This week in US powersports racing.
KTM Continues to Proudly Support Amateur and Professional Racers with 2024 Contingency Program and Trackside Support
KTM North America, Inc. is offering the ultimate incentive to ride orange in 2024, with its race contingency program continuing to offer more than $7 million in race rewards for amateur and professional racers at over 180 series throughout the United States, alongside an extensive Trackside Support commitment.
From motocross and supercross, to all major offroad series, flat track, and road racing in the professional ranks, the KTM brand remains READY TO RACE with a competitive payout via the KTM Pro Cash debit card.
In addition, the KTM Cash dealer credit program provides amateur riders the chance to earn cash value credits that can be used to purchase KTM products at any participating KTM North America dealership.
Those KTM incentives are offered to amateur (dealer credits) and professional (cash) riders when they earn top finishes while riding KTM motorcycles at select national and regional racing events across the country. For more information on the full 2024 contingency program, payout structures and to sign up, visit KTMCash.com.
Also back for the new year, KTM’s Trackside Support will be available for all brand riders at GNCC, Daytona Amateur Supercross, Freestone Spring Championship and Spring a Ding. Orange bleeders can expect emergency parts and service throughout the year at events and series such as the AMA Amateur National Motocross Championship at Loretta Lynn’s, Mini Olympics, and all rounds of GNCC and the AMA National Enduro series.
KTM Trackside Support Program Enhanced for 2024 GNCC Series Through Landers KTM Partnership
KTM North America, Inc. will once again be offering emergency Trackside Support parts and services at all 13 rounds of the 2024 Grand National Cross Country (GNCC) Series, ensuring KTM-equipped competitors will be READY TO RACE all season long.
In an exciting new addition for this year, Landers KTM – an authorized KTM dealer – will be on-site throughout the series to offer racers spare parts, as well as a full range of parts, garments, and accessories. Landers KTM will also have KTM motorcycles on display.
Under the leadership of offroad enthusiast Chris Landers alongside his team of orange bleeders, Landers KTM is fielding the newly introduced FMF KTM Factory Racing Team Landers effort in GNCC within the XC2 250 Pro and WXC classes, as well as operating an offroad amateur program. Combined, it has been developed as a direct pathway to the XC1 Pro category of GNCC competition into the future for the sport’s top up and coming talent.
Contact Landers KTM using the details below for further information on KTM Trackside Support at GNCC events:
Landers KTM
1 (931) 261-2004
www.landers-ktm.com
305 South Holly Street, Monterey, TN 38574 US.
KTM North America, Inc. and Landers KTM will kick-off the enhanced new GNCC Trackside Support program next weekend at the Big Buck opening round of the GNCC Series in Union, SC, scheduled for February 17-18, and will span the entire 13-round series in 2024.
In addition, KTM Trackside Support will be available at events such as the AMA National Enduro Series, Daytona Amateur Supercross, Freestone Spring Championship, Spring a Ding, AMA Amateur National Motocross Championship at Loretta Lynn’s and Mini Olympics, alongside the brand’s highly competitive race contingency program. For complete details on KTM’s 2024 contingency program, please visit www.ktmcash.com.
Husqvarna Motorcycles Contingency Program and Trackside Support announced for 2024
Husqvarna Motorcycles North America, Inc. has announced details for the 2024 Husqvarna Motorcycles Contingency Support Program, which offers over $7 million in possible rewards for amateur and professional racers across all major forms of racing in the U.S.
Contingency will once again be available at both national and regional events motocross, supercross, flat track, and offroad racing through RaceHusky.com. Professional racers can earn Husqvarna Motorcycles Pro Cash awards, which are paid directly through a debit card.
Amateur riders are eligible to earn cash value credits that can be used to purchase products at any participating authorized Husqvarna Motorcycles dealership in North America. A more competitive pay structure will be implemented for 2024 throughout regional motocross events.
Plus, Husqvarna Motorcycles will also continue to offer Trackside Support at major amateur racing events such as Loretta Lynn’s Amateur National Championship, Winter Mini Olympics, Daytona Ricky Carmichael Amateur Supercross, and Freestone Spring Championship. It will also extend across all 13 rounds of the Grand National Cross Country (GNCC) Series during the upcoming season.
