Brea, CA - (March 31, 2025) - Round 11 of the Monster Energy AMA Supercross Championship delivered clear skies and excellent track conditions despite heavy rains prior to the event. A rain schedule curtailed the daytime practice and qualifying program, giving the riders less time to learn the track and its obstacles. When the night racing began, the track was in excellent condition yet still developed the treacherous ruts that the riders expect from the dirt at Lumen Field.
Race Highlights:
- Progressive Insurance ECSTAR Suzuki
- 450 Class
- Ken Roczen, with an injured shoulder, led nine of 26 laps and earned his ninth top-five result of the season.
- Twisted Tea Suzuki Presented by Progressive Insurance
- 450 Class
- Colt Nichols delivered his season-best heat race result.
- Kyle Chisholm brought home his season-best result in the main event.
Ken Roczen (94) pushed into the lead on lap six of the Seattle Supercross. Roczen and his RM-Z450 held off intense pressure for much of the race in spite of a severe shoulder injury.
Ken Roczen (94), still healing from a significant shoulder injury incurred two weeks prior, got off to a third-place start in the Seattle Supercross main event. Roczen charged into the lead on lap six and the Seattle crowd jumped to its feet. Shortly after the race’s midpoint, Roczen lost a few track positions but kept up a strong pace as the ruts deepened and taxed his compromised shoulder. His strong result showcased Roczen’s determination and grit, and the points from Seattle kept him and his Progressive Insurance ECSTAR Suzuki solidly in third place in the championship standings.
“Seattle was great. For whatever reason when the main event comes around I hone in and become really focused,” said Roczen. “With the injury, I don’t want to aggravate it during practice, so I have a hard time being honed in, but when race time comes it’s different. With a track like this, you need to be extremely in tune. Honestly, it was just one lap where I lost a bit. I made a bunch of mistakes when several riders were right behind me, and they went by. I am still holding my head high, but it’s hard. My shoulder needs a lot of rest. My ligaments are almost torn in the AC joint, so if I fall, I will likely make it worse. So right now I am picking my battles; I wanted to make through this weekend. I am going to keep doing what I’m doing, and hopefully we can get back to 100% before the season is over.”
Colt Nichols (45) showed his best pace yet of the 2025 Supercross season.
Colt Nichols (45) adapted brilliantly to the abbreviated qualifying schedule and quickly posted his best A-group qualifying and overall qualifying result. Nichols used that pace to turn a mid-pack start into a fourth-place heat race performance, his best yet of the season. Nichols battled inside the top ten for half of the main and missed out on matching his season-best result by only one spot.
“It was a better weekend for me: better direction with the bike, I felt like I rode a lot better, and I qualified better,” Nichols reflected. “It was definitely a better heat race, and then put myself in a better position in the main. I fell off the pace a little bit at the end, so I was a little disappointed in that. But overall, I felt much more like myself on the motorcycle.”
Kyle Chisholm (11) put in his season-best main event performance following a dramatic win in the Seattle LCQ.
Kyle Chisholm (11) crossed the holeshot stripe inside the top-five in his heat race, then tangled in a four-rider pile-up that dashed his chances of a direct transfer. In the LCQ Chisholm gave a master class on composure and patience. Chisholm avoided a two-rider crash on the last lap to earn his 13th win and sole ownership of the record for most LCQ wins. Chisholm kept that momentum rolling into the main event. He battled inside the top ten and used his RM-Z450’s nimble handling to cross the checkers with his season-best result.
“I made a little mistake and couldn't double into the first rhythm section. Another rider doubled and clipped my arm and, man, I went for a ride,” Chisolm explained of his heat race crash. “The impact and from all the other bikes landing on me and the bike, it was just completely mangled. Andrew, my mechanic, and Joe, Colt's mechanic, and Billy, Ken’s mechanic – definitely a team effort – they did a great job with a quick turnaround. We still had few things that we didn't have time to do, but I went out in the LCQ and ripped an awesome start. The guy who was leading made a mistake and I got the win. I think that gives me the most LCQ wins, so that's a little bittersweet. In the main I got out to an okay start and kind of worked my way up. I was up in the fight for the top ten, and running in the top ten for a bit, so I’m happy with that and happy with my riding.”
“We had a lot of rain leading up to the race, and the track crew did an awesome job. They saved the day, honestly,” said Larry Brooks, Twisted Tea/H.E.P. Motorsports/Suzuki presented by Progressive Insurance Team Manager. “Ken Roczen rode well. He’s still struggling with his shoulder, but he gave it everything he had in the main. He finished fourth. He was battling for the lead for a long time and his shoulder just – he used everything he had and, yeah, fourth was as good as he had tonight. I’m super proud of him. I think he did really good…. Colt finished 12th and Kyle finished 13th. I think it was a little step forward for both of those guys. They rode really well. It was a good night for Suzuki and for the HEP team. I think Ken will be able to ride a little bit this week, so I’m thinking next week in Boston might be a little bit better. But we’re going to take it day by day. Shoulder injuries are tricky, so you need to be careful with them.”
The Supercross series now heads off on a four-city sweep through the Northeast. The Suzuki riders are getting stronger, their RM-Z450 race bikes are ready for more wins, and the team members are excited about more opportunities to put their riders and machines up on the podium.
Please visit SuzukiCycles.com/Racing/Motocross and HEPMotorsports.com for more team news.
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About Suzuki
Suzuki Motor USA, LLC (SMO) distributes Motorcycles, ATVs, Scooters, Accessories, and ECSTAR Oils & Chemicals via an extensive dealer network throughout 49 states. Suzuki Motor Corporation (SMC), based in Hamamatsu, Japan, is a diversified worldwide manufacturer of Motorcycles, ATVs, Scooters, Automobiles, Outboard Motors, and related products. Founded in 1909 and incorporated in 1920, SMC has business relations with 201 countries/regions. For more information, visit www.suzuki.com.
