He’s close. But can he close. That is the biggest question lingering about Round 8 of the 2020 Monster Energy Supercross season.
The “he” is Eli Tomac.
Coming into the season the Monster Energy Kawasaki rider’s window to win the elusive Supercross title was closing fast. With Red Bull KTM’s Marvin Musquin out for the season with an injury, the opportunity to get that title was greater this season since there weren’t as many people vying for the title. After Round 8 it looked like there would be one less rider competiting for points as Red Bull KTM’s Cooper Webb went down hard in the final race of the night. While Webb says he will be back in the saddle for Atlanta this weekend, you have to imagine that the injury will slow him down, once again leaving Tomac with only two people to deal with for the title, Team Honda HRC’s Ken Roczen and Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing’s Jason Anderson.
Ken Roczen (94); Monster Energy Supercross; 2020 Season; Triple Crown; AT&T Stadium; Arlington, Texas; February 22, 2020; Photo: Tyler Tate/T Squared Sports Media 
Monster Energy Supercross; 2020 Season; Triple Crown; AT&T Stadium; Arlington, Texas; February 22, 2020; Photo: Tyler Tate/T Squared Sports Media 
Jason Anderson (21); Monster Energy Supercross; 2020 Season; Triple Crown; AT&T Stadium; Arlington, Texas; February 22, 2020; Photo: Tyler Tate/T Squared Sports Media 
Jason Anderson (21); Monster Energy Supercross; 2020 Season; Triple Crown; AT&T Stadium; Arlington, Texas; February 22, 2020; Photo: Tyler Tate/T Squared Sports Media 
Eli Tomac (3); Monster Energy Supercross; 2020 Season; Triple Crown; AT&T Stadium; Arlington, Texas; February 22, 2020; Photo: Tyler Tate/T Squared Sports Media 
Eli Tomac (3) and Jason Anderson (21); Monster Energy Supercross; 2020 Season; Triple Crown; AT&T Stadium; Arlington, Texas; February 22, 2020; Photo: Tyler Tate/T Squared Sports Media 
Cooper Webb (1); Monster Energy Supercross; 2020 Season; Triple Crown; AT&T Stadium; Arlington, Texas; February 22, 2020; Photo: Tyler Tate/T Squared Sports Media
If Tomac doesn’t win this year, this may be it. Tomac was hot and cold throughout the 2019 Monster Energy Supercross season, but so far in 2020, he has been consistent throughout and holds the red plate halfway through the season.
“My main focus was just going forward,” said Tomac psot race. “I had a few spots on the other guys where I was making up time and I knew where I could get inside after the finish line there. I ended up racing a lot better in Race 2 and 3 there. So, I was just fighting the whole night, and a great way to come out on top.”
Roczen was happy with second considering he was feeling a little off of his top form during the day, “I had my struggles tonight and today in general. I wasn’t feeling it, but Eli was honestly the fastest tonight. I rode good in the first main but still I just physically didn’t feel that great. I’m glad that in the last race I was able to put up a good fight. Me and Eli were going back and forth a couple of times, but I made a mistake there and he went back by. I tried to attack Zach and attack Jason; I actually went by Jason already once. But really tough, the way the turns are set up, especially after the finish line. You know you win and lose a little bit, and then Jason made the mistake so I could get into second. We salvaged a second today overall which I’m happy with, with all things considered. And championship is still all good.”
Jason Anderson commented after the race about running up in the lead again, “I haven’t been out front in a long time. It’s been probably since 2018 so right now, up front, I feel good but at the same time I’m a little bit hesitant up there. I just need to keep doing it, race after race, and give myself that opportunity. But all in all, I had a good race, that last lap was a little mishap, kinda cost me second overall. But all in all, I’m having a good time and excited to keep going, battle these guys. It’s hectic out there with this Triple Crown.”
