Sexton Surges, Kitchen Breaks Through at Spring Creek National
The 2024 Pro Motocross Championship roared back to life at Spring Creek MX Park in Minnesota for a day of challenging weather and thrilling racing. In the premier 450 Class, Red Bull KTM Factory Racing's Chase Sexton continued his dominance, sweeping both motos to extend his championship lead. The 250 Class saw a new face atop the podium, as Monster Energy Pro Circuit Kawasaki's Levi Kitchen captured his first career Pro Motocross victory with a 1-1 performance.
Chase Sexton asserted himself once more with a sweep of the motos. Photo Credit: MX Sports Pro Racing, Inc.
Sexton Takes Control in the 450 Class
High humidity and scorching temperatures greeted riders in the 450 Class, giving way to dramatic late-race thunderstorms that transformed the track into a demanding test of skill and endurance. Sexton, fresh off his victory at the previous round, wasted no time asserting his dominance. After a strong start in Moto 1, he patiently stalked championship rival Hunter Lawrence (Team Honda HRC) before making a decisive pass for the lead midway through the race. He never looked back, cruising to a comfortable victory.
Hunter Lawrence continued his incredible consistency with a runner-up finish. Photo Credit: MX Sports Pro Racing, Inc.
Moto 2 saw Sexton face a slightly different challenge. A less-than-ideal start left him outside the top five early, but he remained composed and methodically worked his way through the field. By the halfway point, he had overtaken third place and set his sights on the leaders, Lawrence and Justin Cooper (Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing). Another patient and calculated move put him in front, and he rode away to secure his second straight moto win and solidify his position atop the championship standings.
Justin Cooper (32) parlayed a holeshot in Moto 2 into a podium result in third. Photo Credit: MX Sports Pro Racing, Inc.
Kitchen Makes History in the 250 Class
Levi Kitchen broke through for his maiden victory in Pro Motocross competition. Photo Credit: MX Sports Pro Racing, Inc.
Haiden Deegan once again showed his resiliency in a runner-up effort. Photo Credit: MX Sports Pro Racing, Inc.
The 250 Class saw a season-defining performance from Levi Kitchen. After a challenging start to the season, Kitchen found his rhythm at Spring Creek, battling for the lead throughout both motos. In Moto 1, he capitalized on a mistake by early leader Haiden Deegan (Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing) to take the lead and hold on for his first career moto win. Moto 2 followed a similar script, with Kitchen battling back from an early setback to overtake rookie Casey Cochran (Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing) and claim another victory. This dominant 1-1 performance cemented Kitchen's place in history as the 94th rider to win a 250 Class moto and the third different winner this season.
Rookie Casey Cochran emerged with the first podium result of his career. Photo Credit: MX Sports Pro Racing, Inc.
Looking Ahead
The Pro Motocross Championship continues next weekend with a return to the West Coast for Round 8 at the famed Washougal MX Park in Washington. With Sexton firmly in control of the 450 Class and the 250 Class wide open, the next few rounds promise even more intense racing as riders vie for championship glory. Get your tickets at www.MOTO.events.
RedBud Roars with Moto Mayhem: Sexton Captures Hometown Win, Hymas Earns First Career Victory
The 2024 Pro Motocross Championship reached its halfway point in dramatic fashion at legendary RedBud MX for Round 6. With defending champion Jett Lawrence sidelined by injury, the stage was set for a new story to unfold.
Sexton Dominates at Home
Chase Sexton (1-1) captured a big win at his home race and took over the points lead. Photo Credit: MX Sports Pro Racing, Inc.
Red Bull KTM's Chase Sexton stole the show, sweeping both motos for his second win of the season and the series lead. This victory held special significance as RedBud is Sexton's home track. He patiently stalked early leader Hunter Lawrence in Moto 1, capitalizing on a late-race mishap to take the lead and the win. Moto 2 followed a similar script, with Sexton overtaking early leader Anderson before cruising to a dominant victory.
Aaron Plessinger (4-2) finished runner-up in a 1-2 sweep for KTM. Photo Credit: MX Sports Pro Racing, Inc.
Hunter Lawrence (2-4) secured his sixth straight podium result in third. Photo Credit: MX Sports Pro Racing, Inc.
Hymas Breaks Through in 250 Class
Chance Hymas (4-1) broke through for his maiden professional victory. Photo Credit: MX Sports Pro Racing, Inc.
Ty Masterpool (1-5) earned his second career podium with a runner-up finish. Photo Credit: MX Sports Pro Racing, Inc.
Team Honda HRC's Chance Hymas finally broke through for his first career professional victory in the 250 Class. Hymas displayed impressive aggression in Moto 1, grabbing the lead early and holding off a hard-charging Ty Masterpool for the win. He mirrored this performance in Moto 2, leading until the final lap where teammate Jo Shimoda closed the gap. A penalty assessed to Hymas for a jump start violation in Moto 1 negated his overall win, but he still holds onto second place in the championship standings.
Jo Shimoda (5-2) finished third and has back-to-back podium results. Photo Credit: MX Sports Pro Racing, Inc.
Championship Battles Heat Up
With Jett Lawrence out, the championship battles across both classes have become wide open. Sexton's dominant performance has him leading the 450 Class by a narrow margin over Lawrence, while Haiden Deegan maintains a slim lead over Hymas in the 250 Class.
The Pro Motocross Championship continues next Saturday at Spring Creek MX Park in Minnesota. Don't miss the action as the championship battles heat up!
Jett Lawrence Edges Out Brother Hunter for Fourth Pro Motocross Win at Southwick
The Pro Motocross Championship returned to racing action this past weekend after a week off, hitting the iconic sand track at The Wick 338 for round five of the 2024 season. Jett Lawrence, defending champion in the 450 Class, relied on consistent finishes (1-2) to secure his fourth win of the season for Team Honda HRC.
In the 250 Class, Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing's Haiden Deegan continued his dominance with another 1-2 finish, extending his points lead and earning his fourth victory of the summer.
Close Calls in the 450 Class
Jett Lawrence got off to a familiar start in the premier class, grabbing the MotoSport.com Holeshot alongside his brother Hunter Lawrence, both mounted on Team Honda HRC machines. Right behind them was Team Red Bull KTM Factory Racing's Chase Sexton.
Jett Lawrence quickly established a lead, building a 2.5-second advantage by the end of the opening lap. He continued to pull away throughout the moto, eventually stretching the gap to nearly 10 seconds over his brother. Sexton held strong in third, with a comfortable lead over the rest of the pack.
Jett Lawrence maintained his pace through the final stages, securing a wire-to-wire victory with a 6.4-second margin over Hunter Lawrence. Sexton finished a distant third.
The second moto saw another Lawrence holeshot, with Jett again leading Hunter out of the first turn. Sexton wasted no time, however, making a quick pass on Hunter for second and then setting his sights on the leader.
Chase Sexton (3-1) earned a Moto 2 victory to secure a runner-up finish at Southwick. Photo Credit: MX Sports Pro Racing, Inc.
While Sexton initially challenged Jett for the lead, his momentum stalled, allowing Hunter to close in and reclaim second place. The Lawrence brothers battled it out, with Hunter briefly taking the lead before Jett fought back to regain control.
The final ten minutes brought the drama. Hunter went off-track momentarily, allowing Jett to pressure him. Jett capitalized on the opportunity, making the pass and distancing himself. However, Sexton wasn't done yet. He put on a late charge, closing the gap on Jett and initiating a fight for the lead with less than two minutes remaining.
