Rookie Jett Lawrence wins 450 Supercross debut race
Jett Lawrence (18) celebrates after taking the checkered flag to win the 450SX Main Event during round 1 of the Monster Energy AMA Supercross Championship at Angel Stadium of Anaheim on Saturday, Jan. 6, 2024. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)
Jett Lawrence (18) celebrates with a crew member after winning the 450SX Main Event during round 1 of the Monster Energy AMA Supercross Championship at Angel Stadium of Anaheim on Saturday, Jan. 6, 2024. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)
Jett Lawrence (18) leads the field into turn one during the 450SX Main Event during round 1 of the Monster Energy AMA Supercross Championship at Angel Stadium of Anaheim on Saturday, Jan. 6, 2024. Lawrence went on to win the event. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)
450SX rider Justin Barcia rides through the bumps in the first practice session during round 1 of the Monster Energy AMA Supercross Championship at Angel Stadium of Anaheim on Saturday, Jan. 6, 2024. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)
450SX rider Jorge Prado rides through the sand section in the first practice session during round 1 of the Monster Energy AMA Supercross Championship at Angel Stadium of Anaheim on Saturday, Jan. 6, 2024. The 23-year old, from Spain, has won the 2018, 2019 MX2 Championships and the 2023 MXGP Championship and will race in the first 3 races of the AMA Supercross series this season. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)
450SX rider Jorge Prado leaves the track following the first practice session during round 1 of the Monster Energy AMA Supercross Championship at Angel Stadium of Anaheim on Saturday, Jan. 6, 2024. The 23-year old, from Spain, has won the 2018, 2019 MX2 Championships and the 2023 MXGP Championship and will race in the first 3 races of the AMA Supercross series this season. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)
450SX rider Chase Sexton rides through the bumps in the first practice session during round 1 of the Monster Energy AMA Supercross Championship at Angel Stadium of Anaheim on Saturday, Jan. 6, 2024. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)
450SX rider Jett Lawrence rides through the sand section in the first practice session during round 1 of the Monster Energy AMA Supercross Championship at Angel Stadium of Anaheim on Saturday, Jan. 6, 2024. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)
450SX rider Adam Cianciarulo rides through the sand section in the first practice session during round 1 of the Monster Energy AMA Supercross Championship at Angel Stadium of Anaheim on Saturday, Jan. 6, 2024. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)
450SX rider Christian Craig kicks up dirt as he takes a jump in the first practice session during round 1 of the Monster Energy AMA Supercross Championship at Angel Stadium of Anaheim on Saturday, Jan. 6, 2024. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)
450SX rider Jorge Prado rides through the sand section in the first practice session during round 1 of the Monster Energy AMA Supercross Championship at Angel Stadium of Anaheim on Saturday, Jan. 6, 2024. The 23-year old, from Spain, has won the 2018, 2019 MX2 Championships and the 2023 MXGP Championship and will race in the first 3 races of the AMA Supercross series this season. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)
450SX rider Jorge Prado rides through the sand section in the first practice session during round 1 of the Monster Energy AMA Supercross Championship at Angel Stadium of Anaheim on Saturday, Jan. 6, 2024. The 23-year old, from Spain, has won the 2018, 2019 MX2 Championships and the 2023 MXGP Championship and will race in the first 3 races of the AMA Supercross series this season. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)
450SX rider Jorge Prado takes a jump in the first qualifying session during round 1 of the Monster Energy AMA Supercross Championship at Angel Stadium of Anaheim on Saturday, Jan. 6, 2024. The 23-year old, from Spain, has won the 2018, 2019 MX2 Championships and the 2023 MXGP Championship and will race in the first 3 races of the AMA Supercross series this season. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)
450SX rider Malcolm Stewart takes a jump in the first of 2 qualifying sessions during round 1 of the Monster Energy AMA Supercross Championship at Angel Stadium of Anaheim on Saturday, Jan. 6, 2024. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)
450SX rider Brandon Marley takes a jump in the first of 2 qualifying sessions during round 1 of the Monster Energy AMA Supercross Championship at Angel Stadium of Anaheim on Saturday, Jan. 6, 2024. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)