To view participating series and payouts or to register for the 2024 contingency, visit RaceHusky.com or find an authorized Husqvarna Motorcycles dealer near you.
Ken Roczen Captures Glendale Supercross Victory
Progressive Insurance ECSTAR Suzuki’s Ken Roczen grabbed the Holeshot and never looked back, taking the win at Round 6 and becoming the fifth different rider to win in the 17-round 2024 Monster Energy Supercross season. It was Roczen’s third win inside State Farm Stadium and the 55,627 fans, a record for the series at the Glendale venue, went wild for the popular racer.
State Farm Stadium held Arizona’s 30th Monster Energy AMA Supercross race in front of 56,627 race fans. The 2024 season celebrates 50 years of Supercross racing in America.
Photo Credit: Feld Motor Sports, Inc.
Monster Energy Kawasaki’s Jason Anderson took over second place just over two minutes into the 20-minute plus one lap Main Event and was never seriously challenged for the spot. Team Honda HRC’s Jett Lawrence fought hard from outside the top ten. He made up time on the slick track and nabbed the final podium position, and with it the lead in the championship points. In the Western Regional 250SX Class, Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing’s RJ Hampshire took the victory, becoming the first repeat winner of 2024 in the 250SX class.
First place 450SX Class – Photo Credit: Feld Motor Sports, Inc.
“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
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
After one week off, the Western Regional 250SX Class racers were back on the track for Round 5 of their regional championship. Hampshire took the win after clawing his way up from a fifth-place start. Monster Energy Pro Circuit Kawasaki’s Levi Kitchen led early but finished the race in second. Team Honda HRC’s Jo Shimoda took third, earning his first podium ride of 2024. The top three riders in the Western Regional 250SX Class, Kitchen, Hampshire, and Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing’s Jordon Smith are now separated by only five points.
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
The 2024 Monster Energy AMA Supercross Championship takes one weekend off and resumes on Saturday, February 24th inside AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. The Texas round, like all 17 Supercross events, will also pay points towards the SuperMotocross World Championship. After its inaugural season last year, the SuperMotocross League returns to encompass the Monster Energy AMA Supercross season and the AMA Pro Motocross season. The top riders from each class are seeded into two Playoff rounds and one Finale to determine the SuperMotocross World Champion of each class.
Every round of the SuperMotorcross World Championship, and therefore every Supercross round, is available live and on demand through Peacock. Select rounds will also be broadcast on NBC, USA Network, CNBC, NBCSports.com, and the NBC Sports app. CNBC will air next-day encore presentations of all 31 rounds of 2024 racing. Fans outside of the US can watch live and on-demand coverage, in both English and Spanish, through the SuperMotocross Video Pass (supermotocross.tv).
Catch the action in person! Tickets for all of the eleven remaining Monster Energy Supercross events are available now. To purchase Supercross tickets, or to catch up on race results, video highlights, feature stories, and steaming and broadcast airtimes, please go to SupercrossLIVE.com.
TROY LEE DESIGNS/RED BULL/GASGAS FACTORY RACING LOOKS AHEAD FOLLOWING GLENDALE
Glendale marked the toughest night of the 2024 AMA Supercross Championship season so far for Troy Lee Designs/Red Bull/GASGAS Factory Racing, with team riders Justin Barcia and Ryder DiFrancesco each experiencing their share of adversity, but remaining motivated to bounce back in the coming weeks.
- 450SX Class contender Justin Barcia battles hard throughout Main Event
- A fall in the 250SX West Class Main Event marked the end of Ryder D’s night
- Troy Lee Designs x Palm Tree Crew collaboration turns heads in Arizona
Barcia and his Troy Lee Designs/Red Bull/GASGAS Factory Racing MC 450F Factory Edition charged to a sixth-place finish in his Heat Race, ensuring Bam Bam a place on the line and a decent gate selection as the Main Event arrived.
The Main Event would mark a challenging outing for the experienced premier class front-runner, who battled hard just outside the top 10 before going down and eventually being credited with 18th position. He’s currently 10th in the 450SX standings entering a single weekend off.
