Round eight of the 2024 Monster Energy AMA 250SX East Championship on April 27 saw Jalek Swoll further demonstrate the competitiveness of the Triumph TF 250-X by claiming a historic first Heat Race win for him and Triumph Racing, and then battling for second place in the Main Event.
The Supercross track layout at the Lincoln Financial Field stadium in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania was technically demanding, but offered riders multiple lines and jump combinations to find prime overtaking spots and to set the quickest lap. With the goal of working on his intensity during qualifying, Swoll was immediately on fast form at this penultimate round of the series.
Finishing the 250 class combined qualifying a season’s best fifth overall, Jalek lined up for the Heat Race confident in himself and the Triumph TF 250-X. Powering out of the gate, the 23-year old from Belleview, Florida led all eight laps, despite coming under pressure from the championship leader in the closing stages, to win his – and Triumph’s – first Supercross Heat Race.
Wearing the biggest smile and having the advantage of the first gate pick, Swoll lined up for the Main Event looking for his first podium of the season and to create further history for Triumph Racing. With another strong start, the #33 narrowly missed out on a third holeshot of the season. Holding third for most of the 15 minute plus 1 lap moto, Jalek was gaining on Seth Hammaker in second position. In the closing stages of the race, Jalek saw an opportunity to make the pass that resulted in both riders colliding. Unhurt, they both remounted with Swoll able to salvage eighth position and collect 14 championship points.
The 2024 Monster Energy AMA 250SX East Championship decider will take place on May 11 at the Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City, Utah.
Jalek Swoll (#33)
“Overall it was a good day. Just to be back winning anything is a big step as it’s been a long time since I won something! I had a good Main, sitting in a podium position the entire time and with two laps to go I went for a pass on second. The pass I feel was 50/50 and could have gone both ways. I didn’t think it was too rough and felt like he could have seen me. But hey, it’s just a racing thing. We’ve been in the mix all day and I’m proud of myself for that. We’ll keep grinding and try to bring it to Salt Lake!”
See the incident below:
Here’s what happened to Swoll and Hammaker in the closing laps 😳 #SupercrossLIVE #SMX pic.twitter.com/GBlK0p1ANj
— Supercross LIVE! (@SupercrossLIVE) April 27, 2024
Bobby Hewitt – Triumph Racing Team Principal (US):
“Today was great. We made history by winning a Heat Race. Everything Jalek and I talked about working on our intensity throughout qualifying came good. We qualified the best we had all year, won our first Heat Race, and was battling for the podium the entire Main, keeping with the leader.
I told Jalek to stop racing to finish fifth but start racing to win, and don’t worry about the results. I’m not upset on any level, he did everything I asked him to do this week. The results were much better and I’m really proud of the work put in by him and the team.”
Get Hammaker’s view here:
