GEICO Honda Pre-Race Report

SALT LAKE CITY - The Monster Energy AMA Supercross event at Rice-Eccles Stadium has always been a magical place for GEICO Honda 250SX West rider Eli Tomac and never more magical than last year.

In 2012, Tomac came into Salt Lake City as one of three riders with a legitimate shot at the West title, and through skilled riding and a few breaks he left as the champion.

"It's always been one of my favorite tracks," Tomac said. "I've won both times I've raced here. We'll see if we can make it a three-peat. I think I've got a good shot at it because I always race well in the thin air."

With two races left on the schedule and a 20-point deficit to make up on current 250SX West leader Ken Roczen, Tomac is looking for a little more magic from the stop in Utah.

"We're hoping for a big swing in the points, that's for sure," Tomac said. "I need to do my part in that. It's good to know it's a round where I normally do well at. You don't have that thing in the back of your mind second guessing you because you aren't comfortable. If I run my normal Salt Lake race, I'll do exactly what I need to do to stay in the hunt."

Tomac's teammate Zach Osborne is coming off his strongest race of the season, a third-place finish last weekend in Seattle. Osborne was glad to finally be healthy again and ride in the style he's used to.

"Just being healthy was the main thing," Osborne said. "I didn't have to nurse my shoulder any more and I felt good at the track. It let me do what I normally do. I think that regular routine was the main thing."

Osborne is hoping to end the indoor season strong and carry that momentum into the motocross season in a few weeks.

"It was the kind of finish you can really build on," Osborne said. "Ending the year with more finishes like that is definitely within reach."

Osborne still has a chance at finishing the season in the top three. He currently sits fourth and is only 11 points behind Cole Seely for third place.

Practice for the Monster Energy AMA Supercross race starts at 12:30 p.m. MDT on Saturday from Rice-Eccles Stadium. Opening ceremonies start at 7 p.m. SPEED TV will broadcast the race live starting at 9:30 p.m. EDT.