Main image by Mitch Kendra

Welcome to the Race Day Feed, coming to you from Ford Field. From practice reports to the blow-by-blow from tonight’s program, you’ll find it all right here on the Racer X Race Day Feed. Updates are posted in chronological order, so be sure to scroll down for the latest info. For even more updates be sure to follow us on Twitter, @Racerxonline.

Morning Report

Good morning race fans! Coming to you live from Ford Field in Detroit, Michigan, ahead of today’s Detroit Supercross. The Detroit Supercross brings us to the tenth 450SX round of the 2023 season, and the sixth 250SX East Region event this season.

For the second consecutive weekend we are inside an NFL dome stadium. Expect some tacky conditions on the race track today. Just walking around during press day on Friday, members of the media had dirt mounds caked onto their shoes.

Tune in for all the action for today’s event via Peacock for qualifying and the night show main program.

In the 250SX Class, Hunter Lawrence has almost worked up a full race-worth of points back to second-place Max Anstie. The #96 has taken four race wins in the first five races as the 250SX East Region reaches the halfway point of its 10-round championship. Things are far from over, but Lawrence has a nice cushion should he run into trouble. Will Lawrence take the main event win tonight and continue to stack points up in the championship, or will Max Anstie, Nate Thrasher, Jordon Smith, Haiden Deegan, or more claim the win tonight? The latter three are in a close battle for third in the championship. Thrasher's second-place finish last weekend bumped him to third as just three points celebrate the three teammates. Give us your predictions in the comments section below. 

In the 450SX Class, Eli Tomac had a run as the points leader as he was off to the best start of his 450SX career, but Chase Sexton and Cooper Webb were keeping things within reach, both off to the best start of their 450SX seasons to date as well. At the Indianapolis Supercross last weekend, Webb entered down five points to Tomac, but a third by Webb and an eighth-place finish by Tomac allowed the #2 to take over the points lead. Webb said afterwards in the post-race press conference it was an odd feeling because, I’m paraphrasing here, he basically said, “I felt like I got my ass kicked today but then again we got the points lead at the end of the say.”

Tomac’s streak of having the points lead ended after an “off” night of racing. The defending champion revealed on Friday’s press day that he suffered a strained neck leading into last weekend’s race. The injury, paired with a very technical track, had Tomac feeling “extra handicapped.” He said he rode one day this week (Tuesday) and is doing much better. The #1 is looking to reclaim the points lead at a venue he has found success at before.

While Chase Sexton is only 13 points behind Webb entering today, the #23 cannot afford any more significant mistakes if he wants to remain in this championship battle. Another costly mistake from Sexton and we could have a two-horse race for the title between the two two-time 450SX champions.

Ken Roczen is coming off his maiden win of the season as Justin Barcia, Jason Anderson, and Aaron Plessinger have all shown speed this season. The later trio has podiums but are looking for their first win of the season. Could tonight be their night?

One injury to note is that Dylan Ferrandis is continued to be sidelined following a concussion recently. He will be reevaluated in the next coming weeks as a return to racing has yet to be determined.

For all injury news leading up to today's race, check out our Detroit Supercross injury report.

And another quick note on injuries: Scott Meshey had a crash during the early morning Friday press day riding session and ended up with a fractured left tibia. Heal up, Scott!

The riders will be taking to the track for track walk at 10:30 a.m. Eastern local time. Stay tuned here and on the Racer X Online social media accounts for more updates throughout the entire day. 

Free Practice

250SX 

In the first 250SX group A free practice session, Nate Thrasher topped the board with a 53.246. Thrasher, Jordon Smith, and Max Anstie were the three riders tripling out of the right-hand, 180-degree turn. They were able to go 3-3-3-2 and roll the single then jump table-over-single into the turn ahead of the dragon’s back. While the track map did not initially have the single out of the dragon’s back, we saw during yesterday’s press day action that the Dirt Wurx crew had built it in. the long whoop section gave several riders some trouble. Haiden Deegan almost went down exiting the section, but saved, although stalling his bike in the process. Talon Hawkins had a wild ride in the whoops as well, which he also saved. Michael Hicks went down in the whoops and had an issue getting his bike going again.

