Chase Sexton Triumphs at Supercross Final, Jett Lawrence Clinches Title in Rookie Season

Chase Sexton - First place 450SX Class – Salt Lake Supercross - Photo Credit- Feld Motor Sports, Inc

First place 450SX Class – Photo Credit: Feld Motor Sports, Inc.

Red Bull KTM Factory Racing's Chase Sexton claimed victory at the final round of the 2024 Monster Energy AMA Supercross season, marking his second win of the season. The event, held at Rice-Eccles Stadium, also saw Jett Lawrence of Team Honda HRC secure his first Monster Energy AMA Supercross Championship in the 450SX Class, becoming only the third rider in history to do so in his rookie season.

Justin Cooper - Second place 450SX Class – Salt Lake Supercross - Photo Credit- Feld Motor Sports, Inc

Second place 450SX Class – Photo Credit: Feld Motor Sports, Inc.

Cooper Webb - Third place 450SX Class – Salt Lake Supercross - Photo Credit- Feld Motor Sports, Inc

Third place 450SX Class – Photo Credit: Feld Motor Sports, Inc.

The day began with a weather delay, but the storm passed, and the racing commenced, showcasing thrilling battles and crowning four Supercross champions. In the 450SX Class, Justin Cooper of Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing delivered a standout performance, securing second place, while Cooper Webb, also of Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing, finished third overall in the season, despite riding injured.

Jett Lawrence - Seventh place 450SX Class – Salt Lake, Supercross Champion - Photo Credit- Feld Motor Sports, Inc.

Seventh place 450SX Class, Supercross Champion – Photo Credit: Feld Motor Sports, Inc.

In the 250SX Class, the Dave Coombs Sr. East/West Showdown saw Haiden Deegan of Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing emerge victorious, claiming his first East/West Showdown win. RJ Hampshire of Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing and Tom Vialle of Red Bull KTM Factory Racing clinched the Western Regional 250SX Class and Eastern Regional 250SX Class titles, respectively.

Haiden Deegan - First place 250SX Class – Salt Lake Supercross - Photo Credit- Feld Motor Sports, Inc

First place 250SX Class – Photo Credit: Feld Motor Sports, Inc.

RJ Hampshire - Second place 250SX Class, Salt Lake - Western Regional 250SX Class Champion - Photo Credit- Feld Motor Sports, Inc

Second place 250SX Class, Western Regional 250SX Class Champion
Photo Credit: Feld Motor Sports, Inc.

Tom Vialle - Eighth place 250SX Class, Eastern Regional 250SX Class Champion - Photo Credit- Feld Motor Sports, Inc

Eighth place 250SX Class, Eastern Regional 250SX Class Champion
Photo Credit: Feld Motor Sports, Inc.

The event also marked the conclusion of the Supercross Futures AMA National Championship, with Cole Davies of Troy Lee Designs GASGAS emerging victorious.

Cole Davies - First place SX Futures Class, Salt Lake - SX Futures Champion - Photo Credit- Feld Motor Sports, Inc.

First place SX Futures Class, SX Futures Champion – Photo Credit: Feld Motor Sports, Inc.

The 2024 Monster Energy Supercross season, with its season-long battles and memorable moments, sets the stage for the 11-round outdoor season of Pro Motocross, promising more thrilling action and competition.

For fans looking to support a worthy cause, the Love Moto Stop Cancer auction, benefiting St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital’s fight against childhood cancer, concludes on May 13th. Visit SupercrossLIVE.com/St-Jude to participate.

Tickets for the Pro Motocross season and all three SuperMotocross World Championship rounds are on sale now at www.MOTO.events. Don't miss out on the opportunity to witness the excitement of motocross firsthand!

Jett Lawrence Takes Back the Lead in Nashville Supercross!

Nashville Supercross Delivered Drama and a Points Shakeup

The Monster Energy Supercross season heated up in Nashville, Tennessee, with championship points leads changing hands in both the 450SX Class and the 250SX Class.

Jett Lawrence - First place 450SX Class – Nashville Supercross - Photo Credit- Feld Motor Sports, Inc.

First place 450SX Class – Photo Credit: Feld Motor Sports, Inc.

Jett Lawrence, Team Honda HRC, secured a convincing victory in the 450SX Main Event, reclaiming the red plate after a four-round winless streak. Eli Tomac, Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing, grabbed the holeshot but eventually finished second. Cooper Webb, also of Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing, came in third, dropping him back five points behind Lawrence in the standings.

Eli Tomac - Second place 450SX Class – Nashville Supercross - Photo Credit- Feld Motor Sports, Inc.

Second place 450SX Class – Photo Credit: Feld Motor Sports, Inc.

Lawrence Ecstatic About Returning to the Top Spot

"I hate losing," Lawrence said in the post-race interview. "But [I'm] really pumped to come out and get it done here... This [win] is leading in the good direction, so hopefully we keep it going."

Cooper Webb - Third place 450SX Class – Nashville Supercross - Photo Credit- Feld Motor Sports, Inc.

Third place 450SX Class – Photo Credit: Feld Motor Sports, Inc.

Hampshire Dominates Inaugural East/West Showdown

RJ Hampshire - First place 250SX Class – Nashville Supercross - Photo Credit- Feld Motor Sports, Inc.

First place 250SX Class – Photo Credit: Feld Motor Sports, Inc.

The 250SX Class saw the first-ever East/West Showdown, where riders from both regions battled it out. Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing's RJ Hampshire emerged victorious, grabbing the holeshot and pulling away from the pack. This win also propelled him to the top spot in the Western Regional 250SX Class point standings.

A Night of Firsts and Close Calls

Jo Shimoda - Second place 250SX Class – Nashville Supercross - Photo Credit- Feld Motor Sports, Inc.

Second place 250SX Class – Photo Credit: Feld Motor Sports, Inc.

Team Honda HRC's Jo Shimoda secured a strong second-place finish in the Showdown, while Red Bull KTM Factory Racing's Tom Vialle took third. Vialle's performance earned him enough points to take the lead in the Eastern Regional 250SX Class championship.

Tom Vialle - Third place 250SX Class – Nashville Supercross - Photo Credit- Feld Motor Sports, Inc.

Third place 250SX Class – Photo Credit: Feld Motor Sports, Inc.

Up next, Illadelph!

The Monster Energy AMA Supercross Championship continues next weekend in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania for Round 15.

Cooper Webb Ties in Championship Points Following a Stellar Victory at Foxborough Supercross

Cooper Webb - First place 450SX Class – Foxborough Supercross - Photo Credit- Feld Motor Sports, Inc.

First place 450SX Class – Photo Credit: Feld Motor Sports, Inc.

The electrifying round 13 of the 2024 Monster Energy AMA Supercross season witnessed Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing’s Cooper Webb dominate at Foxborough’s Gillette Stadium. Leading every lap, Webb not only clinched his fourth win of the year but also spectacularly closed an eight-point deficit, tying up the championship stakes as the series heads into its final stretch.

Chase Sexton and Ken Roczen Bring Fierce Competition

Chase Sexton - Second place 450SX Class – Foxborough Supercross - Photo Credit- Feld Motor Sports, Inc.

