Chase Sexton Takes Detroit Supercross Win on Dramatic Race Night

Hunter Lawrence Stretches 250SX Class Lead with Fifth Win of 2023

DETROIT, MI – March 19, 2023 – (Motor Sports NewsWire) – Team Honda HRC’s Chase Sexton won a Main Event filled with intense racing at Round 10 of the 17-round Monster Energy AMA Supercross indoor stadium season.

Detroit Supercross

The Detroit Supercross kept race fans on their feet with a 450SX Class Main Event filled with multiple surprises and passes, as well as a dramatic late-race crash. Photo Credit: Feld Motor Sports, Inc.

Red Bull KTM’s Cooper Webb earned second place after the on-track battles had been settled in front of 49,817 race fans at Ford Field in Detroit. Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing’s Eli Tomac took home third place in a round that pays points for both the Supercross season and the inaugural SuperMotocross World Championship. In Round 6 of the Eastern Regional 250SX Class, Team Honda HRC’s Hunter Lawrence took his fifth win of the season.

Chase Sexton - Detroit Supercross

Chase Sexton battled forward from a mid-pack start to win a thrilling Detroit Supercross and take his second win of the year. Photo Credit: Feld Motor Sports, Inc.

Red Bull KTM’s Aaron Plessinger grabbed the holeshot in the 450SX Class Main Event but Monster Energy Kawasaki’s Adam Cianciarulo shot past down the first rhythm lane to take over the front spot. Cooper Webb held third with Eli Tomac and Troy Lee Designs Red Bull GASGAS Factory Racing’s Justin Barcia behind. One and a half minutes into the 20-minute plus one lap race Plessinger reclaimed the lead with a blitz through the whoops. At about that same time, last week’s winner, Progressive Insurance ECSTAR Suzuki’s Ken Roczen, reached sixth with Chase Sexton behind and on the move after a mid-pack start.

The racing was intense in the early laps with the front runners bunched up and trading positions back and forth. The only clear advantage was held by Plessinger. He’d only led a total of seven 450SX Class Main Event laps in his career prior to the Detroit gate drop, but as the points leaders battled behind him Plessinger pulled clear then steadily extended his lead. Five minutes into the race Plessinger was ahead by over three seconds. Tomac got around Webb for second while Barcia hounded to do the same and Sexton pushed to get around Barcia.

It seemed likely that the top three in points, Webb, Tomac, and Sexton, would break away and reel in Plessinger. But instead the KTM rider put even more real estate between himself and the pack while Barcia clawed his way up through it. Seven minutes into the race Barcia had reached second place and then set his sights on the win.

But then Sexton really went to work. Just after the race clock reached 11 minutes remaining, Sexton pushed past Webb to take third. A lap later he battled Barcia for second. The attack was quick, and Barcia’s counter was immediate; the riders came together. Sexton stayed up yet the impact threw Barcia off pace enough that Webb got around at the end of the following section.

Plessinger’s lead was over eight seconds and he looked untouchable. Meanwhile Tomac was working to hold fifth as Roczen was on his rear fender. Then Tomac got his own surge of speed and motored past Barcia to take over fourth place. Sexton gained on Plessinger only by tenths of a second as the race clock ticked down.

Plessinger held a comfortable lead when he made a critical and heartbreaking mistake. On the second-to-last lap of the race, he caught his foot on a rut and flew off the bike as it went airborne. Plessinger crashed hard, handing over what would have been his first 450SX Class win after leading the race for 20 laps.

Sexton took the win, his second of the season. Webb maintained the runner-up spot, and Tomac earned third place. The three points leaders on the race podium belied the thrills and twists of one of the most exciting races so far this season. After the race, Sexton was assessed a 7-point penalty for a red-cross-flag infraction, putting him seventeen points out of the title chase lead.

Hunter Lawrence - Detroit Supercross

Hunter Lawrence took his fifth win of the season and stretched his points lead to 35.
Photo Credit: Feld Motor Sports, Inc.

Round 6 of the Eastern Regional 250SX Class saw Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing’s Haiden Deegan grab the holeshot. Hunter Lawrence was quickly into the lead ahead of Muc-Off FXR ClubMX Yamaha’s Jeremy Martin, Deegan, and Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing’s Nate Thrasher. Lawrence soon pulled a small gap on the pack. Thrasher was into third quickly and applied pressure to Martin. Martin held strong for several laps with Thrasher looking for an opportunity to pass.

Just over four minutes into the 15-minute plus one lap race Thrasher got around Martin. Thrasher put the hammer down and slowly cut the gap to Lawrence from 4.2 seconds down to 3.6. But when the race reached the midpoint Lawrence responded, pulled the gap back to over four seconds, and never allowed Thrasher to regain any significant ground. Behind them, Deegan moved past Martin to take over third place. Monster Energy Pro Circuit Kawasaki’s Chris Blose held fifth at the checkers just ahead of Red Bull KTM’s Tom Vialle.

Lawrence’s win created some interesting statistics in comparison compared to his brother, Jett Lawrence. The two brothers are now tied on Supercross race starts, wins, and top five finishes. Hunter holds one more podium finish, yet Jett already holds a 250SX Class championship. The stats are especially interesting in that the brothers will race head-to-head twice this season in two upcoming East/West Showdown events.

The series returns to the west coast to drop the gate for Round 11 at Lumen Field in Seattle, Wash. The event pays points to both the Monster Energy Supercross season as well as to the brand-new SuperMotocross World Championship which culminates in two Playoff events and one Final event in September.

All 31 rounds of the SuperMotocross League are streamed live on Peacock; select rounds are also broadcast on NBC, USA Network, and CNBC. International viewers can catch the action at SuperMotocross.tv. For race highlight videos, the full 31-round SuperMotocross schedule, results, news, and ticket sales please go to SupercrossLIVE.com.

450SX Class podium - Detroit Supercross

450SX Class podium (racers left to right) Eli Tomac, Chase Sexton, and Cooper Webb.
Photo Credit: Feld Motor Sports, Inc.

450SX Class Results

  1. Chase Sexton, Clermont, Fla., Honda
  2. Cooper Webb, Newport, N.C., KTM
  3. Eli Tomac, Cortez, Colo., Yamaha
  4. Justin Barcia, Greenville, Fla., GASGAS
  5. Ken Roczen, Mattstedt, Ger., Suzuki
  6. Christian Craig, Clermont, Fla., Husqvarna
  7. Justin Hill, Yoncalla, Ore., KTM
  8. Adam Cianciarulo, New Smyrna Beach, Fla., Kawasaki
  9. Jason Anderson, Rio Rancho, N.Mex., Kawasaki
  10. Josh Hill, Huntersville, NC, KTM

450SX Class Championship Standings

  1. Cooper Webb, Newport, N.C., KTM (225)
  2. Eli Tomac, Cortez, Colo., Yamaha (222)
  3. Chase Sexton, Clermont, Fla., Honda (208)
  4. Ken Roczen, Mattstedt, Ger., Suzuki (182)
  5. Jason Anderson, Rio Rancho, N.Mex., Kawasaki (180)
  6. Justin Barcia, Greenville, Fla., GASGAS (174)
  7. Aaron Plessinger, Hamilton, Ohio, KTM (164)
  8. Christian Craig, Clermont, Fla., Husqvarna (136)
  9. Adam Cianciarulo, New Smyrna Beach, Fla., Kawasaki (107)
  10. Justin Hill, Yoncalla, Ore., KTM (103)
250SX Class podium - Detroit Supercross

250SX Class podium (racers left to right) Haiden Deegan, Hunter Lawrence, and Nate Thrasher.
Photo Credit: Feld Motor Sports, Inc.

Eastern Regional 250SX Class Results

  1. Hunter Lawrence, Landsborough, Aus., Honda
  2. Nate Thrasher, Livingston, Tenn., Yamaha
  3. Haiden Deegan, Tallahassee, Fla., Yamaha
  4. Jeremy Martin, Rochester, Minn., Yamaha
  5. Chris Blose, Phoenix, Ariz., Kawasaki
  6. Tom Vialle, Avignon, France, KTM
  7. Cullin Park, Clermont, Fla., Honda
  8. Coty Schock, Dover, Del., Honda
  9. Henry Miller, Rochester, Minn., Honda
  10. Michael Hicks, Fenton, Mo., Honda

Eastern Regional 250SX Class Championship Standings

  1. Hunter Lawrence, Landsborough, Aus., (151)
  2. Nate Thrasher, Livingston, Tenn., Yamaha (116)
  3. Haiden Deegan, Tallahassee, Fla., Yamaha (111)
  4. Jeremy Martin, Rochester, Minn., Yamaha (109)
  5. Max Anstie, Newbury, Eng., Honda (104)
  6. Jordon Smith, Ochlocknee, Ga., Yamaha (92)
  7. Chris Blose, Phoenix, Ariz., Kawasaki (88)
  8. Tom Vialle, Avignon, France, KTM (85)
  9. Coty Schock, Dover, Del., Honda (72)
  10. Cullin Park, Clermont, Fla., Honda (67)

Assets:
2023 Detroit Photo Gallery
450SX Class Highlights – Detroit
Eastern Regional 250SX Class Highlights – Detroit
Detroit Press Conference
Credit: Feld Motor Sports, Inc.

Media Contacts:
Sean Brennen
Feld Motor Sports – Senior PR Manager – Supercross
sbrennen@feldinc.com

About Feld Motor Sports:

Feld Motor Sports, Inc. is the worldwide leader in producing and presenting specialized arena and stadium-based motorsports entertainment. Properties include Monster Jam®, Monster Energy AMA Supercross, and the SuperMotocross World Championship. Feld Motor Sports, Inc. is a subsidiary of Feld Entertainment, Inc. Visit monsterjam.com, SupercrossLIVE.com, and feldentertainment.com for more information.

About Monster Energy AMA Supercross Championship:

Monster Energy AMA Supercross is the most competitive and highest-profile off-road motorcycle racing championship on the planet. Founded in America and sanctioned by the American Motorcyclist Association (AMA) since 1974. Over 17 weeks, Supercross attracts some of the largest and most impressive crowds inside the most recognizable and prestigious stadiums in North America to race in front of nearly one million live fans and broadcast to millions more worldwide. For more information, visit SupercrossLIVE.com.

About the SuperMotocross World Championship:

The SuperMotocross World Championship™ is the premier off-road motorcycle racing series that combines the technical precision of stadium racing with the all-out speed and endurance of outdoor racing. Created in 2022, the SuperMotocross World Championship combines the Monster Energy AMA Supercross Championship and the AMA Pro Motocross Championship into a 31-event series that culminates in a season-ending two round playoff and SuperMotocross World Championship Final. Visit SuperMotocross.com for more information.

