Ken Roczen Takes Dramatic and Emotional Win at Indy Supercross

Hunter Lawrence Stretches Eastern Regional 250SX Class Points Lead with Indy Victory

INDIANAPOLIS, IN – March 12, 2023 – (Motor Sports NewsWire) – Progressive Insurance ECSTAR Suzuki’s Ken Roczen earned a thrilling victory in front of the 62,728 screaming fans who packed Lucas Oil Stadium for Round 9 of the 2023 Monster Energy AMA Supercross season.

Lucas Oil Stadium - Indy Supercross

Lucas Oil Stadium lit up during opening ceremonies but the real fireworks took place during the closing minutes of the night’s 450SX Class Main Event. Photo Credit: Feld Motor Sports, Inc.  

Troy Lee Designs Red Bull GASGAS Factory Racing’s Justin Barcia took second place after intensely pressuring for the lead in the final laps of the race. Red Bull KTM’s Cooper Webb finished third on an especially challenging track filled with deep, soft ruts. Webb’s finish gives him the season’s points lead and the red plate, by a single point, for both the Supercross season as well as toward the inaugural 31-round SuperMotocross World Championship series. In Round 5 of Eastern Regional 250SX Class racing, Team Honda HRC’s Hunter Lawrence earned his fourth win of the season.

Ken Roczen - Indy Supercross

Ken Roczen grabbed his fourth win inside Lucas Oil Stadium. He kept his cool, and the lead, under intense pressure on one of the season’s most challenging tracks. Photo Credit: Feld Motor Sports, Inc.

When the gate dropped for the 450SX Class Main Event Ken Roczen crossed the Holeshot stripe first and immediately jumped into the lead. After one lap was in the books Roczen led Cooper Webb, Team Honda HRC’s Chase Sexton, Monster Energy Kawasaki’s Adam Cianciarulo, Team Tedder Monster Energy Mountain Motorsport’s Justin Hill, Monster Energy Kawasaki’s Jason Anderson, and Justin Barcia. After a slow start, points leader Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing’s Eli Tomac had moved up to eleventh place.

Sexton went to work on Webb for second as the top four riders slowly pulled away from the rest of the field. Less than two minutes into the 20-minute plus one lap race Sexton moved past Webb and set his sights on Roczen. The lead was down to less than one second when Sexton caught a rut on a jump and crashed. The incident gave Roczen a little breathing room on Webb. Sexton remounted back in twelfth place.

Seven minutes into the Main Event Barcia applied heavy pressure on Webb for second place. Barcia took the spot after the two racers came together exiting the whoops. Neither rider went down, and Webb stayed tight on Barcia while the two tried to reel in Roczen, who was over three seconds ahead.

As the race clock reached three minutes remaining Barcia had the lead down to just one and a half seconds and the volume of the Indianapolis crowd was intense. Barcia got right on the rear fender of the Suzuki, dropping the gap to .7 seconds as the two racers took the white flag. Roczen held his composure through the final lap, earning his first win of the season. The victory makes Roczen a four-time winner in Indy, the winningest active racer at the venue. It was Roczen’s first win since 2022, and Suzuki’s first win since 2016 – which incidentally was earned by Roczen. Barcia took a close and hard-fought second place, his best result of the season. Webb crossed the checkered flag in third, earning enough points to take the red plate and the points lead heading into Round 10 next weekend in Detroit.

Hunter Lawrence - Indy Supercross

Hunter Lawrence almost made the win look easy on one of the toughest, and most-rutted tracks of the season. Photo Credit: Feld Motor Sports, Inc.

When the gate dropped for the Eastern Regional 250SX Class Hunter Lawrence took the lead with a Holeshot over Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing’s Jordon Smith, Monster Energy Pro Circuit Kawasaki’s Chris Blose, Progressive Insurance ECSTAR Suzuki’s Marshal Weltin, and Muc-Off FXR ClubMX Yamaha’s Jeremy Martin. Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing’s Nate Thrasher moved up to fourth early in the opening lap and reached third position before the lap was over. On lap two Thrasher put his Yamaha into second place and the crowd was primed to see an intense battle. The two riders collided the weekend before and Thrasher held some extra motivation to catch and pass the Honda rider.