Second place 450SX Class – Photo Credit: Feld Motor Sports, Inc.

Amidst the challenging weather conditions, Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Chase Sexton and Progressive Insurance ECSTAR Suzuki’s Ken Roczen gave exhilarating performances. Sexton, pushing hard till the final lap, closely trailed Webb and secured a strong second-place finish. Meanwhile, Roczen maintained his position in the front runners, completing the podium placements, thereby adding to the nail-biting intensity of the race.

Ken Roczen - Third place 450SX Class – Foxborough Supercross - Photo Credit- Feld Motor Sports, Inc.

Third place 450SX Class – Photo Credit: Feld Motor Sports, Inc.

Haiden Deegan Is Back!

Haiden Deegan - First place 250SX Class – Foxborough Supercross - Photo Credit- Feld Motor Sports, Inc.

First place 250SX Class – Photo Credit: Feld Motor Sports, Inc.

In the Eastern Regional 250SX Class, Haiden Deegan of Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing emerged triumphant, marking his second win of the season. The victory is a significant morale booster for Deegan, narrowing the points gap in the regional championship. Cameron McAdoo and Tom Vialle also made notable strides, battling through to finish in admirable positions amidst a diverse field of skilled riders.

250SX Class podium – Foxborough Supercross - Photo Credit- Feld Motor Sports, Inc.

250SX Class podium (riders left to right) Cameron McAdoo, Haiden Deegan, and Tom Vialle.
Photo Credit: Feld Motor Sports, Inc.

SX Futures Class: The Emerging Talents

Drew Adams - First place Futures Class – Foxborough Supercross - Photo Credit- Feld Motor Sports, Inc.

First place SX Futures Class – Photo Credit: Feld Motor Sports, Inc.

The Futures Class saw Drew Adams from Monster Energy Kawasaki Team Green take top honors, demonstrating impressive resilience and skill. His performance, coupled with strong finishes from Gavin Towers and Luke Fauser, underscored the rising talent pool in Supercross, setting the stage for thrilling future competitions.

Next Up!

As the Supercross season progresses to its next destination at Nissan Stadium in Nashville, Tennessee, anticipation builds for the East/West 250SX Class Showdown. With each race crucial for championship points counting towards the SuperMotocross World Championship, the stakes have never been higher.

Don't miss the chance to experience the adrenaline and excitement live. Get your tickets for Supercross Round 14 at Nissan Stadium and join in the action! Purchase your tickets at www.MOTO.events.

Cooper Webb Edges Out Sexton in Nail-Biting Seattle Supercross

Cooper Webb Clinched His Third Victory

Cooper Webb - First place 450SX Class, Seattle Supercross - Photo Credit- Feld Motor Sports inc.

First place 450SX Class – Photo Credit: Feld Motor Sports, Inc.

In a heart-pounding showdown at Lumen Field, Cooper Webb of Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing clinched his third victory of the season in the 2024 Monster Energy Supercross series. The thrilling race saw Webb narrowly beating out Chase Sexton from Red Bull KTM Factory Racing, with fans on the edge of their seats until the very end.

Chase Sexton - Second place 450SX Class, Seattle Supercross - Photo Credit- Feld Motor Sports inc.

Second place 450SX Class – Photo Credit: Feld Motor Sports, Inc.

The track conditions at Lumen Field were challenging, with deep ruts formed by earlier rain. Despite the difficult terrain, Webb and Sexton put on a spectacular show, battling fiercely for the lead. Ultimately, it was Webb who crossed the finish line first, with Sexton hot on his heels, less than a second behind.

Jett Lawrence - Third place 450SX Class, Seattle Supercross - Photo Credit- Feld Motor Sports inc.

Third place 450SX Class – Photo Credit: Feld Motor Sports, Inc.

Jett Lawrence of Team Honda HRC also delivered a strong performance, finishing in third place despite facing setbacks earlier in the race. In the Western Regional 250SX Class, local favorite Levi Kitchen of Monster Energy Pro Circuit Kawasaki dominated the competition, securing a commanding win in front of his hometown crowd.

Reflecting on his victory, Webb praised the intense competition and expressed gratitude to his team and supporters. Sexton, while disappointed with his second-place finish, acknowledged the improvements in his performance and commended his team for their efforts. Lawrence, despite facing challenges during the race, remained positive and focused on securing a podium finish.

Kitchen Wins Hometown

Levi Kitchen - First place 250SX Class, Seattle Supercross - Photo Credit- Feld Motor Sports inc.

First place 250SX Class – Photo Credit: Feld Motor Sports, Inc.

In the 250SX Class, Kitchen celebrated a well-deserved victory, highlighting the importance of perseverance and self-belief. RJ Hampshire of Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing and Jo Shimoda of Team Honda HRC rounded out the podium, showcasing their resilience and determination on the demanding track.

RJ Hampshire - Second place 250SX Class, Seattle Supercross - Photo Credit- Feld Motor Sports inc.

Second place 250SX Class – Photo Credit: Feld Motor Sports, Inc.

Jo Shimoda - Third place 250SX Class, Seattle Supercross - Photo Credit- Feld Motor Sports inc.

Third place 250SX Class – Photo Credit: Feld Motor Sports, Inc.

As the series moves east for Round 12, anticipation is high for another thrilling race at The Dome at America’s Center in St. Louis, Missouri. With the championship battle heating up, fans can expect more exhilarating action as the season progresses. Get tickets here!

Jett Lawrence Secures Back-to-Back Victory at Birmingham Supercross

In a thrilling display of speed and skill, Team Honda HRC's Jett Lawrence secured his position as the first back-to-back winner in the 2024 Monster Energy AMA Supercross Championship with a stellar victory at the Birmingham Supercross. Battling adverse weather conditions and a challenging track, Lawrence's flawless performance inside Protective Stadium in Alabama captivated fans.

Jett Lawrence - First place 450SX Class - Birmingham Supercross - Photo Credit- Feld Motor Sports, Inc.

First place 450SX Class – Photo Credit: Feld Motor Sports, Inc.

With heavy rains soaking the red dirt track the night before the race, conditions were ripe for an intense showdown on the circuit. Despite the challenging terrain, Lawrence seized the lead from the get-go, grabbing the Holeshot and maintaining his position at the front of the pack throughout the race.

Cooper Webb - Second place 450SX Class - Birmingham Supercross - Photo Credit- Feld Motor Sports, Inc.

Second place 450SX Class – Photo Credit: Feld Motor Sports, Inc.

Ken Roczen - Third place 450SX Class - Birmingham Supercross - Photo Credit- Feld Motor Sports, Inc.

Third place 450SX Class – Photo Credit: Feld Motor Sports, Inc.

Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing's Cooper Webb gave chase but was unable to close the gap on Lawrence, settling for a solid second-place finish. Meanwhile, Progressive Insurance ECSTAR Suzuki's Ken Roczen showcased his resilience, storming through the field to claim a well-deserved third-place finish.

Lawrence expressed gratitude to his team and highlighted the demanding nature of the track, emphasizing the importance of patience and precision in navigating its treacherous twists and turns.