Sexton battled hard, even briefly taking the lead before Jett Lawrence clawed his way back. The intense duel continued until the very end, with Sexton ultimately securing the moto win by a narrow margin just before the checkered flag.
Jett Lawrence Takes the Overall
Jett Lawrence's consistent finishes (1-2) proved to be the key factor, giving him his fourth win of the season and 15th of his career. This win ties him with Jeremy McGrath for 10th on the all-time 450 Class wins list.
Sexton's impressive second-moto victory earned him the runner-up spot for the day (3-1), while Hunter Lawrence maintained his podium streak with a third-place finish (2-3), extending it to five consecutive races.
Hunter Lawrence (2-3) captured his fifth straight overall podium result to hang on to the red plate. Photo Credit: MX Sports Pro Racing, Inc.
Hunter Lawrence's podium finish allows him to retain the championship points lead, but just barely. He sits three points ahead of Jett Lawrence and Sexton, who are now tied for second.
Deegan Extends Lead in the 250 Class
Haiden Deegan (1-2) continued his hot start to the season with a fourth victory in five rounds. Photo Credit: MX Sports Pro Racing, Inc.
The 250 Class saw similar dominance from Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing's Haiden Deegan. He grabbed the MotoSport.com Holeshot in both motos and led wire-to-wire in the first moto, securing a 15.3-second victory over Tom Vialle of Red Bull KTM Factory Racing.
Tom Vialle (2-3) had a victory within reach but settled for a runner-up finish. Photo Credit: MX Sports Pro Racing, Inc.
The second moto was a bit more dramatic. While Deegan initially took the lead again, a red flag forced a restart. After the restart, Deegan battled back from a sixth-place start to reclaim a spot on the podium, ultimately finishing second behind Jo Shimoda of Team Honda HRC.
Jo Shimoda (9-1) became the newest addition to the overall podium following a Moto 2 victory. Photo Credit: MX Sports Pro Racing, Inc.
Despite the second-moto hiccup, Deegan's 1-2 finishes were enough to secure his fourth win of the season, extending his points lead in the 250 Class championship to 42 points.
High Point Recap: Lawrence Brothers Battle, Pro Circuit Hits Milestone
The roar of engines echoed through Mt. Morris, Pennsylvania this past weekend as the Pro Motocross Championship rolled into High Point Raceway for Round 4. Picture-perfect weather greeted riders and fans alike, with an "ever-changing racetrack" providing an exciting challenge for the 450 and 250 class competitors.
450 Class: Jett Lawrence Doubles Up
Jett Lawrence (1-1) earned his third win in four rounds
with his second moto sweep of the season.
Photo Credit: MX Sports Pro Racing, Inc.
Jett Lawrence continued his dominance in the premier class, securing his third win in four rounds with a perfect 1-1 moto finish. His brother, Hunter Lawrence, wasn't far behind, putting together a strong showing with a 2-3 finish to maintain his series points lead. However, Jett wasn't the only one making headlines. Chase Sexton kept the pressure on the Lawrences, finishing runner-up overall with a 3-2 moto score.
Chase Sexton (3-2) finished in the runner-up spot
and chipped away at his deficit in the championship.
Photo Credit: MX Sports Pro Racing, Inc.
Hunter Lawrence (2-3) maintained his points lead
with a fourth straight podium effort.
Photo Credit: MX Sports Pro Racing, Inc.
250 Class: Masterpool Makes History
Ty Masterpool’s (2-1) margin of victory for his first career win was a mere 0.3 seconds.
Photo Credit: MX Sports Pro Racing, Inc.
The 250 class saw a storybook ending for Ty Masterpool. After years of battling through highs and lows, Masterpool finally clinched his first career overall win with a thrilling 2-1 moto performance. This wasn't just a personal victory – it marked a monumental achievement for the Monster Energy Pro Circuit Kawasaki team. Masterpool's win became the team's 300th victory in Pro Motocross history, solidifying their position as one of the most successful outfits in the sport.
Haiden Deegan Extends Points Lead
Haiden Deegan (1-2) was impressive with a pair of come-from-behind
climbs through the field en route to a runner-up finish.
Photo Credit: MX Sports Pro Racing, Inc.
Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing's Haiden Deegan continued to impress in the 250 class, showcasing his impressive comeback skills with a pair of come-from-behind rides to finish second overall (1-2). Despite some early setbacks, Deegan managed to extend his championship points lead to a comfortable 32 points.
Chance Hymas (4-3) now has back-to-back podiums
and sole possession of second in points.
Photo Credit: MX Sports Pro Racing, Inc.
Looking Ahead: The Sands of Southwick
The Pro Motocross Championship takes a short break before returning to action on June 29th for the legendary Southwick National. This notoriously grueling race, held on the "sands of Southwick," promises another thrilling chapter in the 2024 season. Will Jett Lawrence continue his winning streak? Can Masterpool build on his momentum? Tune in to Peacock on race day to find out!
Jett Lawrence Bounces Back to Win at Thunder Valley, Haiden Deegan Extends Lead
The Pro Motocross Championship stormed into the Rocky Mountains for a thrilling Round 3 at Thunder Valley Motocross Park. The high-altitude test saw a variety of weather conditions, but one thing remained constant: intense racing action.
450 Class
Jett Lawrence (2-1) returned to the top step of the podium in Colorado.
Photo Credit: MX Sports Pro Racing, Inc.
Jett Lawrence (Team Honda HRC) rebounded from a crash last week to capture a dramatic win and reassert himself in the title fight. His brother, Hunter Lawrence (Team Honda HRC), nearly stole the show with a first-moto victory, but Jett edged him out in the second moto for the overall win. Justin Cooper (Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing) rode consistently to secure his first career 450 Class podium finish in third place overall.
Moto 1
Hunter Lawrence (1-2) just missed out on his first 450 Class victory
but now sits atop the championship standings.
Photo Credit: MX Sports Pro Racing, Inc.
Hunter Lawrence took the early lead with Jett close behind. The brothers battled for the top spot throughout the moto, ultimately with Hunter claiming victory by eight seconds. Cooper followed in third, while Justin Barcia (Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing) and Aaron Plessinger (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) rounded out the top five.
Justin Cooper (3-3) spent most of the afternoon out front
and earned his first career 450 Class podium result.
Photo Credit: MX Sports Pro Racing, Inc.
Moto 2
Cooper grabbed the holeshot again, but a determined Chase Sexton (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) charged through the field to take second. Sexton then challenged Cooper for the lead, but a mistake forced him back. Jett Lawrence capitalized, passing his brother Hunter for the win. The Lawrence brothers finished 1-2, with Cooper a close third.
Jett Lawrence spoke about his win: "Going into the second moto, my legs were shot, but I dug deep and just kept telling myself to stay there. I capitalized on a mistake by Hunter and kept going after JCoop. I didn't necessarily expect to be up here, but it feels awesome after last weekend."
Overall: The identical moto finishes resulted in a tie for points, but Jett's second-moto win gave him the tiebreaker over Hunter. This marks Jett's 13th career win.
250 Class
Haiden Deegan (1-2) captured his third straight win of the season.
Photo Credit: MX Sports Pro Racing, Inc.
Haiden Deegan (Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing) continued his dominant run, extending his points lead with a third consecutive overall victory. Chance Hymas (Team Honda HRC) enjoyed a breakout day, grabbing his first career podium finish with a runner-up effort. Tom Vialle (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) rounded out the top three.