About the American Motorcyclist Association:

Founded in 1924, the AMA is a not-for-profit member-based association whose mission is to promote the motorcycle lifestyle and protect the future of motorcycling. As the world’s largest motorcycling rights and event sanctioning organization, the AMA advocates for riders’ interests at all levels of government and sanctions thousands of competition and recreational events every year. The AMA also provides money-saving discounts on products and services for its members. Through the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame in Pickerington, Ohio, the AMA honors the heroes and heritage of motorcycling. For more information, visit americanmotorcyclist.com.

Source: Feld Motor Sports, Inc.

230105 SX sponsor logos

####

Tomac Wins Daytona Supercross for Record Seventh Time

Hunter Lawrence Also Makes History with 250SX Class Win

DAYTONA, FL – March 5, 2023 – (Motor Sports NewsWire) Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing’s Eli Tomac took a hard-earned Monster Energy AMA Supercross victory at the 53rd running of the Daytona Supercross, stretching his record number of wins at the venue to seven.

The 53rd running of the Daytona Supercross

The 53rd running of the Daytona Supercross delivered thrills from the opening ceremonies to the final lap of the 450SX Class Main Event. Photo Credit: Feld Motor Sports, Inc.

Red Bull KTM’s Cooper Webb was close but had to settle for second place at Round 8 on the unique track built into the trioval of the Daytona International Speedway. Team Honda HRC’s Chase Sexton had some close calls but no crashes to finish third on the high-speed Supercross track. In the fourth round of the 10-round Eastern Regional 250SX Class series, Team Honda HRC’s Hunter Lawrence took the Daytona win in convincing style.

Eli Tomac - DAYTONA Supercross

Eli Tomac won the event for the seventh time, extending his record as the King of Daytona Supercross. Photo Credit: Feld Motor Sports, Inc.

When the gate dropped for the 450SX Class Main Event, Tomac grabbed the Holeshot but Webb took an outside line in the second corner and snatched the lead. Sexton held third place with Troy Lee Designs Red Bull GASGAS Factory Racing’s Justin Barcia applying pressure to take over the spot. After one lap Monster Energy Kawasaki’s Jason Anderson had made his way into fifth, and Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing’s RJ Hampshire sat sixth in his first 450SX Class Main Event after winning his Heat race.

With the rain coming down Webb held command of the race. Then approximately seven minutes into the 20-minute plus one lap race Webb and Tomac had a fierce exchange. The two racers traded the lead four times in one section, with Webb retaining the front spot after the two riders bumped entering a rutted, elevated corner. Tomac was sent wide, but not off the track. The incident allowed Sexton to close the gap and suddenly the top three in the points all had a shot at the Daytona win.

Nine minutes in, Webb hit neutral entering the high-speed rhythm just after the finish line. Tomac jumped past and locked down the lead. The front four, Tomac, Webb, Sexton, and Barcia were still close, with less than four seconds separating the four riders.

Then Sexton made a big mistake in one of the rutted rhythm sections. Barcia tried to capitalize, Sexton blocked, and the riders came together right before a triple jump. The contact sent Barcia off the track but not down. Less than a lap later Sexton stalled his bike braking for the tight, elevated corner. Barcia tried to jump past on the corner’s exit and the riders came together again. The second incident went worse for Barcia and he found himself down on the Florida soil. Barcia was able to remount in time to stay in front of Anderson in fifth.

In the late laps Webb made a push to get back to Tomac. The KTM rider closed the gap down to 1.4 seconds as the racers reached the white flag. But Tomac laid down a mistake-free final lap and kept his Yamaha up front. When Tomac crossed the checkers he stretched his all-time Daytona win record to seven and took sole possession of third in all-time 450SX Class wins, just one behind James Stewart who was in the broadcast booth calling the race alongside Ricky Carmichael and Daniel Blair.

Hunter Lawrence - DAYONA Supercross

Hunter Lawrence was back to his winning ways with a strong victory at Daytona.
Photo Credit: Feld Motor Sports, Inc.

In the Eastern Regional 250SX Class Fire Power Honda’s Max Anstie jumped out in first with the Holeshot but down the first straight Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing’s Nate Thrasher took over the lead. One turn later Red Bull KTM’s Tom Vialle took the top spot from Thrasher. Lawrence was up near the front and as the racers went through the sand section for the first time he collided with Thrasher. Lawrence got the position and Thrasher went down and fell back to last place. Lawrence sped forward, blitzing past Vialle and into the lead on the first pass through the whoops.

Muc-Off FXR ClubMX Yamaha’s Jeremy Martin held third with Monster Energy Pro Circuit Kawasaki’s Chris Blose behind and Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing’s Haiden Deegan in fifth. Then Vialle crashed hard in the short rhythm after the whoops, giving up his second place spot. Four and a half minutes into the 15-minute plus one lap race, with light rain coming down, Deegan moved confidently past Martin to take over third place. With 8:22 left on the race clock Thrasher reached tenth and looked to have the speed to reach the top five. Half a lap later Thrasher landed on a Tuff Blox, crashed hard, and looked out of the race; but Thrasher re-joined and worked his way back up to tenth by the finish.

The win by Lawrence matched his brother’s victory in 2022, making the Lawrence brothers the first in the sport’s history to each have a Daytona Supercross win. This augments their other ‘first’ this season as being the only brother duo to simultaneously lead both the Eastern and the Western Regional 250SX Class points. Anstie earned his second runner-up finish of 2023 and rookie Haiden Deegan earned his career-first podium finish in only his fourth professional Supercross race.

The series heads to Indianapolis next weekend where Lucas Oil Stadium will host Round 9 of both the 17-round 2023 Monster Energy AMA Supercross season as well as the brand-new 31-round SuperMotocross World Championship series. The inaugural series incorporates Supercross, Pro Motocross, and three hybrid-style events to crown one SuperMotocross World Champion in each bike displacement class. The 2023 seasons combine for the largest total purse of any off-road motorcycle racing series with a 10 million dollar purse.

All 31 rounds are streamed live on Peacock. Select rounds will also show domestically on NBC, USA Network, and CNBC. International coverage of all 31 events is provided through the SuperMotocross Video Pass at SuperMotocross.tv. For video highlights, race results, the full schedule, and ticket information please go to SupercrossLIVE.com.

450SX Class podium - DAYTONA Supercross

450SX Class podium (racers left to right) Cooper Webb, Eli Tomac, and Chase Sexton.
Photo Credit: Feld Motor Sports, Inc.

450SX Class Results

  1. Eli Tomac, Cortez, Colo., Yamaha
  2. Cooper Webb, Newport, N.C., KTM
  3. Chase Sexton, Clermont, Fla., Honda
  4. Justin Barcia, Greenville, Fla., GASGAS
  5. Jason Anderson, Rio Rancho, N.Mex., Kawasaki
  6. Justin Cooper, Tallahassee, Fla., Yamaha
  7. Ken Roczen, Clermont, Fla., Suzuki
  8. RJ Hampshire, Minneola, Fla., Husqvarna
  9. Aaron Plessinger, Hamilton, Ohio, KTM
  10. Christian Craig, Clermont, Fla., Husqvarna

450SX Class Championship Standings

  1. Eli Tomac, Cortez, Colo., Yamaha (186)
  2. Cooper Webb, Newport, N.C., KTM (181)
  3. Chase Sexton, Clermont, Fla., Honda (176)
  4. Jason Anderson, Rio Rancho, N.Mex., Kawasaki (148)
  5. Ken Roczen, Clermont, Fla., Suzuki (138)
  6. Aaron Plessinger, Hamilton, Ohio, KTM (135)
  7. Justin Barcia, Greenville, Fla., GASGAS (132)
  8. Christian Craig, Clermont, Fla., Husqvarna (103)
  9. Joey Savatgy, Clermont, Fla., Kawasaki (85)
  10. Colt Nichols, Murrieta, Calif., Honda (84)
250SX Class podium - DAYTONA Supercross

250SX Class podium (racers left to right) Max Anstie, Hunter Lawrence, and Haiden Deegan.
Photo Credit: Feld Motor Sports, Inc.

Eastern Regional 250SX Class Results

  1. Hunter Lawrence, Wesley Chapel, Fla., Honda
  2. Max Anstie, Cairo, Ga., Honda
  3. Haiden Deegan, Tallahassee, Fla., Yamaha
  4. Jordon Smith, Ochlocknee, Ga., Yamaha
  5. Jeremy Martin, Rochester, Minn., Yamaha
  6. Chance Hymas, Pocatello, Idaho, Honda
  7. Chris Blose, Phoenix, Ariz., Kawasaki
  8. Coty Schock, Dover, Del., Honda
  9. Cullin Park, Clermont, Fla., Honda
  10. Nate Thrasher, Livingston, Tenn., Yamaha

Eastern Regional 250SX Class Championship Standings

  1. Hunter Lawrence, Wesley Chapel, Fla., Honda (99)
  2. Max Anstie, Cairo, Ga., Honda (85)
  3. Haiden Deegan, Tallahassee, Fla., Yamaha (74)
  4. Jordon Smith, Ochlocknee, Ga., Yamaha (71)
  5. Jeremy Martin, Rochester, Minn., Yamaha (71)
  6. Nate Thrasher, Livingston, Tenn., Yamaha (70)
  7. Chance Hymas, Pocatello, Idaho, Honda (60)
  8. Tom Vialle, Murrieta, Calif., KTM (53)
  9. Chris Blose, Phoenix, Ariz., Kawasaki (53)
  10. Michael Mosiman, Minneaola, Fla., GASGAS (51)

Assets:
2023 Daytona Photo Gallery
450SX Class Highlights – Daytona
Eastern Regional 250SX Class Highlights – Daytona
Credit: Feld Motor Sports, Inc.

Media Contacts:
Sean Brennen
Feld Motor Sports – Senior PR Manager – Supercross
sbrennen@feldinc.com

About Feld Motor Sports:

Feld Motor Sports, Inc. is the worldwide leader in producing and presenting specialized arena and stadium-based motorsports entertainment. Properties include Monster Jam®, Monster Energy AMA Supercross, and the SuperMotocross World Championship. Feld Motor Sports, Inc. is a subsidiary of Feld Entertainment, Inc. Visit monsterjam.com, SupercrossLIVE.com, and feldentertainment.com for more information.

