SALT LAKE CITY – It was a tumultuous path to the finish line on Sunday for Yoncalla native Justin Hill during the 2017 Salt Lake City Supercross main event, but the 21-year-old persevered and finished third to clinch the 2017 Monster Energy Supercross 250sx West Coast title.

Hill edged out fourth place finisher Martin Davalos by just a wheel, but the 20 points he earned from the third place finish put him far enough ahead in the point standings that he can’t be caught with one race to go.

Riders from all over the country are competing in the Monster Energy Supercross series. Hill, the lone competitor from Oregon, propelled himself to the front of the point standings by winning four straight races and finishing on the podium in seven out of the eight weeks so far. His 180 points is 26 ahead of second place Shane Mcelrath, which is more than a first place finish at the season’s final race will net.

The Monster Energy Supercross series wraps up the season with its final race in Las Vegas on May 6.