With the return of the 250SX West division inside State Farm Stadium, Ryder D completed qualifying in eighth position, equipped with his GASGAS MC 250F Factory Edition, before racing to sixth place in his Heat Race and enjoying a share of momentum leading to the night’s Main Event.
An unfortunate crash, however, saw DiFrancesco end his night prematurely in Glendale with a DNF, but will be fit to race-on in Arlington next month. He will also take advantage of the upcoming six-week break in the 250SX West schedule.
Max Lee – Troy Lee Designs/Red Bull/GASGAS Factory Racing Team Manager: “It was a tough night for the Troy Lee Designs/Red Bull/GASGAS team. Ryder started out strong during the first part of the day, he had a couple of bad starts, but ultimately a crash in the Main ended his night early. He was evaluated and released, so will be ready to line up at the next 250 West round. Justin struggled all day, the team worked to get things better, although he ended up crashing in the Main as well. We’re ready for a weekend off to regroup and we’ve got some work to do before Arlington.”
Results – 2024 AMA Supercross Championship, Round 6
450SX Results – Glendale SX
1. Ken Roczen (Suzuki)
2. Jason Anderson (Kawasaki)
3. Jett Lawrence (Honda)
18. Justin Barcia (GASGAS)
450SX Championship Standings (After Round 6)
1. Jett Lawrence (Honda) 116pts
2. Chase Sexton (KTM) 111pts
3. Aaron Plessinger (KTM) 108pts
10. Justin Barcia (GASGAS) 63pts
250SX West Results – Glendale
1. RJ Hampshire (Husqvarna)
2. Levi Kitchen (Kawasaki)
3. Jo Shimoda (Honda)
22. Ryder DiFrancesco (GASGAS)
250SX West Championship Standings (After Round 6)
1. Levi Kitchen (Kawasaki) 106pts
2. Jordon Smith (Yamaha) 102pts
3. RJ Hampshire (Husqvarna) 101pts
14. Ryder DiFrancesco (GASGAS) 42pts
RJ HAMPSHIRE BACK ON TOP AS 250SX WEST SERIES RESUMES IN GLENDALE
Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing’s RJ Hampshire has returned to the top step of the 250SX West Class podium at Round 6 of the 2024 AMA Supercross Championship in Glendale, Arizona, on a night where 450SX teammates Malcolm Stewart and Christian Craig both raced to season-best results.
Hampshire resumed his quest for the western regional championship by posting the third-fastest qualifying time onboard his Husqvarna Motorcycles FC 250 Rockstar Edition, which he would follow up with P3 in his Heat Race.
A top-three start in the Main Event saw the number 24 exercise patience as the battle unfolded at the front, with a decisive move for the lead allowing Hampshire to move into clean air, as he extended his winning margin to over two seconds as the checkered flag flew. He’s now within five points of the red plates entering a six-week break in the 250SX West schedule.
“Glendale was awesome,” recalled Hampshire. “The ending was especially awesome, but I felt really good at the beginning of the day, and then had a big case in the first timed qualifying. I was in a lot of pain from that, although I knew I needed to pull it together for the Main, and that was when I rode my best. I made a couple of quick passes, then saw I had a bit of a gap after the others made mistakes, and just managed it from there. Really stoked and am looking forward to some time off before Seattle.”
450SX contender Stewart was ranked P6 in qualifying inside the sizable State Farm Stadium, before racing to a convincing second-place finish in his Heat Race, and taking his Husqvarna Motorcycles FC 450 Rockstar Edition into the Main Event.
Starting outside the top 10, Stewart charged all race long as he progressively made his way up the leaderboard, putting in a spirited ride that would last the entire Main Event to land him eighth place for the night and his best finish of the season so far.
“Glendale went fairly well for me,” said Stewart. “Qualifying was decent with P6, then we finished with P2 in the Heat Race, which felt really good to be up there. Main Event, not a great start, so I just had to pick my way through the field and got all the way back up to P8. My riding was great, although you need to get the start in this class, so we’ll work on those heading into Arlington.”