Moto 1
Deegan battled Vialle for the lead, ultimately reclaiming the top spot after a brief slip-up by Vialle. Levi Kitchen (Monster Energy Pro Circuit Kawasaki) finished third.
Moto 2
Chance Hymas (4-1) enjoyed a breakout afternoon with a runner-up effort.
Photo Credit: MX Sports Pro Racing, Inc.
Hymas surprised everyone with a commanding wire-to-wire victory. Deegan followed closely in second, with Jo Shimoda (Team Honda HRC) securing third.
Haiden Deegan commented on his win: "We had the overall and now we have three [wins] in a row. The hard work is paying off."
Hymas was emotional after his breakout performance: "I'm speechless right now. There was a point in time where I didn't think this was possible. I'm just grateful to be here."
Tom Vialle (2-4) finished on the podium for the third time this season.
Photo Credit: MX Sports Pro Racing, Inc.
Next Up
The Pro Motocross Championship heads to legendary High Point Raceway in Mt. Morris, Pennsylvania for Round 4 on June 15th. Catch all the live streaming action on Peacock. Purchase tickets today at www.MOTO.events
Sexton Takes Top Spot at Hangtown, Lawrence Streak Ends in Dramatic Pro Motocross Round
The 2024 Pro Motocross Championship delivered another thrilling chapter at the historic Hangtown Motocross Classic, leaving fans buzzing and the championship battle wide open. Under scorching California sun, Chase Sexton (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) stole the show in the 450 Class, while Haiden Deegan (Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing) extended his lead in the 250 Class.
Chase Sexton made an emphatic statement with a memorable 1-1 performance.
Photo Credit: MX Sports Pro Racing, Inc.
Sexton Shocks the Field with Dominant Performance
The 450 Class saw Jett Lawrence's (Team Honda HRC) perfect record come to an end after a first-moto crash. However, the day belonged to Sexton, who showcased incredible grit and determination. After starting fifth in the first moto, he fought his way through the pack, capitalizing on mistakes and eventually overtaking Hunter Lawrence (Team Honda HRC) for a stunning victory.
Hunter Lawrence earned a second straight runner-up finish (2-4).
Photo Credit: MX Sports Pro Racing, Inc.
The second moto saw Justin Cooper (Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing) grab the holeshot, but Aaron Plessinger (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) quickly took the lead. Sexton, despite falling early, mounted an impressive comeback, passing Hunter Lawrence and Cooper before a dramatic final lap saw him overtake teammate Plessinger for a remarkable 1-1 moto sweep and the overall win.
Aaron Plessinger (7) led almost the entirety of Moto 2 en route to third overall (5-2).
Photo Credit: MX Sports Pro Racing, Inc.
This marks Sexton's first victory since the 2022 season and ends a 49-race winless streak for KTM. He now leads the 450 Class championship by eight points over Hunter Lawrence, with Plessinger in third.
Haiden Deegan has opened the season with back-to-back wins (1-2).
Photo Credit: MX Sports Pro Racing, Inc.
Deegan Maintains Dominance in the 250 Class
In the 250 Class, Haiden Deegan continued his impressive run, overcoming a crash in the second moto to secure the overall win with consistent 1-2 finishes. Tom Vialle (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) put in a strong performance to finish second, while Levi Kitchen (Monster Energy Kawasaki) rounded out the podium. Deegan now leads the 250 Class championship by 13 points over Kitchen, with Vialle in third.
Tom Vialle’s second moto win vaulted him to a runner-up finish (4-1).
Photo Credit: MX Sports Pro Racing, Inc.
Levi Kitchen enjoyed a solid 3-3 effort for third overall.
Photo Credit: MX Sports Pro Racing, Inc.
Rev your engines and brace yourselves, folks! The 2024 season is gearing up to be the ultimate showdown of top talent! Here is a breakdown of what has unfolded in the off-season.
Red Bull KTM: Chase Sexton, the Defender
The reigning 450SX Champion, Chase Sexton, is making a move that's sending shockwaves through the motocross motoverse. Sexton, now donning the Red Bull KTM Factory Racing colors, is set to defend his 2023 AMA Supercross Championship.
Sexton, with a bold career move, is eager to work with the KTM powerhouse. "I think we have a bright future together," he declared. The union of Sexton's talent and KTM's legacy is a concoction destined for glory.
Team Honda HRC: Hunter Lawrence's Grand Ascent to 450 Premier Class
Hunter Lawrence, the Australian prodigy who conquered the 250 scene last season, is moving up to the big leagues for 2024. The 24-year-old speed demon is saddling up on the CRF450RWE, ready to battle it out in the AMA Supercross, Pro Motocross, and SuperMotocross series.
Lawrence, after clinching 250 titles last season, expressed his excitement about the promotion. "I’m proud of what I’ve accomplished in my 250 career, but it’s exciting to move up to the premier class for 2024," he shared. With off-season testing promising, and the Lawrence brothers reunited on the big bikes, Team Honda HRC is revving up for a show-stopping season.
Honda's Rising Sun: Jo Shimoda's Journey Continues
Jo Shimoda, the Japanese sensation, is set to ride the CRF250R for Honda’s factory squad in 2024 and ’25. The 22-year-old, with a history of breaking barriers, aims to add another chapter to his impressive career. Shimoda's return to Honda is a reunion worth celebrating, and with teammates like Jett and Hunter Lawrence, this squad is a force to be reckoned with.
Shimoda, beaming with enthusiasm, said, "I’m super-stoked to join Honda’s factory team." His eyes are set on an AMA championship, and the chemistry with his teammates could turn this season into a Japanese motocross revolution.
Rockstar Energy Husqvarna: Farres Joins the 250 Class
Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing is turning up the heat with the addition of Guillem Farres to their 250 Class program. The 20-year-old Spaniard is ready to make waves in 250SX.
Farres, after showcasing his potential in the latter part of the 2022 season, is thrilled to be part of the Husqvarna family. Nathan Ramsey, Team Manager, sees Farres as a rising star, and with the Baker’s Factory program in the mix, the Spaniard is geared up for a spectacular debut in 2024.
Rockstar Energy Husqvarna: Casey Cochran's Pro Debut
Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing is also adding 17-year-old Casey Cochran in the 2024 season. After a stellar amateur career, Cochran is ready to step into the spotlight, making his mark in the SuperMotocross World Championship on the FC 250.
Nathan Ramsey, Team Manager, expressed his excitement, saying, "He’s a very hard worker and is full of potential for a great future." The anticipation for Cochran's pro debut is palpable, and the Rockstar Energy Husqvarna squad is ready to nurture this budding talent.
Troy Lee Designs/Red Bull/GASGAS: Ryder DiFrancesco's Rookie Quest
Troy Lee Designs/Red Bull/GASGAS Factory Racing has a new prodigy in town, and his name is Ryder DiFrancesco. The 18-year-old is set to embark on his rookie 250SX campaign, bringing his explosive talent to the tracks.
Max Lee, Team Manager, is thrilled about DiFrancesco joining the team, stating, "He has a lot of talent and a good work ethic." With DiFrancesco transitioning from a decorated amateur career to the professional ranks, the 2024 season promises to be a captivating chapter in his motocross journey.
Get ready, the 2024 Supercross season is on the horizon, and with these riders and teams, we're in for a wild ride. Stay tuned for the twists, turns, and high-flying action that will define this thrilling season. The countdown to Anaheim 1 has never felt this electrifying! Secure your A1 tickets now.
