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.
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.
Cooper Webb Edges Out Sexton in Nail-Biting Seattle Supercross
Cooper Webb Clinched His Third Victory
First place 450SX Class – Photo Credit: Feld Motor Sports, Inc.
In a heart-pounding showdown at Lumen Field, Cooper Webb of Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing clinched his third victory of the season in the 2024 Monster Energy Supercross series. The thrilling race saw Webb narrowly beating out Chase Sexton from Red Bull KTM Factory Racing, with fans on the edge of their seats until the very end.
Second place 450SX Class – Photo Credit: Feld Motor Sports, Inc.
The track conditions at Lumen Field were challenging, with deep ruts formed by earlier rain. Despite the difficult terrain, Webb and Sexton put on a spectacular show, battling fiercely for the lead. Ultimately, it was Webb who crossed the finish line first, with Sexton hot on his heels, less than a second behind.
Third place 450SX Class – Photo Credit: Feld Motor Sports, Inc.
Jett Lawrence of Team Honda HRC also delivered a strong performance, finishing in third place despite facing setbacks earlier in the race. In the Western Regional 250SX Class, local favorite Levi Kitchen of Monster Energy Pro Circuit Kawasaki dominated the competition, securing a commanding win in front of his hometown crowd.
Reflecting on his victory, Webb praised the intense competition and expressed gratitude to his team and supporters. Sexton, while disappointed with his second-place finish, acknowledged the improvements in his performance and commended his team for their efforts. Lawrence, despite facing challenges during the race, remained positive and focused on securing a podium finish.
Kitchen Wins Hometown
First place 250SX Class – Photo Credit: Feld Motor Sports, Inc.
In the 250SX Class, Kitchen celebrated a well-deserved victory, highlighting the importance of perseverance and self-belief. RJ Hampshire of Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing and Jo Shimoda of Team Honda HRC rounded out the podium, showcasing their resilience and determination on the demanding track.
Second place 250SX Class – Photo Credit: Feld Motor Sports, Inc.
Third place 250SX Class – Photo Credit: Feld Motor Sports, Inc.
Ken Roczen Roars to Victory at Glendale Supercross
In a night that reverberated with the thunderous roar of engines and the passionate cheers of a record-breaking crowd, Progressive Insurance ECSTAR Suzuki's Ken Roczen emerged as the triumphant victor at Round 6 of the 2024 Monster Energy Supercross season, held at the iconic State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona.
From the very start, Roczen dominated the race, seizing the Holeshot and maintaining an iron grip on the lead throughout the event. This impressive victory marked Roczen's third win at the State Farm Stadium, solidifying his status as a force to be reckoned with on the Supercross circuit.
"I haven't won much in the recent years so I take these moments in so much… My start was really good. I got a super good jump. I may have shut the throttle off a little bit too early, so I almost got swallowed up there. But I had the inside and as I went around the first turn I'm like, 'This is what I need'… The track was really tricky, it just got so slippery. I made so many micro-decisions on the track in certain areas that I picked out; as I ran through some of the first few laps I just noticed some of the key spots that are really tricky and can really bite you. So I just managed the race the whole way… I tried to not look at the time, I just clicked my laps, lap after lap. My Progressive ECSTAR Suzuki was working flawless out here today. I haven't done many changes at all and it shows. You know, I've got to give it up to my whole team, my crew behind me, Peyton at home, my family, Griffin this is for you. I've been telling him the whole time I'm going to bring some trophies home, and especially wins, so I finally did it and this is an unbelievable moment for us." – Ken Roczen
Joining Roczen on the podium were Monster Energy Kawasaki's Jason Anderson, who secured a hard-fought second place, and Team Honda HRC's Jett Lawrence, who battled his way to a well-deserved third place finish.
Second place 450SX Class – Photo Credit: Feld Motor Sports, Inc.
"Oh 100% [I'm happy with a podium]. I'm really excited to walk out here with second. But at the end of the day I felt like I left a little on the table. I started riding tight there for a second, but, with how gnarly our class is, it's pretty cool to be up here… Honestly this is one of my home races so everyone from the 505 out here, thanks for showing up and supporting." – Jason Anderson
Third place 450SX Class – Photo Credit: Feld Motor Sports, Inc.
"[I] didn't give myself the best opportunity to go on for a win today with just getting a terrible start. But it was cool to climb my way through. It was a cool accomplishment to catch and pass Eli… So it was a cool accomplishment and just happy I was able to fight back to a podium position. [The] front boys they were gone… so especially going similar speeds here you can't catch up, you can't give 'em that extra gap… It was a good finish to get third, especially with how it started." – Jett Lawrence
In the Western Regional 250SX Class, Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing's RJ Hampshire emerged victorious, delivering a stellar performance and clinching his second win of the season.
First place 250SX Class – Photo Credit: Feld Motor Sports, Inc.
"[It was] a really tough day. Man, I had that case [coming up short on the track's large double jump in the] first timed practice. Man, that hurt me quite a bit. [I'm] getting up there in age so those don't go by so fast… [In the] main event, got a decent start, made those passes quick. And [then] just kinda rode my own race… You know [my win at] A1 was so easy, and then, you know, you have some bad luck… Man, we work hard and it's awesome to repay this whole Austrian team with another win. We get six weeks off now [for the west coast 250SX Class] so I get to recover a bit, but yeah, so stoked! Thank you! Arizona was awesome to me, ready to go back home." – RJ Hampshire
Second place 250SX Class – Photo Credit: Feld Motor Sports, Inc.
“[Regarding Jordon Smith jumping into Levi while the ‘do not jump’ lights were flashing] I don’t know. Like, that’s a bad situation. I feel really bad, I’m glad Smitty’s okay. But yeah, you come around and they’re blinking. I didn’t know if I could jump on, and he jumped on behind me and we hit. Luckily we’re both okay… That’s a weird thing with the lights and everything. I just didn’t want to be in the wrong, and get docked. Glad I’m healthy, glad he’s healthy, and yeah, stoked to go into this long break with the red plate, obviously.” – Levi Kitchen
Third place 250SX Class – Photo Credit: Feld Motor Sports, Inc.