Craig, meanwhile, found comfort early in Arizona as he qualified in ninth position, which he converted into a P7 score in his Heat Race. In posting a calculated ride on a highly-technical circuit, Craig would seal P12 in the Main Event, which was also his best result of the year.
“Glendale started off well, I felt comfortable right away with the layout and big rhythm sections,” Craig commented. “I struggled a little with arm strength today for some reason, which was frustrating, so this week off comes at a good time. Feeling more comfortable, had more fun, so I feel the improvements are coming over the break.”
Next Event (Round 7): February 24, 2024 – AT&T Stadium, Arlington Texas.
Round 6 Results: Glendale
250SX West – Glendale Results
1. RJ Hampshire – Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing
2. Levi Kitchen (Kawasaki)
3. Jo Shimoda (Honda)
450SX – Glendale Results
1. Ken Roczen (Suzuki)
2. Jason Anderson (Kawasaki)
3. Jett Lawrence (Honda)
…
8. Malcolm Stewart – Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing
12. Christian Craig – Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing
250SX West Rider Point Standings
1. Levi Kitchen (Kawasaki) – 106 points
2. Jordon Smith (Yamaha) – 102 points
3. RJ Hampshire – Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing – 101 points
450SX Rider Point Standings
1. Jett Lawrence (Honda) – 117 points
2. Chase Sexton (KTM) – 111 points
3. Aaron Plessinger (KTM) – 108 points
…
12. Malcolm Stewart – Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing – 51 points
15. Christian Craig – Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing – 39 points
TREVOR BOLLINGER MET WITH ADVERSITY IN 2024 NATIONAL ENDURO SEASON-OPENER
It was a troubled start to the 2024 AMA National Enduro Series for Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing’s Trevor Bollinger this weekend, unfortunately having to make an early exit from the Sumter National Enduro.
Bollinger was met with adversity during the early stages of the race on Sunday in South Carolina, when he was forced out of contention following two tests, but remains focused on making his mark on the season ahead aboard the Husqvarna Motorcycles FX 350.
“Due to an unfortunate mechanical, my day ultimately ended early,” Bollinger reflected. “It’s part of racing. I will continue to do everything I can to be my best at Big Buck this weekend.”
Bollinger will be back on track alongside Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing teammate and defending champion Craig DeLong next weekend at the Big Buck’s opening round of the 2024 Grand National Cross Country (GNCC) Series.
NE Pro1 Class Results
1. Ryder Lafferty (GASGAS)
2. Steward Baylor (Kawasaki)
3. Johnny Girroir (KTM)
…
9. Trevor Bollinger – Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing
Upcoming Offroad Races – February 2024
2/19: Grand National Cross Country Series – Round 1
RED BULL KTM FACTORY RACING TEAM PUSHES THROUGH GLENDALE CHALLENGE
GLENDALE, Ariz. – Red Bull KTM Factory Racing remains in the title hunt after enduring a challenging night of racing at Round 6 of the 2024 AMA Supercross Championship, with 450SX riders Chase Sexton and Aaron Plessinger rounding out the top 10 in the Main Event, while 250SX West Class rookie Julien Beaumer rode to a seventh-place finish.
Defending 450SX Class Champion Sexton entered the weekend with a hand injury sustained during the week, with the number 1 intent on salvaging points toward the championship. After qualifying eighth, he would enter the Main Event via a determined fourth-place ride in his Heat Race.
A gritty performance in the Main Event saw Sexton in the fight for the entirety of the race on his KTM 450 SX-F FACTORY EDITION, focused on capturing as many points as possible before the series enters a one-week break. In true championship form, Sexton would cross the line in ninth position, and will now take the time to recover further in the coming weeks.
Chase Sexton: “I did what I could tonight to salvage points toward the championship after hurting my hand this week. The week was rough and I wasn’t even sure that I’d be able to race this weekend, but we got through the day and I’m just grateful that we have a scheduled weekend off coming up next week, so that should really help the healing process a lot. The way the results went tonight, I didn’t lose too many points, so I’m still right in the title fight.”
