Oakland Supercross numbers: Webb 10th on wins list

Last week’s Monster Energy Supercross 250 East finish between Hunter Lawrence and Nate Thrasher, a mere 0.134 seconds. was the second closest since 2003 when those numbers were first kept and fans wonder just what might happen this week in Oakland at RingCentral Stadium. As Clinton Fowler from Three Laps Down notes, those two had another close run last year in Salt Lake City when Thrasher beat Lawrence by 0.432 seconds, which was the seventh closest finish.

The closest finish to date was in the 450 class in 2019 by 0.028 seconds in what was essentially a photo finish.

Before last week’s race, Cooper Webb knew he needed to win Tampa so he could close the gap on Eli Tomac. With his pass on Chase Sexton in the final four laps of that race, he created one of the closest points’ battles through six rounds. Webb trails Sexton by two points and Tomac by four, making this a three-man race for the moment.

With his 20th win, Webb tied Ken Roczen and Jeff Ward for 10th on the all-time list.

With three wins in the first five weeks, Tomac would seem to have the momentum, but his disappointing run last week leaves some unanswered questions. Was Tomac riding cautiously as the team said after the race or has he lost some of his speed? Tomac failed to post one of the 10 fastest laps in either his heat or the main at Tampa for the first time this season.

Jason Anderson is showing frustration. After standing on the podium in back-to-back rounds, he took Justin Barcia to the ground in Tampa, which drew a penalty from the American Motorcycle Association. He is on probation for six months and further incidents could cost him more points, but for now he is 20 behind Tomac with the positions he has cost himself. Anderson crashed in Anaheim 1 (finishing seventh), San Diego (seventh) and Tampa (sixth).

Adam Cianciarulo showed speed in every round, but after missing so many races in the last couple of years, he may be riding a little tentatively. Last week in Tampa (12th) was the first time in five rounds that he failed to score a top-10. He’s finished in a narrow band of eighth through 12th.

In the 15th appearances in Oakland, only four riders have multiple wins. Tomac and Anderson highlight the active riders with two apiece while James Stewart and Ryan Villopoto join them with their own pair.

In the 250 class, the West riders take over again at Oakland before Supercross heads to Texas next week and the numbers show Jett Lawrence with a 16-point advantage over Cameron McAdoo. RJ Hampshire is one point further back in third.

No active 250 rider has a win in Oakland.

Last Five Oakland Winners

450s
2022: Jason Anderson
2020: Eli Tomac
2019: Cooper Webb
2018: Jason Anderson
2017: Eli Tomac

250s

2022: Christian Craig
2020: Dylan Ferrandis
2019: Adam Cianciarulo
2018: Aaron Plessinger
2017: Justin Hill

By the Numbers

Tampa
Houston
Anaheim 2
San Diego

More SuperMotocross coverage

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Team Solitaire races with NASCAR connection
Jason Anderson on probation for rough riding
Eli Tomac protects points’ lead with risk-free ride
SuperMotocross Power Rankings after Tampa
Cooper Webb earns first 2023 Supercross win in Tampa
Results and points after Tampa

In a continuing effort to help fans keep track of the on track action, SuperMotocross is in the process of developing and implementing leader lights for the unified series.

Currently Supercross (SMX) utilizes stanchions in the infield that are triggered manually by a race official. At least two stanchions are used in each race as a way to draw the eye to the leader, which is especially useful in the tight confines of the stadium series when lapping often begins before the halfway mark in the 22-bike field. This system has been in place for the past two decades.

Later this year, a fully automated system will move to the bike itself to replace the old system. At that point, fans will be able to identify the leader regardless of where he is on track.

The leader lights were tested in the second Anaheim round this year. An example can be seen at the 1:45 mark in the video above on the No. 69 bike.

“What we don’t want to do is move too fast, where it’s confusing to people,” said Mike Muye, senior director of operations for Supercross and SMX in a press release. “We’ve really just focused on the leader at this point with the thought that maybe down the road we’ll introduce others.”

Scheduled to debut with the first SuperMotocross World Championship race at zMax Dragway, located just outside the Charlotte Motor Speedway, a 3D carbon fiber-printed LED light will be affixed to each motorcycle. Ten timing loops positioned around the track will trigger the lights of the leader, which will turn green.

SMX’s partner LiveTime Scoring helped develop and implement the system that has been tested in some form or fashion since 2019.

When the leader lights are successfully deployed, SuperMotocross will explore expanding the system to identify the second- and third-place riders. Depending on need and fan acceptance, more positions could be added.

SuperMotocross is exploring future enhancements, including allowing for live fan interaction with the lights and ways to use the lighting system during the race’s opening ceremony.

Oakland Supercross by the numbers: Cooper Webb cracks top 10 wins’ list with 20

SuperMotocross set to introduce Leader Lights beginning with the World Championship finals

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