Note: these times do NOT count for overall qualifying.

250SX group A

450SX

When the 450SX group A free practice session took to the track, it was Jason Anderson and Eli Tomac leading the field around early as Chase Sexton went out dead last once everyone else had exited the first turn. Tomac’s 54.119 was the fastest first lap. Ken Roczen put down a 53.677 but then a Tomac heater of 53.129 took over the top spot again, which would eventually claim the top the session.

Remember, these times do NOT count for overall qualifying.

450SX group A

Check out some raw footage from Tom Journet’s camera from free practice.

First Qualifying Sessions

250SX

The first 250SX group A session took to the track, and it was Nate Thrasher, Jordon Smith, and Tom Vialle leading the field. Thrasher’s 54.930 was the fastest first lap, ahead of Vialle’s 58.733. Everyone else over the 1:01 mark. Smith’s first fast lap was a 54.343, bumping him to P2. Vialle went down in the whoops, as did Thrasher moments later. Vialle took a minute to regroup in the mechanics’ area before returning to the track. Smith ran into troubles of his own as he went down on the dragon’s back. On the sixth lap, Hunter Lawrence moved into P1 with a 53.996 on sixth. The #96 dropped his time to a 53.600, which topped the session. Smith, Anstie, Chris Blose, and Nate Thrasher rounded out the top five. Jeremy Martin and Haiden Deegan were sixth and seventh, respectively. Hardy Munoz did not start the session.

450SX

Justin Barcia, Jason Anderson, Adam Cianciarulo, Christian Craig, Chase Sexton, Cooper Webb, and Eli Tomac were out front early when the first 450SX group A session began. Anderson’s 53.777 was the top time early before Sexton’s 53.156 moved him into P1. Then Tomac’s 53.156 was P1 briefly before Sexton edged out his elder with a 53.124. Cooper Webb was riding alongside the whoops, as many riders have been today since the section is long and difficult. But the #2 was told to slow up by a flagger and he washed out on the slick plywood floor. He was up going again right afterwards. Anderson went sub-53 with a 52.984 but was immediately topped by a 52.770 from none other than Sexton. The #23’s final heater topped the session. According to the Race Day Live broadcast team, Sexton has topped 15 of the 19 qualifying sessions. To start this season. The speed is there for the #23, no doubt about that! The top six riders were all separated by just a second. We will see how the track shapes up and the times get improved for the second qualifying session.

Second Qualifying Sessions

250SX

Hunter Lawrence grabbed the fake holeshot as the 250SX group A second qualifying session began. The #96’s 52.814 was the fastest first lap of the session. Jordon Smith sat second with a 52.858 until Nate Thrasher went 52.583 to bump his teammate down to third. Lawrence put down a sub-52, going 51.999. The Honda HRC rider claimed his fifth consecutive overall qualifying spot in a row.

450SX

Cooper Webb grabbed the fake holeshot when the second 450SX qualifying session began. It was Adam Cianciarulo (53.698) who was P1 early, before a handful of fast laps shuffled the top ten around. Then, Anderson and Roczen were trading hot laps back and forth for P1. Halfway through the session, Sexton claimed the top spot with a 51.668. On the 11th—and very last lap of the session—both Anderson (51.491) AND Sexton (51.439) put in their best lap times of the session, with Sexton having the edge by just 0.052 seconds. At the tenth round of the season, this was the #23’s eighth time as the fastest overall 450SX qualifier.

