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Tomac To Finish 450 Run In Indy, While Hahn Looks To Pad Points Lead
GEICO Honda rider Eli Tomac looks to continue building his 450cc resume with another solid ride in this weekend's Monster Energy AMA Supercross race at Lucas Oil Stadium.
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Tomac is coming off the best finish of his brief 450cc career last weekend, where he rode the GEICO Honda to a fourth-place result at the tough Daytona track. Tomac and the Supercross series return to a more familiar indoor track after racing outdoors at Daytona International Speedway.
"Indy will be cool," Tomac said. "It's another place where I've never raced and it's always fun to visit a new facility. This also is my last race on a 450 this Supercross season so I want to make the most of it. I'm ready to have some fun."
Tomac, second in the West Series 250cc points standings, is riding a 450 in AMA competition for the first time this season. Daytona was his third race on the bigger bike, and he learns every lap how to ride it better.
"Daytona was a good ride for me," Tomac said. "It was a race where I finally felt like I rode to my abilities. Plus, the bike was set-up exactly how I like. It took some time to get comfortable on it but I totally felt that way in Florida.
"This is a tough deal at the top level. There are champions all around you every weekend. Nothing is easy, but I wouldn't want it any other way."
Wil Hahn, meanwhile, has been having a career year on his 250, which has led to his perch atop the East Series standings in the class. He's finished on the podium in all four East races, winning two and finishing second in Daytona.
"Indy's a fun place to be at," Hahn said. "It's an awesome dome, and we're back in a stadium. For me, it's mainly a matter of continuing to have fun every race and to wear that red plate with pride."
Hahn will again carry the red plate on his GEICO Honda as the points leader, something he garnered with his win in St. Louis. Currently five points ahead of Dean Wilson, Hahn continues to think about points as he races for the East title.
"For sure, I want to win and stretch out that lead, but I have to be smart, too," Hahn said. "The championship would be a huge deal for me, my family, the team, everyone. I'm going to do everything in my power to make it happen."
Teammate Zach Bell, like Tomac, continues to learn in his rookie season aboard a 250 bike. Bell has shown speed at times this season, and now he hopes to build some consistency as the East Series returns indoors.
"Daytona was a hard race for me," Bell said. "I had a couple more spills. I just haven't stayed on the bike for a whole race enough times. Hopefully we can go to Indy, ride fast and smart and get on the podium.
"I'm trying to keep it on two wheels. I'm doing my best and trying to have fun out there at the same time. The team has been awesome to me and has been 100 percent behind me."
PaddockTalk Perspective
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