Rockstar Energy Racing Suzuki's Blake Wharton raced to victory at the weekend's Houston Supercross 250cc Main Event as team-mate Davi Millsaps carded a top-five in the 450cc class to remain second in the series.
Wharton - who left the previous round in Toronto disappointed despite scoring a podium - suffered a frustrating qualifying and struggled to find form. But once the gate dropped for the 250 Main Event, everything changed for the RM-Z250 rider:
His first lap was the best one he's ridden in 2013 as he quickly passed several riders to get out front. He then engaged in a heated battle with Marvin Musquin, the Frenchman briefly moving into the lead before Wharton fired back aggressively to lead the rest of the race, thwarting multiple pass attempts by points-leader Wil Hahn.
Said Wharton: "I thought the track was good. I thought the layout was good... It's nice to come back to Texas and see my family. This was the first race my grandpa has ever been to in his life. He had never been to one while my dad was racing, during my amateur career; or since I have been racing professionally. It was cool to have three generations of family here. Not many people know that I was born in Houston. I spent some time growing up racing here, going to 3 palms and other local areas. It was great to get the win in my home state and in front of my family and friends."
Millsaps, just beginning to get back close to 100% fitness after the knee injury he sustained a few weeks prior, wanted to back-up his Toronto podium with another at Houston, but it wasn't on the cards. Millsaps' customary good starts were not present and he was forced to come through the pack in both his heat race and the 450 Main Event. His heat was impressive as he came from well outside the top 10 to catch all the way up to fourth in the short eight laps. He wasn't as far back in the pack after exiting the first turn in the Main but the result was similar and he was able to muster a fifth.
Said Millsaps: "This weekend was just ok. Next weekend will be better."
The team now head to Minneapolis next weekend as the series returns to Minnesota - after several years off the schedule - and the final east coast 250cc round before the west coast series returns the following weekend.