“We’ve been working hard in the weekends with the team but the results sometimes [are] not showing… The main event [podium], I kinda got gifted, I guess, but [it’s] some kind of way to start my groove again… I missed the feeling [of being up here on the podium].”– Jo Shimoda
Get Your Tickets
Tickets for the remaining Monster Energy Supercross events are on sale now at Moto.events.
As the championship race intensifies, the excitement and anticipation continue to build. Stay tuned for more thrilling Supercross action as the season unfolds!
Webb Triumphs in Anaheim 2 Triple Crown Showdown
Monster Energy AMA Supercross enthusiasts witnessed a sensational night of racing at Angel Stadium as Cooper Webb secured victory at the Anaheim 2 Supercross, marking the first of three Triple Crown events this season. The Triple Crown format, combining results from three races, added an extra layer of intensity to the competition, and Webb emerged victorious with consistent (2-2-5) race performances.
Angel Stadium, with its clear skies, provided the ideal backdrop for the spectacle that unfolded. The event, considered by many as the true start of the season following two mud races, drew a spirited crowd of 43,753 fans.
Second place 450SX Class – Photo Credit: Feld Motor Sports, Inc.
In the 450SX class, the Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing team showcased its prowess. Eli Tomac, going (5-7-1), thrilled the crowd with a stellar performance, clinching second place overall. Webb's teammate, Aaron Plessinger of Red Bull KTM, secured third place with (6-4-3) results, maintaining his lead in the championship points.
Webb shared his thoughts on the unique Triple Crown format: "If you do really well the first two [races], the third one sometimes is easy… I had a lot of wiggle room [in Race #3] and could just, honestly, have a solo ride in fifth place. But it is a little bit weird, for sure, to not go over the checkered flag first. But I think that’s kinda the unique thing about the Triple Crown, is we’ve seen a lot of this happen."
Eli Tomac expressed his determination after the first two races: “I was pretty frustrated after those first two [races]. I was like, ‘Okay, here I’m just – what am I now, fifth – seventh place guy right now?’ I don’t know. I just had to go do something, I had to get off the gate there, so it was good. It was good. Had a good flow. I was able to get the whoop combo down, and I felt like that was important for me, and yeah, felt good.”
Third place 450SX Class – Photo Credit: Feld Motor Sports, Inc.
Looking ahead, Aaron Plessinger is eager to carry the red plate into Detroit: “I knew Detroit was the next race and I really, really wanted to carry the red plate into Detroit given the events that happened last year. That’s gonna be a special race and yeah, I’m ready for it."
In the Western Regional 250SX Class, Levi Kitchen of Monster Energy Pro Circuit Kawasaki showcased his determination, claiming the overall win with (1-2-3) race scores. Kitchen becomes the fourth different winner in four rounds, highlighting the competitiveness in the class.
First place 250SX Class – Photo Credit: Feld Motor Sports, Inc.
Levi Kitchen reflected on the tight competition: “We’re all really close right now. Obviously I want to be the dominant guy, but yeah, it’s closer now. You can’t start in like fifth and sixth with these guys and have them up front. You’d have to have a pretty amazing – I don’t even know what you’d have to do to be able to get up to them."
Second place 250SX Class – Photo Credit: Feld Motor Sports, Inc.
“For the first time in my career I had a flat tire on a Supercross track, so yeah, it was eventful. I knew something was wrong, didn’t necessarily know what until it shot me off in the whoops… I was fine the next couple laps, and then once that rear tire breaks the bead and it’s off the rim, that’s when it gets really, really scary. But overall it was an awesome night. That first and second moto were sick. If we could do that every weekend, I mean, we’d probably get paid a lot more because that was a show. [smiles]. But like I said, that was fun. All in all, it was a really solid day.” – RJ Hampshire
Third place 250SX Class – Photo Credit: Feld Motor Sports, Inc.
“[The new bike is] the same motor package but a whole different chassis. So all the suspension characteristics are completely different. So we’re still leaning, but I think I got a good package this weekend. I felt like it was a big step in the right direction for me, and we’re still learning, still working, still trying to get a little bit better, but last week [in testing] I think we found a little bit and it showed this weekend… It was a very hardpack track out there today and on the bike I was racing a couple weekends ago I was struggling pretty bad with the hardpack. So yeah, it was definitely a little bit better spot for me.” – Nate Thrasher
First place SX Futures Class – Photo Credit: Feld Motor Sports, Inc.
“It was an awesome battle. We were just going back and forth. And it was super tiring, I was breathing so hard and, you’re just glad to be on top… I couldn’t even feel myself. I was like so frickin – I was like in a dream it felt like.” – Cole Davies (#17)
As the series heads to Detroit, Michigan, for Round 5 at Ford Field on Saturday, February 3rd, the daytime schedule will add a unique element to the racing experience, starting at 3:00 PM Eastern Time. The event will also kick off the 9-round Eastern Regional 250SX Championship.
Stay tuned for more fierce competition in the pursuit of victory in the Monster Energy AMA Supercross Championship. Every race is available live on PeacockTV, with select rounds airing on NBC, USA Network, CNBC, NBCSports.com, and the NBC Sports app. Don't miss the action-packed spectacle as the riders gear up for more intense battles in Detroit.
For ticket information, visit Moto.Events. The journey continues, and the excitement only intensifies as the season progresses.
Mudder Madness Unleashes Chaos at San Francisco Supercross
The second round of the Monster Energy AMA Supercross series in San Francisco turned into a mudder showdown, separating the men from the boys under treacherous conditions. As the mud flew and the rain poured, Red Bull KTM’s Chase Sexton emerged victorious, while Jordon Smith conquered the Western Regional 250SX Class in a rain-soaked Oracle Park.
First place 450SX Class – Photo Credit: Feld Motor Sports, Inc.
