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The Honda racer goes 1st/1st to win the 450 class at the opening round of the 50th anniversary of the Lucas Oil AMA Pro Motocross Championship; Monster’s Christian Craig (450s) & Jo Shimoda (250s) also make the podium
CORONA, CA – May 30, 2022 – (Motor Sports NewsWire) – Putting up the day’s fastest lap times, both in qualifying and racing, and running virtually mistake-free through two grueling motos, Monster Energy’s Chase Sexton (Honda) out-dueled his teammate, veteran two-time champion Ken Roczen, to capture Saturday’s top honors in the premier 450cc class at Fox Raceway in Pala, Calif., Round One of the 2022 Lucas Oil AMA Pro Motocross Championship, presented by Monster Energy.
Sexton, coming off a successful sophomore season racing the 450 class in Monster Energy AMA Supercross, was absolutely dominant with his path to victory at the rugged track located on the Pala Indian Reservation in San Diego County. Sexton not only swept the two main event motos, he also was the fastest in the qualifying round and had the fastest lap time in the second and deciding moto with a blistering 2:17.742.
“Man, it was a dream day for me,” said Sexton. “All supercross season I wanted to be fast qualifier, win a heat race and win the main. I couldn’t do that… until today. And I think it’s harder to do it outdoors.”
Also making the 450 class podium at Fox Raceway, fresh off his Western Supercross (WSX) 250 championship, was Christian Craig (Monster Energy/Star Racing/Yamaha). Craig would place 3rd with a strong and consistent 3-3 finish in the two-moto format. Sexton and Craig led a Monster Energy 450 class contingent that featured four racers placing in the top six overall, including Eli Tomac (Monster Energy/Star Racing/Yamaha) in 4th place (7-4) and Jason Anderson (Monster Energy/Kawasaki) in 6th place (4-8).
And in 250cc class racing, Jo Shimoda (Monster Energy/Pro Circuit/Kawasaki) would be Monster’s lone podium placer, running 4-3 for 3rd overall.
450 class podium Christian Craig (left) and Chase Sexton (middle)
Here’s a look at what went down at Fox Raceway, beginning with the 450 class.
450 Moto 1 – Jason Anderson (Monster Energy/Kawasaki)
Defending Lucas Oil AMA Pro Motocross Championship 450 class overall winner Dylan Ferrandis (Monster Energy/Star Racing/Yamaha) announced right before race weekend that he’d injured his thumb in a practice crash at Fox Raceway earlier in the week and required surgery. And add to this the fact that newly-signed Joey Savatgy (Monster Energy/Kawasaki), who was set to fill in for injured Adam Cianciarulo (knee), announced that he (Savatgy) would sit out the opening round to allow his injured knee some more time to heal, Monster Energy would be represented by only four racers in Fox Raceway’s premier class – Sexton, Craig, Tomac and Anderson.
“Absolutely heartbreaking to lose Dylan right before the start of the season,” said Monster Energy/Star Racing/Yamaha team manager Jeremy Coker. “But we’re here with two other great racers – Eli (Tomac) and Christian (Craig).”
Out of the gate it’d be Tomac leading the Monster Energy charge, running in 3rd place through the tight Turn One, with Sexton right on his rear fender. … Shane McElrath (Husqvarna) would quickly wedge himself between Tomac, who’d moved up to 2nd, and Sexton. … By the end of lap one Sexton would catch and pass McElrath, then setting his site on 2nd place Tomac. … A blistering fast 2:16 lap five for Sexton would allow him to get past Tomac and in to 2nd place, with Roczen a few seconds out front in the lead. … Three laps after getting past Tomac, at the moto’s halfway point (lap eight), Sexton would make contact with Roczen, though both racers managed to stay upright. Said race announcer Rick Johnson of Sexton’s aggressive approach onto Roczen: “That’s an alpha male right there.” … A few moments later Sexton would out-jump Roczen off a tabletop obstacle, taking a slight lead into the ensuing corner, then making the past stick. … Craig, who’d been battling Aaron Plessinger (KTM) for 5th and 6th place, turned on the power as the moto entered the latter laps, passing two former 450 class champions – Ryan Dungey (KTM) and Tomac – to reach the 3rd place podium position in the contest. … Monster Energy/Kawasaki’s Anderson would draw the attention of Pala race fans on the last couple laps when he charged from back in the pack, racing all the way up to 5th place, then passing Dungey late for a well-deserved 4th, just behind Craig in 3rd with Sexton winning.
Said Sexton: “That’s what good rides are made of. Didn’t get that great of a start, but Ken (Roczen) and I had a good battle there. Overall just feeling the flow and having fun.”
Added Craig: “I had to pass Dungey – twice, then Jason (Anderson) caught me there at the end, too.”