Martin was the rider on the move early; after losing several spots on the opening laps he charged into fourth place just before race’s midpoint. He was the fastest rider on the track on that lap but was still about eight seconds back from the third place spot held by Smith. With just under seven minutes left on the race clock Lawrence had a scary moment when he came together with a lapped rider. Hunter’s right hand came off the handlebar but he stayed up and seemed to be no worse for the wear. As the clock wined down Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing’s Haiden Deegan crashed in the whoops, giving up his fifth place spot.

When the flames lit at the finish Lawrence pulled in his fourth win of the season and stretched his points lead to 22. Thrasher earned second place points without ever getting into striking distance of the lead. Thrasher’s teammate Smith took third place and Martin crossed the line in fourth.

This week the series takes a short hop north to Detroit, Michigan for Round 10 at Ford Field on Saturday, March 18th. The domed stadium is sure to provide more great racing as the athletes pass the midpoint of the 17-round Monster Energy AMA Supercross season. Each Supercross round also pays points toward the brand-new SuperMotocross World Championship which pits the top Supercross and Motocross racers against one another for two Playoff races and one Final in September. The 450 Class winner will take home a cool one million dollars and go down in the history books as the first champion of the SuperMotocross League. The 250 Class racers will battle for the 250 Class title, with a $500,000 championship payout to the winner of that division and an equal spot in the sport’s history books.

The action from Indianapolis and previous rounds is already available in video highlights at SupercrossLIVE.com. The site also provides story features, race results, racer power rankings, as well as ticket sales to upcoming events. Every Supercross and SuperMotocross event is streamed live on Peacock, with select rounds broadcast on NBC, USA Network, and CNBC. For details and more please go to SupercrossLIVE.com.

450SX Class podium - Indy Supercross

450SX Class podium (racers left to right) Justin Barcia, Ken Roczen, and Cooper Webb.
Photo Credit: Feld Motor Sports, Inc.

450SX Class Results

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

450SX Class Championship Standings

  1. Cooper Webb, Newport, N.C., KTM (202)
  2. Eli Tomac, Cortez, Colo., Yamaha (201)
  3. Chase Sexton, Clermont, Fla., Honda (189)
  4. Jason Anderson, Rio Rancho, N.Mex., Kawasaki (166)
  5. Ken Roczen, Mattstedt, Ger., Suzuki (164)
  6. Justin Barcia, Greenville, Fla., GASGAS (155)
  7. Aaron Plessinger, Hamilton, Ohio, KTM (154)
  8. Christian Craig, Clermont, Fla., Husqvarna (119)
  9. Dean Wilson, Menifee, Calif., Honda (93)
  10. Adam Cianciarulo, New Smyrna Beach, Fla., Kawasaki (92)

250SX Class podium - Indy Supercross

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

Eastern Regional 250SX Class Results

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

Eastern Regional 250SX Class Championship Standings

  1. Hunter Lawrence, Landsborough, Aus., Honda (125)
  2. Max Anstie, Newbury, Eng., Honda (103)
  3. Nate Thrasher, Livingston, Tenn., Yamaha (93)
  4. Jordon Smith, Ochlocknee, Ga., Yamaha (92)
  5. Haiden Deegan, Tallahassee, Fla., Yamaha (90)
  6. Jeremy Martin, Rochester, Minn., Yamaha (90)
  7. Chris Blose, Phoenix, Ariz., Kawasaki (70)
  8. Tom Vialle, Avignon, France, KTM (68)
  9. Chance Hymas, Pocatello, Idaho, Honda (60)
  10. Coty Schock, Dover, Del., Honda (57)

Assets:
2023 Indianapolis Photo Gallery
450SX Class Highlights – Indianapolis
Eastern Regional 250SX Class Highlights – Indianapolis
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

####

Barcia, Brown and Mosiman are Back in Action with 2023 Troy Lee Designs/Red Bull/GASGAS Factory Racing Team

SQUAD WELCOMES MAX LEE AS NEW TEAM MANAGER;
OLLY STONE BECOMES CREW CHIEF

MATTIGHOFEN, AUSTRIA – December 15, 2022 – (Motor Sports NewsWire) – With the all-new 2023 MC 450F Factory Edition and MC 250F Factory Edition bikes, and a new face at the helm of our team, GASGAS Factory Racing is on the gas for a third season of SX/MX racing in the U.S.! Proudly welcoming Max Lee on-board as the Troy Lee Designs/Red Bull/GASGAS Factory Racing Team Manager, our returning three-rider lineup of Justin Barcia, Michael Mosiman and Pierce Brown are fired up for more in 2023.

