Suzuki Teams Display Season-Best Speed at High Point National
Brea, CA – (June 17, 2024) – The High Point Motocross National at Mount Morris, Pennsylvania, delivered clear skies over a muddy track that was soaked from rains on the prior day. The off-camber, hillside track marked the first east coast Outdoor National of 2024. The mud developed into deep ruts and challenging conditions for the racers at Round 4 of the 2025 AMA Pro Motocross Series.
Race Highlights:
- Twisted Tea Suzuki presented by Progressive Insurance
- 450 Class
- Shane McElrath earned top-ten results in both motos and a top-ten overall on the day.
- Kyle Chisholm added to his championship points with a strong performance in the first moto.
- 450 Class
- Toyota Redlands BarX Suzuki
- 450 Class
- Max Miller had a breakthrough ride with top-ten speed in the 450 class’s opening qualifying session.
- 250 Class
- Dilan Schwartz laid down a top-five lap time and used that speed to match his season-best overall result.
- 450 Class
Shane McElrath (12) tallied his season-best overall result to move his Twisted Tea Suzuki RM-Z450 up six positions in the championship standings.
Shane McElrath (12) was impressively fast on the Pennsylvania track. In the final qualifying session, McElrath posted a fourth-fastest lap time, fast enough to qualify him into the top five overall. McElrath turned strong starts into season-best race finishes. Two top-ten moto results put the Suzuki rider into the top ten overall at High Point.
“The track was probably one of the most technical tracks I've raced. With the conditions and the track layout, it was super technical, and I feel that favors my riding style,” said McElrath after the race. “Today was a good swing for us. We started thinking outside the box and it showed. I feel we're just getting started. We know where we're at now, and what we need to change and where we can be better. It's going to be nice to have a weekend off next weekend and get rested.”
Kyle Chisholm (11) used a top-ten start in moto one to finish strong and add to his championship points.
Kyle Chisholm (11) showed a strong pace on the challenging track. During the first moto Chisholm injured his wrist, yet held on to capture points in the race. Chisholm battled during the early laps of the second moto, but the pain increased, and he was forced to pull out of the race.
“I ripped a really good start in the first moto. I was sixth or seventh. I ran pretty well for quite a bit of the race. Unfortunately, somewhere during the first moto, I don't recall exactly, if I got bumped by another rider or if it was a rock or something, but I hurt my wrist,” reported Chisholm. “I tried to race the second moto and just see if I could get another good start and earn some points. I was making moves, trying to work my way up, but my grip strength was compromised, and it just wasn't safe for me to keep racing. I don't think anything major is wrong with my wrist, probably just a sprain and some bruising. I'll give it a few days’ rest, get it checked out if needed, then see where we're at and get back at it before Southwick.”
Max Miller (87) started the day with great speed, delivering a top-ten qualifying time in the first session when the track was especially slick and challenging.
Max Miller (87) was inside the top ten in the opening 450 Group A session. Miller went into the motos with a top-15 qualifying spot. In Moto 2, Miller charged to a strong points-paying position, until a small mistake set him back a few spots.
“The day started great with P-13 out of qualifying,” said Miller. “I went down early in Moto 1, and never found the pace. In Moto 2, I had a good pace going and was running strong, battling for a points-paying position when I crashed with a lap and a half to go. I’m going to take the positives and be ready for Southwick!”
Dilan Schwartz (40) used strong moto finishes at High Point to move his Toyota Redlands BarX Suzuki RM-Z250 up in the championship points.
Dilan Schwartz (40) is showing more speed at each round. Schwartz posted a top-five lap time in the first qualifying session, and landed a top-ten overall qualifying result. Schwartz ran inside the top ten in the first moto, and used consistency on the rutted track to match his season-best overall result.
“At High Point I qualified really well with a P-6 overall,” reported Schwartz. “In Moto 1, I had a decent start and put a good moto together; I ended up P-11. In the second moto didn’t get the greatest start, but made some passes to get into the top 15. I ended the day with a 11-15 for 14th overall.”
“We turned our results around a bit this weekend,” said Larry Brooks, Twisted Tea/H.E.P. Motorsports/Suzuki presented by Progressive Insurance Team Manager. “Shane McElrath rode to his potential. Everyone was pleasantly surprised and happy. It definitely put Shane in a better position in the series. One downside to today was Kyle Chisholm had to pull out of the second moto with a right wrist injury from earlier in the day. He had it X-rayed at the track and there are no broken bones, but it’s hurting him right now. Performance-wise, it was a good round. We have a weekend off this week, and we’ll be ready at Southwick.”
“Today was a good day,” said James Coy, Toyota Redlands BarX Suzuki Team Manager. “The changes we’ve made are showing and the riders are happy with improving results. Dilan had a good day, and now with a week off he can get in more testing time. We are definitely going in the right direction and the coming races should be good for the team.”
The 2024 Motocross schedule takes one weekend off, then lines the racers up again on Saturday, June 29th at The Wick 338 in Southwick, Massachusetts. The Suzuki teams will continue their progress that is delivering stronger race results as the 11-round series nears its mid-point.
Please visit SuzukiCycles.com/Racing/Motocross and HEPMotorsports.com for more team news.
Photos by BrownDogWilson Photography