About Monster Energy AMA Supercross Championship:

Monster Energy AMA Supercross is the most competitive and highest-profile off-road motorcycle racing championship on the planet. Founded in America and sanctioned by the American Motorcyclist Association (AMA) since 1974. Over 17 weeks, Supercross attracts some of the largest and most impressive crowds inside the most recognizable and prestigious stadiums in North America to race in front of nearly one million live fans and broadcast to millions more worldwide. For more information, visit SupercrossLIVE.com.

About the SuperMotocross World Championship:

The SuperMotocross World Championship™ is the premier off-road motorcycle racing series that combines the technical precision of stadium racing with the all-out speed and endurance of outdoor racing. Created in 2022, the SuperMotocross World Championship combines the Monster Energy AMA Supercross Championship and the AMA Pro Motocross Championship into a 31-event series that culminates in a season-ending two round playoff and SuperMotocross World Championship Final. Visit SuperMotocross.com for more information.

About the American Motorcyclist Association:

Founded in 1924, the AMA is a not-for-profit member-based association whose mission is to promote the motorcycle lifestyle and protect the future of motorcycling. As the world’s largest motorcycling rights and event sanctioning organization, the AMA advocates for riders’ interests at all levels of government and sanctions thousands of competition and recreational events every year. The AMA also provides money-saving discounts on products and services for its members. Through the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame in Pickerington, Ohio, the AMA honors the heroes and heritage of motorcycling. For more information, visit americanmotorcyclist.com.

Source: Feld Motor Sports, Inc.

230105 SX sponsor logos

####

Broadcasts of 2022 Scouting Moto Combine Set to Hit the Airwaves on MAVTV Motorsports Network

Premiere Episode from RedBud Airs February 28 at 7:00 p.m. ET;
Ironman and Fox Raceway Doubleheader Scheduled for March 7

MORGANTOWN, WV – February 27, 2023 – (Motor Sports NewsWire) – MX Sports Pro Racing has announced that the trio of 30-minute highlight broadcasts featuring the 2022 Scouting Moto Combine, presented by U.S. Air Force Special Warfare, will air on MAVTV Motorsports Network, starting tomorrow. The premiere episode from the RedBud National over the Independence Day holiday weekend last July will air on Tuesday, February 28, at 4:00 p.m. PT / 7:00 p.m. ET on MAVTV.

The remaining broadcasts from last August’s Ironman National and last September’s Fox Raceway II National will air back-to-back during a one-hour block on Tuesday, March 7,beginning at 4:00 p.m. PT / 7:00 p.m. ET. The Combine shows will serve as centerpieces of MAVTV’s weekly “Two Wheel Tuesday” lineup that puts the spotlight on motorcycle racing.

“One of the most important elements of the Scouting Moto Combine pertains to television and the built-in exposure that accompanies the professional level of the sport,” said Jim Perry, Program Director for the Scouting Moto Combine. “The broadcasts on MAVTV serve as an extension of the broadcast component of the AMA Pro Motocross Championship and offer insight into the program and its purpose to foster the sport’s next generation. Most importantly, these shows will allow fans of our sport, and motorsports as a whole, to learn the names and faces of motocross’ bright future.”

230227 Scouting Moto Combine

The Scouting Moto Combine has quickly become a proving ground
for the sport’s most coveted amateur prospects.
Photo: Align Media

Three different racers emerged triumphant at the Scouting Moto Combines in 2022, all of whom enjoyed dominant 1-1 performances en route to victory. At RedBud, Haiden Deegan prevailed to set the tone for a successful final season of amateur competition that has led to an already impressive start at the pro level with Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing. At Ironman it was Team Honda HRC’s Chance Hymas, who put the finishing touch on a stellar amateur career and now races alongside his new teammates Hunter and Jett Lawrence in the pros. The summer concluded with SLR Honda’s Noah Viney leading the way at Fox Raceway, which capped off one of the biggest ascensions by any rider in amateur motocross last season.

230227 Haiden Deegan (RedBud)

Chance Hymas (Ironman)

230227 Noah Viney (Fox Raceway)

(Top to Bottom) Haiden Deegan (RedBud), Chance Hymas (Ironman), and
Noah Viney (Fox Raceway) emerged as Combine winners during the 2022 season.
Photos: Align Media

The Scouting Moto Combine will return for the program’s third year in 2023 and will coincide with two rounds of this summer’s AMA Pro Motocross Championship, sanctioned by AMA Pro Racing. The first invitational gathering is scheduled for the season’s halfway point, with another visit to the RedBud National on Friday, June 30, followed by a third visit to the Ironman National as part of the season finale on Friday, August 25.

230227 Combine graduates Ryder DiFrancesco (523), Chance Hymas (832), and Haiden Deegan (438) will all battle for Rookie of the Year honors

Combine graduates Ryder DiFrancesco (523), Chance Hymas (832), and
Haiden Deegan (438) will all battle for Rookie of the Year honors this summer.
Photo: Michael Lindsay / Vital MX

Additional details of the 2023 MX Sports Pro Racing Scouting Moto Combine, presented by U.S. Air Force Special Warfare, will be announced in the coming weeks, including which amateur prospects will represent their respective manufacturer this summer.

For information about the AMA Pro Motocross Championship, please visit ProMotocross.com and be sure to follow all of the Pro Motocross social media channels for exclusive content and additional information on the latest news:

Available for download for both Apple and Android devices is the official Pro Motocross App. Fans of American motocross can have access to the world’s most prestigious off-road motorcycle racing series right at their fingertips on their mobile devices. Developed by AMA Pro Racing, the Pro Motocross App provides users with the most important information surrounding the AMA Pro Motocross Championship, from series news to schedule and ticket information, as well as broadcast schedule details and live timing & scoring. Download it now via the App Store or Google Play.

AMA Pro Motocross Championship

The AMA Pro Motocross Championship features the world’s fastest outdoor motocross racers, competing aboard homologated bikes from one of seven competing manufacturers on a collection of the roughest, toughest tracks on the planet. Racing takes place each Saturday afternoon, with competition divided into two classes: one for 250cc machines, and one for 450cc machines. MX Sports Pro Racing, the industry leader in off-road powersports event production, manages the AMA Pro Motocross Championship, while sanctioning comes from AMA Pro Racing.

More information can be found at www.ProMotocross.com.

SuperMotocross World Championship

The SuperMotocross World Championship™ is the premier off-road motorcycle racing series that combines the technical precision of stadium racing with the all-out speed and endurance of outdoor racing. Created in 2022, the SuperMotocross World Championship combines the Monster Energy AMA Supercross Championship and the AMA Pro Motocross Championship into a 31-event series that culminates in a season-ending two round playoff and SuperMotocross World Championship Final.

Visit SuperMotocross.com for more information.

Source: MX Sports Pro Racing, Inc.

Pro Motocross banner 2023

####

Cooper Webb Wins a Wild Night in Texas with Arlington Supercross Victory

Nate Thrasher Takes Top Spot in 250SX Class inside AT&T Stadium

ARLINGTON, TX – February 26, 2023 – (Motor Sports NewsWire) – Red Bull KTM’s Cooper Webb earned a dramatic win at round seven of the 2023 Monster Energy AMA Supercross season inside AT&T Stadium. The race was the second Triple Crown-format event of the 2023 season that combines three Main Event race results to determine the overall finishing order for the night. The event pays points toward both the 17-round Supercross season and the brand-new, 31-round SuperMotocross World Championship.

Arlington Supercross

Texas race fans enjoyed the 43rd year of a Supercross event in the Arlington/Dallas metro area. They saw Cooper Webb become the winningest rider in the city’s history with five victories at the venue. Photo Credit: Feld Motor Sports, Inc.

Team Honda HRC’s Chase Sexton took the second place spot with a night of big highs and some frustrating lows. Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing’s Eli Tomac went home with third place points at the event directly following his announcement that he will postpone his retirement and compete in the entire 2023 SuperMotocross World Championship series. In the Eastern Regional 250SX Class, Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing’s Nate Thrasher took the victory with plenty of action and drama en route to 2-2-3 race finishes.

Cooper Webb won his third Triple Crown - Arlington Supercross

Cooper Webb won his third Triple Crown event and moved within two points of taking the red plate and the season points lead. Photo Credit: Feld Motor Sports, Inc.

Race 1 of the 450SX Class held enough thrills to be its own event. Eli Tomac grabbed the Holeshot with Progressive Insurance ECSTAR Suzuki’s Ken Roczen, Troy Lee Designs Red Bull GASGAS Factory Racing’s Justin Barcia, and Team Honda HRC’s Colt Nichols right behind. Monster Energy Kawasaki’s Jason Anderson crashed in the first corner and Sexton was caught up in it. The incident put Sexton well back in the field, showing in 11th position after the first lap. Up front Roczen was keeping Tomac honest. By the midpoint of the race Roczen was alternately gaining and losing ground on Tomac while Sexton had worked up to fifth and Webb was moving forward and up to seventh. With under two minutes left on the race clock Sexton forced his way past Barcia to take third while further up the track Roczen was only .7 seconds behind Tomac. Webb reached Barcia in the final laps, but Barcia was able to hold off the KTM rider. At the checkered flag Roczen had proven he had the speed to run up front in Texas, but the most impressive ride came from Sexton, who had been rapidly closing on the leaders when he ran out of time in the short 12-mintue plus one lap race.

Jason Anderson got off to a much better start in Race 2 with a Holeshot and a clear track ahead. Webb was in second at the Holeshot stripe and Roczen held third ahead of Sexton, Red Bull KTM’s Aaron Plessinger, and Tomac. On the opening lap Sexton put his Honda into third but then one turn later slid out before the whoops and gave up the spot to Tomac. Just over four minutes into the race Sexton was on Tomac, who had two close calls while blitzing the whoops. It took a couple laps for Sexton to take back third. Anderson was out to a comfortable lead four seconds ahead of Webb. Sexton was less than two seconds behind Webb and if the first race were any indication Sexton looked poised to reel in both riders. But both Anderson and Webb were flying, and Sexton was never able to get within striking distance. At the checkered flag Anderson won comfortably, Webb took second, Sexton finished third, and Tomac held fourth. Going into the final race Tomac was in the lead for the overall event win with five points, Sexton held six points, Webb was at seven, Roczen had eight, and Anderson sat with nine.