Never one to back down from a challenge, Justin Barcia is back on the hunt for a 450 title this season, racing aboard the all-new MC 450F Factory Edition in 2023. Charging his way to six podium finishes in the 2022 AMA Supercross Championship, Barcia heads into the new season with his eyes on the prize in the 31-race SuperMotocross World Championship.

We’re stoked to welcome back two heavy hitters in the 250 division as Michael Mosiman and Pierce Brown return to action aboard the all-new MC 250F Factory Edition. As a three-year veteran on the team, Mosiman is well-versed in the 250 class. Coming off his first career Supercross win in San Diego last season, the Northern California native is ready to stake claim atop the podium with a consistent season ahead.

Also returning for year three with the squad is Utah native Pierce Brown, the third-place finisher in the 2022 250SX Eastern Championship. Brown ended the season on a high note with two consecutive podium finishes and he looks to build upon that momentum as the gate drops for a new year of racing.

Justin Barcia - Troy Lee Designs_Red Bull_GASGAS Factory Racing MC 450F Factory Edition

Justin Barcia: “I’m so amped for this upcoming season, we’ve got more races with more opportunities to win! I’m excited about our new bike and going racing with my wife and baby boy it’s going to be a fun season!”

Michael Mosiman - Troy Lee Designs_Red Bull_GASGAS Factory Racing MC 250F Factory Edition

Michael Mosiman: “With the added three rounds of the SMX, I think it will be very important to stay consistent and to come into each round fresh – mentally and physically. I’m looking forward to the new season.”

Pierce Brown - Troy Lee Designs_Red Bull_GASGAS Factory Racing MC 250F Factory Edition

Pierce Brown: “I’m stoked for the 2023 season coming up. I feel really good and I’m loving the new bike! Excited to go racing.”

With longtime SX/MX Team Manager Tyler Keefe taking on a more strategic role as Troy Lee Designs’ Director of Motorsports, GASGAS Factory Racing is excited to welcome Max Lee as Team Manager, along with Oliver “Olly” Stone as Crew Chief.

By leveraging his years of experience in motorsport management, Keefe will continue working closely with the team to prepare for a successful race season in 2023 and beyond. With an extensive background with Troy Lee Designs, Max Lee will step into the role of Team Manager, overseeing the team and commercial responsibilities. As Crew Chief, “Olly” Stone will take on a more comprehensive technical role, overseeing the day-to-day operations of testing and preparing the bikes for racing.

Max Lee, Troy Lee Designs/Red Bull/GASGAS Factory Racing Team Manager: “I would like to thank Roger De Coster, Tyler Keefe, my father [Troy Lee], and everyone else who has guided me and given me this opportunity. Words cannot express how excited I am to work full-time for the Troy Lee Designs/Red Bull/GASGAS Factory Racing team, it is a dream come true for me and my family. I am thankful to be surrounded by great people and I’m looking forward to an amazing season with this team.”

Troy Lee: “Beginning with our very first 250 team to building the TLD/GASGAS 450 and 250 team to what it is today, I would like to express great thanks to Tyler Keefe for his 11 years of hard work and success, and we look forward to his contributions as Troy Lee Designs Motorsports Director in the next chapter of his professional career. I’m also really stoked to have Max Lee as Team Manager of the Troy Lee Designs/Red Bull/GASGAS Factory Racing team. It’s a very proud moment for me and I know this new leadership team is going to help a lot in his guidance.

It’s going to be an exciting season in 2023 with three world-class riders returning to the lineup. Everyone has been putting in the work and the new Factory Edition bikes are looking good! We can’t wait to get the season kicked off at A1!”

Source: GASGAS

gasgas-logo

####

GASGAS Goes Big with Two Factory Edition Motocross Models for 2023!

