by Davey Coombs
250 Words: Oakland
Sunday, January 29, 2012 | 7:05 PM
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Four weeks ago Eli Tomac was in a bad spot. Problems in his heat race at the Anaheim opener left the GEICO Honda rider struggling to even make the first main event of the 2012 Monster Energy AMA Supercross tour. But Eli, a third-year pro starting his second season of SX racing, did not buckle. He made it into the main, then salvaged fourth-place points from a terrible starting gate pick.
Since then, Eli Tomac has been on the rise, and last night in Oakland he took firm control of the West Region Lites title chase—a title he more or less blew last year when he was out-maneuvered in a frantic finale by Broc Tickle in Las Vegas.
But Tomac has always been a well-grounded, big-picture racer, and he obviously learned a thing or two about managing a championship last May, because that's exactly what he's doing this time around. As other race-winners like Cole Seely and Dean Wilson faltered—both crashed themselves out of shots at last night's win, Seely for the second week in a row—while Tomac just steadily moves forward. Same goes for former MX2 world champs Marvin Musquin and Tyla Rattray, who crashed out of Los Angeles and Oakland, respectively.
The season started like this for the #17 Honda rider. Four weeks later, he's on top.
Cudby photo
Halfway through the West, Tomac's steady performances have earned him an unlikely 15-point lead, at least unlikely considering how it started anyway. At very first gate drop of the year, Tomac was in danger, and yet he figured it out how to salvage points. Now he has also put his whole GEICO Honda team on the early path of usurping the mighty Monster Energy/Pro Circuit Kawasaki juggernaut for the right to be called this year's best Lites team, because when the East starts up, defending champ Justin Barcia will be the odds-on favorite, just ahead of PC's Blake Baggett and Darryn Durham, as well as Red Bull KTM newcomer Ken Roczen.
That's later. For now it will be up to Tomac to lead from the front, manage points and take this series one lap at a time, right down to the last one in Las Vegas. Because he already knows from experience how easily it can slip away.
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ET looks like he's on a mission to avenge last years run at the title.He seems like a great kid and obviously had a good upbringing.
Deano is my favorite! He would of won had he not of crashed. No questions! jokes I am just following on from 450 class comments. But yeah bummed that Deano isn't on the same planet as Tomac this year. Tomac his just blowing me away.
Can't wait to see how Bagget goes
Looked to me like Eli Beat that Honder into submission, great to see! wtg Eli, pound that tiddler! errrr 2fiddy f !
Eli looks great. Osborne should get a mention. Only 4 races in the series and he improved every one. He is the big surprise of the West. Sad to see him leave.
I would guess that right now being at the Pro Ciruit shop is not a fun place to be as Mictch is very unhappy right now.
Those guys were on it and the racing was scetchy. I don't think anyone rode a flawless race or a flawless lap. They all were putting it on the line. Great racing. Miusqiun rebounded nicly from last weeks sudden stop. I think it will come down to Deano and ET for the champion ship. I wonder if the Oz 338 will head back for GP prep. liked planned or beings he could get a top three in series points if he stays?
sjf 350 you are right scetchy descibes it! Man they were all having a tough race. Eli is clearly one of the best and I can't wait til the top 5 move to the 450 class. Dean will be back next week. GO ELI !!!
Mr. Coombs must have been too busy to write a comprehensive article..... no mention of the epic battle between Wilson and Seely or the fight for 2nd between Osborne, Musquin and Anderson?
Bummer for you Tyla. Best wishes for a speedy recovery!!
Tyla is nothing but a class act as a racer,man, and father. In my 43 yrs of following this sport I have never seen such a bonehead move by AMA officials not to red flag the "heat" race. I am really suprised I didnt see a Ruger laying across Mitch Pattons lap on his way to see AMA officials.