Ryan Nitzen | July 22, 2023
Welcome to Washougal! We’re up in the beautiful Pacific Northwest for round eight of the 2023 Pro Motocross Championship. The picturesque scenery is met with the sweet sounds of two strokes (and four strokes obviously).
At the end of the day, Jett Lawrence and Haiden Deegan both swept their classes with 1-1 performances.
450MX
450 Moto 1
Another moto, another win for Jett Lawrence. The rookie didn’t get the holeshot, but still started second behind Dylan Ferrandis. Lawrence showed veteran patience in the opening laps as he stalked Ferrandis and planned his pass. Once Jett got around the leader, he laid down a series of hot laps to gap the rest of the riders and ensure his moto win. That makes 15-0 for Jettson.
Once Jett got the lead, he sprinted away. Photos: Brown Dog Wilson
Chase Sexton held on for second. He started third and took a few laps to make his around Ferrandis for second. Sexton eventually dive-bombed Ferrandis on a downhill and made his move around the outside. By the time he got into second, the gap to Lawrence was already over five seconds. Sexton still held on for second, about eight seconds back from the leader.
Ferrandis led early on but finished third.
Dylan Ferrandis rounded out the podium in third. The number-14 grabbed the holeshot and led the opening few laps, ultimately breaking Lawrence’s lap streak. Ferrandis lost two spots later on and dropped to third, but fended off a hard-charging Jason Anderson for the rest of the moto.
450 Moto 2
The second 450 moto might’ve been the most suspenseful race we’ve seen all season. After a quick restart from a gate malfunction, it was Aaron Plessinger leading the way ahead of Lawrence and Sexton. Jett waited a few laps to make his move but passed the KTM rider for the top spot on lap four.
The second moto was an absolute nail biter. Photo: Brown Dog Wilson
From there it was on. Sexton followed Sexton past the number-seven KTM and the two Hondas proceeded to lay down their fastest laps of the race in quick succession and were never more then two seconds apart. Sexton stayed close and even put in the fastest lap of the race, almost a full second faster than Lawrence. But a tip-over from Sexton with three laps left sealed the deal and allowed Jett clinch the moto win and another 1-1 overall.
Sexton stayed close but tipped over late in the race.
Aaron Plessinger held on for third in the moto after leading the first three laps. Unfortunately a seventh in the first moto dropped him to fifth overall.
Aaron Plessinger led his first laps of the year in moto two.
Jason Anderson logged two consistent fourth place finishes to take the final spot in the overalls.
Jason Anderson grabbed third overall with 4-4.
450 Podium.
450MX Overall Results (Top 10)
| 1. |
Jett Lawrence |
(Hon) |
1-1 |
| 2. |
Chase Sexton |
(Hon) |
2-2 |
| 3. |
Jason Anderson |
(Kaw) |
4-4 |
| 4. |
Dylan Ferrandis |
(Yam) |
3-5 |
| 5. |
Aaron Plessinger |
(KTM) |
7-3 |
| 6. |
Adam Cianciarulo |
(Kaw) |
5-7 |
| 7. |
Garrett Marchbanks |
(Yam) |
8-6 |
| 8. |
Ty Masterpool |
(Kaw) |
6-8 |
| 9. |
Phillip Nicoletti |
(Yam) |
11-9 |
| 10. |
Colt Nichols |
(Kaw) |
10-10 |
250MX
250 Moto 1
The first 250 moto was all about Haiden Deegan. The Yamaha rookie got a crucial holeshot and simply rode away from the rest of the field. Dangerboy set the fastest time of the race and led all 16 laps of the 36-minute moto.
Moto one belonged to Haiden Deegan. Photo: Brown Dog Wilson
Hunter Lawrence put in a strong ride for second. He started outside the top five and fought his way through the pack, passing Kitchen, Hammaker, Vohland, and finally Justin Cooper. He eventually made his way to second but the gap to Deegan was too much, too late in the race. He finished second, 02.76 seconds back.
Hunter Lawrence clawed his way to second. Photo: Brown Dog Wilson
Justin Cooper held on for third. He started close to Deegan but simply dropped off the pace and eventually fell victim to Lawrence later on in the race.