Tom Vialle - First place 250SX Class - Birmingham Supercross - Photo Credit- Feld Motor Sports, Inc.

First place 250SX Class – Photo Credit: Feld Motor Sports, Inc.

In the Eastern Regional 250SX Class, Red Bull KTM Factory Racing's Tom Vialle continued his winning streak with another commanding performance, securing his second consecutive victory in Birmingham. Monster Energy Pro Circuit Kawasaki's Cameron McAdoo and Seth Hammaker rounded out the podium, delivering impressive performances of their own.

Cameron McAdoo - Second place 250SX Class - Birmingham Supercross - Photo Credit- Feld Motor Sports, Inc.

Second place 250SX Class – Photo Credit: Feld Motor Sports, Inc.

Seth Hammaker - Third place 250SX Class - Birmingham Supercross - Photo Credit- Feld Motor Sports, Inc.

Third place 250SX Class – Photo Credit: Feld Motor Sports, Inc.

As the championship heads to Indianapolis, Indiana for Round 10 at Lucas Oil Stadium, anticipation mounts for another thrilling installment of Supercross action. With the SuperMotocross World Championship heating up, fans can expect nothing short of adrenaline-fueled excitement as the season progresses.

Cooper Webb's Dominance Reigns in Arlington: A Showdown to Remember

Above all, our hearts and prayers go out to Austin Forkner following a severe crash in the 250 main event. We're sending our best wishes for a swift and full recovery.

Cooper Webb - First place 450SX Class - Photo Credit- Feld Motor Sports, Inc.

First place 450SX Class – Photo Credit: Feld Motor Sports, Inc.

The latest chapter in the saga of Monster Energy Supercross unfolded in spectacular fashion at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. Cooper Webb, the undisputed hero of the track, etched his name in the history books once again with a thrilling victory at Round 7 of the 2024 Monster Energy Supercross season.

Webb's Triumph:
Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing's Cooper Webb, a name synonymous with victory, showcased his unparalleled skill and determination as he seized his sixth win in the Dallas region. With each thunderous roar of his engine, Webb extended his record as the winningest rider in the area, leaving fans in awe of his prowess on the track.

Eli Tomac - Second place 450SX Class - Photo Credit- Feld Motor Sports, Inc.

Second place 450SX Class – Photo Credit: Feld Motor Sports, Inc.

Arlington Supercross Tradition:
AT&T Stadium played host to the 46th edition of the Arlington Supercross, a testament to the rich tradition of heart-pounding racing that has captivated audiences since 1975. Against the backdrop of roaring engines and flying dirt, the legacy of Arlington Supercross continued to thrive, fueling the passion of fans and riders alike.

Quotable Moments:

The Rise of Haiden Deegan:

Haiden Deegan - First place 250SX Class - Photo Credit- Feld Motor Sports, Inc.

First place 250SX Class – Photo Credit: Feld Motor Sports, Inc.

In a heart-pounding display of skill and determination, Haiden Deegan of Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing clinched his first-ever Supercross victory, marking a pivotal moment in his young career. With the courage of a champion and the skill to match, Deegan's triumph echoed through the stadium, inspiring fans and riders alike.

Cameron McAdoo - Second place 250SX Class - Photo Credit- Feld Motor Sports, Inc.

Second place 250SX Class – Photo Credit: Feld Motor Sports, Inc.

Tom Vialle - Third place 250SX Class - Photo Credit- Feld Motor Sports, Inc.

Third place 250SX Class – Photo Credit: Feld Motor Sports, Inc.

Next up!
Ready to experience the thrill of Monster Energy Supercross firsthand? Don't miss your chance to witness the action-packed spectacle live at Supercross Round 8 at the Daytona Int. Speedway in Daytona Beach, FL! Head over to www.moto.events now to secure your tickets for the next adrenaline-fueled showdown. With races scheduled in ten different states, the excitement is just getting started, so grab your tickets today and be part of motocross history in the making!

Webb Triumphs in Anaheim 2 Triple Crown Showdown

Monster Energy AMA Supercross enthusiasts witnessed a sensational night of racing at Angel Stadium as Cooper Webb secured victory at the Anaheim 2 Supercross, marking the first of three Triple Crown events this season. The Triple Crown format, combining results from three races, added an extra layer of intensity to the competition, and Webb emerged victorious with consistent (2-2-5) race performances.

Angel Stadium, with its clear skies, provided the ideal backdrop for the spectacle that unfolded. The event, considered by many as the true start of the season following two mud races, drew a spirited crowd of 43,753 fans.

Eli Tomac - Second place 450SX Class, Anaheim 2 - Photo Credit- Feld Motor Sports, Inc

Second place 450SX Class – Photo Credit: Feld Motor Sports, Inc.

In the 450SX class, the Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing team showcased its prowess. Eli Tomac, going (5-7-1), thrilled the crowd with a stellar performance, clinching second place overall. Webb's teammate, Aaron Plessinger of Red Bull KTM, secured third place with (6-4-3) results, maintaining his lead in the championship points.

Webb shared his thoughts on the unique Triple Crown format: "If you do really well the first two [races], the third one sometimes is easy… I had a lot of wiggle room [in Race #3] and could just, honestly, have a solo ride in fifth place. But it is a little bit weird, for sure, to not go over the checkered flag first. But I think that’s kinda the unique thing about the Triple Crown, is we’ve seen a lot of this happen."

Eli Tomac expressed his determination after the first two races: “I was pretty frustrated after those first two [races]. I was like, ‘Okay, here I’m just – what am I now, fifth – seventh place guy right now?’ I don’t know. I just had to go do something, I had to get off the gate there, so it was good. It was good. Had a good flow. I was able to get the whoop combo down, and I felt like that was important for me, and yeah, felt good.”

Aaron Plessinger - Third place 450SX Class, Anaheim 2 - Photo Credit- Feld Motor Sports, Inc.

Third place 450SX Class – Photo Credit: Feld Motor Sports, Inc.

Looking ahead, Aaron Plessinger is eager to carry the red plate into Detroit: “I knew Detroit was the next race and I really, really wanted to carry the red plate into Detroit given the events that happened last year. That’s gonna be a special race and yeah, I’m ready for it."

In the Western Regional 250SX Class, Levi Kitchen of Monster Energy Pro Circuit Kawasaki showcased his determination, claiming the overall win with (1-2-3) race scores. Kitchen becomes the fourth different winner in four rounds, highlighting the competitiveness in the class.

Levi Kitchen - First place 250SX Class, Anaheim 2 - Photo Credit- Feld Motor Sports, Inc.

First place 250SX Class – Photo Credit: Feld Motor Sports, Inc.

Levi Kitchen reflected on the tight competition: “We’re all really close right now. Obviously I want to be the dominant guy, but yeah, it’s closer now. You can’t start in like fifth and sixth with these guys and have them up front. You’d have to have a pretty amazing – I don’t even know what you’d have to do to be able to get up to them."

RJ Hampshire - Second place 250SX Class, Anaheim 2 - Photo Credit- Feld Motor Sports, Inc.

Second place 250SX Class – Photo Credit: Feld Motor Sports, Inc.