Jett Lawrence Wins SMX World Championship Playoff 2 at Chicagoland Speedway
Hunter Lawrence Takes 250 Class Win and Reclaims Points Lead
Team Honda HRC’s Jett Lawrence was back on the top step of the podium with a strong overall win at the SuperMotocross World Championship Playoff 2 inside Chicagoland Speedway. Lawrence’s victory came via 1-2 moto scores in the event’s two-race format.
The uniquely created track built inside Chicagoland Speedway was long, fast, and rough. The second-ever SuperMotocross World Championship track challenged the racers and teams in the sport’s first post season racing. Photo Credit: Feld Motor Sports, Inc.
Progressive Insurance ECSTAR Suzuki’s Ken Roczen earned an emotional second place overall finish just days after the birth of his second child; the win moved Roczen into third place in points with a clear path to winning the championship next weekend. Team Honda HRC’s Chase Sexton earned third place overall on the high-speed, SuperMotocross track that stretched across the storied auto raceway. In the 250 Class, Team Honda HRC’s Hunter Lawrence was back on top, winning both motos and recapturing the 250 Class points lead.
Jett Lawrence looked at home on the track that favored motocross technique over Supercross finesse. Photo Credit: Feld Motor Sports, Inc.
Jett Lawrence grabbed the holeshot in the first 450 Class moto with Troy Lee Designs Red Bull GASGAS Factory Racing’s Justin Barcia, Sexton, Muc-Off FXR ClubMX Yamaha’s Phil Nicoletti, and Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing’s Dylan Ferrandis right behind. Sexton, the winner of both motos at Playoff 1, was quickly on the attack to take the lead, but Lawrence held his spot. Just before five minutes had ticked off the race clock Sexton made a tiny mistake exiting one of the sand turns; that was all it took for Lawrence to break free and sprint out of striking distance. The two Honda teammates put in similar lap times, each taking a different bike set-up approach to their race bikes. Sexton was running a stiff Supercross-style suspension set-up and Lawrence had on his more compliant motocross-style suspension. The difference demonstrated the challenge of all the teams to find an ideal bike set-up for the custom built SMX track. Just past five minutes into the 20-minute plus one lap moto, Ken Roczen took over third place from Barcia in a thrilling back-and forth that had the riders trade the lead multiple times through several sections. The lead group looked mostly settled at that point, but Red Bull KTM’s Aaron Plessinger was on the move after a bad start that had him outside the top ten at the beginning of the race. Plessinger reached sixth place with just over six minutes on the clock and charged after Ferrandis. On the final lap Plessinger made the move into fifth. At the checkered flag it was Lawrence, Sexton, Roczen, Barcia, then Plessinger.
The 450 Class moto two roared off the line and race veteran Nicoletti grabbed the holeshot and led Barcia, Lawrence, Sexton, and Roczen. Lawrence and Roczen were both on the move on the opening lap. Lawrence took the lead from Nicoletti before a minute and a half was off the race clock. Roczen was past Nicoletti forty seconds later and then right on Lawrence’s rear fender and pressing for the lead. Sexton eased into third place but the battle was just out of reach as Lawrence’s and Roczen’s pace pushed the front two into a race of their own. Behind Sexton, Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing’s Cooper Webb reached fourth place with Ferrandis right behind. Throughout the race Roczen would fall back two seconds, then make a push and get right back up to Lawrence. With just over eight minutes left on the race clock Plessinger moved into fourth and the front group looked settled. But in the closing laps Roczen closed the gap again and pressured Lawrence. With just over a minute left on the clock Lawrence waved Roczen past, relinquishing the lead but also eliminating the pressure. Fans suspected a mechanical issue, but Lawrence explained later it was an attempt to help Roczen finish ahead of Sexton in the overall results; it was a strategy to gain maximum points on series-leader Sexton. Roczen pulled a comfortable gap while Lawrence maintained his lead over Sexton. Lawrence did earn the overall win and Roczen did finish second overall with Chase taking third. However, Lawrence’s unconventional race strategy did not impact the overall finishing order. Going into the Final next weekend, which pays triple points, Sexton leads Lawrence by just two points and Roczen sits in third only ten points back from the top spot. This creates a ‘winner take all’ finale between Lawrence and Sexton, with Roczen positioned to take the championship if he wins the Final and Sexton fails to finish in second.
Hunter Lawrence took back the 250 Class points lead with strong 1-1 moto scores to win at Chicagoland Speedway. Photo Credit: Feld Motor Sports, Inc.
When the gate dropped for moto one of the 250 Class Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing’s Haiden Deegan rocketed into the lead ahead of Red Bull KTM’s Tom Vialle, Hunter Lawrence, and Monster Energy Pro Circuit Kawasaki’s Jo Shimoda. Shimoda, Playoff 1 winner, looked aggressive going after third but Lawrence held him off. On the opening lap of the 20-minute plus one lap moto Lawrence made the move on Vialle to take over second at the same time Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing’s RJ Hampshire got around Shimoda to push him back to fourth. For the first half of the race all eyes were on the fluctuating gap between Deegan in the lead and Lawrence in close pursuit; it grew and tightened between 1.3 to 2.2 seconds. Seven minutes into the race Shimoda dialed up his aggression and took back fourth place. Thirteen minutes into the race Lawrence pulled up on Deegan’s wheel in a move for the lead. A minute later Deegan made a mistake in one of the track’s deep-rutted corners and wasn’t able to jump the finish line double. Lawrence flew past and soon after pulled a small gap on Deegan. With 2:15 remaining on the race clock Shimoda moved past Vialle and set his sights on Deegan. The racer from Japan put in blistering laps and used momentum from an outside line to jump past Deegan. Shimoda set his sights on Lawrence, who had a two second lead at the white flag. Shimoda quickly closed the gap and got right on Lawrence’s rear tire. Then Shimoda took a hard jolt on an outside rut with a sharp hook in it. Shimoda bit his tongue and cut his chin on his handlebar; and so he dialed back his last-lap attack. Lawrence took the moto one win, Shimoda cruised to second and Deegan held on for third.
The second 250 Class moto provided even more excitement. Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing’s Justin Cooper nabbed the holeshot with Shimoda, Lawrence, Monster Energy Pro Circuit Kawasaki’s Ryder DiFrancesco, and Hampshire in tow. In just the opening lap Lawrence bumped past Shimoda in a corner, only to get re-passed by Shimoda in an immediate counterattack. Shimoda set his sights on Cooper and four and a half minutes into the race Shimoda took over the lead while Lawrence sat third and Deegan had reached fourth. A minute later Lawrence overtook Cooper momentarily, but it took another lap of racing to secure the spot. Lawrence now sat just one second back; between he and Shimoda, the winner of the moto would take the event overall and the $50,000 race win bonus. Vialle put in a strong push and got up to third place with eight and a half minutes left on the race clock. But Vialle broke his shift lever and, with his bike stuck in second gear, was out of the hunt for the race win. With less than five minutes left on the clock the battle for the lead took a dramatic turn when Shimoda sensed something wrong with his bike. He later said that he backed down his pace to take the stress off his bike and ensure a finish. Lawrence rode smooth to the checkered flag, the moto win, and with that the overall victory as well. The win gave Lawrence back the points lead going into the SuperMotocross World Championship Final next weekend.
Carson Wood took the win in the dramatic 112cc Supermini World All-Stars race.
Photo Credit: Feld Motor Sports, Inc.