Justin Cooper grabbed third.
250 Moto 2
The Star Racing Yamaha trio of Justin Cooper, Levi Kitchen, and Haiden Deegan nailed the start in the second 250 moto. Cooper led nearly the entire race, but the race to watch was going on behind him. Kitchen started second and if he stayed there it would allow Cooper to take the overall. However, once Deegan moved past Kitchen, the overall would swing in the favor of the rookie.
The Star Racing Yamaha’s were up front all day.
Haiden Deegan took his first ever 1-1 sweep. Photo: Brown Dog Wilson
Deegan wasn’t done yet. He marched his way to the back of Cooper and made a decisive pass with four laps left on the race clock. Once past Cooper, Deegan set the fastest lap of the race and dropped the rest of the field. His 1-1 is the first sweep of anyone this season and clearly earned him the overall victory. This win cuts the points lead to only three as Deegan sits second in the championship.
Justin Cooper held on for second.
Justin Cooper still held on second place in the race, going 3-2 for second overall. As mentioned, he led all but four laps of the race. Unfortunately, those last four laps would be the most important ones. Another strong showing for Cooper puts him third in points, 19 back from first place.
Local boy, Levi Kitchen, stayed in it for third in the second moto.
Local boy Levi Kitchen, grabbed a moto podium with a third in the second moto. Kitchen rode up front for the whole moto and found himself battling for the entire race. He managed to hold off Hunter Lawrence for the final spot on the box.
A fall for Hunter Lawrence dropped him off the box in race two.
Tough day for Hunter Lawrence. Early on, he was on the move behind Deegan and going for the podium pass. Lawrence then tucked the front end in the shadows and dropped from third down to fourth. He spent the rest of the race playing cat-and-mouse with Kitchen but ultimately finished fourth. 2-4 finishes gave him third overall while he maintains the points lead by just three over Deegan.
250 Podium.
250MX Overall Results (Top 10)
| 1. |
Haiden Deegan |
(Yam) |
1-1 |
| 2. |
Justin Cooper |
(Yam) |
3-2 |
| 3. |
Hunter Lawrence |
(Hon) |
2-4 |
| 4. |
RJ Hampshire |
(Hus) |
4-5 |
| 5. |
Levi Kitchen |
(Yam) |
8-3 |
| 6. |
Seth Hammaker |
(Kaw) |
7-6 |
| 7. |
Jo Shimoda |
(Kaw) |
6-7 |
| 8. |
Maximus Vohland |
(KTM) |
5-8 |
| 9. |
Carson Mumford |
(Kaw) |
9-9 |
| 10. |
Pierce Brown |
(GG) |
12-11 |
QUALIFYING
Jett Lawrence on top again with the fastest qualifying time. This is Jett’s first time here on a 450, and there’s a lot of speculation as to how he’ll do especially with Sexton having two 450 wins to his credit here. Jett’s time was 0.9 seconds ahead of Anderson in second and Cianciarulo in third. Sexton was fourth fastest.
Jett set the best time in the 450 class. Photo: Brown Dog Wilson
Anderson threw down for second. Photo: Brown Dog Wilson
Cianciarulo logged the third best time. Photo: Brown Dog Wilson
Jeremy Hand #91 was the fastest of the two strokes in 19th. Jerry Robin (22nd), Carson Brown (23rd), Justin Rodbell (24th), Gared Steinke (26th), Brandon Ray (27th), Anthony Rodriguez (28th), Hamish Harwood (30th), and Kevin Moranz (35th) are all taking their two strokes directly to the show.
