GEICO Honda Supercross team dominates Las Vegas final with three wins

LAS VEGAS (May 5) -- The most successful
Supercross season in the history of the GEICO Honda race team climaxed
with a spectacular Saturday night at Sam Boyd Stadium that featured
newly-crowned champions Justin Barcia and Eli Tomac earning big
victories in their respective divisions before going 1-2 in the
East/West Shootout.

Barcia's star shined brightest as he
dominated the Lites East race from start to finish aboard his 250CRF,
taking the holeshot and holding off all his rivals during the 15-lap
main event. An hour later, he just about did the same thing in the
Shootout, with his most furious competition coming from Tomac. The two
finished in first and second.

"What an awesome night all the way around,"
said Barcia, who racked up seven victories in 10 races this year.
"There's no better way to finish my 250 Supercross career than with a
double win. 

"The main was a pretty good race for me. I
wanted to get out front and stay there and I was able to do that. I had
one little bobble in the triples, which were huge, and I accidentally
put it in neutral. That cost me a little time but luckily I had enough
cushion to stay up front. 

"It was fun racing Eli in the Shootout.
Once we both got around (Martin Davalos) it was just a battle. At one
point I cross-rutted and thought I was in trouble but it turns out the
same thing happened to him right behind me. He pushed me the whole way.
We both wanted the win, but in the end making sure we were 1-2 was the
best-case scenario."

Tomac was superb in the final Lites West
race of the season, taking the holeshot and fashioning a solid ride for
all 15 laps. The victory was his fifth of the season and was accented by
teammate Wil Hahn joining him on the podium. Hahn finished third, his
best result of his injury-shortened season. 

Tomac rode hard in the Shootout as well, keeping Barcia honest for all 10 laps.

"The course was pretty technical and you
really had no place to relax," Tomac said. "Everyone was riding all-out
with nothing to lose and I knew I couldn't let up. The dirt was really
good and grippy and I was able to keep it pinned all the way around the
outside portion. That helped me stay up front.

"The Shootout was intense. Being only 10
laps it was a sprint the whole way. I stayed on Justin's rear wheel the
best I could. We were both going for it. That was fun. Hopefully we'll
have some more races with each other when the outdoor season starts."

Hahn was only a tick behind his more
decorated teammates all night. After finishing third in the Lites West
final he rode to a respectable fifth-pace result in the Shootout, an
all-star race featuring the 10 best riders from both the East and the
West divisions.

"It was a tough season sitting out as many
races as I did with my injury so to come out here and finally get on the
podium tonight was really special," Hahn said. "It made all the rehab
work worthwhile. Riding so strong over the past few races has me excited
about outdoors. I think it's going to be another big deal for the GEICO
Honda team.

"I love the guys in this pit. It was
awesome to see Justin and Eli win tonight and run 1-2 in the Shootout. I
could see them up ahead of me at different points but I couldn't close
the gap. I'm still really pumped about finishing fifth there. It was a
great night for all of us."

After a 11th-place result in the Lites East
race, rookie Justin Bogle needed a last-gasp, second-place finish in
the LCQ to qualify for the Shootout, where he finished 13th.

"I didn't have the best start in the final
or the Shootout and when the field stretched out it was hard to find
space to pass," Bogle said. "My best ride was in the LCQ and I was
pumped to earn a spot in the Shootout.

"I learned a lot this season and although I
wanted more when I started, I'm pretty happy to be healthy on the other
end. It's going to be great next year to come into all these different
tracks and know what to expect."

GEICO Honda Supercross pro Kevin Windham
tried to participate in Saturday's race but only made it through a few
laps before deciding to pull out. Windham is still recovering from a
mishap at the Houston race.