Suzuki's Ken Roczen Powers to Moto Win and Second Overall in SuperMotocross Playoff 2

SMX World Championship to be Decided This Weekend

BREA, CA, September 18, 2023 — Chicagoland Speedway hosted Playoff Round 2 of the inaugural SuperMotocross World Championship in Joliet, Illinois. The hybrid supercross-motocross track stretched across the storied auto raceway. Midday rains brought moisture, which increased bumps, ruts, and the overall challenge to the all-new race series that combines Supercross and Motocross racing into one 3-round post-season championship. With podium results in the first two events, Roczen is in position to contend for the title.

Race Highlights:

• Progressive Insurance ECSTAR Suzuki
  • 450 Class
    • Ken Roczen topped the field with a second moto victory and a second-place overall result
• Twisted Tea Suzuki presented by Progressive Insurance
  • 450 Class
    • Freddie Noren was consistent on the changing Chicagoland Speedway track.  
    • Kyle Chisholm gritted past a lingering injury to earn championship points. 
• Toyota of Redlands BarX Suzuki
  
  • 250 Class
    • Dilan Schwartz carded a top-ten moto finish and advanced one spot in the SMX World Championship standings. 

Ken Roczen (94) pressured for the lead throughout the second moto and took the win in the closing laps of the Chicagoland Speedway SMX Moto 2.

After topping morning qualifying with the fastest lap time, Ken Roczen and his Suzuki RM-Z450 earned a third-place result in the first moto of the two-moto race format. All eyes were on Roczen in the second moto after he started charging forward immediately after a fifth-place start. Two minutes into the 20-minute plus one-lap race, Roczen held second and was pressuring the leader. The two front runners separated from the pack as Roczen mounted several challenges for the lead throughout the moto. With less than two minutes left on the race clock, Roczen closed in and was searching for a way into the lead. In a controversial moment, the moto leader relinquished the lead, and Roczen pulled away for the moto win and a second-place overall finish. The night's points moved Roczen up two positions in the championship standings, into third place and just ten points out of the lead. With a nine-point swing given to the Final winner; Roczen has a reasonable shot at another championship aboard his Suzuki RM-Z450. 

"We were on the board pretty much all day; the practices, the qualifying sessions, and then obviously in both motos," said Roczen. "We made several little suspension adjustments throughout the event. The settings we had going into the first moto didn't quite hit the nail on the head for the Chicagoland track. I went as fast as I could for what the set-up allowed me to do in the first one. I ended up third there. I was pretty happy with my riding, but I couldn't move any further forward after a so-so start. For the second moto, we went to a suspension setting that I'd already ridden in qualifying two, made some slight adjustments on the sighting lap, and that actually did hit the nail on the head for the right settings for this track. I was able to ride to my full potential. So in the motos, I finished third, then I finished first. But at that point, I was in the second [overall] position already. I went for it, just riding super hard the whole main. I was really hungry to try and pass into first place. I ended up earning second overall. The team and I are super pleased with the effort and the riding. It was an exceptionally good weekend for all of us. I'm looking forward to next weekend and the SMX Final." 

Dilan Schwartz (85) was inside the top ten in qualifying times and in the final 250 Class moto at Chicagoland Speedway.

Dilan Schwartz took advantage of the event's double points payout to move his Suzuki RM-Z250 up one position in the championship standings. After qualifying eighth overall Schwartz gained race pace through the night, moving up two positions in his final outing on the hybrid track to take home a top-ten result in Moto 2.

"It was definitely an improvement from last weekend. I felt more like myself, and that showed in the second moto," said Schwartz. "I struggled a little in the first moto but overall it was a good day and I'm looking forward to the final round next weekend."

Freddie Noren (47) was consistent on the ever-changing track that got rougher from the riders in addition to track crew changes to the obstacles throughout the event.

Freddie Noren had a solid day aboard his Twisted Tea Suzuki RM-Z450. Light rain mid-day added to the challenge, but Noren kept his composure and speed through both 450 Class motos.

“I felt like I rode well all day but I just wasn’t getting off the gate like I needed to,” admitted Noren. “Everyone was fast, so it was hard to pass. I did make a couple of passes and overall I’m happy with my racing, just not content with my overall results. The track was different from the previous weekend, and it took some time to figure out the best settings. The whole crew did a great job today and I am happy I’m healthy and ready to finish off strong next weekend.”

Kyle Chisholm (11) gritted out strong rides to keep his Suzuki in a good spot in the championship standings.