Sexton’s Dominance in the Mud
Chase Sexton showcased masterful skills in navigating the brutal San Francisco mud, earning a well-deserved victory and catapulting himself into the points lead. The relentless rain not only shortened Main Events but also prompted significant track alterations, creating a challenging battleground for riders.
Eli Tomac of Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing battled the deteriorating track to claim the second spot, making a remarkable leap from ninth to tie for third in the overall standings. Ken Roczen of Progressive Insurance ECSTAR Suzuki overcame an early mishap to secure third place, all in the spirit of kicking off the season-long Love Moto Stop Cancer text-to-donate campaign.
Second place 450SX Class – Photo Credit: Feld Motor Sports, Inc.
Third place 450SX Class – Photo Credit: Feld Motor Sports, Inc.
Riders Share Their Struggles
Championing through the relentless downpour, Sexton reflected on the difficulties, stating, "Leading the race in a mud situation, it’s obviously where you want to be because you’re not getting roosted, but it also seems like it lasts forever."
Tomac, describing the conditions as among the toughest in supercross, highlighted the track's thickness and the challenge of deep ruts. Roczen, after a setback early in the race, expressed his mindset of pushing forward, emphasizing the struggle of catching up in a field filled with challenges.
Smith's Triumph in Western Regional 250SX Class
In the Western Regional 250SX Class, Jordon Smith, riding for Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing, conquered the elements to clinch the top spot, building on his second-place finish from the previous week. The challenging conditions didn't deter Smith, who now holds the red plate and a five-point lead in the 10-round championship.
First place 250SX Class – Photo Credit: Feld Motor Sports, Inc.
Jordon Smith, who admitted his previous struggles in mud races, surprised everyone with a stellar performance. "I do feel like I’ve gotten better in the mud… I think riding outdoors last year helped me," Smith shared, showcasing his determination to overcome past setbacks.
Kitchen's Adaptation to Rain
In the 250SX Class, Levi Kitchen of Monster Energy Pro Circuit Kawasaki, who recently switched teams, revealed his strategy in adapting to the rain. "After practice I just basically stiffened my fork as much as it would go, dropped it in the clamps, just kinda made the front end light so I could kinda ride around that way and yeah, it felt really good."
Second place 250SX Class – Photo Credit: Feld Motor Sports, Inc.
Marchbanks Battles from the Back
Garrett Marchbanks of Muc-Off FXR ClubMX Yamaha faced adversity as he fought his way to a third-place finish. Starting the race from the back after an early fall, Marchbanks showcased resilience and excitement for his podium finish.
Third place 250SX Class – Photo Credit: Feld Motor Sports, Inc.
Key Highlights and Memorable Quotes
Sexton's Dominance in the Mud
Dominant Victory: Chase Sexton's exceptional performance in the challenging San Francisco mud secured a dominant victory, catapulting him into the points lead.
"Leading the race in a mud situation, it’s obviously where you want to be because you’re not getting roosted, but it also seems like it lasts forever." – Chase Sexton
Treacherous Conditions: The race witnessed brutal conditions with heavy rain, shortened Main Events, and significant track changes, posing a severe test for riders.
Smith's Triumph in Western Regional 250SX Class
Weathering Adversity: Jordon Smith navigated adverse weather conditions to claim victory in the Western Regional 250SX Class, earning the top spot in the standings.
"I’ve been pretty bad in mud races in my pro career, especially lately. At the mudder in New Jersey last year, I did terrible... I do feel like I’ve gotten better in the mud." – Jordon Smith
Riders Confronting Challenges
Tomac's Resilience: Eli Tomac showcased resilience, maneuvering through the deteriorating track to secure a second-place finish and climb in the overall standings.
"It was tough... this was one of the tougher ones." – Eli Tomac
Roczen's Comeback: Ken Roczen's comeback from an early mistake highlighted the demanding nature of the race, emphasizing his determination to overcome challenges.
"My mindset was [focused on] getting going... I just wanted to go and go and kinda try to have fun with it." – Ken Roczen
Redemption and Adaptation in 250SX Class
Smith's Redemption: Jordon Smith surprised critics with a strong mud performance, reflecting on personal growth and improvement in challenging conditions.
Kitchen's Adaptation: Levi Kitchen adapted strategically to the rain-soaked track, making adjustments for optimal performance and showcasing his versatility.
"The bike felt pretty good... I did really well." – Levi Kitchen
Marchbanks' Resilience: Garrett Marchbanks exhibited resilience after an early fall, pushing through the mud to secure a third-place finish and maintain his points position.
"I was pretty happy for the third and yeah, it was exciting." – Garrett Marchbanks
Looking Ahead
San Diego Showdown: The series heads to San Diego for Round 3, promising new challenges and continued high-stakes battles among riders. Find tickets!
Philanthropic Initiatives: The Love Moto Stop Cancer text-to-donate campaign continues, showcasing the sport's commitment to supporting St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.
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.
Jett Lawrence’s Perfect Start in 2023 Pro Motocross Championship Continues with Third Straight Moto Sweep at Thunder Valley
Hunter Lawrence Brings Home Third 250 Class Win to Maintain Sibling Dominance
The 2023 Pro Motocross Championship, sanctioned by AMA Pro Racing, traveled more than a mile high for its third round of the summer with an annual visit to the foothills of the Rocky Mountains and scenic Thunder Valley Motocross Park, just outside Denver. The Toyota Thunder Valley National always provides an early test for the world’s fastest racers thanks to its elevation, but the end result on the track was more of the same from the Team Honda HRC siblings of Jett and Hunter Lawrence. The Australian duo continued their dominant starts to the season, with each capturing their third victory to remain unbeaten in the overall classification. Jett’s perfect start to his rookie 450 Class campaign continued, while Hunter closed out the 250 Class in emphatic fashion.
