A holeshot in the opening 250MX moto at Ironman Raceway provided the platform for Nate Thrasher to score a season-best race result in Lucas Oil Pro Motocross of P4.

After qualifying fifth for round 11, the Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing rider launched to lead the opening eight laps of the first bout in Crawfordsville.

He was ultimately passed by red plate-holder Jett Lawrence, RJ Hampshire and Hunter Lawrence before race end, but the finish nonetheless marks an improvement on his previous highest of sixth in the series this year. Thrasher completed the second moto P6 to land fifth overall at the penultimate round.

“It was a better day, for sure,” Thrasher recalled. “I was able to get good starts two weekends in a row and got my first holeshot today. Last weekend at Budds Creek, I ended up going down, but this week I was able to lead for a good part of the race.

“I felt like I had the speed to be up there today, but I ran into a little bit of arm pump and rode a little tight. For the second moto, I didn’t have much left in the tank for that one. We’re making strides in the right direction. It’s a stacked field with a lot of people back from injury, so we’ll take it.”

The number 49 is seventh in the 250MX standings entering the finals in Pala this Saturday.