The Showdown always pro-
vides great racing as the only
time all season riders from oppo-
site coasts are put head-to-head
on the start line. After qualify-
ing through their separate heat
races, only the fastest riders line
up for the combined main event.
Nichols grabbed the early lead
in the 250SX main, looking to
leave nothing on the table at the
series finale. He had his sights
set on his first Supercross cham-
pionship and rode solid laps up
front for the first three quarters
of the race until a charging Jett
Lawrence got around Nichols in
the whoop section. The Yamaha
rider tucked in and finished
second, securing the 250SX
East Championship, the first of
his career.
"My mechanic gave me the
board that said, 'Let him by and
stick with him,' so I did that,"
Nichols said after the race. "I
really wanted to win that race, a
little bummed I didn't, but big pic-
or down in the overall standings.
In the end, a ninth-place finish
cemented his third in points,
handing the number-one plate
back to Webb.
Both 250SX Championships
were decided on Saturday night
during the annual East/West
Showdown. Monster Energy
Star Racing Yamaha fielded both
title favorites, Justin Cooper in
the West and Colt Nichols in the
East.
a solid second place and kept
Webb in his rear view. However,
the train really came off the
tracks once the Webb Wagon
made the pass. There was racing
contact made between the two
which seemed to throw Roczen
off his mojo. After this, a slew of
hungry riders was eager to get
past the Honda rider. Roczen's
second place in the champi-
onship was secured, entering
the night 28 points ahead of
third-place Eli Tomac. Once he
got passed, the German rider
cruised it in for 10th on the night.
Tomac was another rider
with an uncharacteristic ride on
Saturday night. The 2020 champ
is known for being strong in the
altitude, and commandingly won
his heat race. In the main event,
however, he rode midpack for
most of the time. He had a late-
race battle with Roczen, but it
wasn't enough to move him up
CHAMPIONSHIP
VOLUME 58 ISSUE 18 MAY 4, 2021 P71
Monster Energy Star Racing
Yamaha teammates claimed both
the 250SX East (Nichols) and West
(Cooper) Championships.
Salt Lake City 2 Supercross 250SX East/West Showdown Video Highlights