Moto 1
The opening moto once again saw the Honda of Jett Lawrence at the front of the field as the championship leader secured another MotoSport.com Holeshot ahead of Monster Energy Kawasaki’s Adam Cianciarulo and Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Cooper Webb. A hard-charing Webb was aggressive early and made the pass on Cianciarulo to move into second. Behind them, Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing’s Dylan Ferrandis and Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Aaron Plessinger were both pushing to get into the mix and came together, which sent both riders to the ground and deep into the field.
Back up front, Lawrence moved out to a lead of more than four seconds over Webb just five minutes into the moto, while Cianciarulo was forced to contend with Toyota of Redlands/BarX/Suzuki’s Derek Drake in a battle for third.
Lawrence’s lead grew to double digits at the halfway point of the moto and he never looked back. He went wire to wire for the fourth time this season and extended his unbeaten moto streak to five by 31.6 seconds over Webb, with Cianciarulo following in a season-best third. Plessinger rebounded from his early misfortune to finish fourth, while Sport Clips/Beachview Treatment/Airline Vacuum Kawasaki’s Ty Masterpool finished fifth after starting in the rear of the field following a tip over in the first turn.
Jett Lawrence remained perfect en route to a third straight 1-1 effort.
Photo: Align Media
Moto 2
Light rain greeted riders to start the final moto, as Lawrence stormed to his fifth MotoSport.com Holeshot in six tries this season, ahead of Manluk Rock River Yamaha’s Grant Harlan, Cianciarulo, and Ferrandis. A lot of jockeying for position unfolded on the opening lap, but eventually Cianciarulo positioned himself in second with Ferrandis third, followed by the KTMs of Webb and Plessinger.
As everyone behind him engaged in battle, Lawrence jumped out to a lead of more than 2.5 seconds and easily controlled the race at the head of the pack. Cianciarulo continued to give chase from second while Webb made his way around Ferrandis for third. The battles didn’t end there as Plessinger clawed his way from fifth to second during the first 10 minutes, with Webb following through into third. Also garnering attention was Masterpool, who surprised his factory counterparts with a charge up to fourth.
At the halfway point of the moto Lawrence enjoyed a comfortable lead of eight seconds over Plessinger, who firmly held on to the second spot. Webb ran third but was forced to fend off a hard-charging Masterpool, who soon took control of the position. Ferrandis then followed through into fourth.
It was smooth sailing for Lawrence out front, as he compiled his fifth wire-to-wire performance of the season and kept his undefeated record intact with a winning margin of 11.9 seconds over Plessinger. The battle for third came down to the final corners as Ferrandis made a late, last lap pass on Masterpool to steal the position.
Aaron Plessinger finished in the runner-up spot following 4-2 finishes.
Photo: Align Media
Overall
Lawrence’s third 1-1 sweep to open his rookie campaign in the premier division has been further highlighted by the fact he’s led every single lap of competition. He’s also rewriting the history books with the single-most-impressive start to a 450 Class career in history. Plessinger’s stellar second moto vaulted him into the runner-up spot overall (4-2), while Webb helped put a pair of KTMs on the podium in third (2-5).
Lawrence’s maximum point total after three rounds has allowed him to open a 34-point lead in the championship standings over Ferrandis, who finished fifth overall (7-3). Webb remains third, 38 points out of the lead.
Cooper Webb made it two KTMs on the podium in third (2-5). Photo: Align Media
Jett Lawrence, Team Honda HRC “An awesome day here. I got an even better start in the second moto. I couldn’t really push as hard as I wanted to because the rain made it a bit greasy, so I focused on maintaining. It was a fun day. The Lawrence boys did it again.”
Aaron Plessinger, Red Bull KTM Factory Racing “I hate to have [the crash] happen in that first moto. Dylan [Ferrandis] and my lines came together and we hit. It was a racing incident. That one hurt though, he hit me pretty hard. Then we just came out and ripped that second moto. It was a good day. I didn’t keep it off the ground, but we still ended up on the podium.”
Cooper Webb, Red Bull KTM Factory Racing “It was a struggle in the second moto, but we did the best we could and fought hard. I’m happy to be on the podium again, it’s great. It’s not easy to get up here, a lot has to happen, but it feels good when you are.”
Adam Cianciarulo, Port Orange, Fla., Kawasaki – 98
Lorenzo Locurcio, Valencia, Venezuela, GASGAS – 67
Fredrik Noren, Lidköping, Sweden, Suzuki – 63
Ty Masterpool, Fallon, Nev., Kawasaki – 62
Derek Drake, San Luis Obispo, Calif., Suzuki – 58
Grant Harlan, Justin, Texas, Yamaha – 56
450 Class Highlights – Toyota Thunder Valley National
Moto 1
The first moto of the afternoon got underway with a multi-rider incident that collected some of the class’ top competitors, including Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing’s RJ Hampshire, Monster Energy/Pro Circuit/Kawaskai’s Jo Shimoda, and Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Tom Vialle, and also impacted Hunter Lawrence, who stayed on two wheels.
Out front, Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing’s Haiden Deegan emerged with the MotoSport.com Holeshot ahead of his teammates Justin Cooper and Levi Kitchen. A brief tip over caused Deegan to lose the lead a drop a couple positions, but he remounted quickly in third behind new leader Cooper and Kitchen. Deegan then went back on the attack and passed Kitchen for second. Behind the leaders, Lawrence fought through the early adversity to position himself in sixth.
As the field settled in through the first 10 minutes of the moto the Star Yamaha contingent occupied the top four spots in the running order, with Lawrence pressuring from fifth. The Honda rider continued to push the pace and passed the Yamaha of Jordon Smith for fourth. He then set his sights on Kitchen in third. As the halfway point of the moto approached, a three-rider battle for second took shape with Deegan, Kitchen, and Lawrence. Lawrence moved into podium position with a pass on Kitchen and was then all over the rear fender of Deegan. After a couple laps of patience Lawrence made an assertive move to take control of the runner-up spot. He faced a 10-second deficit to Cooper with 13 minutes left.
As Cooper and Lawrence strengthened their hold on the top two positions the attention shifted to an incredible rise through the field by Shimoda. The Kawasaki rider methodically worked his way forward after the crash off the start and was able to climb all the way into the top three in the closing minutes of the moto.