“For the first time in my career I had a flat tire on a Supercross track, so yeah, it was eventful. I knew something was wrong, didn’t necessarily know what until it shot me off in the whoops… I was fine the next couple laps, and then once that rear tire breaks the bead and it’s off the rim, that’s when it gets really, really scary. But overall it was an awesome night. That first and second moto were sick. If we could do that every weekend, I mean, we’d probably get paid a lot more because that was a show. [smiles]. But like I said, that was fun. All in all, it was a really solid day.” – RJ Hampshire

Nate Thrasher - Third place 250SX Class, Anaheim 2 - Photo Credit- Feld Motor Sports, Inc.

Third place 250SX Class – Photo Credit: Feld Motor Sports, Inc.

“[The new bike is] the same motor package but a whole different chassis. So all the suspension characteristics are completely different. So we’re still leaning, but I think I got a good package this weekend. I felt like it was a big step in the right direction for me, and we’re still learning, still working, still trying to get a little bit better, but last week [in testing] I think we found a little bit and it showed this weekend… It was a very hardpack track out there today and on the bike I was racing a couple weekends ago I was struggling pretty bad with the hardpack. So yeah, it was definitely a little bit better spot for me.” – Nate Thrasher

Cole Davies - First place in Futures Class, Anaheim 2 - Photo Credit- Feld Motor Sports, Inc.

First place SX Futures Class – Photo Credit: Feld Motor Sports, Inc.

“It was an awesome battle. We were just going back and forth. And it was super tiring, I was breathing so hard and, you’re just glad to be on top… I couldn’t even feel myself. I was like so frickin – I was like in a dream it felt like.” – Cole Davies (#17)

As the series heads to Detroit, Michigan, for Round 5 at Ford Field on Saturday, February 3rd, the daytime schedule will add a unique element to the racing experience, starting at 3:00 PM Eastern Time. The event will also kick off the 9-round Eastern Regional 250SX Championship.

Stay tuned for more fierce competition in the pursuit of victory in the Monster Energy AMA Supercross Championship. Every race is available live on PeacockTV, with select rounds airing on NBC, USA Network, CNBC, NBCSports.com, and the NBC Sports app. Don't miss the action-packed spectacle as the riders gear up for more intense battles in Detroit.

For ticket information, visit Moto.Events. The journey continues, and the excitement only intensifies as the season progresses.

Plessinger Dominates San Diego Supercross

Returning to San Diego for the 41st time, Snapdragon Stadium set the stage for an intense evening of racing. Daytime rain had saturated the track, creating deep ruts that tested the riders' skills. Despite the challenging conditions, a sold-out crowd witnessed the riders tackle the 50th Anniversary Race, commemorating the sport's 50th year.

450SX Class Battle:

Red Bull KTM's Aaron Plessinger emerged victorious, claiming both the top spot on the podium and the lead in the championship points. The third round of the Monster Energy AMA Supercross Championship showcased the grit and determination of the riders as they navigated a muddy track under challenging conditions.

Aaron Plessinger - First place 450SX Class, San Deigo - Photo Credit- Feld Motor Sports, Inc.

First place 450SX Class – Photo Credit: Feld Motor Sports, Inc.

Two-time champion Cooper Webb of Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing battled through the muck to secure second place, marking his first podium of the year. Justin Barcia of Troy Lee Designs Red Bull GASGAS Factory Racing claimed the runner-up spot, demonstrating resilience on the rain-soaked track.

Cooper Webb - Second place 450SX Class, San Deigo - Photo Credit- Feld Motor Sports, Inc.

Second place 450SX Class – Photo Credit: Feld Motor Sports, Inc.

Justin Barcia - Third place 450SX Class, San Deigo - Photo Credit- Feld Motor Sports, Inc.

Third place 450SX Class – Photo Credit: Feld Motor Sports, Inc.

Quotes from the Podium:

Aaron Plessinger: "It feels really, really good. I got off to a good start and just rode a good race. Kenny [Roczen] was in front, and then I just applied a little pressure, and he ended up going down. Cooper [Webb] was just right there behind me keeping me on my toes."

Cooper Webb: "I think I’ve had a great season so far, but on paper it hasn’t [looked that way]. Anaheim 1 was great but last weekend was not. Tonight was great to get those points back, get it back in the mix."

Justin Barcia: "The rebound this weekend was absolutely awesome. I felt really good, just staying in my lane. I didn’t feel the greatest, but I ride well in those conditions. This is a really cool podium, and I’m super proud to be on this podium tonight."

Thrilling 250SX Class Showdown:

Nate Thrasher - First place 250SX Class, San Deigo - Photo Credit- Feld Motor Sports, Inc.

First place 250SX Class – Photo Credit: Feld Motor Sports, Inc.

In the Western Regional 250SX Class, Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing's Nate Thrasher delivered a thrilling performance, earning the win after a closely contested battle that saw the top three riders trading positions throughout the race delivering a nail-biting spectacle for the fans.

Garrett Marchbanks - Second place 250SX Class, San Deigo - Photo Credit- Feld Motor Sports, Inc.

Second place 250SX Class – Photo Credit: Feld Motor Sports, Inc.

Jordon Smith - Third place 250SX Class, San Deigo - Photo Credit- Feld Motor Sports, Inc.

Third place 250SX Class – Photo Credit: Feld Motor Sports, Inc.

Quotes from the 250SX Class Winners:

Nate Thrasher: "The dirt was starting to grip back up. I was just trying to ride it like it was dry. My goal for the night was to go out there and ride all-out and whatever happens, happens."

Garrett Marchbanks: "Once I passed RJ [Hampshire] for the lead, I was kinda like, ‘Holy crap, I’m actually leading.’ It’s been a really long time since Daytona that I’ve led some laps."

Jordon Smith: "The last five laps were probably the best of the race for me. It was not really any kind of holding back at the end; it was trying to keep those guys behind me and push forward."

Next Stop: Anaheim 2 Supercross

The adrenaline-fueled journey continues as the series heads to Angel Stadium of Anaheim on January 27th for the second race of 2024. The Anaheim 2 Supercross marks Round 4 of the Monster Energy AMA Supercross series and the fourth round of the 31-round SuperMotocross World Championship. The battle for supremacy intensifies, promising more heart-stopping moments and fierce competition.

Tickets for upcoming Supercross events are available now. Visit moto.events and secure your spot to witness the adrenaline-fueled battle at Angel Stadium of Anaheim on January 27th. The Anaheim 2 Supercross marks Round 4 of the Monster Energy AMA Supercross series and the fourth round of the 31-round SuperMotocross World Championship. The battle for supremacy intensifies, promising more heart-stopping moments and fierce competition.

Jett Lawrence’s Perfect Start in 2023 Pro Motocross Championship Continues with Third Straight Moto Sweep at Thunder Valley

Hunter Lawrence Brings Home Third 250 Class Win to Maintain Sibling Dominance

The 2023 Pro Motocross Championship, sanctioned by AMA Pro Racing, traveled more than a mile high for its third round of the summer with an annual visit to the foothills of the Rocky Mountains and scenic Thunder Valley Motocross Park, just outside Denver. The Toyota Thunder Valley National always provides an early test for the world’s fastest racers thanks to its elevation, but the end result on the track was more of the same from the Team Honda HRC siblings of Jett and Hunter Lawrence. The Australian duo continued their dominant starts to the season, with each capturing their third victory to remain unbeaten in the overall classification. Jett’s perfect start to his rookie 450 Class campaign continued, while Hunter closed out the 250 Class in emphatic fashion.


