WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP
VOL. 54 ISSUE 14 APRIL 11, 2017 P61
250SX West
Yamalube Star Racing Yamaha's Aaron
Plessinger made no secret of it that he
was coming into the Seattle Supercross,
after seven weeks off from racing, intend-
ing to win his first race of the year. And he
basically had to do it twice.
When the gate dropped for the main
event, points leader Justin Hill (Monster
Energy Pro Circuit Kawasaki) had a terrible
start, and it wasn't long before Plessinger
worked his way from a so-so start to take the
lead in a masterful move around the outside
of both TLD Red Bull KTM's Mitch Olden-
berg and race leader Geico Honda's Jimmy
Decotis at the same time. Immediately after-
ward, the race was red-flagged for downed
riders, and a restart was in order.
On the restart, Hill had a much better
start, but Rockstar Energy Husqvarna's
Martin Davalos took the early lead in front
of Decotis. Hill started about fifth and
Plessinger was mid-pack.
Still, it only took Plessinger a few laps to
be all over the leaders. As Hill was pres-
suring Davalos for the lead a few laps into
the race, Hill missed an inside rut, open-
ing the door for Plessinger, who went by
Hill, then used a triple/triple/triple combi-
nation through the track's scariest rhythm
section, through some of the deepest ruts
of the year, to catch (one lap) and then
pass (the next lap) Davalos for the lead.
From there, Plessinger pulled away to
a seemingly easy win, while Hill passed
Davalos a little while later to take over
second. Eventually, Davalos surrendered
third to Decotis before Oldenberg came
into the picture, nearly taking Davalos out
for fourth before shoving Decotis wide for
third late in the race.
Plessinger scored his first win of the
season in front of Hill, while Oldenberg
scored his first-ever podium finish in third.
