Christian Craig Repeats Win in 250SX Class
OAKLAND, CA – January 15, 2022 – (Motor Sports NewsWire) Monster Energy Kawasaki’s Jason Anderson had an emotional return to the top of the Monster Energy AMA Supercross podium after 47 races without a win for the 2018 champ. Red Bull KTM’s Aaron Plessinger grabbed his best 450SX Class finish with a strong second place result in front of a crowd of 42,918 that encircled the track inside RingCentral Coliseum. Repeating his third place finish from the opening round, Troy Lee Designs Red Bull GASGAS Factory Racing’s Justin Barcia took third on the night and captured the points lead after two rounds of the 17-round series. In the Western Regional 250SX Class, Monster Energy Star Racing Yamaha’s Christian Craig followed up his opening round win with his first back-to-back Supercross victories.
Jason Anderson earned his new team a 2022 Supercross win at Round 2. It was Anderson’s second race on the Kawasaki and his first win since his 2018 championship season. Photo Credit: Feld Entertainment, Inc.
Monster Energy Kawasaki’s Adam Cianciarulo grabbed the Holeshot and held the lead early ahead of a stacked field on the loose and fast Oakland track. Still recovering from a pre-season shoulder injury, Cianciarulo stayed up front for the first four minutes of the 20-minute plus one lap race before eventually dropping back to finish twelfth. It was teammate Jason Anderson, in only his second race on the Kawasaki, who took over the front spot and was never challenged for it. The victory was Anderson’s first win since his championship season in 2018.
Aaron Plessinger and Justin Barcia both started outside the top five but charged forward. Just past the five minute mark Plessinger took over second. Before the race’s midpoint Barcia advanced into third. The two riders would stay close but never challenge one another for a position change. Monster Energy Star Racing Yamaha’s Eli Tomac, the 2020 champion, steadily recovered from a mid-pack start. He reached fourth place with just over nine minutes on the clock but was not able to close in to make an attack on Barcia for a podium spot.
Red Bull KTM’s Cooper Webb was following a second-place finish at the opening round but the defending champion was only able to fight up to seventh after a slow start. Opening round winner Team Honda HRC’s Ken Roczen started well but got shuffled back outside of the top five. Three and a half minutes into the race the Honda rider got out of shape in the whoops and crashed hard into a berm. Roczen would remount slowly and eventually finish thirteenth.
Christian Craig looked flawless on the challenging Oakland track. The second win in two rounds plants Craig solidly in the points lead in the 250SX Class. Photo Credit: Feld Entertainment, Inc.
In Western Regional 250SX Class racing, Monster Energy Pro Circuit Kawasaki’s Jo Shimoda nabbed the Holeshot with Christian Craig quickly on his rear fender and applying early pressure. Two minutes into the 15-minute plus one lap race, Shimoda stalled the bike and Craig slipped past. Two more minutes into the race Shimoda crashed hard in the whoops and dropped back to eventually finish in seventh. Team Honda HRC’s Hunter Lawrence steadily moved through the pack to earn second place. Monster Energy Pro Circuit Kawasaki’s Seth Hammaker took another 2022 podium finish with third.
The series drops the gate again on Saturday night inside Petco Park in San Diego, California for Round 3 of the 17-round 450SX Class series and 9-round Western Regional 250SX Class racing. The all-day experience kicks off with FanFest in the pits and great racing after the sun goes down. Tickets are available for the exciting, family-friendly entertainment in stadiums and raceways across the U.S. All races are aired live on Peacock with airings also on NBC, CNBC, and USA Network. For ticket information, videos, photos, news, results, and features please visit SupercrossLIVE.com.
450SX Class podium (riders left to right) Aaron Plessinger, Jason Anderson, and Justin Barcia. Photo Credit: Feld Entertainment, Inc.
