cole Seely rode a solid race to finish fourth, followed by GEICO Honda's Wil Hahn.

The Focus: Dunlop

Dunlop has an unequaled win record in virtually every form of AMA racing and as a Honda racing team sponsor for more than two decades, has contributed immensely to the motocross team's record 61 national titles. Working hand in hand with Honda's factory riders and technicians guarantees cutting-edge tire technology for the Honda team, and the partnership pays dividends for weekend warriors through the development of off-road tires for riders of every level.

 

**  Courtesy of Honda Media Newsroom