AMA/FIM SUPERCROSS

ROCZEN EARNS PODIUM AND TOP FIVE OVERALL IN ARIZONA

April 11th, 2023.

Report: Suzuki Motor USA. Photos by BrownDogWilson Photography.

Round 12 of the 2023 Monster Energy AMA Supercross season drew 55,614 motorcycle fans to State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona on Saturday night. The Suzuki racers had stellar nights at the Triple Crown-format event combining results from three races to earn overall championship points.

Ken Roczen was fast on the high-speed, hardpack track from the start of the day. A top three in the second qualifying session set the stage for a great night. Roczen was in the mix every time the gate dropped, taking the battle to the final checkered flag aboard his Suzuki RM-Z450.

“Glendale was a really good race for us. I had fun all day and we were pretty competitive throughout practice and qualifying,” said Roczen. “This track is super hard pack. It was a different style; it was incredibly open and super-fast. We made some bike changes that I think worked pretty well. We were able to put up a really good fight in all three races. In the third race, I had to make my way up, but I had a great battle. I rode well, the team was great, and I actually had a really, really good time today.”

Robbie Wageman delivered his best finish of the year at the event that rewarded good starts and consistent riding. He earned two top-ten race finishes to bring home a top-ten overall finish with his BarX Suzuki RM-Z250.

“It was a great night of racing. I felt good on the track and on the bike all day through practice and the three races,” reported Wageman. “I had a little bit of a rollercoaster night with a poor result in the second race, but I was happy to rebound in the third race to get ninth overall. Thank you to the whole BarX Suzuki team for sticking behind me, and giving me the opportunity to do my best!”

Kyle Chisholm posted a top-ten lap time in the final qualifying session. Chisholm followed that up with a top-ten result in race 3 aboard his Twisted Tea Suzuki RM-Z450.

“Man, this was a good weekend for me,” said Chisholm. “From press [event] yesterday all the way through today, the bike was just awesome. It's the best I've felt all year; I felt really comfortable on the bike. I'm just pumped about the whole weekend. I'll take all the positives and work this week and try to repeat next week in Atlanta."

Derek Drake and his BarX Suzuki RM-Z250 matched their best finish of the year on a track that tripped up many racers over the three-race format event.

"I struggled with starts, which didn’t help at all with a fast-paced track," Drake said after the race. "I was off on my bike set up, so it was a struggle all day, but I'm glad to get out of Glendale healthy and ready for the next race!"

The tricky conditions agreed with Twisted Tea Suzuki's Shane McElrath. He and his Suzuki RM-Z450 matched their season-best result, and moved up two positions in the championship.

"I'm excited about our progress today," reported McElrath. "Everything was a lot better for my race day. It's encouraging. We've got five rounds left, and I'm going to keep working because I feel like I showed a little bit tonight."

Brandon Scharer was flying from the start of the day on his BarX Suzuki RM-Z250. Scharer posted the fastest lap in both of his timed qualifying sessions. In the night show, Scharer used that speed to earn his best result of the season. Points from Glendale moved him up a remarkable nine positions in the point standings.

"The Arizona Triple Crown was great for me overall!" exclaimed Scharer. "I felt comfortable on the bike all day. In race 1 I was running sixth until the re-start; I gained confidence from that. The rest of the night was filled with good racing and battles. I went 11-12-14 for 13th overall. It was a massive building day for me and I'm excited for New Jersey next!

BarX Suzuki's Matt Moss had great speed, but unfortunately, some racing incidents diminished his result in the night show.

"It was a tough weekend for me, but was good to get the LCQ win," said Moss. "I didn't feel like myself all weekend and struggled. But I'm happy to be on the line for the team and I'm looking forward to working with the team again."

Dilan Schwartz had the lap times to deliver a great performance on his BarX Suzuki RM-Z250 in Arizona. Unfortunately, an illness compromised his endurance and he and the team made the decision not to put him into the racing.

"I got super sick on Wednesday, tried doing everything to be healthy for this weekend, but went out for practice and could barely do two laps," Schwartz told. "My body just didn't have it this weekend. Sorry to all my supporters and fans. I wish I were racing out there tonight."

"Triple Crowns are always tough and action-packed," explained Twisted Tea/H.E.P. Motorsports/Suzuki presented by Progressive Insurance Team Manager Larry Brooks. "Ken Roczen finished fifth, Kyle Chisholm did really well tonight, he finished eleventh, and Shane McElrath finished thirteenth. We're pretty happy and, like we've said every race this year, we're just trying to improve every weekend. I think we're getting into a good spot."

"During the off week we did some more testing," reported BarX Suzuki Team Manager Buddy Antunez. "We made a few changes and I think they helped us get all four riders in the main. Robbie Wageman rode especially well and carded a ninth-place finish."

The Monster Energy AMA Supercross now heads to Atlanta Motor Speedway for a rare daytime event next weekend. The BarX Suzuki 250 West racers will have one weekend off and then be back on the gate at East Rutherford, New Jersey for the first of two 250 East/West Showdowns.

For more team news, and the latest from the Supercross season and SMX World Championship series, visit SuzukiCycles.com/Racing/Motocross and HEPMotorsports.com

Photos by BrownDogWilson Photography

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