Suzuki Teams Battle as the Summer Season Heats Up
Brea, CA – (June 3, 2024) –The Hangtown Motocross Classic in Sacramento, California hosted Round 2 of the 2024 AMA Pro Motocross season. High temperatures met the racers on a track redesign that increased speeds at the storied, hillside venue.
Race Highlights:
- Twisted Tea Suzuki presented by Progressive Insurance
- 450 Class
- Kyle Chisholm earned a top-ten result in his first qualifying session.
- Shane McElrath charged hard, moving forward early in both Hangtown motos.
- 450 Class
- Toyota Redlands BarX Suzuki
- 450 Class
- Max Miller used a top-five result in the Consolation race to earn a transfer into the Hangtown motos.
- 250 Class
- Dilan Schwartz scored top-15 points in the first moto.
- Preston Boespflug won the 250-class Consolation race.
- Leo Tucker battled in the second 250-class moto.
- 450 Class
Kyle Chisholm (11) was fast all day on the redesigned Hangtown track.
Kyle Chisholm (11) gelled with the high-speed and choppy Hangtown track, putting down fast lap times in both qualifying sessions. Chisholm used his Twisted Tea Suzuki RM-Z450’s power to pull down strong starts in both motos.
“I felt great on my Suzuki pretty much all day,” said Chisholm. “In the first moto I didn’t get out to the best start, but I made some good passes. I ran 14th for a lot of the first moto, and I was more in the battle, which was good. In the second moto, I ripped a good start. I was in ninth on the first two laps, then I ran in 12th or 13th for most of the race. I started making a push after halfway; I could see the top ten, they were not far in front of me. I was riding well, I felt good, the RM-Z was working great. I was pushing and just hit a little rock going into a turn. It popped my front wheel out of the rut, and I just tipped over, having washed the front end out. My leg was stuck under the bike for a while. It took me a while to get my leg out and get up and get going. So it wasn't a good overall result, but I did ride well. I’m happy with my riding, the team did great, and the Suzuki was strong all day.”
Shane McElrath (12) showed strong speed in his first qualifying session.
Shane McElrath (12) delivered a top-15 result in the first qualifying session, qualified inside the top 20 in the second session and in the overall qualifying ranks. In the motos, McElrath charged from mid-pack starts to battle on the choppy Hangtown track.
“We're trying to figure things out, trying to be patient and take things in stride, but it's not easy,” admitted McElrath. “I went as fast as I could today, and that's not really saying much. It's frustrating, and disappointing. All we can do is get back to work and continue trying things and searching. I'm just out there and everybody else is racing. I'm trying to figure that out, trying to keep my confidence up, and keep improving.”
Max Miller (87) showed great speed in the early laps, gaining more 450-class experience.
Max Miller (87) was fast in qualifying yet missed a direct transfer into the motos by a single position. Miller earned his way in with a top-four finish in the LCQ, then battled for championship points through both motos.
“The track was brutal today,” reported Miller. “I struggled to find a flow, but raced hard. I’m ready to keep working and improving in Colorado!”
Dilan Schwartz (40) put in an incredible charge in the first moto, racing deep into the points-paying positions.
Dilan Schwartz (40) looked strong in qualifying at his second race back from a wrist injury. In the first moto, Schwartz put on an impressive charge, making multiple passes per lap in the early going. Schwartz finished that race with a top-15 result, bringing home good Championship points from a top-20 overall on the day.
“In the first moto I had an issue and had to go into the mechanics’ area, leaving me 39th; but I ended up riding well and coming back to 15th,” said Schwartz. “In the second moto. my wrist started hurting badly, but I salvaged a 19th.”
Preston Boespflug (128) showed great speed, but a rough, first-turn crash prevented him from turning his speed into championship points.
Preston Boespflug (128) had a good start and passed into the lead for the win in the LCQ. In Moto 1, Boespflug got tangled up in a first-turn crash that unfortunately ended his race day early with an injured thumb.
“It was a rough day for me, but I’ll be back in a couple of weeks!” said Boespflug. “Thank you Toyota Redlands BarX Suzuki for the support.”
Leo Tucker (154) battled hard for positions during the second moto.
Leo Tucker (154) missed qualifying directly into the motos by a single position. A first turn pile-up in Moto 1 opened up some gate positions, and Tucker lined up and raced the second Hangtown moto.
“Like last week, I struggled in qualifying, just missing out qualifying directly by four spots,” explained Tucker. “I went to the LCQ and had an average start and charged all the way to the finish. I came up just short with a P-5. I watched Moto 1 from the sidelines but was called to race for Moto 2. I had a good first few laps, then unfortunately had some things happen out of my control; but we will keep fighting and pushing!”
“It was another rough weekend,” said Larry Brooks, Team Manager for Twisted Tea/H.E.P. Motorsports/Suzuki presented by Progressive Insurance. “Kyle Chisholm rode pretty hard, but Shane McElrath struggled this weekend. All we can do is keep our heads up, keep swinging, and continue making some changes this week to improve at Colorado next weekend.”
“Today was challenging for the whole team,” admitted James Coy, Toyota Redlands BarX Suzuki Team Manager. “Unfortunately, not every race goes the way we want it to. We will learn from this, regroup, and come back strong at the next race.”
The Suzuki teams now start the summer push east. Round 3 takes place this Saturday at Thunder Valley Motocross Park in Lakewood, Colorado. The Suzuki riders look forward to climbing up in the point standings throughout the 11-round Pro Motocross series.
Please visit SuzukiCycles.com/Racing/Motocross and HEPMotorsports.com for more team news.
Photos by BrownDogWilson Photography