450 class banner bl

Moto 1

The opening moto once again saw the Honda of Jett Lawrence at the front of the field as the championship leader secured another MotoSport.com Holeshot ahead of Monster Energy Kawasaki’s Adam Cianciarulo and Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Cooper Webb. A hard-charing Webb was aggressive early and made the pass on Cianciarulo to move into second. Behind them, Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing’s Dylan Ferrandis and Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Aaron Plessinger were both pushing to get into the mix and came together, which sent both riders to the ground and deep into the field.

Back up front, Lawrence moved out to a lead of more than four seconds over Webb just five minutes into the moto, while Cianciarulo was forced to contend with Toyota of Redlands/BarX/Suzuki’s Derek Drake in a battle for third.

Lawrence’s lead grew to double digits at the halfway point of the moto and he never looked back. He went wire to wire for the fourth time this season and extended his unbeaten moto streak to five by 31.6 seconds over Webb, with Cianciarulo following in a season-best third. Plessinger rebounded from his early misfortune to finish fourth, while Sport Clips/Beachview Treatment/Airline Vacuum Kawasaki’s Ty Masterpool finished fifth after starting in the rear of the field following a tip over in the first turn.

2306011 Jett Lawrence - Thunder Valley

Jett Lawrence remained perfect en route to a third straight 1-1 effort.
Photo: Align Media

Moto 2

Light rain greeted riders to start the final moto, as Lawrence stormed to his fifth MotoSport.com Holeshot in six tries this season, ahead of Manluk Rock River Yamaha’s Grant Harlan, Cianciarulo, and Ferrandis. A lot of jockeying for position unfolded on the opening lap, but eventually Cianciarulo positioned himself in second with Ferrandis third, followed by the KTMs of Webb and Plessinger.

As everyone behind him engaged in battle, Lawrence jumped out to a lead of more than 2.5 seconds and easily controlled the race at the head of the pack. Cianciarulo continued to give chase from second while Webb made his way around Ferrandis for third. The battles didn’t end there as Plessinger clawed his way from fifth to second during the first 10 minutes, with Webb following through into third. Also garnering attention was Masterpool, who surprised his factory counterparts with a charge up to fourth.

At the halfway point of the moto Lawrence enjoyed a comfortable lead of eight seconds over Plessinger, who firmly held on to the second spot. Webb ran third but was forced to fend off a hard-charging Masterpool, who soon took control of the position. Ferrandis then followed through into fourth.

It was smooth sailing for Lawrence out front, as he compiled his fifth wire-to-wire performance of the season and kept his undefeated record intact with a winning margin of 11.9 seconds over Plessinger. The battle for third came down to the final corners as Ferrandis made a late, last lap pass on Masterpool to steal the position.

2306011 Aaron Plessinger - Thunder Valley

Aaron Plessinger finished in the runner-up spot following 4-2 finishes.
Photo: Align Media

Overall

Lawrence’s third 1-1 sweep to open his rookie campaign in the premier division has been further highlighted by the fact he’s led every single lap of competition. He’s also rewriting the history books with the single-most-impressive start to a 450 Class career in history. Plessinger’s stellar second moto vaulted him into the runner-up spot overall (4-2), while Webb helped put a pair of KTMs on the podium in third (2-5).

Lawrence’s maximum point total after three rounds has allowed him to open a 34-point lead in the championship standings over Ferrandis, who finished fifth overall (7-3). Webb remains third, 38 points out of the lead.

230611 Cooper Webb - Thunder Valley

Cooper Webb made it two KTMs on the podium in third (2-5).
Photo: Align Media

Jett Lawrence, Team Honda HRC
“An awesome day here. I got an even better start in the second moto. I couldn’t really push as hard as I wanted to because the rain made it a bit greasy, so I focused on maintaining. It was a fun day. The Lawrence boys did it again.”

Aaron Plessinger, Red Bull KTM Factory Racing
“I hate to have [the crash] happen in that first moto. Dylan [Ferrandis] and my lines came together and we hit. It was a racing incident. That one hurt though, he hit me pretty hard. Then we just came out and ripped that second moto. It was a good day. I didn’t keep it off the ground, but we still ended up on the podium.”

Cooper Webb, Red Bull KTM Factory Racing
“It was a struggle in the second moto, but we did the best we could and fought hard. I’m happy to be on the podium again, it’s great. It’s not easy to get up here, a lot has to happen, but it feels good when you are.”

230611 450 podium - Thunder Valley

450 Class Overall Results (Moto Finish // Points)

  1. Jett Lawrence, Landsborough, Qld.,Australia, Honda (1-1 // 50)
  2. Aaron Plessinger, Hamilton, Ohio, KTM (4-2 // 40)
  3. Cooper Webb, Newport, N.C., KTM (2-5 // 38)
  4. Adam Cianciarulo, Port Orange, Fla., Kawasaki (3-6 // 35)
  5. Dylan Ferrandis, Avignon, France, Yamaha (7-3 // 34)
  6. Ty Masterpool, Fallon, Nev., Kawasaki (5-4 // 34)
  7. Garrett Marchbanks, Coalville, Utah, Yamaha (6-8 // 28)
  8. Grant Harlan, Justin, Texas, Yamaha (8-7 // 27)
  9. Fredrik Noren, Lidköping, Sweden, Suzuki (10-10 // 22)
  10. Lorenzo Locurcio, Valencia, Venezuela, GASGAS (12-9 // 21)

450 Class Championship Standings (Round 3 of 11)

  1. Jett Lawrence, Landsborough, Qld., Australia, Honda – 150
  2. Dylan Ferrandis, Avignon, France, Yamaha – 116
  3. Cooper Webb, Newport, N.C., KTM – 112
  4. Aaron Plessinger, Hamilton, Ohio, KTM – 109
  5. Adam Cianciarulo, Port Orange, Fla., Kawasaki – 98
  6. Lorenzo Locurcio, Valencia, Venezuela, GASGAS – 67
  7. Fredrik Noren, Lidköping, Sweden, Suzuki – 63
  8. Ty Masterpool, Fallon, Nev., Kawasaki – 62
  9. Derek Drake, San Luis Obispo, Calif., Suzuki – 58
  10. Grant Harlan, Justin, Texas, Yamaha – 56

450 Class Highlights – Toyota Thunder Valley National


250 class banner

Moto 1

The first moto of the afternoon got underway with a multi-rider incident that collected some of the class’ top competitors, including Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing’s RJ Hampshire, Monster Energy/Pro Circuit/Kawaskai’s Jo Shimoda, and Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Tom Vialle, and also impacted Hunter Lawrence, who stayed on two wheels.