The 450SX Class delivered a dramatic Race 3. Tomac got the Holeshot, Sexton was second at the Holeshot stripe with Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing’s Justin Cooper third, Barcia fourth, and Webb fifth. Soon Tomac, Sexton, and Barcia held the top three spots and distanced themselves from the pack. As the race clock ticked down toward eight minutes Barcia got out of shape in the whoops and overshot the berm of the following corner. At nearly the same time Sexton washed out his front end and crashed just one turn further up the track. Sexton got going in time to stay in second but then had Anderson and Webb right on his rear fender. Tomac then crashed in the flat turn after the bridge jump. He remounted in fourth while Sexton took over the race lead and was poised to win the overall for the event. Then Anderson got wild in the whoops and Webb tucked under him to take over second; but Webb was 2.2 seconds behind. Then with 1:34 left on the race clock, a lapper unintentionally pushed Sexton wide, and Webb capitalized. Webb seized the lead and rode perfect to the end. Webb took the race win and the Triple Crown overall. It was Webb’s third Triple Crown win, his last coming in 2019. Sexton garnered second for the night and Tomac took third overall even though he’d fallen back to sixth in the final race. The night’s points tightened up the battle for the title. Tomac leaves Texas with the red plate, but Webb is back only two points and Sexton is back only five.

Nate Thrasher (29) was fast and consistent - Arlington Supercross

Nate Thrasher (29) was fast and consistent on the Texas soil to grab his fourth career Supercross win.
Photo Credit: Feld Motor Sports, Inc.

The Eastern Regional 250SX Class kicked off the night’s racing with Fire Power Honda’s Max Anstie grabbing the Holeshot in 250SX Race 1. Team Honda HRC’s Hunter Lawrence was quickly into the lead with Red Bull KTM’s Tom Vialle following, pushing Anstie back to third. A few corners later Nate Thrasher dove into second while Anstie passed Vialle back to reclaim third. Lawrence and Thrasher slowly inched away from the pack as Thrasher edged closer to Lawrence’s rear tire in the opening laps. After whittling the gap down to just .7 second a mistake by Thrasher gave Lawrence some breathing room. Anstie held third until the end of the 10-minute plus one lap race. Behind him, Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing’s Jordon Smith was the rider on the move, reaching fourth place with just under two minutes left on the race clock. At the finish it was Lawrence, Thrasher, Anstie, Smith, and Vialle.

In the second 250SX Class race Jordon Smith nailed the Holeshot ahead of Hunter Lawrence, Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing’s Haiden Deegan, and Team Honda HRC’s Chance Hymas. Nate Thrasher was sixth at the start stripe but on the opening lap he moved up and made an aggressive contact pass on Lawrence in the corner after the whoops. Lawrence lost two positions while the Yamaha teammates ran first and second. Lawrence got into third place before the race’s midpoint and steadily reeled in the Yamaha riders. Soon the top three were within one second of each other, but a mistake from Thrasher sent him sideways over the bridge jump and Lawrence ran into him and went down. With just over a minute left on the race clock the incident put Thrasher out of striking distance for the win. Lawrence picked up his bike and salvaged third. Heading into the final race, Lawrence looked to have the advantage with track speed, but the points were tied between Lawrence and Thrasher with Smith only one point out.

Race 3 was wild from start to finish. Nate Thrasher took the holeshot and early lead while Hunter Lawrence crashed in the first turn. Anstie then hit Lawrence and the Hondas pinned Lawrence down adding extra delay as the pack roared away. Up front Thrasher led Troy Lee Designs Red Bull GASGAS Factory Racing’s Michael Mosiman, Jordon Smith, Tom Vialle, and Phoenix Racing Honda’s Jace Owen. Lawrence and Anstie started slicing through the pack while up front Smith pressured Mosiman for second. With under four minutes left on the race clock Mosiman crashed under the tunnel and Smith ran into him giving second place to Muc-Off FXR ClubMX Yamaha’s Jeremy Martin. Thrasher was gone out front with more than a nine second lead. But Thrasher had been racing with an injured ACL in his knee and that possibly contributed to a big crash in the whoops. Thrasher remounted in third, a position would give him the overall event victory. On the final lap Smith crashed hard in the whoops but remounted to finish fifth and earn second overall. Lawrence crossed the line in sixth to take third place overall for the night.

The series returns to Florida next weekend for one of the most physically demanding races of the year, the DAYTONA Supercross. Round 8 of the 2023 Monster Energy AMA Supercross series and the 2023 SuperMotocross World Championship takes place on a Supercross track carved out of the Daytona International Speedway trioval infield. The unique track design will be a look ahead to the three hybrid-track SuperMotocross events in September. Playoff 1 and Playoff 2 pay increasing points that combine with the triple-payout points of the SuperMotocross World Championship Final held inside Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on September 23rd.

The Monster Energy AMA Supercross series and the SuperMotocross World Championship rounds are all streamed live on Peacock, with select events also broadcast domestically on NBC, USA Network, and CNBC. International coverage can be found through SuperMotocross.tv. Tickets for the DAYTONA Supercross as well as the other nine remaining Supercross events are on sale now. To purchase tickets, read race results and feature stories, and find airtimes on Peacock, NBC, USA Network, and CNBC go to SupercrossLIVE.com.

450SX Class podium - Arlington Supercross

Class podium (racers left to right) Eli Tomac, Cooper Webb, and Chase Sexton.
Photo Credit: Feld Motor Sports, Inc.

450SX Class Results

  1. Cooper Webb, Newport, N.C., KTM (5-2-1)
  2. Chase Sexton, Clermont, Fla., Honda (3-3-2)
  3. Eli Tomac, Cortez, Colo., Yamaha (1-4-6)
  4. Jason Anderson, Rio Rancho, N.Mex., Kawasaki (8-1-3)
  5. Ken Roczen, Clermont, Fla., Suzuki (2-6-4)
  6. Aaron Plessinger, Hamilton, Ohio, KTM (6-5-5)
  7. Justin Barcia, Greenville, Fla., GASGAS (4-7-7)
  8. Christian Craig, Clermont, Fla., Husqvarna (7-8-8)
  9. Justin Cooper, Tallahassee, Fla., Yamaha (11-9-9)
  10. Justin Hill, Yoncalla, Ore., KTM (10-11-10)

450SX Class Championship Standings

  1. Eli Tomac, Cortez, Colo., Yamaha (160)
  2. Cooper Webb, Newport, N.C., KTM (158)
  3. Chase Sexton, Clermont, Fla., Honda (155)
  4. Jason Anderson, Rio Rancho, N.Mex., Kawasaki (130)
  5. Ken Roczen, Clermont, Fla., Suzuki (122)
  6. Aaron Plessinger, Hamilton, Ohio, KTM (121)
  7. Justin Barcia, Greenville, Fla., GASGAS (113)
  8. Christian Craig, Clermont, Fla., Husqvarna (90)
  9. Joey Savatgy, Clermont, Fla., Kawasaki (85)
  10. Colt Nichols, Murrieta, Calif., Honda (84)

250SX Class podium - Arlington Supercross

250SX Class podium (racers left to right) Hunter Lawrence, Nate Thrasher, and Jordon Smith.
Photo Credit: Feld Motor Sports, Inc.

Eastern Regional 250SX Class Results

  1. Nate Thrasher, Livingston, Tenn., Yamaha (2-2-3)
  2. Jordon Smith, Ochlocknee, Ga., Yamaha (4-1-5)
  3. Hunter Lawrence, Wesley Chapel, Fla., Honda (1-3-6)
  4. Tom Vialle, Murrieta, Calif., KTM (5-9-2)
  5. Max Anstie, Cairo, Ga., Honda (3-4-9)
  6. Jeremy Martin, Rochester, Minn., Yamaha (6-12-1)
  7. Michael Mosiman, Minneaola, Fla., GASGAS (7-6-7)
  8. Haiden Deegan, Tallahassee, Fla., Yamaha (15-5-4)
  9. Chris Blose, Phoenix, Ariz., Kawasaki (8-8-8)
  10. Chance Hymas, Pocatello, Idaho, Honda (9-7-16)

Eastern Regional 250SX Class Championship Standings

  1. Hunter Lawrence, Wesley Chapel, Fla., Honda (73)
  2. Max Anstie, Cairo, Ga., Honda (62)
  3. Nate Thrasher, Livingston, Tenn., Yamaha (57)
  4. Haiden Deegan, Tallahassee, Fla., Yamaha (53)
  5. Jeremy Martin, Rochester, Minn., Yamaha (53)
  6. Jordon Smith, Ochlocknee, Ga., Yamaha (52)
  7. Tom Vialle, Murrieta, Calif., KTM (52)
  8. Michael Mosiman, Minneaola, Fla., GASGAS (49)
  9. Chance Hymas, Pocatello, Idaho, Honda (43)
  10. Chris Blose, Phoenix, Ariz., Kawasaki (37)

Assets:
2023 Arlington Photo Gallery
450SX Class Highlights – Arlington
Eastern Regional 250SX Class Highlights – Arlington
Credit: Feld Motor Sports, Inc.

Media Contacts:
Sean Brennen
Feld Motor Sports – Senior PR Manager – Supercross
sbrennen@feldinc.com

About Feld Motor Sports:

Feld Motor Sports, Inc. is the worldwide leader in producing and presenting specialized arena and stadium-based motorsports entertainment. Properties include Monster Jam®, Monster Energy AMA Supercross, and the SuperMotocross World Championship. Feld Motor Sports, Inc. is a subsidiary of Feld Entertainment, Inc. Visit monsterjam.com, SupercrossLIVE.com, and feldentertainment.com for more information.

About Monster Energy AMA Supercross Championship:

Monster Energy AMA Supercross is the most competitive and highest-profile off-road motorcycle racing championship on the planet. Founded in America and sanctioned by the American Motorcyclist Association (AMA) since 1974. Over 17 weeks, Supercross attracts some of the largest and most impressive crowds inside the most recognizable and prestigious stadiums in North America to race in front of nearly one million live fans and broadcast to millions more worldwide. For more information, visit SupercrossLIVE.com.

About the SuperMotocross World Championship:

The SuperMotocross World Championship™ is the premier off-road motorcycle racing series that combines the technical precision of stadium racing with the all-out speed and endurance of outdoor racing. Created in 2022, the SuperMotocross World Championship combines the Monster Energy AMA Supercross Championship and the AMA Pro Motocross Championship into a 31-event series that culminates in a season-ending two round playoff and SuperMotocross World Championship Final. Visit SuperMotocross.com for more information.

