450 Class Group A

When the top-level premier class riders took to the track for the first time, it was Chase Sexton who jumped to the top spot with a first fast lap of 2:23.457 on the third lap. Aaron Plessinger put in a 2:23.592 on the fourth lap as the field continued to navigate the track. The top six riders are in the 2:23 range as 15th in the session (ironically Dean Wilson) and back are past the 2:30 range. The track is soft as some dirt sticks to the bodies and bikes of the riders but it’s far from sloppy. So far, the track has been soft enough for ruts and there does not appear to be any puddles of still water on the track. In 2019, Roczen topped the overall qualifying with a whopoping 2:11.482 (almost three seconds faster than second-place qualifier Cooper Webb) but so far no one has gotten close to that. It’s partly because the adjusted turn in the back corner that adds a few seconds to each lap but also because the track is rough and still soft and not hardened up and super rutted yet. The times could drop in the second sessions as the dirt packs in with some sun and laps ridden.

Speaking of the weather has been great so far. We have avoided rain so far this morning and the sun is continuing to shine through the clouds. If it fully breaks through the track could dry and rut up, but with the low temperatures it might be quite as deep and hard as typical Unadilla fashion.

250 Qualifying Session 1

250 Class Group A

In the first 250 Class A session, RJ Hampshire and Pierce Brown led the field in the results column. His 2:26.534 on the second lap held on for the top time of the session as Brown’s 2:26.833 was bested by Jeremy Martin 2:26.634 and Hunter Lawrence 2:26.815 a few laps later. Seth Hammaker’s 2:28.345 puts him ninth after the first session in his return to the championship.

250 Class Group B

Late in the first 250 Class B session, debutant Tommy Rios dropped a 2:34.762 on his fresh-numbed #172 Manluk/Rock River Yamaha/Merge Racing YZ250F. Rios’ time was almost three seconds faster than Jared Lesher’s 2:37.578, which was good enough for second in the session. The top five in the group were under the 2:40 range but the times dropped significantly throughout the remaining 36 riders.

250 Qualifying Session 2

450 Class Group B

When riders took to the track for the second session of the day, the times were several seconds faster. Once again, Smith and Thury went 1-2 in the 450 Class group B session, but Smith’s time was about four seconds faster this session.

450 Class Group A

On the first fast laps of the 450 Class final session, Plessinger and Sexton battled for the top spot as they traded 2:23s leading the field around the facility. Roczen pitted at one point and the team was working on his bike. But then the #94 went out and put in a 2:21.338, which bumped him to the top spot of the session and the top time of the day. Sexton put in a 2:22.492 which moved him to second as a 2:22.828 by Dylan Ferrandis moved the #14 into third. Webb rounded out the top with a 2:23.407 then Christian Craig in sixth had a 2:25.043. Coty Schock put down a 2:25.314 ahead of Marvin Musquin, Justin Bogle, and Eli Tomac. Musquin, jumped into fifth following a 2:23.043 and then Joey Savatgy made his way into fourth in the session with a 2:22.720. By the time the session ended, Roczen’s 2:21.338 gave the Honda HRC rider the top time of the day.

“The track is absolutely perfect right now,” Roczen said. “We got a lot of really good, long ruts. ...I’m enjoying it out there—I always do. I like these kind of conditions, I like the clay and the ruts. I’m having a blast out there... The track is super fast at the same time. We really gotta be smart, keep our eyes open and look for some good lines. ...Really enjoying the weather right now, too. We’ve been racing in some hotter conditions so this is a nice change to Florida [training].”

This was Roczen’s fourth time as the top qualifier. His 3.3 average starting position is currently second to Ferrandis’ class-leading 2.3 amongst active riders this season. Plessinger’s solid run this morning could be a teaser of what is to come when the gate drops. The Ohio native excels on these East Coast, rutted style tracks so don’t be surprised if the #7 is near the front of the field today.

250 Class Group A

The times for the 250 Class riders dropped during the second session as well. Justin Cooper’s 2:21.980 not only bested Hampshire’s 2:26.534 from the first session, but the #32’s time was over a second faster than the second-place position in the second session, which was a 2:23.233 by Hampshire. Jo Shimoda, Jalek Swoll, and Hunter Lawrence were all under the 2:25 mark as Jett Lawrence sat sixth with a 2:25.619. Several laps later, Hammaker and Garrett Marchbanks had made their way into the top six, bumping Hunter Lawrence to seventh. Cooper’s time stood through the remainder of the session, as he claimed the overall qualifying spot for the sixth time.