Cooper took his first moto win of the season by 2.7 seconds over Lawrence, who made an impressive push late to close the deficit, with Shimoda in a hard-fought third. Deegan settled for fourth, while Kitchen rounded out the top five.
Hunter Lawrence wrapped up his third overall win with another Moto 2 victory.
Photo: Align Media
Moto 2
The second moto started cleanly with Cooper at the front of the field for the MotoSport.com Holeshot, pursued by Kitchen and Lawrence. A swap for second occurred briefly between Lawrence and Kitchen, but the Yamaha rider fought back. A short while later Lawrence reclaimed the position and became the benefactor of a tip over by Cooper, who went down and gave up the lead. He remounted just outside the top 10.
With the lead in hand, Lawrence was able to inch away from Kitchen, while Smith slotted into third. As the moto reached the 10-minute mark a battle for third emerged between Smith and Team Honda HRC’s Chance Hymas, from which the rookie prevailed with the position.
Lawrence continued to strengthen his hold on the lead as the moto wore on, which left the battle for second to come down to Kitchen and Hymas. The Honda rider closed in briefly, but Kitchen responded to keep him at bay.
A drama free moto for Lawrence saw the Australian capture a third consecutive Moto 2 win, 4.7 seconds ahead of Kitchen who kept Lawrence honest the whole race. Hymas recorded a career-best result in third. Cooper recovered from his first-lap crash to finish fourth.
Justin Cooper was the best he’s been this season with a runner-up finish (1-4).
Photo: Align Media
Overall
Season-best 2-1 moto finishes landed Lawrence atop the overall podium once again for his third straight win to open the season and the fourth victory of his career. Cooper’s resiliency in the final moto was enough to give him the runner-up spot (1-4). One year removed from his podium debut at this event, Kitchen landed on the overall podium for the second time in his career in third (5-2).
Lawrence extended his lead in the championship standings to 16 points and is now chased by Cooper, who moved into second place. Deegan dropped to third, 27 points out of the lead.
Levi Kitchen earned his second career podium finish in third (5-2). Photo: Align Media
Hunter Lawrence, Team Honda HRC “I didn’t want to run [Cooper] over [after the crash], so I tried to go around him. After that I just rode my own race. Definitely made life a lot easier getting a good start. I’m stoked.”
Justin Cooper, Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing “It was a great day. I rode really good all day and I’m happy with the bike. I bent my levers a bit [in the crash] and couldn’t use my front brake for a couple laps. After a few laps I got my controls back and started finding my flow again and made a push to the front. I did what I could. I gave it all I had.”
Levi Kitchen, Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing “In that first moto I feel like I left a little on the table. I didn’t ride my greatest. In the second [moto] I tried to get another good start and lock in with [Cooper] and Hunter [Lawrence]. I got into some lappers and lost a lot of time, then my buddy Chance [Hymas] was keeping me honest. That was a fun race. I’m really stoked on how the day went.”
250 Class Overall Results (Moto Finishes // Points)
250 Class Highlights – Toyota Thunder Valley National
The 2023 Pro Motocross Championship will make its east coast debut next Saturday, June 17, with the Father’s Day tradition at famed High Point Raceway in Mt. Morris, Pennsylvania. The GEICO Motorcycle High Point National will conclude the first month of action for the summer as the fourth round will be streamed live, exclusively on Peacock, beginning with Race Day Live, presented by MotoSport.com, at 7 a.m. PT / 10 a.m. ET, and followed by 4.5 consecutive hours of uninterrupted race coverage beginning at 10 a.m. PT / 1 p.m. ET.
Chase Sexton Wraps Up 2023 Supercross Title with Utah Win
Jett Lawrence Tops 250SX Class Racers in East/West Showdown
Team Honda HRC’s Chase Sexton nabbed the final win of the 2023 Monster Energy AMA Supercross indoor stadium season to cap his first 450SX Class championship with a victory in front of a sold-out crowd of 49,871 fans inside Rice-Eccles Stadium.
Rice-Eccles Stadium hosted its 22nd Monster Energy Supercross, and its fourth Supercross season finale, in Utah’s inspiring “State of Sport” spirit. Photo Credit: Feld Motor Sports, Inc.
Red Bull KTM’s Aaron Plessinger took the race’s runner-up spot at the Supercross Championship Final Presented by Utah Sports Commission. And Team Tedder Monster Energy Mountain Motorsport’s Justin Hill took third place and his career-first 450SX Class podium to conclude the Supercross season and also earn points toward the inaugural 31-round SuperMotocross World Championship. In the 250SX Class season finale, Team Honda HRC’s Jett Lawrence earned his sixth victory of the season in the Dave Coombs Sr. East/West Showdown that pit both regions against each other for the second time in 2023.
Chase Sexton used speed and determination to take his first Supercross Championship. He finished the season on top with a nearly 20-second win at the finale in Salt Lake City, Utah.
Photo Credit: Feld Motor Sports, Inc.
On the podium, the AMA awarded Chase Sexton the Monster Energy Supercross Champion title. He entered the race with the championship mathematically won but received the official #1 plate after the race. With Team Honda HRC’s Hunter Lawrence and Jett Lawrence wrapping the two 250SX Class championships at previous rounds, 2023 marked only the third time ever, and second time for Honda, that a manufacturer has captured all three Supercross championships in the same season. The 2023 season marks the 50th Anniversary of Supercross racing in America.
When the gate dropped Chase Sexton grabbed the holeshot ahead of Monster Energy Kawasaki’s Adam Cianciarulo, FXR General Grind & Machine’s Justin Starling, Twisted Tea Suzuki Progressive Insurance’s Kyle Chisholm and Progressive Insurance ECSTAR Suzuki’s Ken Roczen. Roczen was on the move early but just a few turns in he injured his knee in a rutted corner. Roczen’s injury took him out of the race and he lost a chance to earn the two points needed to secure third overall in the championship.