At the event’s midpoint the Supermini World All-Stars Main Event dropped the gate for the top racers between the ages of 12-16 aboard 112cc-displacement race bikes. Monster Energy Team Green Kawasaki’s Carson Wood grabbed the holeshot with MTF Ogio Dunlop’s Benjamin Moya, B’s Moto Lab JM Racing’s Darren Pine, and Husqvarna Answer Racing’s Vincent Wey ahead of the screaming pack of two-stroke race bikes. Wey moved into third less than a minute into the eight-minute plus one lap race. The battling was fierce and the racer making the most progress was Fasthouse X Hot Wheel’s Max Shane. At the race’s midpoint Shane took over second place. Late in the race Wey shorted a large double and crashed on the landing, taking down KTM Orange Brigade’s Seth Dennis, who was right behind him. With under a minute left on the race clock Wood held control over the race with a comfortable lead. At the checkered flag the podium finishers were Woods, Shane, and Moya with Dennis recovering nicely from his crash to finish fourth.
The inaugural season of the SuperMotocross World Championship wraps up and crowns two champions next weekend on September 23rd inside the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles, California. The SuperMotocross World Championship Final will pay out triple-points for finishing positions to weigh the final event of the year as the most significant. The purses are the largest in the sport’s history, including a $1,000,000 bonus to the 450 Class champion and $500,000 to the 250 Class champion. Every position pays out more than any other series in two-wheeled off-road racing as part of the total 2023 purse of $10,000,000.
Coverage of the Final begins with the Race Day Live show that covers qualifying, team and rider news, a look at the track, and LCQ live coverage; it starts at 4:30PM Eastern Time on Peacock. Then the event kick-off and updates are covered live on the Pre-Race Show coverage at 9:30PM Eastern Time. Directly following that, the racing will air live on both Peacock and USA Network beginning at 10:00 PM Eastern Time. The race coverage will re-air on September 25th at 1:00 AM Eastern time on CNBC.
Tickets are on sale now to witness the final round of the sport’s first post season with the SuperMotocross World Championship Final at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, the same stadium that kicked off the sport of Monster Energy Supercross back in 1972 with the Superbowl of Motocross. For ticket sales, race information, video highlights, updates, track maps, and more about the September 23rd event, please visit SuperMotocross.com.
450 Class podium (racers left to right) Ken Roczen, Jett Lawrence, and Chase Sexton.
Photo Credit: Feld Motor Sports, Inc.
450SMX Playoff 2 Results
Jett Lawrence, Australia, Honda (1-2)
Ken Roczen, Clermont, Fla., Suzuki (3-1)
Chase Sexton, LaMoille, IL., Honda (2-3)
Aaron Plessinger, Hamilton, Ohio, KTM (5-4)
Dylan Ferrandis, Bedarrides, France, Yamaha (6-5)
Justin Barcia, Greenville, Fla., GASGAS (4-10)
Cooper Webb, Newport, N.C., Yamaha (8-7)
Phillip Nicoletti, Bethal, N.Y., Yamaha (7-9)
Jason Anderson, Rio Rancho, N.Mex., Kawasaki (13-6)
Colt Nichols, Muskogee, OK, Kawasaki (12-8)
450SMX Class Championship Standings
Chase Sexton, LaMoille, IL., Honda (90)
Jett Lawrence, Australia, Honda (88)
Ken Roczen, Clermont, Fla. Suzuki (80)
Aaron Plessinger, Hamilton, Ohio, KTM (74)
Dylan Ferrandis, Bedarrides, France, Yamaha (71)
Cooper Webb, Newport, N.C., Yamaha (60)
Justin Barcia, Greenville, Fla., GASGAS (59)
Jason Anderson, Rio Rancho, N.Mex., Kawasaki (58)
Garrett Marchbanks, Coalville, Utah, Yamaha (44)
Adam Cianciarulo, Murrieta, Calif., Kawasaki (42)
250SX Class podium (racers left to right) Jo Shimoda, Hunter Lawrence, and Haiden Deegan.
Photo Credit: Feld Motor Sports, Inc.
Perfect 2023 Pro Motocross Championship Season Continues for Jett Lawrence with Tenth Win at Budds Creek
Hunter Lawrence on the Cusp of 250 Class Title Following Seventh Victory
One week removed from becoming the eighth different rider in the history of the Pro Motocross Championship, sanctioned by AMA Pro Racing, to capture the 450 Class title his first year in the division, Team Honda HRC pilot Jett Lawrence’s quest for a perfect season moved one round closer to completion at the Yamaha Budds Creek National. The young Australian withstood his toughest challenge to date at Southern Maryland’s Budds Creek Motocross Park, but ultimately prevailed with his 10th consecutive 1-1 outing to move within two motos of the fourth unbeaten campaign in series history. In the 250 Class, Team Honda HRC’s Hunter Lawrence once again complemented his younger brother’s victorious effort with his seventh victory of the season, to put the Gary Jones Cup within reach ahead of next weekend’s finale.
Moto 1
The first 450 Class moto got underway with the Monster Energy Kawasaki of Adam Cianciarulo leading the way to the MotoSport.com Holeshot, followed my Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing’s Jay Wilson and Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Aaron Plessinger, who soon moved into second. Third was then occupied by Troy Lee Designs/Red Bull/GASGAS Factory Racing’s Justin Barcia. A bit further back, Lawrence started sixth.
The top three settled in through the opening portion of the moto but Plessinger started to chip away at the deficit and was able to make the pass for the lead a little more than eight minutes into the moto. Cianciarulo and Barcia gave chase from second and third, respectively, while Lawrence closed in from fourth. The champ persistently pressured Barcia for a few laps and made the move for third just before the halfway point. He then made quick work of Cianciarulo to move into second.
Less than a second separated Plessinger and Lawrence, but the Australian quickly closed onto the rear fender of the KTM and relied on some savvy racecraft to slip into the lead and seize control of the moto with 13 minutes remaining. From there he quickly moved out to a multi-second advantage. As Lawrence pulled away, the battle for the remaining podium spots tightened up between Plessinger, Cianciarulo, Barcia, and Monster Energy Kawasaki’s Jason Anderson.
Anderson made the first move of the group with a pass on Barcia to drop the GASGAS rider to fifth. The Kawasaki rider’s forward momentum continued with a pass on his teammate for third and continued with a quick push to pass Plessinger for second. This late battle added a new rider in Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing’s Dylan Ferrandis, as the Frenchman was on a charge into podium contention. The former champ marched his way past multiple riders and moved within striking distance of Plessinger as time expired on the moto. Ferrandis went on the attack and completed the pass.
Lawrence easily controlled the second half of the race to bring home moto win 19 by 4.3 seconds over Anderson, followed by Ferrandis in third. Plessinger and Barcia battled all the way to the checkered flag for fourth, with the KTM coming out ahead of the GASGAS.
Jett Lawrence withstood his toughest challenge to date to keep
his perfect season intact at Budds Creek.
Photo Courtesy MX Sports Pro Racing / Align Media
Moto 2
The final moto of the day began with Lawrence clear of the field to easily grab the MotoSport.com Holeshot over Cianciarulo and Barcia. Barcia quickly slotted into second, followed by Plessinger in third, while Cianciarulo settled into fourth. After a challenging first moto filled with adversity, Team Honda HRC’s Chase Sexton started fifth but made quick work to jump up to third behind Barcia and his teammate.
Sexton showed patience in his pursuit of Barcia for second but once he went on the attack he wasted no time making the pass and moved into second just a handful of minutes into the moto. From there Sexton inched closer to his teammate and as the moto surpassed the 10-minute mark less than 1.5 seconds separated the Honda duo. As they traded momentum, Sexton appeared to have slightly more speed and closed in to within less than a second. However, the battle ended when Sexton tipped over while navigating one of the track’s many downhills.
