Ryan Nitzen | September 16, 2023
Welcome to Chicagoland Speedway for the second round of the SuperMotocross Playoffs. Round two means double points and a unique outdoor style track on the infield of the Chicagoland Speedway. Another exciting night of racing saw Jett and Hunter Lawrence earn their respective overall wins.
The track at Chicagoland Speedway. Photos: Brown Dog Wilson
450SMX
Race 1
Jett Lawrence looked back to form with a point to prove as he holeshotted and led all of the first 450 race. A brief challenge formed early on with his Honda HRC teammate Chase Sexton but Jett proceeded to drop the hammer and string together a series of successive fast laps. The number-18 is taking full advantage of the double points night as he starts things off with a win.
450 Start.
Chase Sexton rode to a smooth second place behind Lawrence. He looked to fight in the opening laps but settled in while Jett got away. Tonight’s track is more outdoors-oriented, and this might’ve given the advantage to Lawrence over Sexton.
Roczen grabbed third in race one.
Ken Roczen landed on the box again with another third place finish. He battled with Justin Barcia in the first few laps but Roczen made a pass stick as he grabbed the final podium position.
Race 2
After a freak gate malfunction, the second 450SMX race kicked off with Phil Nicoletti leading the way. Jett Lawrence passed for the lead on lap one with the rest of the heavy hitters closely behind.
Roczen took the win in the second 450 moto.
Lawrence duked it out with Ken Roczen for the entire moto. The two “yo-yo’d” back and forth as the lead never grew to more than a few seconds. Lawrence did the math during the race and waved Roczen through with only three laps left. He knew his 1-2 would be good enough to beat Roczen’s 3-1 and Sexton’s 2-3. Lawrence’s quick calculations paid off as he still took the overall victory and jumps to second in points.
Jett still took the overall after letting Roczen by.
Ken Roczen kept the pressure on Lawrence for the entire race, his best showing of the SMX season. The Suzuki rider stayed close and was there to pounce once Lawrence opted out of the lead. Roczen’s 3-1 gives him four points on the night and second overall.
Sexton celebrates with his hometown fans.
Chase Sexton cruised to third in the second moto. He dropped off the pace while Lawrence and Roczen ran off with the lead but knew he’d be in good standings for an overall podium. Sexton’s 2-3 earned him five points as he still leads the overall championship.
450 Overall Podium.
450 SMX Overall (Top 10)
| 1. |
Jett Lawrence |
(Hon) |
1-2 |
| 2. |
Ken Roczen |
(Suz) |
3-1 |
| 3. |
Chase Sexton |
(Hon) |
2-3 |
| 4. |
Aaron Plessinger |
(KTM) |
5-4 |
| 5. |
Dylan Ferrandis |
(Yam) |
6-5 |
| 6. |
Justin Barcia |
(GG) |
4-10 |
| 7. |
Cooper Webb |
(Yam) |
8-7 |
| 8. |
Phillip Nicoletti |
(Yam) |
7-9 |
| 9. |
Jason Anderson |
(Kaw) |
13-6 |
| 10. |
Colt Nichols |
(Kaw) |
12-8 |
250SMX
250 Race 1
Haiden Deegan got things started in a big way with a holeshot in race one. He looked fast as he led the first half of the race over Hunter Lawrence. A mistake from Deegan just before the finish line forced him to roll the big double jump and allowed Lawrence to make the pass. Deegan later dropped to third after points rival, Jo Shimoda, also made a late race move.
250 Start.
Shimoda was the fastest rider on track as he marched his way to second in the race. He battled with Tom Vialle for the first half of the race and set the quickest lap time as he came through traffic. Their battle pushed the co-points leader to the back of Deegan, who dropped to third with two laps left. Shimoda ran right up to the back of Lawrence but seemed to hit his helmet on the handlebars with only a few turns left on the final lap. He crossed second.
Deegan led early on.
Hunter Lawrence made his way around Haiden Deegan with five minutes left on the race clock. Once in the lead, he held the top spot through the finish to take the opening victory. Shimoda closed in at the end but was unable to make a pass.
Lawrence led after Deegan’s mistake.
250 Race 2
Justin Cooper rebounded after being on the ground in the first race of the night. He led the first few laps with wild battles going on right behind him. Eventually, Cooper dropped back to sixth.