Out front, Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing’s Haiden Deegan emerged with the MotoSport.com Holeshot ahead of his teammates Justin Cooper and Levi Kitchen. A brief tip over caused Deegan to lose the lead a drop a couple positions, but he remounted quickly in third behind new leader Cooper and Kitchen. Deegan then went back on the attack and passed Kitchen for second. Behind the leaders, Lawrence fought through the early adversity to position himself in sixth.

As the field settled in through the first 10 minutes of the moto the Star Yamaha contingent occupied the top four spots in the running order, with Lawrence pressuring from fifth. The Honda rider continued to push the pace and passed the Yamaha of Jordon Smith for fourth. He then set his sights on Kitchen in third. As the halfway point of the moto approached, a three-rider battle for second took shape with Deegan, Kitchen, and Lawrence. Lawrence moved into podium position with a pass on Kitchen and was then all over the rear fender of Deegan. After a couple laps of patience Lawrence made an assertive move to take control of the runner-up spot. He faced a 10-second deficit to Cooper with 13 minutes left.

As Cooper and Lawrence strengthened their hold on the top two positions the attention shifted to an incredible rise through the field by Shimoda. The Kawasaki rider methodically worked his way forward after the crash off the start and was able to climb all the way into the top three in the closing minutes of the moto.

Cooper took his first moto win of the season by 2.7 seconds over Lawrence, who made an impressive push late to close the deficit, with Shimoda in a hard-fought third. Deegan settled for fourth, while Kitchen rounded out the top five.

230611 Hunter Lawrence - Thunder Valley

Hunter Lawrence wrapped up his third overall win with another Moto 2 victory.
Photo: Align Media

Moto 2

The second moto started cleanly with Cooper at the front of the field for the MotoSport.com Holeshot, pursued by Kitchen and Lawrence. A swap for second occurred briefly between Lawrence and Kitchen, but the Yamaha rider fought back. A short while later Lawrence reclaimed the position and became the benefactor of a tip over by Cooper, who went down and gave up the lead. He remounted just outside the top 10.

With the lead in hand, Lawrence was able to inch away from Kitchen, while Smith slotted into third. As the moto reached the 10-minute mark a battle for third emerged between Smith and Team Honda HRC’s Chance Hymas, from which the rookie prevailed with the position.

Lawrence continued to strengthen his hold on the lead as the moto wore on, which left the battle for second to come down to Kitchen and Hymas. The Honda rider closed in briefly, but Kitchen responded to keep him at bay.

A drama free moto for Lawrence saw the Australian capture a third consecutive Moto 2 win, 4.7 seconds ahead of Kitchen who kept Lawrence honest the whole race. Hymas recorded a career-best result in third. Cooper recovered from his first-lap crash to finish fourth.

230611 Justin Cooper - Thunder Valley

Justin Cooper was the best he’s been this season with a runner-up finish (1-4).
Photo: Align Media

Overall

Season-best 2-1 moto finishes landed Lawrence atop the overall podium once again for his third straight win to open the season and the fourth victory of his career. Cooper’s resiliency in the final moto was enough to give him the runner-up spot (1-4). One year removed from his podium debut at this event, Kitchen landed on the overall podium for the second time in his career in third (5-2).

Lawrence extended his lead in the championship standings to 16 points and is now chased by Cooper, who moved into second place. Deegan dropped to third, 27 points out of the lead.

230611 Levi Kitchen - Thunder Valley

Levi Kitchen earned his second career podium finish in third (5-2).
Photo: Align Media

Hunter Lawrence, Team Honda HRC
“I didn’t want to run [Cooper] over [after the crash], so I tried to go around him. After that I just rode my own race. Definitely made life a lot easier getting a good start. I’m stoked.”

Justin Cooper, Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing
“It was a great day. I rode really good all day and I’m happy with the bike. I bent my levers a bit [in the crash] and couldn’t use my front brake for a couple laps. After a few laps I got my controls back and started finding my flow again and made a push to the front. I did what I could. I gave it all I had.”

Levi Kitchen, Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing
“In that first moto I feel like I left a little on the table. I didn’t ride my greatest. In the second [moto] I tried to get another good start and lock in with [Cooper] and Hunter [Lawrence]. I got into some lappers and lost a lot of time, then my buddy Chance [Hymas] was keeping me honest. That was a fun race. I’m really stoked on how the day went.”

230611 250 podium - Thunder Valley

250 Class Overall Results (Moto Finishes // Points)

  1. Hunter Lawrence, Landsborough, Qld.,Australia, Honda (2-1 // 47)
  2. Justin Cooper, Cold Spring Harbor, N.Y., Yamaha (1-4 // 43)
  3. Levi Kitchen, Washougal, Wash., Yamaha (5-2 // 38)
  4. Jo Shimoda, Suzuka, Japan, Kawasaki (3-8 // 33)
  5. Chance Hymas, Pocatello, Idaho, Honda (11-3 // 30)
  6. Max Vohland, Sacramento, Calif., KTM (7-5 // 30)
  7. Jordon Smith, Belmont, N.C., Yamaha (6-6 // 30)
  8. Haiden Deegan, Temecula, Calif., Yamaha (4-9 // 30)
  9. RJ Hampshire, Hudson, Fla., Husqvarna (8-7 // 22)
  10. Jalek Swoll, Belleview, Fla., Husqvarna (10-10 // 22)

250 Class Championship Standings (Round 3 of 11)

  1. Hunter Lawrence, Landsborough, Qld.,Australia, Honda – 137
  2. Justin Cooper, Cold Spring Harbor, N.Y., Yamaha – 121
  3. Haiden Deegan, Temecula, Calif., Yamaha – 110
  4. Jo Shimoda, Suzuka, Japan, Kawasaki – 95
  5. RJ Hampshire, Hudson, Fla., Husqvarna – 94
  6. Levi Kitchen, Washougal, Wash., Yamaha – 88
  7. Max Vohland, Sacramento, Calif., KTM – 83
  8. Tom Vialle, Avignon, France, KTM – 68
  9. Chance Hymas, Pocatello, Idaho, Honda – 63
  10. Ryder DiFrancesco, Bakersfield, Calif., Kawasaki – 63

250 Class Highlights – Toyota Thunder Valley National


The 2023 Pro Motocross Championship will make its east coast debut next Saturday, June 17, with the Father’s Day tradition at famed High Point Raceway in Mt. Morris, Pennsylvania. The GEICO Motorcycle High Point National will conclude the first month of action for the summer as the fourth round will be streamed live, exclusively on Peacock, beginning with Race Day Live, presented by MotoSport.com, at 7 a.m. PT / 10 a.m. ET, and followed by 4.5 consecutive hours of uninterrupted race coverage beginning at 10 a.m. PT / 1 p.m. ET.

Jett Lawrence Remains Perfect at Hangtown for Second Win of 2023 Pro Motocross Championship

Hunter Lawrence Wins Again in 250 Class for Another Sibling Sweep

The 2023 Pro Motocross Championship, sanctioned by AMA Pro Racing, continued with its second California round, this time in the northern half of the state in the shadow of the capital of Sacramento. The history of the iconic Carson City Motorsports Hangtown Motocross Classic is one of the richest and deepest in the sport and always provides one of the toughest tests of the summer. Temperatures that hovered around 90 degrees made for challenging conditions at this early juncture of the championship, but the end result on the track was the same as the previous week as the Australian siblings from Team Honda HRC, Jett and Hunter Lawrence, prevailed once again in the 450 Class and 250 Class, respectively.


