2018 GLEN HELEN NATIONAL | THE AFTERMATH

On May 28, 2018 Last updated May 29, 2018

The 2018 Glen Helen National is in the books.

Photos by Spencer Owens

On this day in moto, fans gathered from near and far to watch the historical Glen Helen National for round 2 of the 2018 Lucas Oil Pro Motocross Championship. The weather was different throughout the day. In early morning practice there was a light rain keeping the track wet. Towards the end of the day, the sun started to shine through and offered a nice cool breeze (or maybe that was from the riders speeding through Talladega). Fans were spread all over to witness the racing action.

In 250 qualifying, it was all about Justin Cooper. He clocked the fastest time in session 1.

In the 450 class, Jason Anderson clocked in with the top spot.

After qualifying was over, it was time to race for the prize. These were the weekends trophies. Not as fancy as the year before.

As is normal at Glen Helen, minimal track work was done in between practice and the races. They like the track to get rough. They got their wish.

Alex Ray had a few bad crashes that kept the Factory Yamaha team busy, but ended up with the first top twenty of his career.

250 rookie, Chase Felong gave the fans some love during the parade lap.

It’s time to go racing!

250 NATIONAL MOTO ONE

Jeremy Martin jumped out front in the first 20 feet in the first moto. He ended up with a 5-2 day for 3rd overall.

Justin Cooper crossed the line at the end of the first 250 moto in 4th place.

Alex Martin sscored a third place finish in moto one—Alex has won at Glen Helen in the past.

Zach Osborne pulled the holeshot and looked like he was going to repeat last week’s dominance, but Aaron Plessinger had other ideas and shot into the lead. Zach chased, but tipped over in a corner and had to settle for 2nd.

And Aaron Plessinger took the first moto win easily.

250 MOTO 1 RESULTS (TOP 22)

Aaron Plessinger (Yam)
Zach Osborne (Hus)
Alex Martin (KTM)
Justin Cooper (Yam)
Jeremy Martin (Hon)
Joey Savatgy (Kaw)
Garrett Marchbanks (Kaw)
RJ Hampshire (Hon)
Shane McElrath (KTM)
Chase Sexton (Hon)
Jordan Smith (KTM)
Sean Cantrell (KTM)
Austin Forkner (Kaw)
Jordan Bailey (Hus)
Dakota Alix (KTM)
Martin Castelo (Yam)
Justin Hill (Suz)
Michael Mosiman (Hus)
Enzo Lopes (Suz)
Ryan Surratt (KTM)
Austin Root (Hus)
Gustavo De Souza (Hon)

450 NATIONAL MOTO ONE

Christian Craig pulled the holeshot of the first 450 moto, but came up way short on a step-up tabletop in the canyon. He crashed on the other side and tore his ACL.

Blake Baggett stayed in the top 5 in the first moto.

Jason Anderson put his overall win chances in doubt when he scored a 4th in the first moto.

It was a successful race for Ken Roczen. He managed to lead multiple laps in moto one, and when he finally faltered he held on for a great 3rd in the first moto. Not bad for his second race back from sticking his hand in Cooper Webb’s rear wheel.

Marvin Musquin always keeps himself in the front. He finished second in the first 450 moto.

But moto one was all about Eli Tomac. He took the moto win.

450 MOTO 1 RESULTS (TOP 22)

Eli Tomac (Kaw)
Marvin Musquin (KTM)
Ken Roczen (Hon)
Jason Anderson (Hus)
Blake Baggett (KTM)
Justin Barcia (Yam)
Weston Peick (Suz)
Kyle Cunningham (Suz)
Dylan Merriam (Yam)
Phil Nicoletti (Suz)
Kyle Chisholm (Yam)
Bradley Taft (Hus)
Ben Lamay (Hon)
Brandon Scharer (Yam)
Toshiki Tomita (Hon)
Cody Cooper (Hon)
Bradley Lionnet (Hon)
Chris Alldredge (KTM)
Alex Ray (Yam)
Cade Autenrieth (KTM)
Dare DeMartile (Hon)
Benny Bloss (KTM)

250 NATIONAL MOTO TWO

Chase Sexton awaits the second 250 moto.