450SX Class Results
- Jason Anderson, Rio Rancho, N.Mex., Kawasaki
- Aaron Plessinger, Leesburg, Fla., KTM
- Justin Barcia, Greenville, Fla., GASGAS
- Eli Tomac, Cortez, Colo., Yamaha
- Malcolm Stewart, Murrieta, Calif., Husqvarna
- Dylan Ferrandis, Tallahassee, Fla., Yamaha
- Cooper Webb, Newport, N.C., KTM
- Marvin Musquin, Corona, Calif., KTM
- Chase Sexton, Clermont, Fla., Honda
- Dean Wilson, Murrieta, Calif., Husqvarna
450SX Class Championship Standings
- Justin Barcia, Greenville, Fla., GASGAS (42)
- Jason Anderson, Rio Rancho, N.Mex., Kawasaki (39)
- Cooper Webb, Newport, N.C., KTM (39)
- Aaron Plessinger, Leesburg, Fla., KTM (37)
- Ken Roczen, Clermont, Fla., Honda (36)
- Eli Tomac, Cortez, Colo., Yamaha (36)
- Marvin Musquin, Corona, Calif., KTM (34)
- Malcolm Stewart, Murrieta, Calif., Husqvarna (34)
- Chase Sexton, Clermont, Fla., Honda (32)
- Joey Savatgy, Clermont, Fla., KTM (27)
250SX Class podium (riders left to right) Seth Hammaker, Christian Craig, and Hunter Lawrence. Photo Credit: Feld Entertainment, Inc.
Western Regional 250SX Class Results
- Christian Craig, Temecula, Calif., Yamaha
- Hunter Lawrence, Wesley Chapel, Fla., Honda
- Seth Hammaker, Temecula, Calif., Kawasaki
- Michael Mosiman, Minneaola, Fla., GASGAS
- Nate Thrasher, Livingston, Tenn., Yamaha
- Vince Friese, Menifee, Calif., Honda
- Jo Shimoda, Menifee, Calif., Kawasaki
- Garrett Marchbanks, Coalville, Utah, Yamaha
- Chris Blose, Phoenix, Ariz., GASGAS
- Robbie Wageman, Newhall, Calif., Yamaha
Western Regional 250SX Class Championship Standings
- Christian Craig, Temecula, Calif., Yamaha (52)
- Hunter Lawrence, Wesley Chapel, Fla., Honda (44)
- Seth Hammaker, Temecula, Calif., Kawasaki (44)
- Michael Mosiman, Minneaola, Fla., GASGAS (36)
- Vince Friese, Menifee, Calif., Honda (35)
- Garrett Marchbanks, Coalville, Utah, Yamaha (34)
- Jo Shimoda, Menifee, Calif., Kawasaki (32)
- Nate Thrasher, Livingston, Tenn., Yamaha (29)
- Robbie Wageman, Newhall, Calif., Yamaha (28)
- Chris Blose, Phoenix, Ariz., GASGAS (26)
Photo/Video Assets:
2022 Oakland Photo Gallery
450SX Class Highlights
Western Regional 250SX Class Highlights
For more information about the 2022 Supercross season and where to watch all the live coverage, visit SupercrossLIVE.com, the official website of Monster Energy Supercross, or follow via social channels:
- Facebook: facebook.com/supercrosslive
- Twitter: twitter.com/supercrosslive
- Instagram: instagram.com/supercrosslive
- YouTube: youtube.com/supercrosslive
- TikTok: tiktok.com/supercrossliveofficial
- Official Merch: SupercrossSuperstore.com
About Feld Entertainment, Inc.:
Feld Entertainment® is the worldwide leader in producing and presenting live touring family entertainment experiences that bring people together and uplift the human spirit. Properties include Monster Jam®, Monster Energy Supercross, Disney On Ice, Disney Live!, Marvel Universe LIVE!, Sesame Street Live!, Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey, Jurassic World Live Tour and DreamWorks Trolls The Experience. Across the brand portfolio, Feld Entertainment has entertained millions of families in more than 75 countries and on six continents. Visit feldentertainment.com for more information.
About Monster Energy Supercross:
Monster Energy AMA Supercross is the most competitive and highest-profile off-road motorcycle racing championship on the planet. Founded in America and sanctioned by the American Motorcyclist Association (AMA) since 1974. Over 17 weeks and a million-dollar All-Star Race, Supercross attracts some of the largest and most impressive crowds inside the most recognizable and prestigious stadiums in North America to race in front of nearly one million live fans and broadcast to millions more worldwide. For more information, visit SupercrossLIVE.com.
About the American Motorcyclist Association:
Founded in 1924, the AMA is a not-for-profit member-based association whose mission is to promote the motorcycle lifestyle and protect the future of motorcycling. As the world’s largest motorcycling rights and event sanctioning organization, the AMA advocates for riders’ interests at all levels of government and sanctions thousands of competition and recreational events every year. The AMA also provides money-saving discounts on products and services for its members. Through the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame in Pickerington, Ohio, the AMA honors the heroes and heritage of motorcycling. For more information, visit americanmotorcyclist.com.
Source: Feld Entertainment, Inc.
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