Moto 1

One week removed from a win in his 450 Class debut, Jett Lawrence carried the red plate as points leader for the first time and positioned himself at the head of the pack to open the first moto following an impressive move around Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing’s Dylan Ferrandis, who grabbed the MotoSport.com Holeshot. As Lawrence looked to sprint away from the field Ferrandis engaged in an intense battle with the Red Bull KTM Factory Racing duo of Aaron Plessinger and Cooper Webb, as Monster Energy Kawasaki’s Adam Cianciarulo lurked in fifth.

Due to the pace of the fight for second between Ferrandis and Plessinger, the pair closed in on Lawrence, but it didn’t take long for the young Aussie to pull back out and stabilize his advantage. Behind him, the relentless fight between the Yamaha and KTM riders continued, as Ferrandis continued to withstand the pressure.

The action quieted down through the mid portion of the moto as the lead trio settled in, but another wave of intensity loomed. As time wound down on the race clock, Lawrence grew his lead to nearly eight seconds while Plessinger dropped the hammer to close the gap late on Ferrandis. Lawrence once again led every lap and cruised to his third straight moto win, while Ferrandis and Plessinger’s battle carried on through the final corner, with the Frenchman narrowly earning second, 4.1 seconds behind Lawrence and less than a half-second ahead of Plessinger. Webb finished in a distant fourth, while Cianciarulo rounded out the top five.

Jett Lawrence - Hangtown National

Jett Lawrence once again led every lap of competition
en route to a second consecutive 1-1 sweep.
Photo: Align Media

Moto 2

The final moto of the afternoon looked like it’d once again be Ferrandis with the MotoSport.comHoleshot, but he was overcome by Lawrence, who then stormed into the lead. Ferrandis continued to lose spots, as Webb and Plessinger moved into second and third, respectively. The Frenchman eventually settled into fourth, ahead of Cianciarulo.

Webb looked to keep Lawrence honest through the opening five minutes of the moto but the point leader started to build on his advantage with every lap and was soon more than four seconds clear of his rivals. That left the KTM teammates to engage in a tense battle for second.

Halfway through the moto the running order remained unchanged, but the pursuit of Webb, Plessinger, and Ferrandis allowed them to maintain the deficit to Lawrence and keep him in sight. They paced one another for several more minutes before Plessinger started to increase the pressure and searched for alternate lines. With 11 minutes to go Plessinger pulled the trigger and made the pass stick on Webb to take control of second. Webb then came under fire from Ferrandis in a battle for third.

Following the pass Plessinger took a second off Lawrence’s lead and was the fastest rider on the track. However, Lawrence responded with his fastest lap of the moto to push the lead back out. The Honda rider backed that up with another one of his fastest laps to open up a margin of 5.5 seconds with five minutes remaining.

The moto took a turn with three minutes to go as Plessinger went down and struggled to get his KTM restarted due to a broken clutch lever. That allowed both Webb and Ferrandis to assume the remaining spots on the moto podium as their battle for second continued. Plessinger eventually resumed in fifth but was unable to run the same pace.

Lawrence maintained his undefeated start to the season with ease, as he wrapped up his second 1-1 sweep by five seconds over Webb, while Ferrandis settled for third. Plessinger soldiered home in sixth.

Dylan Ferrandis - Hangtown National

Dylan Ferrandis finished in the runner-up spot following 2-3 moto scores.
Photo: Align Media

Overall

For the second week in a row Lawrence led every lap of competition to cap off another dominant 1-1 effort. Plessinger’s misfortune allowed Ferrandis to finish in the runner-up spot (2-3) and also moved Webb onto the overall podium in third (4-2) for the first time since the final round of the 2021 season.

Lawrence now joins elite company with Jeff Ward as the only two riders in Pro Motocross history to go 1-1 in the first two races of their 450 Class career. His lead in the championship standings now sits at 18 points over Ferrandis, while Webb moved into third, 26 points out of the lead.

Cooper Webb - Hangtown National

Cooper Webb made his anticipated return to the podium in third (4-2).
Photo: Align Media

Jett Lawrence, Team Honda HRC
“The track was so brutal [in the second moto]. You had to be patient and couldn’t take too much. I didn’t eat enough between motos and lost energy halfway through and just relied on technique to keep it going. On this track you really had to manage everything because if you took too much it could bite you. It almost got me a couple times so I really had to focus and keep it on two wheels.”

Dylan Ferrandis, Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing
“I’m very happy because we made a big change from the first moto and the bike was much better, but I struggled with arm pump all day. The track was very hard and it was difficult to pass. I had to follow the whole [second] moto. I’m a little bit frustrated by this, but I’m still happy to be on the podium and to get the bike more comfortable.”

Cooper Webb, Red Bull KTM Factory Racing
“It was a sufferfest [in Moto 2]. I’m so pumped. It’s incredible what seven days can do. Last week I thought I was going to get lapped in the second moto and this week I could see the leader. I definitely learned how to suffer again and that was nice. I’m just stoked.”

450 Podium - Hangtown National

450 Class Overall Results (Moto Finish // Points)

  1. Jett Lawrence, Landsborough, Qld.,Australia, Honda (1-1 // 50)
  2. Dylan Ferrandis, Avignon, France, Yamaha (2-3 // 42)
  3. Cooper Webb, Newport, N.C., KTM (4-2 // 40)
  4. Aaron Plessinger, Hamilton, Ohio, KTM (3-6 // 35)
  5. Adam Cianciarulo, Port Orange, Fla., Kawasaki (5-4 // 34)
  6. Ty Masterpool, Fallon, Nev., Kawasaki (7-7 // 28)
  7. Derek Drake, San Luis Obispo, Calif., Suzuki (8-8 // 26)
  8. Jerry Robin, Hamel, Minn., Yamaha (10-9 // 23)
  9. Lorenzo Locurcio, Valencia, Venezuela, GASGAS (9-11 // 22)
  10. Jose Butron, Cadiz, Spain, GASGAS (16-5 // 21)

450 Class Championship Standings (Round 2 of 11)

  1. Jett Lawrence, Landsborough, Qld., Australia, Honda – 100
  2. Dylan Ferrandis, Avignon, France, Yamaha – 82
  3. Cooper Webb, Newport, N.C., KTM – 74
  4. Aaron Plessinger, Hamilton, Ohio, KTM – 69
  5. Adam Cianciarulo, Port Orange, Fla., Kawasaki – 63
  6. Lorenzo Locurcio, Valencia, Venezuela, GASGAS – 46
  7. Jose Butron, Cadiz, Spain, GASGAS – 45
  8. Chase Sexton, La Moille, Ill., Honda – 44
  9. Jerry Robin, Hamel, Minn., Yamaha – 43
  10. Fredrik Noren, Lidköping, Sweden, Suzuki – 41

450 Class Highlights – Carson City Motorsports Hangtown Motocross Classic


250 class banner

Moto 1

One of the championship’s freshest faces opened the first moto with the MotoSport.comHoleshot and early lead as Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing rookie Haiden Deegan stormed out to a multi-second advantage on the opening lap over his teammate Justin Cooper, Monster Energy/Pro Circuit/Kawasaki rookie Jett Reynolds, and Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Tom Vialle. Hunter Lawrence started the moto deep inside the top 10.