About the American Motorcyclist Association:

Founded in 1924, the AMA is a not-for-profit member-based association whose mission is to promote the motorcycle lifestyle and protect the future of motorcycling. As the world’s largest motorcycling rights and event sanctioning organization, the AMA advocates for riders’ interests at all levels of government and sanctions thousands of competition and recreational events every year. The AMA also provides money-saving discounts on products and services for its members. Through the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame in Pickerington, Ohio, the AMA honors the heroes and heritage of motorcycling. For more information, visit americanmotorcyclist.com.

Source: Feld Motor Sports, Inc.

230105 SX sponsor logos

####

Cooper Webb Back to Winning Ways with Tampa Supercross Victory

Hunter Lawrence’s Incredible Effort Earns 250SX Class Win

TAMPA, FL – February 13, 2023 – (Motor Sports NewsWire) Red Bull KTM’s Cooper Webb put in an outstanding ride to earn his first win of the season at Round 6 of the Monster Energy AMA Supercross season in Tampa, Florida. The crowd inside Raymond James Stadium witnessed a battle of determination that saw Webb take over the lead late in the race from second place finisher Team Honda HRC’s Chase Sexton.

Raymond James Stadium hosted Tampa's 14th year of a Monster Energy AMA Supercross

Raymond James Stadium hosted Tampa’s 14th year of a Monster Energy AMA Supercross event and provided the season’s traditional Military Appreciation Night. Photo Credit: Feld Motor Sports, Inc.

Nabbing third place was Webb’s teammate Red Bull KTM’s Aaron Plessinger, earning his first podium finish of 2023. The round paid points not only in the 17-round supercross series but also in the all-new, 31-round SuperMotocross World Championship. In a nail-biter of a 250SX Class race, Team Honda HRC’s Hunter Lawrence took the race down to two dramatic contact passes in the final two corners to win his second consecutive race in as many rounds of the Eastern Regional 250SX Class series.

Cooper Webb - Tampa Supercross

Cooper Webb was fast, strategic, and strong in Tampa. His first win of the season proved he’s a contender for another Monster Energy Supercross title. Photo Credit: Feld Motor Sports, Inc.

Sporadic rain throughout the day exacerbated the tough, changing track conditions but when the gate dropped on the 450SX Class Main Event the skies were clear. Cooper Webb was credited with the official Holeshot but Sexton’s momentum over the stripe put him directly into the lead with Webb, Plessinger, Progressive Insurance ECSTAR Suzuki’s Ken Roczen, Monster Energy Kawasaki’s Jason Anderson, and Monster Energy Kawasaki’s Adam Cianciarulo in tow. Points leader and defending champion Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing’s Eli Tomac was ninth out of the first corner.

Before one minute had run off the race clock Anderson collided with Troy Lee Designs Red Bull GASGAS Factory Racing’s Justin Barcia. The riders tangled and dropped to the back of the pack. Three minutes into the 20-minute plus one lap Main Event Sexton had pulled a 1.7 second gap on the pack. Most fans were expecting to see Tomac battling forward, but the pace of the front runners was close and the only rider seeming to make headway was Webb.

Through the race Cooper Webb pulled within a second of Sexton on two occasions but seemed to be biding his time for a pass attempt. Meanwhile, Tomac seemed settled into fifth position, 8 seconds behind Roczen and 8 seconds ahead of Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing’s Justin Cooper.

Webb’s strategy of patience almost fell apart when, with less than three minutes on the race clock, he got wildly out of control in the whoops section. It was the longest whoops section of the year and was breaking down rapidly. Webb kept his feet on the pegs and the bike on the track and in short order made up the time he’d lost on Sexton. The next lap through Sexton made a nearly identical mistake; Sexton could not save it, and crashed.

Webb took over the lead and brought home the win, his first of the season. Sexton recovered quickly and took second place, and Plessinger took third without pressure for the podium spot. The win for Webb tightened the season standings so that only four points now separate the top three athletes.

Hunter Lawrence - Tampa Supercross

Hunter Lawrence put in a brilliant ride to pull out a win with a dramatic last-corner pass.
Photo Credit: Feld Motor Sports, Inc.

The Eastern Regional 250SX Class provided all the drama the fans could ask for. Muc-Off FXR ClubMX Yamaha’s Jeremy Martin grabbed the Holeshot but Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing’s Nate Thrasher was right around him and instantly pulled a gap on the field. The track’s deep sand section claimed Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing’s Jordon Smith on the opening lap, who was running in second place; that crash caught up Red Bull KTM’s Tom Vialle and he dropped back to mid pack with Smith.

Up front Thrasher looked untouchable. Fire Power Honda’s Max Anstie held second place and rookie Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing’s Haiden Deegan looked like a seasoned pro in third ahead of one of the class’ true seasoned pros, Troy Lee Designs Red Bull GASGAS Factory Racing’s Michael Mosiman. Behind all the action at the front, Lawrence was on the move slicing rapidly through the pack after a bad start. Less than six and a half minutes into the 15-minute plus one lap Main Event Lawrence cut under Mosiman, taking out his front wheel and dropping the GASGAS rider to the dirt. The move put Lawrence in third place and he quickly closed the distance to Anstie. With 5:47 on the race clock Lawrence took over the second place spot, but Thrasher was 5.9 seconds ahead.

Rain from earlier in the day was back, and as it intensified so did the excitement. As the front runners battled the changing conditions, Lawrence drew the lead down to 2.89 seconds as the race clock reached :00. When the white flag came out the gap was 2.4 seconds. Lawrence got to Thrasher’s rear wheel when the riders came to the sand section for the final time. Exiting the sand, Thrasher moved to the outside line and the two riders made hard contact. Neither hit the ground and Thrasher maintained the lead.

As they reached the final corner Lawrence pitched his Honda sideways on the slick dirt. He finessed his bike to the inside of the corner, drove across the turn’s exit ruts, and cut off Thrasher’s straight-shot to the checkered flag. The athletes both charged toward the checkered flag with Lawrence taking the win just .2 seconds ahead of Thrasher. The crowd went wild with the dramatic finish, which extended Lawrence’s points lead in the Eastern Regional 250SX Class series that is only two races into its season.

The next race takes place on February 18th inside RingCentral Coliseum in Oakland, California. The event is the re-scheduled Round 2 that was postponed due to regional flooding. The Oakland race brings back the Western Regional 250SX Class series for one race in what would have been a seven-week break. The round pays points to both the 450SX Class and the 250SX Class for both the 17-round Monster Energy AMA Supercross Championship as well as the inaugural SuperMotocross World Championship series.

An additional change with the re-scheduled round is an earlier race time. The Oakland Supercross, scored as Round 2 but finding its way on the calendar as the seventh race held in 2023, will start at 5:00PM Pacific Time, two-hours before the traditional race-time start.

Like all rounds of the 2023 Monster Energy AMA Supercross and SuperMotocross World Championship series, the Oakland round will be streamed live on Peacock. Select rounds are also broadcast on NBC, USA Network, and CNBC, and the Oakland round will re-air on CNBC on February 19th at 10:00 AM Pacific Time. For video highlights, race results, ticket sales and more please visit SupercrossLIVE.com.

450SX Class podium - Tampa Supercross

450SX Class podium (riders left to right) Chase Sexton, Cooper Webb, and Aaron Plessinger.
Photo Credit: Feld Motor Sports, Inc.

450SX Class Results

  1. Cooper Webb, Newport, N.C., KTM
  2. Chase Sexton, Clermont, Fla., Honda
  3. Aaron Plessinger, Hamilton, Ohio, KTM
  4. Ken Roczen, Clermont, Fla., Suzuki
  5. Eli Tomac, Cortez, Colo., Yamaha
  6. Jason Anderson, Rio Rancho, N.Mex., Kawasaki
  7. Justin Cooper, Tallahassee, Fla., Yamaha
  8. Justin Barcia, Greenville, Fla., GASGAS
  9. Joey Savatgy, Clermont, Fla., Kawasaki
  10. Christian Craig, Clermont, Fla., Husqvarna

450SX Class Championship Standings

  1. Eli Tomac, Cortez, Colo., Yamaha (113)
  2. Chase Sexton, Clermont, Fla., Honda (111)
  3. Cooper Webb, Newport, N.C., KTM (109)
  4. Jason Anderson, Rio Rancho, N.Mex., Kawasaki (93)
  5. Ken Roczen, Clermont, Fla., Suzuki (92)
  6. Aaron Plessinger, Hamilton, Ohio, KTM (85)
  7. Justin Barcia, Greenville, Fla., GASGAS (80)
  8. Adam Cianciarulo, New Smyrna Beach, Fla., Kawasaki (67)
  9. Joey Savatgy, Clermont, Fla., Kawasaki (67)
  10. Colt Nichols, Murrieta, Calif., Honda (61)

250SX Class podium - Tampa Supercross

250SX Class podium (riders left to right) Nate Thrasher, Hunter Lawrence, and Max Anstie.
Photo Credit: Feld Motor Sports, Inc.

Eastern Regional 250SX Class Results

  1. Hunter Lawrence, Wesley Chapel, Fla., Honda
  2. Nate Thrasher, Livingston, Tenn., Yamaha
  3. Max Anstie, Cairo, Ga., Honda
  4. Haiden Deegan, Tallahassee, Fla., Yamaha
  5. Jeremy Martin, Rochester, Minn., Yamaha
  6. Tom Vialle, Murrieta, Calif., KTM
  7. Michael Mosiman, Minneaola, Fla., GASGAS
  8. Chance Hymas, Pocatello, Idaho, Honda
  9. Jace Owen, Mattoon, Ill., Honda
  10. Hardy Munoz, Kissimmee, Fla., Husqvarna

Eastern Regional 250SX Class Championship Standings

  1. Hunter Lawrence, Wesley Chapel, Fla., Honda (52)
  2. Max Anstie, Cairo, Ga., Honda (44)
  3. Haiden Deegan, Tallahassee, Fla., Yamaha (38)
  4. Jeremy Martin, Rochester, Minn., Yamaha (36)
  5. Tom Vialle, Murrieta, Calif., KTM (33)
  6. Michael Mosiman, Minneaola, Fla., GASGAS (33)
  7. Nate Thrasher, Livingston, Tenn., Yamaha (31)
  8. Chance Hymas, Pocatello, Idaho, Honda (30)
  9. Jordon Smith, Ochlocknee, Ga., Yamaha (29)
  10. Jace Owen, Mattoon, Ill., Honda (23)

Assets:
2023 Tampa Photo Gallery
450SX Class Highlights
Eastern Regional 250SX Class Highlights
Credit: Feld Motor Sports, Inc.