450 Moto 2 – Christian Craig (Monster Energy/Star Racing/Yamaha)
Moto 1 winner Sexton pulled a Monster holeshot, grabbing 1st place and the early race lead. … The start wasn’t as kind to Anderson, who was hit from behind and forced to the ground by Justin Barcia (Gas Gas). … Leading, Sexton’s lone mistake on the afternoon (where he was thisclose to going down), would be just enough to let Roczen bye and into the lead. … Sexton collected himself and was back onto Roczen quickly, staying within striking range and studying the former champ’s lines though the first half of the 16-lap moto. … A couple turns after Sexton’s mistake, Craig would catch – and pass – former MXGP champion Antonio Cairoli for 4th place. … At the nine-lap mark, with roughly 11 minutes plus two laps to go in the 30 minute plus two laps moto, Sexton flew past Roczen and into the lead off the finish line jump, over-jumping to the flat section of the track and holding on to make the pass stick. … With Craig now in 3rd place, Tomac would show some of his best speed late in the second moto, pressuring Craig for the remainder of the contest. … Sexton would roll the power on late, clocking a moto-best 2:17.7 and putting space between himself and Roczen for the Moto 2 win, the overall 1-1 finish and second career win at Pala (2020). … Craig would hold on to 3rd in Moto 2, going in impressive 3-3 on the day for 3rd overall, followed by Tomac in 4th in Moto 2 and Anderson, who fought back off the ground for 8th in Moto 2 and a well-earned 6th overall (4-8).
Said announcer Johnson of Sexton’s effort: “He’s 22 years old, a two-time 250 supercross champion and has the size and style that lends itself to the 450s.”
Added Craig: “Battling with my teammate, Eli (Tomac), that entire moto. So proud and so thankful to have this moment.”
250 Moto 1 – Seth Hammaker (Monster Energy/Pro Circuit/Kawasaki)
Monster Energy/Pro Circuit/Kawasaki’s Seth Hammaker would lead all 250 class racers in the preliminary events at Fox Raceway, qualifying No. 1 despite an opening qualifying session get together with former 250 champ Justin Cooper (Monster Energy/Star Racing/Yamaha).
Cooper, who pulled an impressive 11 holeshots in the 2021 MX Nationals season, would pull the opening Moto 1 holeshot from the inside, with Hammaker coming out of the first turn in 3rd place. … “This is what Cooper needed, coming off an injury, missing the entire supercross season. And now he’s up front with clean air. Just what the doctor ordered,” said race announcer Jeremy McGrath. … Austin Forkner (Monster Energy/Pro Circuit/Kawasaki) would pull a good start, coming out of the opening lap in 6th place before moving up to 5th on lap 3. … With only five weeks of practice on the YZ250F, Cooper would lead the season’s opening 250 moto for four laps before surrendering the lead to Jett Lawrence (Honda). … Hammaker would hold onto 3rd place through lap eight before getting passed by Hunter Lawrence (Honda). … Shimoda, who started in 10th place, would up his game and turn on the speed later in the contest, passing top racers and climbing in the order – all the way up to 4th place by the final lap (16). … Same went for rookie Levi Kitchen (Monster Energy/Star Racing/Yamaha), who started in 9th place and stayed on the gas to finish and impressive 5th. … And Forkner would battle strong late into the contest as well, placing 6th.
Said announcer Johnson on Cooper’s effort: “Cooper’s 100-percent at Pala is not what his 100-percent was at Hangtown (Calif.) last year where he went 1-1.”
250 Moto 2 – Nick Romano (Monster Energy/Star Racing/Yamaha)
Out of nowhere Monster Energy/Star Racing/Yamaha rookie racer Nick Romano, in his first pro race (second pro moto), pulls the holeshot and leads the 250 class through the opening lap! … Hammaker also yanks another great start, in only his third MX National, coming out in 4th, with Shimoda getting a better start in Moto 2 (5th). … As Romano remained in podium position through lap four, Forkner moved up to 7th (from 9th) and Nate Thrasher (Monster Energy/Star Racing/Yamaha) moved into the top ten (10th). … At the halfway point Shimoda was flying, and would get past Michael Mosiman (Gas Gas) for 2nd place. … Hammaker would then get past Romano, railing an outside line around a corner and out-jumping the rookie racer for 5th place. … An excellent battle between Shimoda and Hunter Lawrence late in the contest would favor Lawrence for 2nd, with Shimoda making the podium in 3rd place – and securing 3rd place overall (4-3). … Added McGrath on the great Shimoda/Hunter Lawrence battle: “You’re barely able to hold onto your handlebars and you have to put in the day’s fastest laps (in Moto 2).”
Said Shimoda: “I’ve been working hard for this, going in the right direction. Hopefully I can do this again next week. And let’s have a fun summer!”
Overall 2022 Lucas Oil AMA Pro Motocross Championship, presented by Monster Energy, Points (Round 1 of 12)
450 class
Chase Sexton
1st – Sexton
3rd – Craig
4th – Tomac
6th – Anderson
250 class
Jo Shimoda
3rd – Jo Shimoda
6th – Austin Forkner
7th – Seth Hammaker
8th – Levi Kitchen
12th – Justin Cooper
13th – Nate Thrasher
Up Next
The Lucas Oil AMA Pro Motocross Championship, presented by Monster Energy, heads up the I-5 to Prairie City, Calif., for the annual running of the Hangtown MX National, Saturday, June 4th. For more information visit www.promotocross.com
About Monster Energy
Based in Corona, California, Monster Energy is the leading marketer of energy drinks and alternative beverages. Refusing to acknowledge the traditional, Monster Energy supports the scene and sport. Whether motocross, off-road, NASCAR, MMA, BMX, surf, snowboard, ski, skateboard, or the rock and roll lifestyle, Monster Energy is a brand that believes in authenticity and the core of what its sports, athletes and musicians represent. More than a drink, it’s the way of life lived by athletes, sports, bands, believers and fans. See more about Monster Energy including all of its drinks at www.monsterenergy.com
Source: Monster Energy Company
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