As the Yamahas asserted their hold up front, Reynolds and Vialle started to battle for third, which saw the Kawasaki rider go off track and down to the ground to hand the position to Vialle.

Deegan built on his advantage over Cooper through the opening 10 minutes of the moto, as both Vialle and Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing’s Guillem Farres settled into third and fourth, respectively. Behind them Lawrence was on a march forward in fifth.

As the moto reached its halfway point an international three-rider battle unfolded between France’s Vialle, Spain’s Farres, and Australia’s Lawrence. Vialle got the worst of this brief fight, dropping from third to fifth, while Lawrence battled his way into third and pulled away.

With 10 minutes remaining the battle for the lead started to heat up as Cooper continued to chip away at his deficit to Deegan and closed to within two seconds. The momentum shift was short lived as Deegan responded by picking up the pace and stabilizing the lead once more. As the race entered its final minute Cooper made a final push to get the closest he’d been all moto. About 1.5 seconds separated the duo as they took the 2 Lap board, from which Deegan dug deep again to pull back out.

The second-generation racer captured the first moto win of his career by 2.1 seconds over Cooper for a Star Yamaha 1-2, with Lawrence not too far behind in third. Monster Energy/Pro Circuit/Kawasaki’s Jo Shimoda overcame a start outside the top 10 to finish fourth, with Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing’s RJ Hampshire fifth.

Hunter Lawrence - Hangtown National

Another Moto 2 win put Hunter Lawrence atop the overall podium.
Photo: Align Media

Moto 2

The deciding moto began with Cooper out front for the MotoSport.com Holeshot, which he used to grab control of the early lead ahead of Lawrence, with Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing’s Jalek Swoll third. As Cooper and Lawrence asserted themselves at the head of the pack, Swoll was forced to fend off pressure from Vialle. Deegan started the moto deep in the top 10 and quickly went to work in climbing up the running order.

Back out front, Lawrence went on the attack and successfully made the pass around Cooper within the first 10 minutes. The clear track allowed Lawrence to establish a quick lead, as he wasted little time moving ahead by nearly four seconds. Cooper settled into second as did Swoll in third. However, a brief off-track excursion caused Swoll to lose third to Vialle and another position to Team Honda HRC rookie Chance Hymas.

As the moto surpassed the halfway point the top three in the running order strengthened their grasp on the podium spots, with Lawrence managing a lead of more than six seconds over Cooper, while Vialle followed another six seconds back in third.

The lead group went unchanged through the end of the moto, as Lawrence wrapped up another Moto 2 victory with ease, 3.1 seconds ahead of Cooper, with Vialle third. Deegan earned a hard-fought fourth-place finish that paid big dividends in the overall classification.

Justin Cooper - Hangtown National

A consist 2-2 outing earned Justin Cooper his first podium finish of the season.
Photo: Align Media

Overall

With another 3-1 effort to open the season Lawrence parlayed his second moto win into back-to-back overall victories. Cooper’s consistent afternoon (2-2) put him on the overall podium for the first time this summer in the runner-up spot, while Deegan brought home a second straight top-three result in third (1-4).

The win is the third of Lawrence’s career and establishes his first ever winning streak in Pro Motocross competition. He extended his points lead to 10 over Deegan, while Cooper moved into third, 12 points out of the lead.

Haiden Deegan - Hangtown National

Haiden Deegan earned his first career moto win en route to his second podium finish.
Photo: Align Media

Hunter Lawrence, Team Honda HRC
“The start was crucial [in Moto 2]. They put a lot of water down and I didn’t want to be behind anyone for long with that. It was the first hot one of the year, a bit of a wake up call, but happy to get out of here safe and healthy.”

Justin Cooper, Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing
“[Lawrence] probably was following me a bit, checking out my lines, and seeing where he was better. He was riding good. It’s disappointing to give up the lead like that, but it’s a way better weekend than last and I’ll definitely take two seconds. I feel like I get close but don’t get one of these wins and that’s building up the fire. I want to win, so it’s time to start digging.”

Haiden Deegan, Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing
“I didn’t get a great start and I had to work through the pack. I charged hard and rode my heart out. It’s crazy to think I was riding superminis a year and a half ago and now we’re getting podiums in Pro Motocross. It’s still so crazy. I’m hyped.”

250 Podium - Hangtown National

250 Class Overall Results (Moto Finishes // Points)

  1. Hunter Lawrence, Landsborough, Qld.,Australia, Honda (3-1 // 45)
  2. Justin Cooper, Cold Spring Harbor, N.Y., Yamaha (2-2 // 44)
  3. Haiden Deegan, Temecula, Calif., Yamaha (1-4 // 43)
  4. Tom Vialle, Avignon, France, KTM (7-3 // 34)
  5. RJ Hampshire, Hudson, Fla., Husqvarna (5-5 // 32)
  6. Jo Shimoda, Suzuka, Japan, Kawasaki (4-10 // 29)
  7. Guillem Farres, Balsareny, Spain, Yamaha (6-8 // 28)
  8. Levi Kitchen, Washougal, Wash., Yamaha (10-7 // 25)
  9. Jalek Swoll, Belleview, Fla., Husqvarna (9-11 // 22)
  10. Ryder DiFrancesco, Bakersfield, Calif., Kawasaki (8-13 // 21)

250 Class Championship Standings (Round 2 of 11)

  1. Hunter Lawrence, Landsborough, Qld.,Australia, Honda – 90
  2. Haiden Deegan, Temecula, Calif., Yamaha – 80
  3. Justin Cooper, Cold Spring Harbor, N.Y., Yamaha – 78
  4. Tom Vialle, Avignon, France, KTM – 68
  5. RJ Hampshire, Hudson, Fla., Husqvarna – 67
  6. Jo Shimoda, Suzuka, Japan, Kawasaki – 62
  7. Guillem Farres, Balsareny, Spain, Yamaha – 57
  8. Max Vohland, Sacramento, Calif., KTM – 53
  9. Levi Kitchen, Washougal, Wash., Yamaha – 50
  10. Carson Mumford, Simi Valley, Calif., Kawasaki – 41
  11. Ryder DiFrancesco, Bakersfield, Calif., Kawasaki – 41

250 Class Highlights – Carson City Motorsports Hangtown Motocross Classic


The 2023 Pro Motocross Championship will begin its journey east next Saturday, June 10, with the annual trek above 6,000 feet and the high altitude of Thunder Valley Motocross Park, located just outside Denver in Lakewood, Colorado. The Toyota Thunder Valley National will provide its own unique challenge for the third round of the season, which will be streamed live, exclusively on Peacock, beginning with Race Day Live, presented by MotoSport.com, at 9 a.m. PT / 12 p.m. ET, and followed by 4.5 consecutive hours of uninterrupted race coverage beginning at 12 p.m. PT / 3 p.m. ET.