Media Contacts:
Sean Brennen
Feld Motor Sports – Senior PR Manager – Supercross
sbrennen@feldinc.com

About Feld Motor Sports:

Feld Motor Sports, Inc. is the worldwide leader in producing and presenting specialized arena and stadium-based motorsports entertainment. Properties include Monster Jam®, Monster Energy AMA Supercross, and the SuperMotocross World Championship. Feld Motor Sports, Inc. is a subsidiary of Feld Entertainment, Inc. Visit monsterjam.com, SupercrossLIVE.com, and feldentertainment.com for more information.

About Monster Energy AMA Supercross Championship:

Monster Energy AMA Supercross is the most competitive and highest-profile off-road motorcycle racing championship on the planet. Founded in America and sanctioned by the American Motorcyclist Association (AMA) since 1974. Over 17 weeks, Supercross attracts some of the largest and most impressive crowds inside the most recognizable and prestigious stadiums in North America to race in front of nearly one million live fans and broadcast to millions more worldwide. For more information, visit SupercrossLIVE.com.

About the SuperMotocross World Championship:

The SuperMotocross World Championship™ is the premier off-road motorcycle racing series that combines the technical precision of stadium racing with the all-out speed and endurance of outdoor racing. Created in 2022, the SuperMotocross World Championship combines the Monster Energy AMA Supercross Championship and the AMA Pro Motocross Championship into a 31-event series that culminates in a season-ending two round playoff and SuperMotocross World Championship Final. Visit SuperMotocross.com for more information.

About the American Motorcyclist Association:

Founded in 1924, the AMA is a not-for-profit member-based association whose mission is to promote the motorcycle lifestyle and protect the future of motorcycling. As the world’s largest motorcycling rights and event sanctioning organization, the AMA advocates for riders’ interests at all levels of government and sanctions thousands of competition and recreational events every year. The AMA also provides money-saving discounts on products and services for its members. Through the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame in Pickerington, Ohio, the AMA honors the heroes and heritage of motorcycling. For more information, visit americanmotorcyclist.com.

Source: Feld Motor Sports, Inc.

230105 SX sponsor logos

####

Tomac Shows Nerves of Steel in Houston Supercross Victory

Hunter Lawrence Wins Opening Round of Eastern Regional 250SX Class Racing

HOUSTON, TX – February 5, 2023 – (Motor Sports NewsWire) – Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing’s Eli Tomac returned to his winning ways, holding firm through a dramatic Round 5 of the 2023 Monster Energy AMA Supercross. Team Honda HRC’s Chase Sexton had the lead in his sights but had to settle for second inside NRG Stadium in Houston, Texas.

Houston has hosted a round of the Monster Energy AMA Supercross series for 46 years

Houston has hosted a round of the Monster Energy AMA Supercross series for 46 years. NRG Stadium lights up during opening ceremonies. Photo Credit: Feld Motor Sports, Inc.

Monster Energy Kawasaki’s Jason Anderson took the final podium position in the event that paid points to both the 17-round Supercross season as well as the inaugural 31-round SuperMotocross World Championship. In the opening round of the Eastern Regional 250SX Class, Team Honda HRC’s Hunter Lawrence earned the win with a performance that should have his competition worried.

Eli Tomac

Eli Tomac looked to be in trouble early in the Houston Main Event but found more speed to earn his third win of the 2023 season. Photo Credit: Feld Motor Sports, Inc.

When the gate dropped for the 450SX Class Main Event, defending champion Eli Tomac jumped out into the lead with Red Bull KTM’s Aaron Plessinger pressuring him from the start. But 3:25 into the 20-minute plus one lap race, a crashed rider necessitated a red flag and a temporary stop to the action. The rules called for a unique staggered re-start. The racers were lined up, one after the other according to their race order, then thrown back into battle with the wave of a green flag. The starting position order was Tomac, Plessinger, Anderson, Sexton, and Red Bull KTM’s Cooper Webb, but once back underway Anderson quickly took over second place. Sexton was around Plessinger shortly after and with 13:05 remaining on the race clock Sexton got into the second-place spot.

Premiere class athletes staged for the staggered start after a red flag

Premiere class athletes staged for the staggered start after a red flag stopped the race due to a downed racer. Photo Credit: Feld Motor Sports, Inc.

After Sexton had demonstrated his speed on the Houston track by qualifying first by over a full second, and also catching and beating Tomac in their Heat Race, it looked like the Texas crowd would see a fight for the lead. But Tomac found some extra speed; he put in laps fast enough to stave off Sexton’s early charge. The gap between the two was 1.6 seconds, but soon Sexton was putting in the fastest laps of any rider on the track. When the clock ticked past 6:30 remaining, Sexton had whittled the lead down to just half a second and appeared to be looking for a line around Tomac.

But Tomac held tough. The two-time and defending Supercross champion didn’t falter under the pressure. After about one lap with Sexton right on him, Tomac pulled back out enough breathing room to ride his own lines. Behind them, Anderson and Plessinger held steady while Troy Lee Designs Red Bull GASGAS Factory Racing’s Justin Barcia found a way around Cooper Webb for fifth, yet Webb took the spot back before the checkered flag. Tomac scored his third win of 2023 and stretched out his points lead. Sexton nearly backed up his win from the previous round; he kept the bike on two wheels and earned second place points, securing second in the 17-round championship standings.

Hunter Lawrence (96), the favorite going into the opening Eastern Regional 250SX Class round, established himself as the racer to beat with a convincing win. Photo Credit: Feld Motor Sports, Inc.

In Eastern Regional 250SX Class racing Hunter Lawrence grabbed the Holeshot but within a few turns Frenchman Red Bull KTM’s Tom Vialle slid from third into the lead. Vialle, the two-time and reigning MXGP MX2 class Motocross World Champion, found himself leading not only his first Monster Energy AMA Supercross, but his first race ever in America. Hunter fought back on the opening lap but misjudged his launch off a triple jump and sent his Honda off the track. Lawrence made an incredible high-speed save through the track-lining Tuff Blox and rejoined the race only losing one position.

Team Honda HRC’s Chance Hymas found himself in second place. The Rookie put immediate pressure on Vialle. But before two minutes had run off the clock in the 15-minute plus one lap Main Event Lawrence had re-taken second from Hymas. Shortly after that pass Hymas had trouble and Fire Power Honda’s Max Anstie took over the third place spot with Muc-Off FXR ClubMX Yamaha’s Jeremy Martin, Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing’s Jordon Smith, and rookie Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing’s Haiden Deegan right behind. Deegan was in his first pro race after competing in the SX Futures class just one week prior.

Smith reeled in Anstie and pressured for the position until he crashed in the sand. With five minutes left on the race clock the top three seemed comfortably in their spots. It was an Australian, Brit, and a Frenchman looking to make the opening Eastern Regional race an international podium. But in the final laps Smith put on a charge, getting around Martin right before Vialle crashed in one of the track’s bowl turns. Martin then crashed on the final lap, and the opening round of the Eastern Regional Series ended with Lawrence crossing the finish line in first, Anstie in second, Smith earning a hard-fought third place, and Haiden Deegan grabbing fourth in his first professional race.

The racers face off again next weekend at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida for Round 6 of the 450SX Class and the second round of the Eastern Regional 250SX Class. The event pays points to each class for both the 2023 Monster Energy AMA Supercross season as well as towards the ultimate title, the 2023 31-round SuperMotocross World Championship series which combines Supercross, Pro Motocross, and two SMX Playoffs and Final for an all-new title with a $10 million-dollar total purse.

All 2023 Monster Energy Supercross and SuperMotocross World Championship series rounds are available to watch live on Peacock. Select races are also broadcast on NBC, USA Network, and CNBC. For highlight videos and more information on the racers, results, and tickets to upcoming rounds please visit SupercrossLIVE.com.

450SX Podium - Houston

450SX Class podium (racers left to right) Chase Sexton, Eli Tomac, and Jason Anderson.
Photo Credit: Feld Motor Sports, Inc.

450SX Class Results

  1. Eli Tomac, Cortez, Colo., Yamaha
  2. Chase Sexton, Clermont, Fla., Honda
  3. Jason Anderson, Rio Rancho, N.Mex., Kawasaki
  4. Aaron Plessinger, Hamilton, Ohio, KTM
  5. Cooper Webb, Newport, N.C., KTM
  6. Justin Barcia, Greenville, Fla., GASGAS
  7. Justin Cooper, Tallahassee, Fla., Yamaha
  8. Ken Roczen, Clermont, Fla., Suzuki
  9. Joey Savatgy, Clermont, Fla., Kawasaki
  10. Adam Cianciarulo, New Smyrna Beach, Fla., Kawasaki

450SX Class Championship Standings

  1. Eli Tomac, Cortez, Colo., Yamaha (95)
  2. Chase Sexton, Clermont, Fla., Honda (88)
  3. Cooper Webb, Newport, N.C., KTM (83)
  4. Jason Anderson, Rio Rancho, N.Mex., Kawasaki (76)
  5. Ken Roczen, Clermont, Fla., Suzuki (73)
  6. Justin Barcia, Greenville, Fla., GASGAS (65)
  7. Aaron Plessinger, Hamilton, Ohio, KTM (64)
  8. Dylan Ferrandis, Tallahassee, Fla., Yamaha (56)
  9. Adam Cianciarulo, New Smyrna Beach, Fla., Kawasaki (56)
  10. Joey Savatgy, Clermont, Fla., Kawasaki (53)

250SX Podium - Houston

250SX Class podium (riders left to right) Jordon Smith, Hunter Lawrence, and Max Anstie.
Photo Credit: Feld Motor Sports, Inc.

Eastern Regional 250SX Class Results

  1. Hunter Lawrence, Wesley Chapel, Fla., Honda
  2. Max Anstie, Cairo, Ga., Honda
  3. Jordon Smith, Ochlocknee, Ga., Yamaha
  4. Haiden Deegan, Tallahassee, Fla., Yamaha
  5. Jeremy Martin, Rochester, Minn., Yamaha
  6. Michael Mosiman, Minneaola, Fla., GASGAS
  7. Tom Vialle, Murrieta, Calif., KTM
  8. Chance Hymas, Pocatello, Idaho, Honda
  9. Cullin Park, Clermont, Fla., Honda
  10. Chris Blose, Phoenix, Ariz., Kawasaki

Eastern Regional 250SX Class Championship Standings

  1. Hunter Lawrence, Wesley Chapel, Fla., Honda (26)
  2. Max Anstie, Cairo, Ga., Honda (23)
  3. Jordon Smith, Ochlocknee, Ga., Yamaha (21)
  4. Haiden Deegan, Tallahassee, Fla., Yamaha (19)
  5. Jeremy Martin, Rochester, Minn., Yamaha (18)
  6. Michael Mosiman, Minneaola, Fla., GASGAS (17)
  7. Tom Vialle, Murrieta, Calif., KTM (16)
  8. Chance Hymas, Pocatello, Idaho, Honda (15)
  9. Cullin Park, Clermont, Fla., Honda (14)
  10. Chris Blose, Phoenix, Ariz., Kawasaki (13)

Assets:
2023 Houston Photo Gallery
450SX Class Highlights
Eastern Regional 250SX Class Highlights
Credit: Feld Motor Sports, Inc.