The lead duo was well ahead of the rest of the field, but a multi-ride affair for third headlined the halfway point of the moto as Barcia was forced to contend with Plessinger, Cianciarulo, and Anderson. As the moto wore on Barcia and Plessinger were able to inch away from the Kawasakis, but their battle persisted. No matter what Plessinger tried Barcia seemed to have an answer, but as the moto reached its final five minutes Plessinger finally got the upper hand and made the pass, while Barcia stayed close.
Back up front, Sexton’s never-give-up mentality saw him erase an eight-second deficit to close within striking distance of Lawrence. Mere bike lengths separated the teammates on the final lap, but Lawrence did enough to keep Sexton at bay and secure his 20th moto win to extend the perfect season.
Aaron Plessinger earned his best result of the season with a runner-up effort (4-3).
Photo Courtesy MX Sports Pro Racing / Align Media
Overall
The 10th overall victory of the season for Lawrence was arguably his toughest of the summer, as he was forced to dig deep to pull out the 1-1 sweep and keep his unblemished record intact. With his third-place finish in the final moto Plessinger was able to secure a season-best runner-up finish (4-3), while Anderson’s resilient charges through the field in both motos was rewarded with third overall (2-5).
Lawrence needs to win the final two motos of the summer to become the third different rider to amass a perfect season, in what has been a historic first season of premier class competition.
Jason Anderson put up a fight across both motos to secure third overall (2-5).
Photo Courtesy MX Sports Pro Racing / Align Media
Jett Lawrence, Team Honda HRC “I had a spot where I could see Chase [Sexton] each lap, but then [one lap] I just didn’t see him there. Then I knew he was closing in. I had a bit of bad luck with lappers, but we got away with it. It was a close one there, but that was good at the end.”
Aaron Plessinger, Red Bull KTM Factory Racing “I knew [Barcia] was going to be hard to pass and this track is a bit one lined. He’s such a great competitor and I really enjoyed racing with him in that second moto. I rode a bit tight in that first moto, but we came out and proved it in the second one. I’m just so grateful to be up here again [on the podium].”
Jason Anderson, Monster Energy Kawasaki “I feel like I’m getting better. I had to work hard and come from behind a couple times today. It feels good to be back on the podium. We just need to keep piecing it together.”
Adam Cianciarulo, Port Orange, Fla., Kawasaki – 298
Chase Sexton, La Moille, Ill., Honda – 294
Ty Masterpool, Fallon, Nev., Kawasaki – 242
Garrett Marchbanks, Coalville, Utah, Yamaha – 228
Fredrik Noren, Lidköping, Sweden, Suzuki – 208
Jason Anderson, Edgewood, N.M., Kawasaki – 171
Grant Harlan, Justin, Texas, Yamaha – 162
450 Class Highlights – Yamaha Budds Creek National
Moto 1
The opening moto of the day began with the Monster Energy/Pro Circuit/Kawasaki of Jo Shimoda leading the field out of the first turn to grab the MotoSport.com Holeshot just ahead of Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing rookie Haiden Deegan. The lead pair engaged in a spirited battle on the opening lap, swapping lines throughout the track layout, from which Deegan was able to slip past and take control of the early stage of the moto. Shimoda then settled into second ahead of Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Tom Vialle in third and Hunter Lawrence in fifth.
With no pressure from behind, Deegan was able to open up a comfortable margin on the field through the opening 10 minutes of the moto, with more than five seconds between him and Shimoda. The top two asserted themselves at the head of the pack while the battle for third picked up as the moto reached its halfway point. However, the entire complexion of the race changed when the red flag flew for a downed rider and brought the moto to a halt.
With mere seconds before the moto reached the 15-minute mark, the formal halfway point, the red flag resulted in a restart out the starting gate for a 15-minute sprint to the finish.
As the field approached the first turn off the second gate drop Deegan made contact with Vialle, which hampered the Frenchman’s start and sent Deegan to the ground and to the rear of the field. Out front, Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing’s Jalek Swoll emerged with the lead ahead of Lawrence, with Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing’s Justin Cooper in third. With invaluable championship points on the line, Cooper, who sits second in the standings, made an aggressive pass on Lawrence to move into second.
Cooper continued his push to the front and made his way past Swoll, only to have the Husqvarna rider counter to reclaim the position. Cooper looked to recompose himself, which brought Lawrence into the mix from third to initiate a three-rider battle for the lead. Cooper waited for his opportunity and then made a savvy pass with six minutes left in the moto. Not long after Lawrence made his way around Swoll for second. With five minutes to go the championship rivals were separated by 1.3 seconds.
Lawrence closed the gap to within a second of Cooper and started to look for potential lines to mount an attack, but Cooper didn’t flinch and was consistent through the closing stages to keep Lawrence at bay. The lead grew over the final two laps as Cooper brought home his third moto win of the season 2.1 seconds ahead of Lawrence. Swoll completed his best effort of the season in third, with Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing’s Daxton Bennick in fourth and Vialle in fifth. Further back, Deegan recovered from the first-turn incident to finish 16th.
Hunter Lawrence’s seventh win of the season moved him closer to the 250 Class title.
Photo Courtesy MX Sports Pro Racing / Align Media
Moto 2
As the field stormed into the first turn to start the second and deciding 250 Class moto it was Monster Energy/Pro Circuit/Kawasaki’s Austin Forkner who led the field to the MotoSport.com Holeshot, just ahead of Lawrence and Cooper. Forkner looked to lead his first lap of the season, but he missed an obstacle, which helped Lawrence to take over the top spot. The clear track allowed Lawrence to sprint away from the field.
Each of the top three riders proceeded to settle into their respective positions on the track through the first 10 minutes of the moto until Cooper looked to apply some pressure on Forkner for second. The Kawasaki rider responded and kept Cooper at bay, while Shimoda bided his time from fourth. At the turn of the midway point of the moto Cooper finally made the move on Forkner to grab control of second. Shimoda then proceeded to challenge his teammate for third. A slingshot move on an outside line allowed Shimoda to surge past and give chase to Cooper with less than 10 minutes to go.
Shimoda was one of the fastest riders on the track and soon closed in on Cooper to mount an attack for second. As soon as Shimoda appeared to have the Yamaha in his sights, Cooper responded to stabilize the margin with an increase in his own pace to become the fastest rider on the track. With the drop in his lap times Cooper was able to inch back towards Lawrence but couldn’t gain enough ground to pressure for the lead.
Lawrence closed strong to take his seventh moto win of the season, just 1.5 seconds ahead of Cooper at the finish. Shimoda followed with a solid third-place effort.
Justin Cooper tied for the top spot (1-2) but settled for a runner-up effort.
Photo Courtesy MX Sports Pro Racing / Align Media
Overall
With identical moto finishes Lawrence (2-1) and Cooper (1-2) finished tied atop the overall standings, but the second-moto tiebreaker went to Lawrence for his seventh win of the season and forced Cooper to settle for his sixth runner-up effort of the summer. Shimoda rounded out the overall podium with his third top-three performance of the year (7-3).
Lawrence, Cooper, and Shimoda remain the only riders mathematically eligible for the 250 Class title entering the finale next weekend. With no points lost or gained on Cooper, Lawrence will carry a 22-point advantage into Indiana’s Ironman Raceway in search of his first national championship.
Jo Shimoda kept his title hopes alive with a third-place finish (7-3).
