Meanwhile, while everything went right for Wilson, the opposite was the case for promising Zach Bell of the GEICO Honda outfit. Bell actually outpaced Wilson in their heat before suffering a massive crash from the lead. Bell quickly regrouped to qualifying for the main through the LCQ, but then suffered another heavy fall to end his night prematurely in the 250SX final.

Red Bull KTM's Marvin Musquin, considered by many to be Wilson's biggest threat for the crown, was another to suffer misfortune. The Frenchman came together with another rider at the start and fell in the race's opening corner. However, he got back up, put his head down, and successfully minimized the damage, clawing his way up to sixth at the flag, finishing one spot behind Kawasaki-mounted Justin Hill.

Heat 1 winner Gavin Faith finished seventh with Jimmy Decotis, Vince Friese, and Lance Vincent completing the East opener top ten.

Eastern Regional 250SX Class Results: Arlington

Dean Wilson, Scotland, Kawasaki
Blake Wharton, Pilot Point, Texas, Suzuki
Wil Hahn, Decatur, Texas, Honda
Kyle Peters, Greensboro, N.C., Honda
Justin Hill, Yoncalla, Ore., Kawasaki
Marvin Musquin, France, KTM
Gavin Faith, Fort Dodge, Iowa, Honda
Jimmy Decotis, Peabody, Mass., Honda
Vince Friese, Cape Girardeau, Mo., Honda
Lance Vincent, Youngsville, La., KTM

Eastern Regional 250SX Class Points

Dean Wilson, Scotland, Kawasaki, 25
Blake Wharton, Pilot Point, Texas, Suzuki, 22
Wil Hahn, Decatur, Texas, Honda, 20
Kyle Peters, Greensboro, N.C., Honda, 18
Justin Hill, Yoncalla, Ore., Kawasaki, 16
Marvin Musquin, France, KTM, 15
Gavin Faith, Fort Dodge, Iowa, Honda, 14
Jimmy Decotis, Peabody, Mass., Honda, 13
Vince Friese, Cape Girardeau, Mo., Honda, 12
Lance Vincent, Youngsville, La., KTM, 11