Rainy Night in Philadelphia: Hymas and Wilson Shine Amidst Challenges

Apr 15, 2025 at 5:08 AM
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Round 13 of the AMA Supercross series unfolded under rainy skies in Philadelphia, presenting racers with a demanding night. The event highlighted the second 250SX East/West Showdown of the season, featuring Honda HRC Progressive riders Jo Shimoda and Chance Hymas. Shimoda excelled with a commendable fifth-place finish, while Hymas rebounded from an in-race crash to secure tenth place. Meanwhile, Dean Wilson made his debut in the 450SX class for Honda HRC Progressive, showing promise before finishing in seventeenth position due to various challenges.

The 250SX East/West Showdown saw Hymas start strong within the top five, whereas Shimoda avoided an early crash and found himself in the top ten. However, a red flag interrupted the race, resetting their positions. On the restart, both riders settled into seventh and eighth places respectively, engaging in competitive battles until Hymas encountered another setback, tipping over during a rhythm section. Despite remounting, he gradually slipped back to tenth place. Conversely, Shimoda steadily improved his standing, executing crucial overtakes throughout the race to clinch fifth place. Additional Honda-backed competitors like Cullin Park and Gavin Towers finished in fifteenth and twentieth positions, respectively, while Henry Miller rounded out the group in seventeenth place.

In the 450SX main event, Dean Wilson's introduction as a substitute rider was marked by immediate adversity when an early incident forced him to execute a full 360-degree turn on the track to rejoin the race. Despite this setback, Wilson demonstrated resilience by progressively overtaking other competitors. Unfortunately, arm pump hampered his performance later in the race, ultimately leading to a seventeenth-place finish. Nevertheless, flashes of potential encouraged Wilson and his team for future races. Among other notable Honda-mounted riders, Joey Savatgy secured fifth place, closely followed by Dylan Ferrandis in seventh, highlighting strong performances from Honda's satellite teams.

As the series progresses, anticipation builds for the upcoming round in East Rutherford, New Jersey. This will be the final Triple Crown event of the season, showcasing Hymas in the 250SX East competition and Wilson representing Honda HRC Progressive in the 450SX class. Both riders aim to build upon their experiences and improvements gained in Philadelphia.

Awaiting the next challenge, the racers reflect on lessons learned in Philadelphia. While conditions were tough, they provided valuable opportunities for growth. With adjustments and continued practice, Hymas and Wilson are poised to deliver stronger performances in New Jersey, capitalizing on the progress achieved thus far in the series.