Plessinger powered his way to the seventh-fastest 450SX Class qualifying time within State Farm Stadium, before charging to a convincing Heat Race win after a strong start onboard his KTM 450 SX-F FACTORY EDITION.
In launching to a top-three start in the Main Event, Plessinger again demonstrated his immense form as he sat in second position, putting pressure on the leader as the laps clicked by. A small mishap then unfortunately saw the number 7 on the ground, before he remounted deep in the pack. From there, ‘The Cowboy’ was determined to salvage points, which saw him climb to 10th place in the end.
Aaron Plessinger: “I’m just really annoyed about dropping it in the Main Event! I was riding good all day, holeshotted the Heat Race and then went wire-to-wire for the win. Entered the Main feeling good, got a good start there too and was right behind Kenny [Roczen], putting the pressure on, and then had a bonehead move where I tucked the front. The field was still bunched up at that time, so I went back to P22 and came back to 10th. This one stings, but we’re still in the championship hunt heading into Arlington.”
250SX West Class newcomer Beaumer returned to action in Arizona, recording the fourth-fastest time in qualifying aboard his KTM 250 SX-F FACTORY EDITION, before collecting P4 in his Heat Race to enter the Main Event with a solid gate pick.
A top 10 start for the teenager and a consistent ride saw him battle hard on the technical Glendale track layout, which yielded a seventh-place finish as the western region now gets ready to take a six-week break, which will be valuable for Beaumer to keep gaining valuable experience at the test track with Red Bull KTM Factory Racing.
Julien Beaumer: “It was a good day for me here in Glendale, qualifying fourth and then fighting my way into fourth for the Heat Race also. The Main Event was good also, started in 10th and charged my way to fourth, before a couple of small mistakes with my timing on this big track put me back to seventh in the end. I’m happy with my day and am ready to get back to work during the break!”
Next Race: February 24 – Arlington, Texas
Results 450SX Class – Glendale
1. Ken Roczen (GER), Suzuki
2. Jason Anderson (USA), Kawasaki
3. Jett Lawrence (AUS), Honda
OTHER KTM
9. Chase Sexton (USA), KTM
10. Aaron Plessinger (USA), KTM
15. Justin Hill (USA), KTM
Standings 450SX Class 2024 after 6 of 17 rounds
1. Jett Lawrence, 117 points
2. Chase Sexton, 111
3. Aaron Plessinger, 108
OTHER KTM
19. Justin Hill, 23
26. Justin Rodbell, 5
Results 250SX West Class – Glendale
1. RJ Hampshire (USA), Husqvarna
2. Levi Kitchen (USA), Kawasaki
3. Jo Shimoda (JPN), Honda
OTHER KTM
7. Julien Beaumer (USA), KTM
Standings 250SX West Class 2024 after 5 of 10 rounds
1. Levi Kitchen, 106 points
2. Jordan Smith, 102
3. RJ Hampshire, 101
OTHER KTM
8. Julien Beaumer, 63
JOHNNY GIRROIR LANDS SUMTER NATIONAL ENDURO PODIUM AS GRANT DAVIS WINS NE PRO2 CLASS
FMF KTM Factory Racing rider Johnny Girroir continued his impressive run of results to open the 2024 season after placing third overall at today’s AMA National Enduro Series season-opener, as Grant Davis won the Sumter National NE Pro2 round with FMF KTM Factory Racing Team Landers.
Girroir has been a constant factor in a variety of offroad series to commence the new year on his KTM 350 XC-F, maintaining that trend after charging to P3 in South Carolina, as fill-in for the injured Ben Kelley. He completed the opening test in P8, before climbing as high as second in multiple tests, and eventually greeting the checkered flag in third.
Johnny Girroir: “It was a good day! Started off a little rough with the first test with a mishap when I hit something at speed, then started flying through the air… From there I clawed my way back all day and ended up on the podium, so it was a good way to start the series with FMF KTM Factory Racing and I’m looking forward to the next one now.”
Equipped with the KTM 250 XC-F, FMF KTM Factory Racing Team Landers recruit Davis started his season with a bang by topping the Sumter National Enduro round within the NE Pro2 Class, which also placed him eighth overall for the weekend.
