A motivated Justin Hill captured his first victory of the 2017 Monster Energy AMA Supercross Western Regional 250SX Championship inside Anaheim’s Angel Stadium on 21 January.

Following round two in San Diego wheree the Monster Energy Pro Circuit Kawasaki rider crossed the line just half a second behind series leader, Shane McElrath, he entered round three determined to cross the line first.

“It feels good,” said Hill. “When you come that close to a race win and you work that hard for it, it’s fun battling with these guys and when I came into this week I was just like, I want to put a lot of work into it and not let that happen again.

“It was a fun race, I kind of tucked in behind Aaron [Plessinger] off the start, then him and Austin [Forkner] kind of got together so I was able to get around and I got out front and just listened to what my Dad told me on the track, he gave me all of the pointers I needed and I came away with it.”

Hill, now a three-time 250SX main event winner, took a mature approach to his Anaheim 2 main event performance after making his way into the lead during lap one of the 15-minute race.

“Tonight I was just fortunate to get out front, when you’re out there you can think about yourself, you can click the laps off,” he explained. “I just made it about me and my mechanic, I was just looking at the board and thinking, ok that’s the lap, I can beat that, let’s just do it and stay solid.”

With his sights set on the top spot each and every week, the 21-year-old admits he does enjoy the tough competition on hand from his friends and closest competitors McElrath and Plessinger.

“I’m always hungry and I’m always wanting to do good,” he added. “These guys are tough competitors and also my friends, so it’s a lot of fun to battle with them.”

Hill currently sits third overall in the western regional 250SX points chase, just seven points back of series leader McElrath.