There were fans as far as the eye could see at Glen Helen.

As the 250 revs were heard throughout the valley, it was time to drop the gate for their final moto of the day. Alex Martin (26), Zach Osborne (1) and Jeremy Martin (6) tie for the holeshot. It went to Alex.

RJ Hampshire gets off a little sketchy on the Shoei uphill in the opening laps.

Joey Savatgy went 6-4 for a 5th overall on the day.

It was a rough day for the defending champion. Zach Osborne went 2-5 for a 4th overall after a nasty crash in the rolling whoops that saw his bike lodged in the fence.

Jeremy Martin pushed hard in the second moto. He crossed the line with a 5-2 score for 3rd overall.

Off the gate, Alex Martin took the lead and managed to hold the lead until Aaron Plessinger got up to him. In the end, Alex went 3-2 for a second overall.

Aaron Plessinger went 1-1 on the day and dominated Glen Helen.

250 OVERALL RACE RESULTS (TOP 22)

Aaron Plessinger (Yam)–1-1
Alex Martin (KTM)–3-3
Jeremy Martin (Hon)–5-2
Zach Osborne (Hus)–2-5
Joey Savatgy (Kaw)–6-4
Justin Cooper (Yam)–4-7
RJ Hampshire (Hon)–8-9
Garrett Marchbanks (Kaw)–7-10
Chase Sexton (Hon)–10-8
Austin Forkner (Kaw)–13-6
Shane McElrath (KTM)–9-12
Jordan Smith (KTM)–11-14
Jordan Bailey (Hus)–14-13
Sean Cantrell (KTM)–12-15
Justin Hill (Suz)–17-11
Martin Castelo (Yam)–16-17
Michael Mosiman (Hus)–18-18
Dakota Alix (KTM)–15-37
Brandon Hartranft (Yam)–35-16
Challenge Tennant (Yam)–38-19
Ryan Surratt (KTM)–20-20
Enzo Lopes (Suz)–19-21

450 NATIONAL MOTO TWO

The Cycle Trader Yamaha Team had the best seats in the house for the final 450 moto of the day.

And they’re off!

After a successful first moto for Ken Roczen, the second moto didn’t go as planned. He got a rock stuck in his countershaft sprocket and had to cruise back to the mechanics area to get some help. He then took of in last place and worked his way through the field to 8th. He went 3-8 for a 5th overall.

Justin Barcia made the most of a tough day as well. He went 6-4 for a 4th overall.

Jason Anderson lead 12 of the 14 laps in the final moto until getting passed for the lead by Eli Tomac. He went 4-2 for a 3rd overall.

Marvin Musquin was also in the front group, but couldn’t find the same rhythm at Glen Helen as Eli Tomac did. Marvin went 2-3 for a 2nd overall.

Eli Tomac was phenomenal at Glen Helen. He caught and passed Jason Anderon by turning the same 2:40 laps times on the last lap as he did on the first lap—while everyone else dropped to 2:42 or worse. Eli Tomac took the 1-1 overall win.

450 OVERALL RACE RESULTS (TOP 22)

Eli Tomac (Kaw)–1-1
Marvin Musquin (KTM)–2-3
Jason Anderson (Hus)–4-2
Justin Barcia (Yam)–6-4
Ken Roczen (Hon)–3-8
Weston Peick (Suz)–7-5
Blake Baggett (KTM)–5-9
Phil Nicoletti (Suz)–10-7
Kyle Chisholm (Yam)–11-11
Cody Cooper (Hon)–16-10
Benny Bloss (KTM)–22-6
Brandon Scharer (Yam)–14-13
Kyle Cunningham (Suz)–8-37
Toshiki Tomita (Hon)–15-15
Ben Lamay (Hon)–13-17
Bradley Taft (Hus)–12-18
Dylan Merriam (Yam)–9-39
Alex Ray (Yam)–19-12
Cade Autenrieth (KTM)–20-14
Dare DeMartile (Hon)–21-16
Bradley Lionnet (Hon)–17-23
Chris Alldredge (KTM)–18-35

2018 GLEN HELEN NATIONAL | COMPLETE COVERAGE