Image: Supplied.

A suspension adjustment made prior to the night show at Atlanta’s ninth round of the 2019 Monster Energy AMA Supercross Championship has led to Aaron Plessinger’s best finish since entering the premier class this season.

The Monster Energy Yamaha Factory Racing rider admits he struggled in the initial practice sessions, however a change of setting to his rear shock offer him the comfort needed to experience a strong evening out on-track, winding up a respectable fifth in the main event despite a late-race mishap.

“Atlanta supercross was pretty awesome,” Plessinger stated. “I was struggling in the first practices a little bit, but we made a little shock change and it was definitely for the better. I qualified thirteenth and went into the heat race with a pretty good gate pick.

“I came out pretty bad on the start, but I made it work and was able to come back to fifth. Then the main event, I lined up in a pretty good spot and yanked a really good start. I was running fourth for a while and crashed right in the sand, then got up in fifth and stayed there.

“We made a lot of steps in the right direction. I’m really, really excited about tonight and looking forward to Daytona next weekend!”

Jim Perry, Monster Energy Yamaha Factory Racing’s team manager, added: “It was a great night for Aaron Plessinger. He started the day off in a good place and made improvements throughout the day in practice. He built on that with a solid heat race and got off to a great start in the main event and rode with the lead pack for half the race.

“Unfortunately, he had a small tip-over in the deep sand, but got up and continued to charge on and rounded out the top five. He’s been working really hard and with a good start tonight it showed and paid off.”

The main event was won by points leader Cooper Webb (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) ahead of Blake Baggett (Rocky Mountain ATV/MC KTM) and Marvin Musquin (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing).