Cycle News Staff | May 28, 2022
It was an all-Honda show at Fox Raceway in Pala, California, for the opening round of the 2022 Lucas Oil AMA Pro Motocross Championship, as the Red Riders crushed their competition in both the 450MX and 250MX classes. All four of its factory racers occupied the top two steps of the podium, not only in the overall rankings but in the motos, as well.
Chase Sexton had everyone’s number, including Roczen’s. Photos: BrownDog Wilson
In the 450MX class, Chase Sexton and Ken Roczen went 1-2 in both motos with Sexton claiming the overall victory ahead of his veteran teammate. Aboard retro-style CRF450RWEs, featuring blue seats, gold rims, and old-school graphics of the 1980s in celebration of the company’s 50th season of motocross racing, Sexton and Roczen dropped the rest of the field as they scrapped over the moto wins. Both motos played out similarly with Roczen jumping into early leads only to have Sexton catch and pass him later on for the double wins. Even after getting passed, Roczen hung tough and was always lurking in case of a mistake by Sexton, but Sexton rode flawlessly all day long.
Ken Roczen had the pace but only one rider was faster than him.
Monster Energy Star Racing Yamaha’s Christian Craig was the next-best rider in both motos, going 3-3 on the day to make the overall podium, but Craig was well behind the two Hondas at the finish line in both motos, approximately 15 seconds behind Roczen in the first moto and nearly 30 seconds in the second moto. Still, it was an impressive ride for the veteran and current 250SX West Supercross Champion, Craig.
Craig’s teammate Eli Tomac was fourth overall, despite slipping off the pace in the first moto after getting off to a promising start. Tomac rebounded in moto two, riding strongly to the end despite his bum knee, pressuring Craig to the checkers. His 7-4 gave the former 450MX champ fourth overall.
Christian Craig finished out the day on the 450MX podium.
The feel-good story of the day was Ryan Dungey who finished in the top five overall after a five-year hiatus. His last outdoor MX race was actually six years ago, and the former champ certainly proved he hasn’t lost much speed. Dungey, looking like the Dungey of old, ran as high as third in both motos (second for a brief moment early in the second moto) and went on to finish fifth overall with a pair of fifths. His goal was to finish in the top five, so mission accomplished. He admitted that he was off the pace but “…had to start somewhere.” Overall, though, he was pleased and excited with his performance. Don’t be surprised if he races all summer. (His original plan was to ride just a few of the early rounds.)
Dungey’s teammate and former World Champion Antonio Cairoli, who also came out of retirement, albeit a short one, rode well, going 10-6 for seventh overall.
It was a tough day for the Monster Energy Kawasaki Team. Joey Savatgy withdrew before the motos with a knee injury and Jason Anderson, who was at the top of many people’s list as a possible winner today, had to fight back in both motos after getting terrible starts, including a tip-over in turn two. Anderson, however, rode well all day, coming from deep in the field to go 4-8 for sixth overall.
Aaron Plessinger (6-10), Justin Barcia (8-9) and Shane McElrath (11-7) completed the top 10 overall.
Jett Lawrence (center) helped make it a Honda sweep on the day.
In the 250MX class, the field is going to have to rethink their game plan after watching defending champ Jett Lawrence ride off into the distance in both motos. Lawrence never put a knobby wrong on the rutted and tricky Fox Raceway track and seemed to be in a class all his own en route to a 1-1 sweep.
The only rider even remotely close to him was his older brother and Honda HRC teammate Hunter Lawrence, who went 2-2 but had to work a bit along the way, especially in the second moto when he needed to pass a stubborn Jo Shimoda (Monster Energy/Pro Circuit/Kawasaki) late in the second moto to complete the perfect day for Honda HRC.
Hunter Lawrence helped make it a Honda 1-2, 1-2.
Shimoda completed the 250MX podium with a 4-3.
After finishing third in the first moto, Rockstar Energy Husqvarna’s RJ Hampshire missed his opportunity to get on the overall podium after getting a bad start in the second moto. A 3-9 gave him fourth overall.