450MX Combined Qualifying (Top 10)
| 1. |
Jett Lawrence |
(Hon) |
2:14.510 |
| 2. |
Jason Anderson |
(Kaw) |
2:15.407 |
| 3. |
Adam Cianciarulo |
(Kaw) |
2:15.632 |
| 4. |
Chase Sexton |
(Hon) |
2:15.801 |
| 5. |
Dylan Ferrandis |
(Yam) |
2:16.515 |
| 6. |
Ty Masterpool |
(Kaw) |
2:16.764 |
| 7. |
Aaron Plessinger |
(KTM) |
2:17.298 |
| 8. |
Derek Drake |
(Suz) |
2:17.831 |
| 9. |
Jed Beaton |
(Hon) |
2:18.539 |
| 10. |
Garrett Marchbanks |
(Yam) |
2:18.888 |
250MX
Justin Cooper is today’s fastest qualifier. He used the smooth conditions of the first session to throw down a fast lap and take pole position. Hunter Lawrence was fastest in the second session but only second overall. Haiden Deegan also looked fast for third on the time sheets. Lap times are close though as third through eighth are all within one second.
Justin Cooper, and his retro themed Yamaha grabbed the best 250 time.
Hunter Lawrence was best in the second session but second overall. Photo: Brown Dog Wilson
Haiden Deegan was third fastest. Photo: Brown Dog Wilson
250MX Combined Qualifying (Top 10)
| 1. |
Justin Cooper |
(Yam) |
2:14.175 |
| 2. |
Hunter Lawrence |
(Hon) |
2:14.579 |
| 3. |
Haiden Deegan |
(Yam) |
2:15.289 |
| 4. |
RJ Hampshire |
(Hus) |
2:15.432 |
| 5. |
Austin Forkner |
(Kaw) |
2:15.818 |
| 6. |
Maximus Vohland |
(KTM) |
2:15.985 |
| 7. |
Seth Hammaker |
(Kaw) |
2:15.996 |
| 8. |
Jalek Swoll |
(Hus) |
2:16.197 |
| 9. |
Carson Mumford |
(Kaw) |
2:16.394 |
| 10. |
Jo Shimoda |
(Kaw) |
2:16.798 |
Pics From The Pits
Lots of new gear to look at this weekend. Here’s Jett in some new colors from Alpinestars. Photo: Ryan Nitzen
Here’s what it looks like on track. Photo: Ryan Nitzen
New setup from Fly Racing along with their new Smart Helmet that can notify your emergency contacts if a crash is detected. Photo: Ryan Nitzen
Sexton also in some new gear. Interesting that he chooses to warm up in the other Honda trailer. Photo: Ryan Nitzen
Matching lid for Sexton. Photo: Ryan Nitzen
Cianciarulo rocking a new Fox setup and their new V3 helmet. Photo: Brown Dog Wilson
New Thor threads for Vialle and the KTM team. Photo: Brown Dog Wilson
Star Racing Yamaha wins the weekend with this new colorway celebrating 50 years of the YZ line. Photo: Ryan Nitzen
Here’s another look at Deegan’s Star Racing Yamaha. Check the purple rims and cylinder head. Photo: Brown Dog Wilson
Can you smell this photo? Of the 87 entires, 13 of them are two strokes. Photo: Ryan Nitzen
A closer look at Carson Brown’s YZ250. He qualified 23rd. Photo: Ryan Nitzen
They weren’t kidding when they said Shane Mcelrath’s bike was stock. Try to find an aftermarket part on his YZ450F. Photo: Ryan Nitzen
Colt Nichols is borrowing a bike from Swap Moto Live to score some extra SMX points. He and Mcelrath are teammates in the WSX series but aren’t pitting together today. Photo: Brown Dog Wilson
Of course Gared Steinke is here on a two stroke. Photo: Ryan Nitzen
Steg Pegz are a new addition to Pierce Brown’s ride. Photo: Ryan Nitzen
Carson Mumford is back at Pro Circuit Kawasaki. He’s filling in for Jett Reynolds. Photo: Ryan Nitzen
Look for Mumford on the #52. Photo: Ryan Nitzen
Jed Beaton is an Aussie implant on the FirePower Honda team. His series is on break so he decided to line up and qualified ninth in the 450s. Photo: Ryan Nitzen
KTM 250SX of Kevin Moranz. Photo Ryan Nitzen
Moranz posted the 35th best time on a practically stock bike. Photo: Ryan Nitzen
Let’s go racing! Photo: Brown Dog Wilson