A 450SX rider takes a jump in the first of 2 qualifying sessions during round 1 of the Monster Energy AMA Supercross Championship at Angel Stadium of Anaheim on Saturday, Jan. 6, 2024. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)
A course worker watches as a 450SX rider takes a jump in the first of 2 qualifying sessions during round 1 of the Monster Energy AMA Supercross Championship at Angel Stadium of Anaheim on Saturday, Jan. 6, 2024. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)
Young KTM Junior rider Hudson Henderson, from Murrieta, waits for his turn to compete during round 1 of the Monster Energy AMA Supercross Championship at Angel Stadium of Anaheim on Saturday, Jan. 6, 2024. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)
450SX rider Jorge Prado rides through the sand in the first qualifying session during round 1 of the Monster Energy AMA Supercross Championship at Angel Stadium of Anaheim on Saturday, Jan. 6, 2024. The 23-year old, from Spain, has won the 2018, 2019 MX2 Championships and the 2023 MXGP Championship and will race in the first 3 races of the AMA Supercross series this season. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)
450SX rider Ken Roczen takes a jump in the first of 2 qualifying sessions during round 1 of the Monster Energy AMA Supercross Championship at Angel Stadium of Anaheim on Saturday, Jan. 6, 2024. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)
Young KTM Junior riders sit on a rock as they wait their turn to compete during round 1 of the Monster Energy AMA Supercross Championship at Angel Stadium of Anaheim on Saturday, Jan. 6, 2024. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)
450SX rider Cooper Webb takes a jump in the first of 2 qualifying sessions during round 1 of the Monster Energy AMA Supercross Championship at Angel Stadium of Anaheim on Saturday, Jan. 6, 2024. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)
450SX rider Jorge Prado rides back to the pits following the first qualifying session during round 1 of the Monster Energy AMA Supercross Championship at Angel Stadium of Anaheim on Saturday, Jan. 6, 2024. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)
450SX rider Eli Tomac (3) leads the field into turn one in the final qualifying sessions during round 1 of the Monster Energy AMA Supercross Championship at Angel Stadium of Anaheim on Saturday, Jan. 6, 2024. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)
450SX rider Jett Lawrence races to the top qualifying position in the final session during round 1 of the Monster Energy AMA Supercross Championship at Angel Stadium of Anaheim on Saturday, Jan. 6, 2024. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)
450SX rider Eli Tomac (3) leads the field into turn one in the final qualifying sessions during round 1 of the Monster Energy AMA Supercross Championship at Angel Stadium of Anaheim on Saturday, Jan. 6, 2024. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)
450SX rider Benny Bloss takes a jump in the final qualifying sessions during round 1 of the Monster Energy AMA Supercross Championship at Angel Stadium of Anaheim on Saturday, Jan. 6, 2024. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)
450SX rider Cooper Webb (2) leads Jett Lawrence
(18) to take the heat win in the opening during round 1 of the Monster Energy AMA Supercross Championship at Angel Stadium of Anaheim on Saturday, Jan. 6, 2024. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)
250SX riders blast out of the starting gate during the opening heat race during round 1 of the Monster Energy AMA Supercross Championship at Angel Stadium of Anaheim on Saturday, Jan. 6, 2024. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)
450SX riders Jason Anderson (21), Dylan Ferrandis (21) and Adam Cianciarulo (9) battle for position in the opening heat races during round 1 of the Monster Energy AMA Supercross Championship at Angel Stadium of Anaheim on Saturday, Jan. 6, 2024. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)
450SX rider Ken Roczen (94) leads the field into turn one as racers crash behind him in the opening heat during round 1 of the Monster Energy AMA Supercross Championship at Angel Stadium of Anaheim on Saturday, Jan. 6, 2024. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)
450SX rider Cooper Webb (2) leads as he takes the heat win in the opening during round 1 of the Monster Energy AMA Supercross Championship at Angel Stadium of Anaheim on Saturday, Jan. 6, 2024. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)
450SX rider Cooper Webb (2) takes a jump as he leads one of the two heat races in the opening during round 1 of the Monster Energy AMA Supercross Championship at Angel Stadium of Anaheim on Saturday, Jan. 6, 2024. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)