GET ON THE GAS WITH THE ALL-NEW GASGAS MC 450F AND MC 250F DIRT BIKES

December 1, 2022 – (Motor Sports NewsWire) – One year on from launching our first-ever race team replica dirt bike and we’re back with more! And not just one, but two factory edition motocross models. Built for maximum on-track performance, the all-new GASGAS MC 450F Factory Edition and MC 250F Factory Edition bikes have been designed and developed together with GASGAS Factory Racing, so you know they’re going to be good! Both feature brand-new motors, new frames, and are packed full of the latest technology, with pretty much everything else being improved over the outgoing generation. So, if you’re a racer focused on winning, you’re going to need one. It’s as simple as that!

The MC 450F Factory Edition benefits from a new cylinder head and CP piston – a potent combination that gives a boost to overall performance and amplifies the on-track experience for all riders. With the motor now lighter than ever, as well as being repositioned within the all-new frame to improve mass centralization, the bike’s already agile handling characteristics are taken to the next level.

2023 GASGAS MC 450F Factory Edition(1)450F Factory Edition 2023 GASGAS MC 250F Factory Edition250F Factory Edition

As the newest and freshest model added to the GASGAS line-up, the MC 250F Factory Edition is pretty much an all-new dirt bike. Headlining this awesome bike is the powerful, high-revving, motor that’s super compact to save weight. Together with the new frame it makes carving through corners so, so easy. The brand-new motor features a new cylinder, cylinder head and piston, crankcases, and gearbox, which all work as one to make the MC 250F Factory Edition quite possibly the very best 250cc 4-stroke motocrosser out there.

Rewarding riders who really push the pace, the WP Suspension fitted on the Factory Edition models is set up firmer to favor aggressive riding. Up front, the WP XACT front forks feature a new hydrostop for improved bottoming resistance while the slightly slower rebound setting takes the sting out of heavy landings. At the rear, the WP XACT shock is all-new, better performing, and easily adjustable by hand for quick and easy trackside changes.

Shared updates across both GASGAS Factory Edition models.

Beyond the super-cool Troy Lee Designs/Red Bull/GASGAS Factory Racing graphics, the very best race-tested components have been fitted to both factory edition models. Every single part is designed to improve performance and durability while the latest in electronic wizardry allows riders to customize the power to suit their style.

Take a look at the full list of what’s included on both the GASGAS MC 450F Factory Edition and MC 250F Factory Edition motocross bikes, it’s seriously impressive…

Unlocking even more power from the new, more compact, and easier to work on motors is a lightweight Akrapovič Slip-On Line titanium exhaust system. Giving a significant boost to both torque and top speed, it’s the very latest offering from Akrapovič, which as well as improving performance, looks the absolute business.

Not only super-fast, but these new Factory Edition bikes also handle like a dream. Firmer settings on the WP XACT suspension encourage riders to attack the track and big jumps with full confidence, safe in the knowledge that heavy landings will be soaked up with no loss of forward momentum. Up front, red anodized Factory Racing Triple Clamps allow riders to customize the ergonomics, while soft ODI Lock-On grips improve comfort. A grippy, ribbed seat cover keeps riders where they want to be when getting on the gas.

Dunlop Geomax MX33 tires hook up in all conditions, and are fitted to our black Factory Wheels, which are rock solid and add to the real race bike flavor. We’ve bolted on a Semi-Floating Front Brake Disc, so you’ll never miss your line in the corners and protected it with a Factory Racing Brake Disc Guard for when things get wild in the first turn!

Finishing off both bikes in style is a long list of parts taken straight from our Technical Accessories range. From front to back, there’s a Factory Start Device, Neken handlebars, a 2K Carbon Composite Skid Plate, Hinson Clutch Cover, a red Frame Protection Kit, a black Rear Sprocket, and a gold x-ring chain. Finally, to make sure riders stay on top of servicing their bike, we’ve installed an Hour Meter to ensure no one ever loses track of just how many hours they’ve spent on this awesome bike.

For more information and to check out the full spec of both factory edition motocross bikes, head to GASGAS.com.

Pierce Brown & Justin Barcia - 2023 GASGAS Factory Editions
Pierce Brown & Justin Barcia – 2023 GASGAS Factory Editions

The MC 450F Factory Edition and MC 250F Factory Edition models will be available in all US based GASGAS dealerships in January 2023. European and all non-US customers will be able to get their hands on the MC 450F Factory Edition a couple of months later, in March. For full pricing details and more information, please visit your local GASGAS dealer.

Source: GASGAS

GasGas Logo

####