From ISRT Kawasaki
The ISRT Kawasaki team traveled across the country for Round 2 of the SuperMotocross (SMX) Playoffs in Southern California. After enduring a wet, muddy week in Ohio, the crew and athletes embraced the dry California weather—though the rapid cross-country turnaround tested the entire team.
Friday Qualifying: A Strong Start
Friday’s practice sessions showed immediate promise for the ISRT lineup:
- Top of the Board: ISRT athletes dominated the 450 non-seeded practice, sweeping 1st and 2nd place during their first time on the track.
- Track Adjustments: As the track rhythm changed, the team adjusted the bike setups, though neither rider could hold onto those top rankings in the final Friday sessions.
Saturday Wild Card: Tears and Triumphs
Saturday is where it counts, and the team came out swinging in the high-stakes Wild Card race.
- The Launch: Vince Friese and Cornelius Tøndel launched their Southeast Sales Powersports KX450s into an incredible 1st and 2nd place start off the gate.
- Friese Transfers: Friese rode a smart race, settling into a 3rd place transfer position to secure his spot in the Main Event.
- Tøndel’s Heartbreak: Tøndel battled hard in the final transfer spot, but intense close-quarters racing led to a minor tip-over. The mistake knocked him out of transfer position, ending his race day early.
The Main Events: Friese Battles Hard
Facing a stacked field from the 20th gate pick, Friese proved his grit in the main event show:
- Moto 1: Friese rocketed off the grid to an impressive 8th place start from the 20th gate. After putting down fast laps early and fighting the entire race, he crossed the line in 17th.
- Moto 2: An even better start saw Friese running strong in 6th place during the opening laps. Unfortunately, disaster struck on Lap 7 when a tangle with another rider sent him down, dropping him back to 22nd. Friese put his head down, fought back to finish 18th, securing 18th overall for the night.
Next Up: The Home Finale
This weekend marked the 30th race of the grueling 2026 season for ISRT. Only one remains. Round 31 takes place this upcoming weekend just outside Branson, Missouri. As a local regional race for the team, everyone is excited to put on a massive show in front of hometown family, friends, fans and partners!