Jo Shimoda made his pass for the lead and again set the fastest times of the race. The Pro Circuit Kawasaki rider held his advantage over Hunter Lawrence and looked to be going for the night’s overall win. Late in the race he seemed to have an issue with the motorcycle which lost power and allowed Lawrence to sneak through to the lead. Shimoda soldiered on and salvaged second place at the finish. He’s now three points back in second place.
Shimoda was arguably the fastest rider on track.
Hunter Lawrence made the math easy tonight with two wins. The Honda rider stalked Shimoda for most of the race and was ready when a pass opportunity presented itself. As Shimoda’s bike lost power, Lawrence was there to capitalize with the win and the overall. He’s now leading the SMX points by three.
Haiden Deegan grabbed third in race two. He ran up front early on but faded a few laps in and lost the tow from leaders Lawrence and Shimoda. Deegan strung together two thirds for third overall and drops to third in the points standings.
250 Overall Podium.
250 SMX Overall Results (Top 10)
| 1. |
Hunter Lawrence |
(Hon) |
1-1 |
| 2. |
Jo Shimoda |
(Kaw) |
2-2 |
| 3. |
Haiden Deegan |
(Yam) |
3-3 |
| 4. |
RJ Hampshire |
(Hus) |
5-4 |
| 5. |
Maximus Vohland |
(KTM) |
8-5 |
| 6. |
Jordon Smith |
(Yam) |
10-8 |
| 7. |
Seth Hammaker |
(Kaw) |
9-9 |
| 8. |
Levi Kitchen |
(Yam) |
6-12 |
| 9. |
Ryder Difrancesco |
(Kaw) |
12-7 |
| 10. |
Jalek Swoll |
(Hus) |
7-13 |
QUALIFYING
450SMX
Chase Sexton leads the way in 450SMX points after a dominant 1-1 showing last weekend. Ken Roczen, who finished at round one, set the time to beat in 450SMX qualifying. His time held up as rains in session two slowed the track down. Jett Lawrence and Chase Sexton were second and third respectively. Jason Anderson grabbed the best time in the second session but was sixth overall.
Ken Roczen’s time held up as best in 450SMX qualifying. Photos: Brown Dog Wilson
Sexton clocked in in third.
Jason Anderson put in the best lap of the second session.
450 SMX Qualifying (Top 10)
| 1. |
Ken Roczen |
(Suz) |
1:51.562 |
| 2. |
Jett Lawrence |
(Hon) |
1:51.982 |
| 3. |
Chase Sexton |
(Hon) |
1:52.320 |
| 4. |
Garrett Marchbanks |
(Yam) |
1:52.675 |
| 5. |
Justin Barcia |
(GG) |
1:52.730 |
| 6. |
Jason Anderson |
(Kaw) |
1:52.770 |
| 7. |
Aaron Plessinger |
(KTM) |
1:52.874 |
| 8. |
Adam Cianciarulo |
(Kaw) |
1:53.065 |
| 9. |
Dylan Ferrandis |
(Yam) |
1:53.885 |
| 10. |
Ty Masterpool |
(Kaw) |
1:53.908 |
250SMX
Jo Shimoda and Haiden Deegan share the red plate today as they’re tied in 250SMX points. Neither of them topped the qualifying charts though as RJ Hampshire set the pace in the first session. Seth Hammaker and Levi Kitchen grabbed the second and third best times. Rains slowed the track down for the final session with Justin Cooper taking the best time of that group. Jo Shimoda was sixth with Haiden Deegan back in 13th.
RJ Hampshire set the pace in the 250 class. Photo: Brown Dog Wilson
Levi Kitchen looked good for third.
250 SMX Qualifying (Top 10)
| 1. |
RJ Hampshire |
(Hus) |
1:52.205 |
| 2. |
Seth Hammaker |
(Kaw) |
1:52.411 |
| 3. |
Levi Kitchen |
(Yam) |
1:52.653 |
| 4. |
Hunter Lawrence |
(Hon) |
1:52.900 |
| 5. |
Justin Cooper |
(Yam) |
1:53.238 |
| 6. |
Jo Shimoda |
(Kaw) |
1:53.255 |
| 7. |
Tom Vialle |
(KTM) |
1:53.559 |
| 8. |
Dillan Schwartz |
(Suz) |
1:53.584 |
| 9. |
Jalek Swoll |
(Kaw) |
1:53.768 |
| 10. |
Pierce Brown |
(GG) |
1:53.869 |
