SX Power Rankings: Tomac looks to mount late charge at Dungey
Eli Tomac was able to bring Ryan Dungey's dominance to at least a momentary halt in Detroit, passing the points leader en route to his second career win. Tomac's triumphant ride was very reminiscent of his maiden victory in Phoenix earlier this season. That combined with the unfortunate loss of Trey Canard, who will miss the rest of the season after suffering a broken arm, means Tomac has made a big move in the rankings this week as the championship heads to St. Louis.
Each week, The Power Rankings will recognize the movers and shakers in Monster Energy Supercross.
1. Ryan Dungey -€“ Red Bull KTM
(Previously: 1 / No Change)
There's something to be said about the way Dungey has amassed what looks to be a title-winning campaign. He never panicked, he never faltered. He just continued to work on things until everything started to click. Sure the mistakes of his rivals made things easier, but the results speak for themselves. This is the best we've ever seen out of Dungey in supercross.
2. Eli Tomac - GEICO Honda
(Previously: 5 / +3)
That was about as strong a ride as you'll see out of Tomac. He could have easily stumbled in his pursuit of Dungey early on, as the pace of those two was surely incredible, but he nailed his marks and rode his lines with more aggression and it worked out to his benefit. I would bet Dungey let him slip away a little more for the sake of protecting his points lead, but I still think Tomac was on another level from the rest of the field in Detroit. It was a long overdue performance from the sophomore rider.
3. Cole Seely - Team Honda HRC
(Previously: 3 / No Change)
Seely has been rock solid the last three weeks, with 4-2-3 results. He's figured out the 450SX Class and with Canard on the sidelines, I'm very interested to see if he breaks through for the first win of his career. It's a very real possibility.
4. Chad Reed - Discount Tire Racing/TwoTwo Motorsports
(Previously: 4 / No Change)
Another solid ride for Reed in Detroit en route to fourth. I can't help but think he's got another Atlanta-type effort in him this season. It could come Saturday in St. Louis.
5. Broc Tickle - RCH Soaring Eagle/Jimmy John's Factory Suzuki
(Previously: 7 / +2)
Considering how his 2014 season ended, you have to be happy for Broc Tickle to have a breakout season like this. His racing future was in doubt after his serious back injury a year ago, but now he's taken the lead role at RCH Racing in stride ever since Ken Roczen dropped out with an injury. He's currently in the midst of a seven race top-10 streak. Dungey is the only other rider with that distinction over the same stretch.
6. Blake Baggett -€“ Team Yoshimura Suzuki
(Previously: 8 / +2)
Baggett needed a solid effort to bounce back from his trouble in Indy and he did just that. A late crash cost him a couple spots, but nevertheless it was a good rebound that allowed him to surpass Jason Anderson in the standings and get within just two points of Roczen for sixth.
7. Weston Peick -€“ Autotrader.com/Toyota/Yamaha
(Previously: 6 / -1)
Peick was in the hunt for a top five early, but a crash dropped him out of contention. He's fortunate it wasn't a more serious incident than what it ended up being, but it did leave Peick bloodied up after busting his nose a bit. It was his second last-place result since returning from injury, but Peick isn't the kind of guy to ever count out. He'll be right back in the hunt this weekend.
8. Davi Millsaps -€“ Monster Energy Kawasaki
(Previously: Not Ranked)
Millsaps' season has not gone anywhere close to what he and the team had hoped for as an illness early on somewhat derailed their preseason aspirations. However, Millsaps is back at full health and is really coming on strong. He now has back-to-back top fives and looks ready to grab a season-best result very soon, possibly his first podium of 2015.
9. Andrew Short -€“ BTO Sports KTM
(Previously: 10 / +1)
A ninth-place finish capped off another solid outing for Short. His night seems to be largely influenced on how he starts, which means there's a good chance you'll see him near the front again.
10. Josh Grant - Discount Tire Racing/TwoTwo Motorsports
(Previously: Not Ranked)
Like Millsaps, Grant has turned things around in recent weeks as well. He has five top-10 finishes over the last six races and tied his season-best finish of sixth last weekend. It's been somewhat of a rough year for TwoTwo Motorsports, but their coming on strong at the right time.
New this week: Davi Millsaps, Josh Grant
Biggest Climb: Tomac (+3)
Biggest Drop: Peick (-1)
Dropped out: Trey Canard (broken arm, out for season)