Night Show

Heat Races

250SX 

Heat 1

The first heat race of the night kicked off and it was Haiden Deegan who grabbed the holeshot and early race lead! He had his teammate Jordon Smith on him quickly, but the two were riding really aggressive right off the bat. It cost Smith, who went down, remounted outside of the top five. Smith would crash in the whoops and then have one more crash on the dragon’s back before pulling into the mechanics’ area after only four full laps. He was credited with 22nd as he went back to the team truck in order to prep for the LCQ. The aggressive racing between teammates allowed Jeremy Martin to make a pass into the lead. The #6 would claim the heat race win ahead of Deegan and Coty Schock, who rode home a great heat in third place. Robert Hailey also had a crash and was able to get back to his feet under his own power. The lengthy rider then got onto the Alpinestars medical cart and headed through the tunnel.

Heat 2

When the gates dropped on the second 250SX heat race, it was Nate Thrasher grabbing the early race lead. He would be uncontested through most of the race, although Hunter Lawrence moved into second and was making a run at the #29. Thrasher held on for the race win ahead of the #96. Tom Vialle came through the checkered flag third and Chris Blose used a nice block pass on Cullin Park in order to take away fourth place. Park held on for fifth. Max Anstie was outside of the top ten early, but managed to come through in sixth. Talon Hawkins claimed the final transfer spot.

450SX 

Heat 1

In the first 450SX heat race of the night, it was Jason Anderson who jumped out of the first turn in the race lead. Cooper Webb was about tenth off the start, but eventually made his way up to fourth by the checkered flag. Anderson led all eight laps of the race uncontested. Justin Barcia came through second ahead of Adam Cianciarulo, Webb, and Justin Hill. Grant Harlan was off to a great start and was running third. The #78 eventually finished seventh. Kevin Moranz and Fredrick Noren claimed the final two transfer spots. Alex Ray, who suffered a finger injury earlier today, was out there riding slowly as the gate dropped. He went around a few sections of the track before pulling off after completing half a lap. Anderson claimed his third heat race win of the 2023 season. 

Heat 2

In the second 450SX heat race, Ken Roczen grabbed the holeshot ahead of Chase Sexton, Aaron Plessinger, Josh Cartwright, Eli Tomac, Shane McElrath, Christian Craig, and Justin Starling. Craig quickly made a pass on Cartwright to take over fourth place. Tomac made a pass on Craig to take over fourth. Sexton was gaining on Roczen in the whoops, but was not close enough to make a pass attempt. The top four started to separate themselves as Craig ran a distant fifth place, eight seconds back. Sexton eventually went for a pass on Roczen in the right-hand, 180-degree turn. The #23 became the new race leader and Roczen suddenly had Plessinger all over him. Sexton held on for the race win as Plessinger made a last-turn pass on the inside of Roczen to take second place! In the final transfer spot, Josh Cartwright was getting hounded by Kyle Chisholm. Cartwright washed the front end in the 90-degree turn before the dragon's back! Chisholm had nowhere to go so he ran into Cartwright's bike and went down as well! Cartwright got up faster and was able to claim the final transfer spot. Justin Starling came through tenth and Chisholm came through 13th. Sexton claimed his fifth heat race win of the season.

250SX LCQ

Out of the gates, Josiah Natzke grabbed the 250SX LCQ holeshot ahead of Gage Linville, Lance Kobusch, and Lane Allison. Jordon Smith was about mid-pack early but had an issue and could not get his bike started! Smith got going again in 20th and SOMEHOW charged up to fifth. Out front, Linville made his way into the lead. Natzke was shuffled back to fifth by Jack Chambers, who moved into the final transfer spot. Linville claimed the race win to become the sixth different 250SX East Region LCQ race winner in the first six events as he qualified for his first ever 250SX main event. Kobusch claimed second, Allison third, and Smith went at Chambers in the final turn. Smith swung wide, hoping to blast the berm and take the final spot. But Chambers went from the inside out, taking Smith into the Tuff Blox and down! Chambers held on as Smith came through seventh after remounting. It was quite the comeback ride for Smith, unfortunately he came up just short.

