A Unique Partnership Between Fighters, Fast Racers and Brave Kids Battle Real World Challenges Together - Speedway Digest

By Sean Brennen, Monster Energy Supercross Wire Service

This past weekend 80 Supercross racers in two divisions competed inside Raymond James Stadium on a man-made, custom designed track of challenging jumps, bermed turns, and a deep, beach-sand section that threw their race bikes in unpredictable directions. There’s really no aspect of Monster Energy Supercross that isn’t extraordinary.

So when the promoters of a sport like Supercross team up with a world-renowned organization like St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, it should be no surprise that that partnership is extraordinary as well. When St. Jude first partnered with Supercross in 2017, there was no detailed road map, just two unique organizations coming together to see what was possible while also supporting St. Jude ambassador and four-time Supercross Champion Ryan Dungey.

In 2020, the partnership includes a “This Shirt Saves Lives” text-to-donate campaign, an online auction that is fully supported by the Supercross community, and a specially-themed race aptly named “This Race Saves Lives”, which took place on Saturday in Tampa, Florida.

For the Tampa race, athletes and teams incorporated St. Jude patient-inspired artwork into their riding gear and motorcycle graphics. These one-of-a-kind, race-worn items were collected after the race and will join the crown jewel of the 2020 auction: A Suzuki Boulevard M109R B.O.S.S. street bike that was ridden to Sturgis by five-time Supercross Champion and NBC Sports expert commentator, Ricky Carmichael. Both the text-to-donate campaign and online auction (stjude.org/supercrossauction) will remain open through the final round in Salt Lake City, Utah on May 2.

Round seven also brought forward a new points leader as Kawasaki rider Eli Tomac grabbed his 30^th career win and the title points lead in front of 46,173 fans. Shane McElrath also dominated in the opening round of the Eastern Regional 250SX Class Championship.

450SX Class Results, Tampa, Florida

1. Eli Tomac, Cortez, Colo., Kawasaki

2. Cooper Webb, Clermont, Fla., KTM

3. Ken Roczen, Clermont, Fla., Honda

4. Justin Barcia, Greenville, Fla., Yamaha

5. Justin Hill, Yoncalla, Ore., Honda

6. Dean Wilson, Murrieta, Calif., Husqvarna

7. Malcolm Stewart, Haines City, Fla., Honda

8. Adam Cianciarulo, New Smyrna Beach, Fla., Kawasaki

9. Justin Brayton, Charlotte, N.C., Honda

10. Jason Anderson, Rio Rancho, N.M., Husqvarna

450SX Class Championship Standings

1. Eli Tomac, Cortez, Colo., Kawasaki (155)

2. Ken Roczen, Clermont, Fla., Honda (151)

3. Cooper Webb, Clermont, Fla., KTM (144)

4. Justin Barcia, Greenville, Fla., Yamaha (135)

5. Adam Cianciarulo, New Smyrna Beach, Fla., Kawasaki (128)

6. Jason Anderson, Rio Rancho, N.M., Husqvarna (118)

7. Malcolm Stewart, Haines City, Fla., Honda (106)

8. Justin Brayton, Charlotte, N.C., Honda (103)

9. Justin Hill, Yoncalla, Ore., Honda (93)

10. Blake Baggett, Grand Terrace, Calif., KTM (91)

Eastern Regional 250SX Class Results, Tampa, Florida

1. Shane McElrath, Murrieta, Calif., Yamaha

2. Chase Sexton, Clermont, Fla., Honda

3. Jeremy Martin, Rochester, Minn., Honda

4. Garrett Marchbanks, Coalville, Utah, Kawasaki

5. Jordon Smith, Ochlocknee, Ga., Kawasaki

6. RJ Hampshire, Minneola, Fla., Husqvarna

7. Kyle Peters, Greensboro, N.C., Honda

8. Joey Crown, Metamora, Mich., Yamaha

9. James Decotis, Huntersville, N.C., Suzuki

10. Jo Shimoda, Irvine, Calif., Honda

Eastern Regional 250SX Class Championship Standings

1. Shane McElrath, Murrieta, Calif., Yamaha (26)

2. Chase Sexton, Clermont, Fla., Honda (23)

3. Jeremy Martin, Rochester, Minn., Honda (21)

4. Garrett Marchbanks, Coalville, Utah, Kawasaki (19)

5. Jordon Smith, Ochlocknee, Ga., Kawasaki (18)

6. RJ Hampshire, Minneola, Fla., Husqvarna (17)

7. Kyle Peters, Greensboro, N.C., Honda (16)

8. Joey Crown, Metamora, Mich., Yamaha (15)

9. James Decotis, Huntersville, N.C., Suzuki (14)

10. Jo Shimoda, Irvine, Calif., Honda (13)

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Adam Sinclair

NHRA, IHRA, Motocross and other forms of motorsports Staff writer
About Me: Adam has been a race fan since the first time he went through the tunnel under the Daytona International Speedway almost 30 years ago. He has had the privilege of travelling to races all across the state of Florida (as well as one race in Ohio), watching nearly everything with a motor compete for fame and glory, as well as participating in various racing schools to get the feel of what racecar drivers go through every week. Adam has spent the last three years covering motorsports for Examiner.com., where he had the opportunity to see the racing world from behind the scenes as well as the grandstands. He invites everyone to follow him on Twitter, Facebook, and Google Plus, and looks forward to sharing his enthusiasm for all things racing with the readers of SpeedwayDigest.com.Be sure to tune in for his weekly sports talk program, Thursday Night Thunder, where he discusses the latest in motorsports news with drivers, crew members, and fans. The show takes place every Thursday at 8:00 pm EST on the Speedway Digest Radio Network.