First it was Los Angeles, then it was Oakland and then it was Anaheim.
Cortez native Eli Tomac continues to take California as well as the world of professional motocross by storm with win after win after win.
In just his second season in the American Motorcyclist Association, the 19-year-old has won his last three Supercross Lites West races. He comfortably leads the SX Lites West standings with 113 points, 22 more than the second-place competitor.
Tomac took third in Anaheim and fourth in Phoenix the first two races of the 2012 season. He has ruled the state of California since. Tomac took the checkered flag at LAs Dodger Stadium (Jan. 21), Oaklands Overstock.com Coliseum (Jan. 28) and Angel Stadium in his return to Anaheim on Feb. 4.
I know Ive had the speed all season. The first two races, I had trouble with my starts, Tomac said. Getting a good start in the main event, is what helped get me in the top five.
Tomac rides a Honda CRF250 for Geico Powersports Honda factory racing team. He will compete today at Qualcomm Stadium in San Diego. It was the same venue a year ago where the son of USA Cycling Hall of Famer, John Tomac, earned his first AMA supercross win.
Im definitely excited. It was my first ever win in supercross, Eli said. Its nice to go in there and know you can do well in that stadium. We got to fire up the track and feel it out. It should be a good one.
Last year, Tomac won in San Diego in a rainstorm and credited the strong track soil to be able to ride under control.
The dirt is really good. Some tracks have a lot of rocks, he said. The tracks are different every year, but you just get a good vibe when you go into that stadium. You just get a good feeling going into some stadiums.
Tomac described the track at Angel Stadium as more difficult. He came from behind to overtake Cole Seely, who slid out during the third lap. Avoiding the potential crash has came with valuable time and experience.
A year of experience under your belt helps, Tomac said. Getting used to 50,000 people and not being nervous, you feel like youre supposed to be there. Its taking it one race at a time.
After today, the AMA west classes will take a nine-week break, as the series shifts east. During the layoff, Tomac wont likely be sitting down. He will look into racing in the sports premier 450cc class for Factory Honda.
Im more likely to do it than not do it, Tomac said. Until it (AMA supercross) goes back to West Coast, Im hoping 450 will keep me in race mode, so I dont lose my race pace.
Tomac has experience in the 450cc class. He raced in the Monster Energy Cup in Las Vegas last fall, where he placed fifth.
It wont be completely new. I took fifth at the Monster Cup, which wasnt bad, Tomac said. Im a little bit of a bigger guy for motorcycles, so 450 will suit me well. It wont be a big drastic change.
Tomac, ultimately, hopes his success in 250cc will carry him to a career in 450cc.
For now, the McElmo Canyon resident is just looking to repeat in San Diego.
Fans can watch Tomac live on SPEED TV at 8:30 p.m.
Reach Bobby Abplanalp at bobbya@cortezjournal.com.