Cianciarulo was into second place just a few laps into the race with Chisholm right behind. Just over three minutes into the 20-minute plus one lap race Aaron Plessinger took over third and set his sights on Cianciarulo while Justin Hill was into fourth place and on the charge. As the race clock ticked past 12 minutes Plessinger moved past Cianciarulo to take over second, and a lap and a half later Justin Hill was around Cianciarulo and into third place.
As Sexton stretched out his lead up front, Cianciarulo mounted a charge to take back third. But with five minutes left on the race clock the final positions appeared settled. Chase Sexton took his sixth win of the season and brought Honda its first Supercross title since 2003. Sexton’s late-season surge was one of the sport’s great title comebacks, with parallels to David Bailey’s 1983 season that also included a third-to-first drive in the final five races of the season.
Jett Lawrence took the win in what is likely his final 250SX Class race. He moves up to race the 450SX Class next year. Photo Credit: Feld Motor Sports, Inc.
In the final 250SX Class race of the season, Phoenix Racing Honda’s Coty Schock grabbed the holeshot but Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing’s RJ Hampshire was quickly into the lead ahead of Red Bull KTM’s Tom Vialle, Jett Lawrence, Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing’s Levi Kitchen, and Fire Power Honda’s Max Anstie as heavy rain came down in the stadium. Hunter Lawrence found himself with a mid-pack start and then got tangled up when Muc-Off FXR ClubMX Yamaha’s Enzo Lopes crashed. As Hampshire, Jett Lawrence and Kitchen slotted into the top three spots, Hunter Lawrence and Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing’s Haiden Deegan worked their way up from outside the top ten.
Three minutes into the 15-minute plus one lap race Jett Lawrence began applying pressure on Hampshire for the lead. At the same time, back on the track, Deegan broke into the top ten. Two minutes later Jett Lawrence was in striking distance of the front spot as his brother Hunter Lawrence climbed into the top ten. As the race clock ticked down to eight and a half minutes Jett Lawrence charged through the whoops and cut under Hampshire in the following corner. The riders made contact; Lawrence accelerated away clean but the disturbance led to a Hampshire mistake down the next rhythm lane.
From there Jett Lawrence was unchallenged for the lead. The win gives the Australian racer the distinction of being the winningest Honda rider in the 250SX Class, surpassing racing legends Eli Tomac, Jeremy McGrath and Hunter Lawrence. Hampshire held second to the checkered, and Kitchen took the final 250SX Class podium of the season.
With the 2023 Monster Energy AMA Supercross indoor stadium season wrapped up, the racers have a two week break before the start of the 11-round AMA Pro Motocross outdoor season. Points earned from the Supercross season will combine with points earned in the motocross season to determine the top 20 riders who will gain entry into the all-new SuperMotocross World Championship. Riders in spots 21-30 in overall points, as well as single event winners not in the top 20, will get a spot on the line in the Last Chance Qualifier to battle for the final two spots on the 22-rider starting gate. In September two Playoff races and one Final, with increasing points payouts, will determine the first SuperMotocross World Champion and deliver a $1,000,000 win bonus to that rider. The 250 class racers will battle for a $500,000 win bonus. It’s the first ever playoff season for the sport and delivers a three-race post season that will be all-new for the fans, teams, and racers.
Before the Monster Energy Supercross season closes its books, one great event is yet to conclude: the 2023 St. Jude Love Moto Stop Cancer Supercross Auction. The online auction offers unique, autographed, one-of-a-kind memorabilia donated by the teams, partners, and athletes. The auction runs until Monday, May 15th at 8:00 PM ET. All money raised goes directly to the children at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital and the St. Jude mission of Finding Cures. Saving Children. To bid on the auction items please go to: St. Jude Love Moto Stop Cancer Supercross Auction.
All rounds of the 2023 SuperMotocross World Championship will be streamed live on Peacock; rounds 29 and 31 will also be broadcast live on USA Network. Both Playoffs and the Final will be re-broadcast on CNBC. For the full race schedule and ticket sales, as well as 2023 Supercross highlight videos, recap race reports, and post-race press conferences, please go to SupercrossLIVE.com.
450SX Class podium (racers left to right) Aaron Plessinger, Chase Sexton, and Justin Hill.
Photo Credit: Feld Motor Sports, Inc.
450SX Class Results
Chase Sexton, Clermont, Fla., Honda
Aaron Plessinger, Hamilton, Ohio, KTM
Justin Hill, Yoncalla, Ore., KTM
Adam Cianciarulo, New Smyrna Beach, Fla., Kawasaki
Dean Wilson, Menifee, Calif., Honda
Josh Hill, Huntersville, N.C., KTM
Shane McElrath, Oakland, Fla., Suzuki
Justin Starling, Riverview, Fla., GASGAS
Devin Simonson, Laurinburg, N.C., Kawasaki
Grant Harlan, Decatur, Tex., Yamaha
450SX Class Championship Final Standings
Chase Sexton, Clermont, Fla., Honda (372)
Eli Tomac, Cortez, Colo., Yamaha (339)
Cooper Webb, Newport, N.C., KTM (304)
Ken Roczen, Clermont, Fla., Suzuki (304)
Justin Barcia, Greenville, Fla., GASGAS (267)
Jason Anderson, Rio Rancho, N.Mex., Kawasaki (242)
Aaron Plessinger, Hamilton, Ohio, KTM (236)
Justin Hill, Yoncalla, Ore., KTM (212)
Adam Cianciarulo, New Smyrna Beach, Fla., Kawasaki (210)
Dean Wilson, Menifee, Calif., Honda (200)
250SX Class podium (racers left to right) Levi Kitchen, Jett Lawrence, and RJ Hampshire. Photo Credit: Feld Motor Sports, Inc.