TLD/Red Bull/GasGas’ Michael Mosiman (9-4) rounded out the top five overall.
Number-one qualifier Seth Hammaker went 8-5 for seventh overall, ahead of Levi Kitchen, Pierce Brown and Stilez Robertson.
Jo Shimoda needed a confidence-boosting race. He got it.
2022 Lucas Oil AMA Pro Motocross Championship
Round 1
Fox Raceway
Pala, California
Results (May 28, 2022)
450MX Overall (Top 10)
| 1. |
Chase Sexton |
(Hon) |
1-1 |
| 2. |
Ken Roczen |
(Hon) |
2-2 |
| 3. |
Christian Craig |
(Yam) |
3-3 |
| 4. |
Eli Tomac |
(Yam) |
7-4 |
| 5. |
Ryan Dungey |
(KTM) |
5-5 |
| 6. |
Jason Anderson |
(Kaw) |
4-8 |
| 7. |
Antonio Cairoli |
(KTM) |
10-6 |
| 8. |
Aaron Plessinger |
(KTM) |
6-10 |
| 9. |
Justin Barcia |
(GG) |
8-9 |
| 10. |
Shane McElrath |
(Hus) |
11-7 |
250MX Overall (Top 10)
| 1. |
Jett Lawrence |
(Hon) |
1-1 |
| 2. |
Hunter Lawrence |
(Hon) |
2-2 |
| 3 |
Jo Shimoda |
(Kaw) |
4-3 |
| 4. |
JR Hampshire |
(Hus) |
3-9 |
| 5. |
Michael Mosiman |
(GG) |
9-4 |
| 6. |
Austin Forkner |
(Kaw) |
6-6 |
| 7. |
Seth Hammaker |
(Kaw) |
8-5 |
| 8. |
Levi Kitchen |
(Yam) |
5-8 |
| 9. |
Pierce Brown |
(GG) |
7-7 |
| 10. |
Stilez Robertson |
(Hus) |
10-11 |
450MX POINT STANDINGS (After 1 of 12 rounds)
| 1. |
Chase Sexton |
(Hon) |
50/1 win |
| 2. |
Ken Roczen |
(Hon) |
44 |
| 3. |
Christian Craig |
(Yam) |
40 |
| 4. |
Eli Tomac |
(Yam) |
32 |
| 5. |
Ryan Dungey |
(KTM) |
32 |
| 6. |
Jason Anderson |
(Kaw) |
31 |
| 7. |
Antonio Cairoli |
(KTM) |
26 |
| 8. |
Aaron Plessinger |
(KTM) |
26 |
| 9. |
Justin Barcia |
(GG) |
25 |
| 10. |
Shane McElrath |
(Hus) |
24 |
250MX POINT STANDINGs (After 1 of 12 rounds)
| 1. |
Jett Lawrence |
(Hon) |
50/1 win |
| 2. |
Hunter Lawrence |
(Hon) |
44 |
| 3 |
Jo Shimoda |
(Kaw) |
38 |
| 4. |
JR Hampshire |
(Hus) |
32 |
| 5. |
Michael Mosiman |
(GG) |
30 |
| 6. |
Austin Forkner |
(Kaw) |
30 |
| 7. |
Seth Hammaker |
(Kaw) |
29 |
| 8. |
Levi Kitchen |
(Yam) |
29 |
| 9. |
Pierce Brown |
(GG) |
28 |
| 10. |
Stilez Robertson |
(Hus) |
21 |
QUALIFYING
The 2022 Fox Raceway AMA Pro Motocross is officially underway, with Team Honda’s Chase Sexton and Ken Roczen lighting up the leaderboard with the top two positions after 450MX qualifying. In the 250MX class, Monster Energy/Pro Circuit/Kawasaki’s Seth Hammaker leads the way.