Grant Davis: “Today was good, a fun day honestly, and it was the tightest enduro I’ve ever raced. I am pumped to come out with the win, it was a great start for us with FMF KTM Factory Racing Team Landers, and I’m excited to keep things going!”
NE Pro1 Class Results
1. Ryder Lafferty, GAS
2. Steward Baylor Jr., KAW
3. Johnny Girroir, KTM
NE Pro2 Class Results
1. Grant Davis, KTM
2. Nathaniel Tasha, YAM
3. Nicholas Defeo, KAW
Upcoming Offroad Races – February 2024
2/19: Grand National Cross Country Series – Round 1
Jett Lawrence Retakes Championship Lead at Glendale Supercross
Team Honda HRC had a strong showing in Glendale, Arizona, for round 6 of the AMA Supercross championship, which saw both Jett Lawrence and Jo Shimoda land on the podiums in their respective classes. Meanwhile, Hunter Lawrence notched a career-best result in the premier division with a solid fifth-place finish. Most notably, Jett leaves Glendale with the red plate, which has eluded him since he relinquished it at round 2.
The Glendale track is known for its slippery surface and long rhythm sections, requiring high levels of patience and precision. Jett was shuffled back off the start of the 450SX main event and faced challenges early in the race, including being pushed off the track by another rider. Motivated to gain critical championship points, the young Australian worked his way through the pack, passing many of his rivals to finish the race in third and regain the championship lead, with a six-point advantage over second place. Meanwhile, Hunter had a steady ride, showing that he has the pace to run with the lead group and earning his first top-five showing. Phoenix Racing Honda’s Dylan Ferrandis finished just behind Hunter in sixth place.
The 250SX main event saw Shimoda round the first turn just inside the top 10. The Japanese racer steadily worked his way forward to fourth place, and near the race’s midpoint, he took over third, which is where he would finish. This result marked his first podium with Team Honda HRC. SmarTop/MotoConcepts Honda’s Mitchell Oldenburg put in a great ride for sixth. Meanwhile, Oldenburg’s teammate Carson Mumford showed impressive speed all night, running in the top five for much of the race before eventually crossing the line in 11th.
NOTES
- After a weekend off for the 250SX East opener, Team Honda HRC 250SX West rider Jo Shimoda was back in Glendale, and he took part in Friday’s media-day activities, getting in some time on the track.
- Ahead of Valentine’s Day, Hunter Lawrence wore special white-and-red Alpinestars gear that was a colab with Daniel Riccardo, celebrating a new capsule collection from Enchanté, the Formula 1 driver’s clothing brand.
- After topping the free-practice and first qualifying-practice sessions, Jett Lawrence ended up second in the combined 450SX times. Hunter was 15th quickest, and Shimoda was fifth-best in the 250SX West division.
- For the second week in a row, the 450SX heat races ran first, before the 250s. In the first one, Jett completed lap 1 in fifth place and moved up to third by lap 4, then stayed there through the second half of the race. SmarTop/MotoConcepts Honda rider Vince Friese was two spots behind, and Phoenix Racing Honda’s Dylan Ferrandis was another two spots back. The second heat saw Hunter Lawrence enjoy a decent start and end up fourth, with Fire Power Honda’s Dean Wilson taking eighth.
- The first 250SX West heat race saw SmarTop/MotoConcepts Honda riders Carson Mumford and Mitchell Oldenburg race in second and third for the entire seven laps, qualifying directly into the main. Following a heat 2 red flag, Shimoda got a strong start and ran in second for the entire race.
- Jett Lawrence is still the only 450SX rider to have scored more than one win so far this year.
- Supercross Live reporter Broc Bridges pointed out that Jett and Hunter Lawrence’s 3/5 results at Glendale marked the first time that brothers have ever both finished in the top five in the premier class of an AMA Supercross event.
- By finishing third, Jett went from one point down in the title chase to a six-point advantage. The young Australian will run the red number-plate background at the next round.
- AMA Supercross now gets its first off weekend of the year before resuming in Arlington, Texas, on February 24.
Share