Media Contacts:
Sean Brennen
Feld Motor Sports – Senior PR Manager – Supercross
sbrennen@feldinc.com

About Feld Motor Sports:

Feld Motor Sports, Inc. is the worldwide leader in producing and presenting specialized arena and stadium-based motorsports entertainment. Properties include Monster Jam®, Monster Energy AMA Supercross, and the SuperMotocross World Championship. Feld Motor Sports, Inc. is a subsidiary of Feld Entertainment, Inc. Visit monsterjam.com, SupercrossLIVE.com, and feldentertainment.com for more information.

About Monster Energy AMA Supercross Championship:

Monster Energy AMA Supercross is the most competitive and highest-profile off-road motorcycle racing championship on the planet. Founded in America and sanctioned by the American Motorcyclist Association (AMA) since 1974. Over 17 weeks, Supercross attracts some of the largest and most impressive crowds inside the most recognizable and prestigious stadiums in North America to race in front of nearly one million live fans and broadcast to millions more worldwide. For more information, visit SupercrossLIVE.com.

About the SuperMotocross World Championship:

The SuperMotocross World Championship™ is the premier off-road motorcycle racing series that combines the technical precision of stadium racing with the all-out speed and endurance of outdoor racing. Created in 2022, the SuperMotocross World Championship combines the Monster Energy AMA Supercross Championship and the AMA Pro Motocross Championship into a 31-event series that culminates in a season-ending two round playoff and SuperMotocross World Championship Final. Visit SuperMotocross.com for more information.

About the American Motorcyclist Association:

Founded in 1924, the AMA is a not-for-profit member-based association whose mission is to promote the motorcycle lifestyle and protect the future of motorcycling. As the world’s largest motorcycling rights and event sanctioning organization, the AMA advocates for riders’ interests at all levels of government and sanctions thousands of competition and recreational events every year. The AMA also provides money-saving discounts on products and services for its members. Through the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame in Pickerington, Ohio, the AMA honors the heroes and heritage of motorcycling. For more information, visit americanmotorcyclist.com.

Source: Feld Motor Sports, Inc.

230105 SX sponsor logos

####

Daxton Bennick Wins Supercross Futures Amateur Race at Anaheim Supercross

Amateur Program Delivers Great Racing Under the Lights at Angel Stadium

ANAHEIM, CA – January 30, 2023 – (Motor Sports NewsWire) – Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing’s Daxton Bennick showed the form and composure of a seasoned Supercross pro on his way to a strong victory in the first round of the 250SX Futures Class of Monster Energy AMA Supercross. Angel Stadium of Anaheim was packed and loud for Round 4 of the pro season and the Supercross Futures race that took place midway through the night’s racing program. Rockstar Energy Husqvarna’s Casey Cochran, who was competing in the B Group, earned second overall while teammate Talon Hawkins grabbed the holeshot and had an eventful race to garner the final podium position.

The Supercross Futures program was conceived to provide a stadium Supercross experience and path to the pros for the next generation of racers. Four rounds are held throughout the Monster Energy AMA Supercross season with the top five finishers qualifying for an AMA Amateur National Championship held in Salt Lake City, Utah during the final event of the full 17-round pro season.

When the gate dropped Talon Hawkins nabbed the holeshot in front of 17 other racers. He mis-timed the first rhythm section and Casey Cochran took over the lead spot with Hawkins and Altherm JCR Yamaha’s Cole Davies right behind. Davies’ wild ride through the whoops on the opening lap allowed Daxton Bennick and EBR Racing Yamaha’s Julien Beaumer to get around Davies. Beaumer landed hard on a following jump and his handlebar rotated in the clamps; he was forced to slow his pace.

Cochran led the field of young racers until, similar to Davies’ opening lap troubles, Cochran had a bobble in the whoops that allowed Hawkins to re-take the lead in the next rhythm lane. With 3:38 remaining on the race clock of the six-minute plus one lap race, Bennick made an inside move under Cochran to take second while just behind them Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing’s Haiden Deegan crashed trying to re-take fifth position from KTM USA’s Preston Boespflug. The mistake sent Deegan, a race-win favorite, back to ninth.

Bennick steadily reeled in Hawkins and with just over a minute left on the race clock, Bennick used a fast run through the whoops to get cleanly into the lead. On the final lap Hawkins ran into trouble, allowing Cochran to grab the runner up spot as Hawkins recovered to finish in third place.

The 250SX Futures Class races again in Arlington, Texas on February 25th, which will also be the second of three Triple Crown-format events for the professional racers. All Monster Energy AMA Supercross events are streamed live on Peacock with select events also broadcast on NBC, USA Network, and CNBC. For the full schedule, results, video highlights, and ticket sales to any of the remaining Monster Energy AMA Supercross events, please visit SupercrossLIVE.com.

250SX Futures Class podium

250SX Futures Class podium (riders left to right) Casey Cochran, Daxton Bennick, and Talon Hawkins. Photo Credit: Feld Motor Sports, Inc.

SX Futures Class Results

  1. Daxton Bennick, Morganton, N.C., Yamaha
  2. Casey Cochran, Clermont, Fla., Husqvarna
  3. Talon Hawkins, Temecula, Calif., Husqvarna
  4. Cole Davies, Waitoki, NZ, Yamaha
  5. Haiden Deegan, Tallahassee, Fla., Yamaha
  6. Preston Boespflug, Winchester, Calif., KTM
  7. Gage Linville, Park Lake, Ga., Honda
  8. Slade Varola, Simi Valley, Calif., Kawasaki
  9. Braden Spangle, Mead, Wash., Yamaha
  10. Dylan Cunha, Modesto, Calif., Yamaha

Assets:
2023 Anaheim 2 Photo Gallery
Anaheim 2 Press Conference
Credit: Feld Motor Sports, Inc.

Media Contacts:
Sean Brennen
Feld Motor Sports – Senior PR Manager – Supercross
sbrennen@feldinc.com

About Feld Motor Sports:

Feld Motor Sports, Inc. is the worldwide leader in producing and presenting specialized arena and stadium-based motorsports entertainment. Properties include Monster Jam®, Monster Energy AMA Supercross, and the SuperMotocross World Championship. Feld Motor Sports, Inc. is a subsidiary of Feld Entertainment, Inc. Visit monsterjam.com, SupercrossLIVE.com, and feldentertainment.com for more information.

About Monster Energy AMA Supercross Championship:

Monster Energy AMA Supercross is the most competitive and highest-profile off-road motorcycle racing championship on the planet. Founded in America and sanctioned by the American Motorcyclist Association (AMA) since 1974. Over 17 weeks, Supercross attracts some of the largest and most impressive crowds inside the most recognizable and prestigious stadiums in North America to race in front of nearly one million live fans and broadcast to millions more worldwide. For more information, visit SupercrossLIVE.com.

About the SuperMotocross World Championship:

The SuperMotocross World Championship™ is the premier off-road motorcycle racing series that combines the technical precision of stadium racing with the all-out speed and endurance of outdoor racing. Created in 2022, the SuperMotocross World Championship combines the Monster Energy AMA Supercross Championship and the AMA Pro Motocross Championship into a 31-event series that culminates in a season-ending two round playoff and SuperMotocross World Championship Final. Visit SuperMotocross.com for more information.

About the American Motorcyclist Association:

Founded in 1924, the AMA is a not-for-profit member-based association whose mission is to promote the motorcycle lifestyle and protect the future of motorcycling. As the world’s largest motorcycling rights and event sanctioning organization, the AMA advocates for riders’ interests at all levels of government and sanctions thousands of competition and recreational events every year. The AMA also provides money-saving discounts on products and services for its members. Through the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame in Pickerington, Ohio, the AMA honors the heroes and heritage of motorcycling. For more information, visit americanmotorcyclist.com.

Source: Feld Motor Sports, Inc.

230105 SX sponsor logos

####

Monster Energy’s Sexton wins Ironman MX National, but Monster Energy’s Tomac still has 1 pt. o/a lead

a

One race remains on the Lucas Oil AMA Pro Motocross Championship 50th anniversary tour to decide the closest championship battle.

One race remains on the Lucas Oil AMA Pro Motocross Championship 50th anniversary tour to decide closest championship battle in sport’s history

CORONA, CA – August 29, 2022 – (Motor Sports NewsWire) – With an overall victory at Indiana’s Ironman MX National on Saturday, Monster Energy’s Chase Sexton (Honda) stayed within one point, 496-495, of Monster Energy’s Eli Tomac (Star Racing/Yamaha) in what is the closest premier class title point battle in the 50-year history of Lucas Oil AMA Pro Motocross Championship racing.

In the second and decisive moto, Sexton withstood a strong charge from Tomac late in the contest and, coupled with a slight Tomac error, won the moto by 11 seconds – and the overall – with a 2-1 two-moto finish (to Tomac’s 1-2 finish).

Said Sexton on when Tomac closed in on him in the second and deciding moto: “I was like (sighs) ‘This is going to be a hard race.’ But I just kept my head down and never gave up. That’s my mentality. It’s going to be a fun weekend next weekend.”

Next weekend is the 12th and final round of the 2022 Lucas Oil AMA Pro Motocross Championship, Fox Raceway 2, set for Sept. 2nd in Pala, Calif. Sexton won Fox Raceway 1 back in May, sweeping both motos.

Added Tomac, who maintains the red leader’s plate heading into Pala: “Overall I’m happy with the day, happy to come out of here with the point lead still, and proud of my team. We’re going on to Pala and it’s an all-or-nothing situation now.”

In 250 class racing at the Ironman, Monster Energy’s Jo Shimoda (Pro Circuit/Kawasaki) teamed a second moto victory with a come-from-behind 5th place opening moto finish to place 2nd overall on the day (5-1). With the effort Shimoda increased his 2nd place overall series point lead to seven points over Hunter Lawrence (Honda), 437-430, and still has a mathematical chance of catching series point leader Jett Lawrence (Honda), who has 478 points heading into Pala.

