Expanded Lineup Of Honda Support Teams In AMA Supercross

February 13, 2020 by Honda

Multiple squads campaigning Honda's CRF Performance line in stadium racing

February 13, 2020 — TORRANCE, Calif. As the 2020 AMA Supercross season enters the East Region phase, Honda is assisting more teams than ever. In addition to the factory Team Honda HRC 450SX effort and satellite GEICO Honda 250SX squad, Honda is providing varying levels of support to a number of teams that field the CRF450R and CRF250R in the premier 450SX division and both 250SX regions. At each of the series' first six rounds, Honda transferred more riders than any other manufacturer into the 450SX main events.

Leading the way is Smartop/MotoConcepts/Bullfrog Spas Honda, whose rider Malcolm Stewart sits in eighth place in the 450SX points standings following the first six rounds. Teammates Justin Hill and Vince Friese have also shown impressive speed and are 11th and 14th in points, respectively.

Penrite Honda has put in a respectable showing so far in their AMA Supercross debut season, with Luke Clout resting seventh in the 250SX West points chase. Teammate Mitchell Oldenburg is 10th after missing the San Diego round with an injury, but he plans to campaign the final four West Region rounds. Operated by the Australian Honda importer, the squad earned the 2019 Australian Supercross Championship with current Team Honda HRC factory rider Justin Brayton, and they're now racing Stateside in an effort to raise their level even higher.

Phoenix Racing Honda is currently defending its crown in the AMA Arenacross series (having won every main event, with only three rounds remaining), but riders Jace Owen, Kyle Peters and Luke Neese will also campaign the AMA Supercross 250SX East Region, which kicks off this weekend in Tampa, Florida. (The team also enters different riders in other series, including GNCC and AMA ATV Motocross.)

FXR Chaparral Honda is a new effort led by journalist Michael Lindsay. The project's focus is 250SX East, but to help prepare, riders Jerry Robin, Chris Blose, Justin Starling and Jeff Walker have also entered selected West rounds in the 450SX class. Coty Schock is currently injured but will race the 250SX West series beginning at the Seattle round. In addition, Robin and Walker plan to campaign the full AMA Pro Motocross Series in the 250 division.

Finally, several Honda-mounted AMA Supercross privateers are participating in Honda's Red Rider Rewards contingency program, which gives Honda racers across the country the opportunity to earn payouts in various categories.

'Honda has made a big push to support racing at all levels, so it's exciting to see such an extensive lineup of solid race teams riding red for 2020,' said Brandon Wilson, Manager of Advertising & Motorcycle Sports at American Honda. 'Of course we're thrilled to have elite riders like Ken Roczen and Justin Brayton fighting for the top step of the podium, but we also pride ourselves in making Honda the motorcycle of choice for support teams and even privateers. We expect to continue seeing a lot of red on the tracks at AMA Supercross stops across the country.'