Photo Courtesy MX Sports Pro Racing / Align Media
Hunter Lawrence, Team Honda HRC “It’s awesome [to get another win]. It was a tough day, but a good day at the end. We went out and made it happen. Looking forward to next weekend to try and close this out.”
Justin Cooper, Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing “I gave it everything I had today. I got into second, but Hunter [Lawrence] was riding really good. I tried to close the gap and got a bit sketchy out there but did everything I could. We’ll see what we can do next weekend.”
Jo Shimoda, Monster Energy/Pro Circuit/Kawasaki “The track was tough. I chose a paddle tire to try and help with the start, but that made things sketchy out there at times. I’m happy to get another podium and looking forward to closing out the season next week.”
250 Class Overall Results (Moto Finishes // Points)
250 Class Highlights – Yamaha Budds Creek National
The 2023 Pro Motocross Championship will come to an exciting and dramatic conclusion next Saturday, August 26, with the landmark 10th running of the Tucker Freight Lines Ironman National from Crawfordsville, Indiana’s Ironman Raceway, located just outside the motorsports mecca of Indianapolis. The 11th and final round of the summer campaign will stream live in its entirety, with uninterrupted motos, on Peacock, kicking off with Race Day Live, presented by MotoSport.com, at 7 a.m. PT / 10 a.m. ET, followed by race coverage beginning at 10 a.m. PT / 1 p.m. ET.
Jett Lawrence Clinches 2023 Pro Motocross Championship Two Rounds Early with Continuation of Perfect Season at Unadilla
Teammate and Brother Hunter Lawrence Emerges with 250 Class Victory to Cap Off Memorable Afternoon for Family and Team
The three-round stretch run of the 2023 Pro Motocross Championship, sanctioned by AMA Pro Racing, got underway on Saturday from the hallowed grounds of Central New York’s iconic Unadilla MX. A championship atmosphere was in the air at the Honda Unadilla National as Australian rising star Jett Lawrence entered with a chance to wrap up the 450 Class title in his first summer of premier class competition. When all was said and done, Lawrence extended his perfect season for his ninth straight 1-1 performance to clinch the Edison Dye Cup with two rounds remaining. In the 250 Class, the elder Lawrence, Hunter, made it the sixth sweep for the family and Team Honda HRC, which extended his championship point lead and moved him one step closer to a maiden title.
Moto 1
With the 450 Class title within reach Jett Lawrence seized the moment to open the first moto of the afternoon with the MotoSport.com Holeshot, edging out Yamaha mounted veteran Estonian racer Harri Kullas, who was making his Pro Motocross debut. Behind them, Muc-Off/FXR/ClubMX Yamaha’s Garrett Marchbanks slotted into third, with Team Honda HRC’s Chase Sexton fourth. Both Marchbanks and Sexton were able to make their way around Kullas in the early portion of the opening lap.
The clear track allowed Lawrence to establish an early lead and manage his advantage over Sexton, who made the move on Marchbanks to take control of second. Just over two seconds separated the teammates through the first 10 minutes of the moto. While the Hondas stepped away from the field Marchbanks was forced to fend off Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing’s Dylan Ferrandis, who was on a hard charge from a start just outside the top five. The Yamaha’s engaged in a brief battle before Ferrandis made the pass.
Back up front, Sexton closed to within a second of Lawrence to initiate a battle for the lead. Eager to make a move, Sexton dove to the inside of Lawrence in a corner, which initiated some contact between the two and allowed Lawrence to slip away after Sexton was forced to collect his balance. The lead briefly ballooned to more than 1.5 seconds, but Sexton started to chip away at the deficit once more.
As they entered the final 10 minutes of the moto the HRC duo ran similar lap times, which stabilized the lead. Lapped riders added another layer to the battle and worked into Lawrence’s favor as he moved out to a near three-second lead. Sexton bided his time and made a final push in the closing minutes of the moto. He dropped the hammer and was able to close the gap to within two seconds but as he looked to make quick work of lappers Sexton lost traction and crashed. Ferrandis assumed second as Sexton remounted in third.
Ferrandis was on a charge of his own and closed within less than two seconds of Lawrence on the final lap. Lawrence managed the margin and wrapped up his 17th moto win by 1.6 seconds over Ferrandis, who enjoyed arguably his best moto of the season in second. Sexton followed in a distant third, with Monster Energy Kawasaki’s Adam Cianciarulo fourth and Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Aaron Plessinger in fifth.
Jett Lawrence is the 2023 Pro Motocross 450 Class Champion following the extension of his perfect season with moto wins 17 & 18 and his ninth overall victory.
Photo: Align Media
Moto 2
The final moto began the same way as Moto 1, with Lawrence at the head of the pack for the MotoSport.com Holeshot ahead of Sexton and Cianciarulo. As has been the case throughout the season the clear track allowed Lawrence to set the tone out front which forced Sexton to settle into second, about two seconds behind.
As the Honda teammates once again established themselves up front a battle for third unfolded between the Monster Energy Kawasaki duo of Cianciarulo and Jason Anderson. Cianciarulo held onto the position for the opening 10 minutes until Anderson made the pass. Not long after Cianciarulo lost fourth to Ferrandis, who was battling his way forward from a start deep in the top 10. The Frenchman wasn’t done as he charged onto the rear fender of Anderson. The two riders made contact, which took Anderson to the ground and allowed Ferrandis to continue on in third.
At the turn of the midway point of the moto Lawrence had added significantly to his advantage, which grew to more than five seconds and continued to increase incrementally heading towards the final 10 minutes of the race. The lead approached nearly eight seconds and stabilized for several laps until Sexton appeared to make a final push with just under five minutes to go and got within less than five seconds. However, Lawrence responded and, combined with one of Sexton’s slowest laps, pushed the lead to its largest margin at nearly 10 seconds.
Lawrence went wire-to-wire once more for moto win 18 to complete a perfect afternoon, taking the championship-winning checkered flag 9.2 seconds ahead of Sexton. Ferrandis finished in a distant third.
Chase Sexton helped give Honda another 1-2 finish
with his fourth straight runner-up effort (3-2).
Photo: Align Media
Overall
Lawrence’s 17th and 18th moto wins of the season, and ninth straight overall victory, move him one step closer to a potential perfect season, with two rounds and four motos remaining. His 18-moto win streak is now only bettered by Ricky Carmichael and James Stewart, the only two riders to amass a perfect season in Pro Motocross history. Lawrence is the fifth different rider to capture the 450 Class crown in his first season in the division and becomes just the second Australian to hoist the Edison Dye Cup, joining Chad Reed.
With identical moto scores Sexton (3-2) and Ferrandis (2-3) finished tied for the runner-up spot, with the second-moto tiebreaker going to Sexton to give Honda HRC its fifth 1-2 finish of the season. It’s the fourth consecutive second-place result for Sexton while Ferrandis’ third-place finish marked his sixth appearance on the overall podium this season.
Lawrence needed a 100-point margin to wrap up the title and now holds a 103-point advantage over Ferrandis, who took another step towards securing the runner-up spot in the final standings. Ferrandis is 35 points ahead of Plessinger in third, following the KTM rider’s fifth-place finish (5-5).
Dylan Ferrandis earned his sixth overall podium result of the season in third (2-3). Photo: Align Media
Jett Lawrence, Team Honda HRC “This is unreal. I never even dreamed of this because we never thought it was possible to be in this position and be where we are today. Even with the undefeated season, it’s unbelievable with all the hard times we’ve faced [as a family]. I’ve done my best to keep it together and stay focused on the task at hand, but when I crossed the finish line, I was finally able to let it all out. Honda took a risk on us [with brother Hunter] after 2020 and I’m grateful for that, and I’m glad I was able to return the favor.”