Carson Mumford, Simi Valley, Calif., Kawasaki (West)
Eastern Regional 250SX Class Championship Final Standings
Hunter Lawrence, Wesley Chapel, Fla., Honda (241)
Haiden Deegan, Tallahassee, Fla., Yamaha (183)
Max Anstie, Cairo, Ga., Honda (182)
Jordon Smith, Ochlocknee, Ga., Yamaha (159)
Chris Blose, Phoenix, Ariz., Kawasaki (143)
Jeremy Martin, Rochester, Minn., Yamaha (132)
Nate Thrasher, Livingston, Tenn., Yamaha (120)
Tom Vialle, Murrieta, Calif., KTM (120)
Cullin Park, Clermont, Fla., Honda (117)
Coty Schock, Dover, Del., Honda (94)
Western Regional 250SX Class Championship Final Standings
Jett Lawrence, Zephyrhills, Fla., Honda (223)
RJ Hampshire, Minneola, Fla., Husqvarna (186)
Levi Kitchen, Havana, Fla., Yamaha (156)
Enzo Lopes, Chesterfield, S.C., Yamaha (149)
Mitchell Oldenburg, Godley, Tex., Honda (131)
Max Vohland, Granite Bay, Calif., KTM (121)
Cameron McAdoo, Sioux City, Iowa, Kawasaki (101)
Pierce Brown, Sandy, Utah, GASGAS (98)
Derek Kelley, Riverside, Calif., KTM (87)
Cole Thompson, Brigden, Ont., Yamaha (87)
Chase Sexton Wins Denver Supercross and Likely the Championship Crown
RJ Hampshire Grabs Denver Win, Jett Lawrence Wraps 250 West Championship
Team Honda HRC’s Chase Sexton took his fifth win of the year at a hugely-significant Round 16 of the 17-round Monster Energy AMA Supercross season. The win, coupled with what is likely a season-ending injury for Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing’s Eli Tomac, put Sexton as the 2023 champion if Tomac cannot line up at the final round next Saturday.
The 51,691 fans packed into Empower Field at Mile High witnessed one of the most dramatic Supercross championship reversals the sport has ever seen. Photo Credit: Feld Motor Sports, Inc.
Progressive Insurance ECSTAR Suzuki’s Ken Roczen took second place with an incredible charge from the back of the pack inside Empower Field at Mile High. And Monster Energy Kawasaki’s Adam Cianciarulo earned his first podium finish since Round 3 of 2021 in the race that also pays points to the all-new, 31-round SuperMotocross World Championship. In the Western Regional 250SX Class, Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing’s RJ Hampshire earned his first win of 2023 with his own thrilling charge. Team Honda HRC’s Jett Lawrence took a hard-fought third in the Main Event to win the Western Regional 250SX Class Championship.
Chase Sexton was picture perfect on a night that changed everything and most likely made him the 2023 Monster Energy AMA Supercross Champion. Photo Credit: Feld Motor Sports, Inc.
Adam Cianciarulo grabbed the holeshot ahead of Twisted Tea Suzuki Progressive Insurance’s Shane McElrath, Eli Tomac, and Team Tedder Monster Energy Mountain Motorsport’s Justin Hill. Ken Roczen, on a recent podium streak, slid out in the first corner and started the race in dead last position while his teammate Shane McElrath leapt into the lead down the first rhythm section. Within three corners Tomac had moved into second, then took over the top spot before reaching the green flag. With his hometown race fans going wild, and with Chase Sexton back in sixth, it looked possible that Tomac could earn enough points to wrap up his third Supercross title. But Supercross is one of the toughest sports on the planet, and that fact took over the night, and the title chase, just two and half minutes into the race.
While leading, Eli Tomac stressed his left ankle on a jump take-off. He didn’t crash but instantly lifted his foot from the peg while airborne. After landing he quickly brought down his bike’s speed to roll the rest of the section. He immediately pulled off the track, holding his left ankle away from the bike, then rode instantly to the on-site Alpinestars Medical Rig. Before the race had ended the news was out: Eli Tomac had suffered a ruptured Achilles tendon and was out for the season.
In one instant Eli Tomac lost the points lead and most surely the title after a non-crash injury down one of the track’s rhythm lanes. Photo Credit: Feld Motor Sports, Inc.
Inside the stadium, Cianciarulo held the lead over Sexton. Five minutes into the 20-minute plus one lap race Sexton took over the lead. By then Roczen had already made his way up to sixth place. Sexton steadily pulled clear of Cianciarulo while Roczen continued his charge, passing McElrath for third just eight and a half minutes into the race and gaining on Cianciarulo.
With 8:15 on the race clock Justin Hill took over fourth. Three and a half minutes after that Roczen was up to Cianciarulo and pressuring for the second place spot. Roczen quickly made his move and looked ahead 6.8 seconds to the leader. Roczen started to gain a little time on Sexton, but not at the rate he’d need to make a run at the win.
Interestingly, in a season that saw Sexton give up some big leads with unforced errors, the Honda rider remained composed and smooth. With the full pressure of the race and the title on him, he rode like a champion. Sexton took his fifth win of 2023 and with it jumped into the points lead by seven. If the early injury assessment of Tomac is accurate and he’s truly out for the season, Sexton is mathematically the champion once Tomac officially does not show up and qualify for the final race.
RJ Hampshire put the pieces together and turned his incredible track speed into his first win of the season. Photo Credit: Feld Motor Sports, Inc.
When the gate dropped for the Western Regional 250SX Class Main Event, Red Bull KTM’s Max Vohland jumped out ahead of Muc-Off FXR ClubMX Yamaha’s Enzo Lopes, Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing’s Levi Kitchen, Monster Energy Pro Circuit Kawasaki’s Carson Mumford, and RJ Hampshire. Jett Lawrence, after a difficult Heat Race, was back in tenth as the riders crossed the holeshot stripe. Just over two minutes into the 15-minute plus one lap race Kitchen had taken over the lead and Hampshire was up to second. Further back in eighth, Lawrence was carefully picking off riders but showed no panic – he needed only to finish in tenth or better to take the title with one round remaining in the 250SX Class.