Also noteworthy from the 250 class, the much-anticipated pro debut of Haiden Deegan (Monster Energy/Star Racing/Yamaha) ended with a couple crashes for the rookie and a rough 31st place finish (34-24). Deegan’s Monster Energy-backed teammate, Nate Thrasher (Star Racing/Yamaha), picked the team up by scoring a season-best overall 5th place 250 class finish.

450 Podium Chase Sexto…i Tomac Ironman MX

450 class podium Monster Energy’s Chase Sexton and Eli Tomac

Here’s a look at what went down at the Ironman MX National, beginning with the 450 class.

Eli Tomac 450 Moto 1 action Ironman MX

450 Moto 1 – Monster Energy’s Eli Tomac

Trouble right out of the gate for last week’s winner, Monster Energy’s Jason Anderson (Kawasaki), as the No. 3 overall series point racer crashed in the first turn and re-entered the race in dead last. … Sexton would avoid the carnage, but didn’t get a good start (12th) – and it ended up costing him. “Not the start Sexton wanted for his battle for the championship,” said race announcer Broc Glover. … Tomac, however, would get out a few spots better (8th) and moved up to 6th at the end of Lap 1, with his Monster Energy-backed teammate Christian Craig (Star Racing/Yamaha) getting off the gate in 10th place, but quickly moving up to 2nd behind race leader Ken Roczen (Honda). … Tomac, as he has all season, put the hammer down early and passed several of the world’s top motocross racers, including multi-time champion Ryan Dungey (KTM), for 3rd place. … Tomac would then get by Craig at the 24:50 mark, trailing race leader Roczen by 2.5 seconds. … Ripping up through the pack, Sexton, on a championship mission, put up a blistering 2:01.6 lap, catching – and passing – Dungey, and moved onto Craig for 3rd place. … At 21:01 Sexton got by Craig, and was just four seconds back of race leaders Roczen and Tomac, thanks in part to Roczen holding off a number of Tomac passing attempts as the race neared the midway point. … Getting by Roczen at the 17:53 mark, Tomac took the race lead. Sexton would then ease past his teammate (Roczen) for 2nd at the 15:41 mark. … After laying on the ground in the opening corner, Anderson had charged all the way up to 10th – and would still gain spots through the moto’s finish. … Things got thrilling when, at the 13:07 mark Sexton, who was running laps two-tenths of a second faster than Tomac, cut Tomac’s lead down to 1.8 seconds. Sexton would then make a mistake and, in an effort to correct his momentum, ended up cutting the track on a hilltop section. Sexton wouldn’t gain any sort of decided advantage in the move and Tomac maintained his lead. … As race officials, team officials and the race announcers discussed if Sexton should (or shouldn’t) be penalized for cutting the track, a Tomac mistake allowed Sexton to catch up – and pass Tomac on an inside berm blitz at the 5:11 mark. … Tomac would respond and, with one minute plus two laps to go, uncorked an unbelievable 2:01.3 race-best lap that Sexton was unable to answer, and responded with a sub-par 2:05 lap of his own. “You just don’t do that (at this point in the race). I don’t know where Eli found that speed,” said Glover. … Final Moto 1 result: Tomac 1st, Sexton 2nd.

Said Tomac of his heroic late race lap: “I just had to dig down – and that was it.”

Added Sexton: “It’s an awesome battle between him (Tomac) and I. Hopefully we can do it again in the second moto and I can put it up on top this time.”

Chase Sexton 450 Moto 2 action Ironman MX.jpg 2 of 8

450 Moto 2 – Monster Energy’s Chase Sexton

Bit of cat and mouse between Tomac and Sexton on their start gate lineup selections. In 450 Moto 1 Tomac had the second gate choice (behind Sexton, who was fast qualifier) and chose to line up right next to Sexton. In Moto 2, with the second gate choice, Sexton moved away from Tomac by a number of spots. The result? Sexton pulled the holeshot and lead early in Moto 2. … Sexton’s lead would be brief as teammate Roczen grabbed the lead on Lap 1, with Tomac up to 5th place early. … Tomac then moved into 3rd place, past Aaron Plessinger (KTM) at the 28:10 mark, with Sexton passing Roczen for the lead less than a minute later (27:43). … Sexton opened up a 2.1 second lead on Roczen, with Tomac then getting past Roczen at the 21:58 mark – setting up what would be an epic battle for the lead – and overall Ironman MX National win. … With five seconds on Tomac, Sexton looked to be in control, only to see Tomac pull off another incredible 2:01.00 lap (the days fastest) and cut the lead down to four seconds. Sexton would have an answer this time, cracking off a 2:01.2 lap and putting his lead, depending on the area of the track, back up to near five seconds. … Nearing the moto’s 10:00 mark Tomac was onto Sexton and, when the lead had been closed to just over a second, made a mistake (cross rutting), and loses two seconds back to Sexton. … During this time Anderson had come blazing back, all the way up to 4th, then blew by Plessinger for 3rd. A rare penalty (reportedly accelerating while off the track) was assessed to Anderson and, at race’s end, he had to give 3rd place back to Plessinger. … Back up front Sexton would reel off a late, second moto 2:01 lap of his own, putting 6.1 seconds between him and 2nd place Tomac for the overall. … Joining Sexton, Tomac and Anderson in the top five would be Craig, who moved into 5th place with a minute plus two laps to go. … At the checkers it’d be Sexton, by 11 seconds over Tomac to give Sexton the overall victory, and leading Glover to comment “He (Sexton) keeps answering the bell like a prize fighter that won’t give up. Beyond impressive.” … Both Sexton and Tomac came away from the Ironman MX National with 47 championship points, with the title to be decided this coming Saturday (Sept. 3) at Fox Raceway in Pala, Calif.

Said Sexton: “I got out front, finally (on the start). Been wanting one of those for a while. From there I just started to sprint away. Got into a lapper and made a few mistakes – and Eli closed on me.”

Added Tomac: “I made a big push right when he (Sexton) got stuck behind those lappers. Then I went a little too fast, a little too hard and got cross rutted. That was it.”

Nate Thrasher 250 action Moto 2 Ironman MX

250 Moto 1 – Monster Energy’s Nate Thrasher

Thrasher opened the 250 racing with the holeshot and early lead, followed by a host of Monster Energy-backed racers in the top ten – Guillem Farres (Star Racing/Yamaha) in 4th, Seth Hammaker (Pro Circuit/Kawasaki) in 5th, Cameron McAdoo (Pro Circuit/Kawasaki) in 7th, Deegan in 9th and Justin Cooper (Star Racing/Yamaha) in 10th. … Suffering a poor start would be Shimoda, one which would ultimately play a factor in costing him the overall Ironman MX 250 win. … With pressure from Max Vohland (KTM), Thrasher managed to still hold the Moto 1 lead through the 23:06 mark. … Charging hard from back in the pack would be Shimoda, who passed McAdoo into 8th place, and was just three seconds back of Hunter Lawrence – with whom Shimoda was battling for 2nd place overall in the series points. … With Thrasher impressively continuing to lead past the race’s halfway point, Cooper got past Vohland for 4th, and onto 3rd place RJ Hampshire (Husky). … At the 13:10 mark series point leader Jett Lawrence snatched the lead away from Thrasher, while at the same time Shimoda caught and passed Vohland for 6th. … Several minutes later Thrasher would give up 2nd place to Hampshire, with Shimoda, Hunter Lawrence and Cooper in a heated battle for the 4th, 5th and 6th spots. … Shimoda would get past Cooper for 5th, and was catching Hunter Lawrence for 4th when a costly mistake put Shimoda down into the dirt. He’d remount, but would have to settle on 5th in the moto. … Thrasher would drop one more spot, 3rd, to Hunter Lawrence near the moto’s end.

Jo Shimoda 250 Moto 2 action Ironman MX

250 Moto 2 – Monster Energy’s Jo Shimoda

Incredible what a difference an incredible start makes as Shimoda took charge in Moto 2. The No. 2 overall 250 series point man grabbed the lead from holeshot-winner Cooper and charged out into the clean air, leading Thrasher (4th), Hammaker (5th), Monster Energy/Pro Circuit/Kawasaki’s Ryder DiFrancesco (7th) and McAdoo (8th), while, unfortunately, Deegan would wind up on the ground again, this time at the start of the second moto. … With McAdoo quickly moving up to 5th, his Monster Energy/Pro Circuit/Kawasaki teammate Shimoda put a 3.7 second gap on 2nd place Cooper. … Jett Lawrence would make passes on Thrasher for 4th and Cooper for 3rd, with his site set on catching race leader Shimoda. … As the race wound down it’d be Shimoda up against both the Lawrences, Hunter in 2nd and Jett in 3rd, and Shimoda would be up for the task, holding off the two Honda racers to take the Moto 2 victory, and with it 2nd place overall on the day.

Said Shimoda: “Yeah, again, it’s the starts. First moto – not good at all. Second moto I got up front. So I dunno. (I) just kept charging and took the win. So it was really nice.”

Overall 2022 Lucas Oil AMA Pro Motocross Championship, presented by Monster Energy, Points (Round 11 of 12)

450 class

Eli Tomac headshot Ironman MX

Eli Tomac

1st – Tomac

2nd – Sexton

3rd – Anderson

5th – Craig

9th – Savatgy

250 class

Jo Shimoda headshot Ironman MX

Jo Shimoda

2nd – Shimoda

4th – Cooper

7th – Thrasher

8th – Hammaker

10th – Kitchen

Up Next

Lucas Oil AMA Pro Motocross Championship, presented by Monster Energy, tees up the series’ final round, the Sep. 23 Fox Raceway II MX National in Pala, Calif. For more information visit www.promotocross.com

About Monster Energy

Based in Corona, California, Monster Energy is the leading marketer of energy drinks and alternative beverages. Refusing to acknowledge the traditional, Monster Energy supports the scene and sport. Whether motocross, off-road, NASCAR, MMA, BMX, surf, snowboard, ski, skateboard, or the rock and roll lifestyle, Monster Energy is a brand that believes in authenticity and the core of what its sports, athletes and musicians represent. More than a drink, it’s the way of life lived by athletes, sports, bands, believers and fans. See more about Monster Energy including all of its drinks at www.monsterenergy.com

Source: Monster Energy Comapny

Monster Energy logo

####