Chase Sexton, Team Honda HRC “I feel like in the first moto my bike was handling really well. I didn’t get the result I wanted with the crash, but I was riding well. Overall, I felt more comfortable today and we’re in a better spot than we were before, which is great.”
Dylan Ferrandis, Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing “In some races when I’m not really feeling great, I’ll get the holeshot and then today when I’m feeling great, I don’t get the starts. I guess it’s just a lack of luck. It is what it is, and I have to come from behind. Still a good day for me. It was the first race of the season where I felt like myself.”
Adam Cianciarulo, Port Orange, Fla., Kawasaki – 269
Chase Sexton, La Moille, Ill., Honda – 260
Ty Masterpool, Fallon, Nev., Kawasaki – 215
Garrett Marchbanks, Coalville, Utah, Yamaha – 200
Fredrik Noren, Lidköping, Sweden, Suzuki – 189
Cooper Webb, Newport, N.C., KTM – 147
Jose Butron, Cadiz, Spain, GASGAS – 138
450 Class Highlights – Honda Unadilla National
Moto 1
The opening 250 Class moto got underway with the Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing machine of Levi Kitchen leading the way for the MotoSport.com Holeshot ahead of Monster Energy/Pro Circuit/Kawasaki’s Seth Hammaker, followed by the Star Racing duo of Justin Cooper and Haiden Deegan.
A spirited battle on the opening lap saw Kitchen and Hammaker trade the lead, from which Kitchen asserted himself out front. Behind the leaders a multi-rider battle unfolded in pursuit of third as Deegan lost multiple spots to Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Max Vohland, Monster Energy/Pro Circuit/Kawasaki’s Jo Shimoda, and championship leader Hunter Lawrance aboard his Honda. This trio continued their push forward as Vohland led the group around Cooper, putting the KTM rider into third, just ahead of the point leader.
Back up front the battle for the lead renewed between Kitchen and Hammaker approaching the halfway point of the moto, as just over a second separated the pair. Vohland continued to lurk in third but came under fire from Lawrence. The top four then stabilized as the moto entered its final 10 minutes.
A quick surge by Vohland carried the KTM onto the rear fender of Hammaker where he made a quick pass for the position. Lawrence then went on the attack and made an aggressive move for third, which allowed Deegan to close in from fifth and make the pass on Hammaker for fourth. As that unfolded Lawrence made the pass on Vohland for second and set his sights on the lead. Deegan then followed with a pass by Vohland for third. With just a handful of minutes remaining the championship rivals looked to close in on the 3.5 second deficit to Kitchen.
Kitchen’s lead dwindled quickly as Lawrence was on a determined march to the front. Soon the fight for the lead was on as Kitchen and Lawrence battled both each other and lappers. Kitchen withstood the attack and opened up the advantage once more. While running third, Deegan’s motorcycle appeared to expire, which brought the rookie’s moto to an abrupt and heartbreaking conclusion. Kitchen parlayed his holeshot into the third moto win of his career, 3.2 seconds ahead of Lawrence in second, while Shimoda inherited third following Deegan’s misfortune. Vohland was fourth, while Cooper rounded out the top five.
Hunter Lawrence is back in control of the 250 Class title fight
after his sixth win of the season (2-2).
Photo: Align Media
Moto 2
A red flag for a downed rider initiated a restart for the final race of the afternoon as Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing’s RJ Hampshire needed to be attended to. When the field returned to the starting gate and took off for the second time it was Monster Energy/Pro Circuit/Kawasaki’s Ryder DiFrancesco with the MotoSport.comHoleshot, followed closely by Cooper, Shimoda and Kitchen. Lawrence started just outside the top five while Deegan’s late gate pick left him outside the top 20 initially.
Just after the completion of the opening lap Cooper went on the attack and made the pass on DiFrancesco to take the lead, which left the Kawasaki teammates to battle it out for second as Kitchen rode patiently in fourth. Shimoda was persistent and made the pass happen to drop his rookie teammate down to third. As Kitchen looked to apply pressure on DiFrancesco he bobbled slightly, which allowed an opportunistic Lawrence to make the pass for fourth and then make his way around DiFrancesco for third.
A shot at the overall win was on the line as Shimoda and Lawrence engaged in a battle for second, with the Honda rider able to get the better of his rival to move into second. Behind them, Kitchen kept his winning hopes alive with a pass on DiFrancesco for fourth.
Cooper and Lawrence were separated by 5.4 seconds with just under 20 minutes remaining in the moto, but the distance between them continued to grow through the middle of the race as Cooper pushed his advantage to nearly 10 seconds. Lawrence settled into second, a few seconds ahead of Shimoda in third.
Cooper was consistent through to the finish and secured his third moto win of the season, two seconds ahead of Lawrence, who did what he needed to do in bringing home the runner-up result. Shimoda followed closely in third, with Kitchen a distant fourth.
Levi Kitchen (#43) took advantage of a pair of strong starts
to earn his third podium finish of the season (1-4).
Photo: Align Media
Overall
Lawrence’s consistent 2-2 finishes were the defining element of his ability to finish atop the overall standings as he edged out Kitchen (1-4) by a single point. Cooper’s win in the second moto vaulted him up to the third and final spot on the overall podium (5-1).
Lawrence’s lead in the championship standings grew to 22 points with two rounds and four motos remaining. Cooper’s podium result moved him into second while Shimoda moved into third, 35 points out of the lead. Deegan’s adversity-filled afternoon saw him drop from second, three points behind Lawrence, to fourth, 36 points out of the lead, after a 17th-place finish (38-10).
Justin Cooper’s Moto 2 win helped land him on the overall podium in third (5-1). Photo: Align Media
Hunter Lawrence, Team Honda HRC “Today was good, but it’s more about my brother [winning the championship]. I’m so proud of him. We were never meant to be here, but we trusted the process and it’s amazing to be in the position we’re in.”
Levi Kitchen Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing “I’m glad I finally did [well] in the first moto today. I’ve usually done well in the second moto, so today it was nice to get it done in Moto 1. We got two good starts and made the most of the day, so I’m really happy with that.”
Justin Cooper, Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing “Sometimes you have to take some chances. We need to put ourselves in the best position each moto and do the best we can. We put ourselves out front to start the second moto and then managed the gap from there. I’m stoked on that.”
250 Class Overall Results (Moto Finishes // Points)
The Pro Motocross Championship will host its penultimate round of the 2023 season next Saturday, August 19, with its annual visit to the greater Washington D.C. area and Southern Maryland’s famed Budds Creek Motocross Park. The ninth round of the summer at the Yamaha Budds Creek National will stream live in its entirety, with uninterrupted motos on Peacock, kicking off with Race Day Live, presented by MotoSport.com, at 7 a.m. PT / 10 a.m. ET, followed by race coverage beginning at 10 a.m. PT / 1 p.m. ET.
We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. By clicking “Accept”, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies.
This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously.
Cookie
Duration
Description
cookielawinfo-checkbox-analytics
11 months
This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-functional
11 months
The cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-necessary
11 months
This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-others
11 months
This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other.
cookielawinfo-checkbox-performance
11 months
This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance".
viewed_cookie_policy
11 months
The cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. It does not store any personal data.
Functional cookies help to perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collect feedbacks, and other third-party features.
Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors.
Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc.
Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads.