Chase Sexton was the top 450MX qualifier. Photos: BrownDog Wilson
In cool, overcast conditions, Sexton was clearly the quickest rider of the morning, as he topped both 450MX qualifying sessions and capped things off by laying down the quickest single lap of the morning at the end of Q2 with a 2:12.333 time, which is nearly a second quicker than the next-best rider, Sexton’s teammate Roczen (2:12.120).
Former champ Eli Tomac quickly adapted to the track by clicking off the third-best time with a 2:13.831, followed by Jason Anderson and former MX World Champion Antonio Cairoli (2:14.384).
Ryan Dungey was seventh quickest with a 2:15.021.
Hammaker is flying in the 250MX class. His top time in Q1 stood up all morning and goes into the motos as the top qualifier in the 250MX class.
Seth Hammaker is the number-one 250MX qualifier.
Honda’s Hunter Lawrence was second quickest overall, followed closely by RJ Hampshire, Jett Lawrence and Cameron McAdoo. Justin Cooper, back from injury, was sixth quickest.
The big news going into the opener is that defending 450MX Champion Dylan Ferrandis will not be racing today, nor will Kawasaki’s Joey Savatgy. As reported yesterday, Ferrandis injured his thumb on Tuesday. It turns out, he tore a ligament in the thump and will have to undergo surgery. As far as Savatgy, his troublesome knee is acting up again and he will not race. CN
2022 Lucas Oil AMA Pro Motocross Championship
Round 1
Fox Raceway
Pala, California
Results (May 28, 2022)
QUALIFYING
450MX Combined Qualifying (Top 10)
| 1. |
Chase Sexton |
(Hon) |
2:12.333 |
| 2. |
Ken Roczen |
(Hon) |
2:13.121 |
| 3. |
Eli Tomac |
(Yam) |
2:13.831 |
| 4. |
Jason Anderson |
(Kaw) |
2:13.976 |
| 5. |
Antonio Cairoli |
(KTM) |
2:14.384 |
| 6. |
Christian Craig |
(Yam) |
2:14.523 |
| 7. |
Ryan Dungey |
(KTM) |
2:15.021 |
| 8. |
Justin Barcia |
(GG) |
2:15.883 |
| 9. |
Garrett Marchbanks |
(Yam) |
2:15.913 |
| 10. |
Benny Bloss |
(KTM) |
2:16.267 |
250MX Combined Qualifying (Top 10)
| 1. |
Seth Hammaker |
(Kaw) |
2:13.063 |
| 2. |
Hunter Lawrence |
(Hon) |
2:13.380 |
| 3. |
RJ Hampshire |
(Hus) |
2:13.599 |
| 4. |
Jett Lawrence |
(Hon) |
2:14.055 |
| 5. |
Cameron McAdoo |
(Kaw) |
2:14.821 |
| 6. |
Justin Cooper |
(Yam) |
2:14.887 |
| 7. |
Michael Mosiman |
(GG) |
2:15.061 |
| 8. |
Levi Kitchen |
(Yam) |
2:15.146 |
| 9. |
Jo Shimoda |
(Kaw) |
2:14.413 |
| 10. |
Austin Forkner |
(Kaw) |
2:15.441 |
2022 Lucas Oil AMA Pro Motocross Schedule
| 5/28 |
Fox Raceway National I |
Pala, CA |
| 6/4 |
Hangtown Motocross Classic |
Rancho Cordova, CA |
| 6/11 |
Thunder Valley National |
Lakewood, CO |
| 6/18 |
High Point National |
Mt. Morris, PA |
| 7/2 |
RedBud National |
Buchanan, MI |
| 7/9 |
Southwick National |
Southwick, MA |
| 7/16 |
Spring Creek National |
Millville, MN |
| 7/23 |
Washougal National |
Washougal, WA |
| 8/13 |
Unadilla National |
New Berlin, NY |
| 8/20 |
Budds Creek National |
Mechanicsville, MD |
| 8/27 |
Ironman National |
Crawfordsville, IN |
| 9/3 |
Fox Raceway National II |
Pala, CA |
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