Five and a half minutes into the race Lopes moved past Vohland to take over third position. The riders made contact in a tight corner, and Vohland tipped over. Lawrence seemed to benefit from the chaos and soon got into fourth place. As the race clock ticked down under eight minutes Lawrence overtook Lopes for third place but was over 12 seconds back from the leaders.
Hampshire used the race’s midpoint to make a drive on Kitchen for the lead. The Husqvarna rider closed in, then leapt past when Kitchen made a small mistake in a short rhythm section. Kitchen recovered and retaliated immediately. Kitchen got back the spot as Hampshire went wide then shorted the track’s big double jump. Hampshire was off the track, but he kept his bike upright. Over the closing laps Hampshire put in a heroic charge. He was the fastest rider on the track and quickly made up the five seconds his off-track excursion had cost him. With 40 seconds on the clock Hampshire blitzed the whoops and took the lead from Kitchen.
Kitchen had one last surge of speed on the final lap, but never got into position to make a pass attempt. Hampshire took the checkered flag and the Denver Supercross win. Kitchen was right behind in second, and Lawrence brought his Honda home in third to win the division title with one race – an East/West Showdown – left on the schedule.
Jett Lawrence became the 2023 Western Regional 250SX Class Champion just one week after his brother and teammate, Hunter Lawrence, took the Eastern Regional 250SX Class title. Jett Lawrence becomes one of only four riders to win 4 125/250 Class titles. Photo Credit: Feld Motor Sports, Inc.
Between now and the Supercross Final in Salt Lake City, fans have an incredible opportunity at some one-of-a-kind memorabilia in the 2023 St. Jude Love Moto Stop Cancer Supercross Auction. All money raised goes directly to the children at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital and the St. Jude mission of Finding Cures. Saving Children. The auction runs until Monday, May 15th at 11:59PM ET. The items in the auction were donated by the racers, teams, partners, and supporters of Monster Energy AMA Supercross. To see what’s available to support the incredible St. Jude efforts and take home a piece of the 2023 season, please go to St. Jude Love Moto Stop Cancer Auction.
All-new for 2023 racing, the top 20 racers in combined championship points from the Monster Energy Supercross season and the AMA Pro Motocross season – scheduled for eleven rounds this summer – qualify for a spot in the all-new SuperMotocross World Championship. Riders who finish 21st – 30th in combined points, or those who earn a win yet don’t have the points for a direct qualification, will race a Last Chance Qualifier for the final two spots on the SuperMotocross League starting gate. The all-new series creates the sports’ first playoff season with two Playoff races and one Final race. The 450 class SuperMotocross World Champion will win a cool $1,000,000 payout along with the top spot in the history books. The 250 class champion will take home a $500,000 prize with their SuperMotocross World Championship title.
Tickets for next weekend’s Supercross Final are on sale now. If you can’t make it to Utah, each race of the 31-round SuperMotocross World Championship streams live on Peacock with select events also broadcast on NBC, USA Network, and CNBC. To purchase tickets, watch video recaps of the season, and get feature stories, race results, and streaming and broadcast airtimes please go to SupercrossLIVE.com.
450SX Class podium (riders left to right) Adam Cianciarulo, Chase Sexton, and Ken Roczen.
Photo Credit: Feld Motor Sports, Inc.
450SX Class Results
Chase Sexton, Clermont, Fla., Honda
Ken Roczen, Clermont, Fla., Suzuki
Adam Cianciarulo, New Smyrna Beach, Fla., Kawasaki
Justin Hill, Yoncalla, Ore., KTM
Shane McElrath, Oakland, Fla., Suzuki
Dean Wilson, Menifee, Calif., Honda
Josh Hill, Huntersville, N.C., KTM
Kyle Chisholm, Valrico, Fla., Suzuki
Grant Harlan, Decatur, Tex., Yamaha
Justin Starling, Riverview, Fla., GASGAS
450SX Class Championship Standings
Chase Sexton, Clermont, Fla., Honda (346)
Eli Tomac, Cortez, Colo., Yamaha (339)
Cooper Webb, Newport, N.C., KTM (304)
Ken Roczen, Clermont, Fla., Suzuki (303)
Justin Barcia, Greenville, Fla., GASGAS (267)
Jason Anderson, Rio Rancho, N.Mex., Kawasaki (242)
Aaron Plessinger, Hamilton, Ohio, KTM (213)
Adam Cianciarulo, New Smyrna Beach, Fla., Kawasaki (191)
Justin Hill, Yoncalla, Ore., KTM (191)
Dean Wilson, Menifee, Calif., Honda (182)
250SX Class podium (riders left to right) Jett Lawrence, RJ Hampshire, and Levi Kitchen.
Photo Credit: Feld Motor Sports, Inc.
Western Regional 250SX Class Results
RJ Hampshire, Minneola, Fla., Husqvarna
Levi Kitchen, Havana, Fla., Yamaha
Jett Lawrence, Zephyrhills, Fla., Honda
Enzo Lopes, Chesterfield, S.C., Yamaha
Mitchell Oldenburg, Godley, Tex., Honda
Max Vohland, Granite Bay, Calif., KTM
Derek Kelley, Riverside, Calif., KTM
Carson Mumford, Simi Valley, Calif., Kawasaki
Cole Thompson, Brigden, Ont., Yamaha
Robbie Wageman, Newhall, Calif., Suzuki
Western Regional 250SX Class Championship Standings
Jett Lawrence, Zephyrhills, Fla., Honda (197)
RJ Hampshire, Minneola, Fla., Husqvarna (163)
Enzo Lopes, Chesterfield, S.C., Yamaha (137)
Levi Kitchen, Havana, Fla., Yamaha (135)
Max Vohland, Granite Bay, Calif., KTM (121)
Mitchell Oldenburg, Godley, Tex., Honda (117)
Cameron McAdoo, Sioux City, Iowa, Kawasaki (101)
Pierce Brown, Sandy, Utah, GASGAS (98)
Cole Thompson, Brigden, Ont., Yamaha (87)
Derek Kelley, Riverside, Calif., KTM (86)
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