450SX LCQ

The 450SX LCQ got off the gates and it was Justin Starling leading early. The race was quickly red flagged, and it appeared a rider was down as the red cross flags were waiving. However, that was not the case, as no one crashed. Race Day Live trackside announcer Dan Hubbard said the restart was called for as we had a gate malfunction, causing it to bounce upon initial drop.

Once the restart gate dropped, it was Chase Marquier out front. Kyle Chisholm made his way to the race lead. Chisholm would take the race win ahead of Marquier, Josh Hill, and Justin Starling.

250SX Main Event

When the gates dropped on the points-paying main event, it was Hunter Lawrence positioned himself in the race lead ahead of Jeremy Martin and Haiden Deegan. Max Anstie went down in the rhythm section after the second turn and was dead last. He pitted briefly and completed only two laps before his night was over. Talon Hawkins had an early lap crash in the whoops that dropped him to 21st. Thrasher got by Martin to move into P2. The two made contact in a turn but both stayed up and kept racing forward. Deegan was shuffled back to fourth but made a pass on the inside of the 180-degree right-hand turn two, giving him P3. Lawrence navigated lappers well and held on for the race win, his fifth of the season and his tenth career 250SX main event win. Thrasher came through 7.685 seconds back. Deegan claimed his second career main event podium. Martin and Chris Blose rounded out the top five. The official points have yet to be released, but with Anstie having a 22nd-place finish, Lawrence will have over a full race (26 points) back to second place in the standings, which will become Thrasher.

450SX Main Event

After some track maintenance, the final race of the night was up next. The gates dropped on the 450SX main event and it was Aaron Plessinger and Adam Cianciarulo out front early. Cianciarulo jumped ahead but Plessinger made a pass in the end of the whoops section, causing the crowd to erupt. The race order was Plessinger, Cianciarulo, Cooper Webb, Eli Tomac, Ken Roczen, Chase Sexton, Kevin Moranz, and Jason Anderson. Justin Barcia made his way into the top five ahead of Roczen, Sexton, and Anderson. Cianciarulo messed up the long rhythm section down the sideline and Webb took over P2. AC was then passed by Tomac and Barcia in the back-to-back 180-degree turns on the starting straight. Webb, Tomac, and Barcia were all battling for P2, switching back and forth for a few laps. Out front, Plessinger started to open up a slight lead on the three-way battle behind him. At some point, Barcia, Tomac, and Webb all traded positions a few times. Eventually Sexton joined the party, bumping Tomac to fifth as the #23 took over fourth place. Then the #23 made his way up to second as he got around both Webb AND Barcia. Out front, Plessinger had about an eight-second lead. Slowly, Sexton started chipping away at it. But Plessinger was consistent out front, clicking off smooth lap after smooth lap. Dean Wilson went down on the double-double section across the starting line, which comes into play here later.

Tomac got around Barcia to take over fourth as Plessinger’s lead was cut to about 3.86 seconds. Suddenly, the gap was gone and the #7 was on the ground. Plessinger had caught his foot in a rut and got ripped off the back of his bike on the single-table-single before the dragon’s back. As the #7 got up and evaluated himself after the hard fall, Sexton snuck past, and got the white flag in the next turn.

Sexton led the next lap and claimed the race win as Plessinger got up and on bike before going a short distance, dropping his bike, and going to the ground. A member of the Alpinestars medical crew tended to him before he got up and rode from beside the dragon’s back through the final turn to take the checkered flag. He was a lap down from the race winner Sexton and was credited with 13th place. Webb came through to claim second ahead of Tomac.

But going back to Wilson’s crash: during our media scrum, we learned that the AMA had handed out a penalty to Sexton, who jumped the huge double across the starting straight, while the rest of the field rolled it. The AMA said Sexton will keep the win, but he will receive a seven-point penalty situation (so he gets 19 points instead of 26 points) and he gets to keep the win. This follows exactly what the rulebook says.