450SX rider Ken Roczen (94) leads the field into turn one as defending series champion Chase Sexton crashes with other behind in the opening heat during round 1 of the Monster Energy AMA Supercross Championship at Angel Stadium of Anaheim on Saturday, Jan. 6, 2024. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)
450SX rider Ken Roczen (94) leads the field into turn one as defending series champion Chase Sexton crashes with other behind in the opening heat during round 1 of the Monster Energy AMA Supercross Championship at Angel Stadium of Anaheim on Saturday, Jan. 6, 2024. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)
A 450SX rider sits on the track with a leg injury in the opening heat race during round 1 of the Monster Energy AMA Supercross Championship at Angel Stadium of Anaheim on Saturday, Jan. 6, 2024. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)
450SX rider Ken Roczen (94) leads the field into turn one as racers crash behind him in the opening heat during round 1 of the Monster Energy AMA Supercross Championship at Angel Stadium of Anaheim on Saturday, Jan. 6, 2024. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)
450SX rider Ken Roczen (94) leads as he takes the heat win in the opening during round 1 of the Monster Energy AMA Supercross Championship at Angel Stadium of Anaheim on Saturday, Jan. 6, 2024. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)
450SX riders battle for position in one of the opening heat races during round 1 of the Monster Energy AMA Supercross Championship at Angel Stadium of Anaheim on Saturday, Jan. 6, 2024. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)
450SX rider Cooper Webb (2) takes a jump as he leads one of the two heat races in the opening during round 1 of the Monster Energy AMA Supercross Championship at Angel Stadium of Anaheim on Saturday, Jan. 6, 2024. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)
450SX rider Malcolm Stewart takes a jump in the opening heat races during round 1 of the Monster Energy AMA Supercross Championship at Angel Stadium of Anaheim on Saturday, Jan. 6, 2024. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)
450SX rider Cooper Webb (2) takes a jump as he leads one of the two heat races in the opening during round 1 of the Monster Energy AMA Supercross Championship at Angel Stadium of Anaheim on Saturday, Jan. 6, 2024. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)
Jett Lawrence (18) leads Jason Anderson (21) during the early laps of the 450SX Main Event during round 1 of the Monster Energy AMA Supercross Championship at Angel Stadium of Anaheim on Saturday, Jan. 6, 2024. Lawrence went on to win the event with Anderson finishing second. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)
Jett Lawrence (18) leads the field into turn one during the 450SX Main Event during round 1 of the Monster Energy AMA Supercross Championship at Angel Stadium of Anaheim on Saturday, Jan. 6, 2024. Lawrence went on to win the event. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)
Jett Lawrence (18) celebrates as he takes the checkered flag to win the 450SX Main Event during round 1 of the Monster Energy AMA Supercross Championship at Angel Stadium of Anaheim on Saturday, Jan. 6, 2024. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)
Jett Lawrence (18) celebrates after taking the checkered flag to win the 450SX Main Event during round 1 of the Monster Energy AMA Supercross Championship at Angel Stadium of Anaheim on Saturday, Jan. 6, 2024. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)
Jett Lawrence (18) rides through the sand during the 450SX Main Event during round 1 of the Monster Energy AMA Supercross Championship at Angel Stadium of Anaheim on Saturday, Jan. 6, 2024. Lawrence went on to win the event. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)
250SX Main Event winner Rj Hampshire (24) celebrates as he crosses the finish line during round 1 of the Monster Energy AMA Supercross Championship at Angel Stadium of Anaheim on Saturday, Jan. 6, 2024. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)
250SX riders blast out of the starting gate at the start of the Main Event during round 1 of the Monster Energy AMA Supercross Championship at Angel Stadium of Anaheim on Saturday, Jan. 6, 2024. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)
250SX Main Event winner Rj Hampshire (24) rides through the sand during round 1 of the Monster Energy AMA Supercross Championship at Angel Stadium of Anaheim on Saturday, Jan. 6, 2024. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)
A 250SX rider flies off the finish line jump in front of a sold out crowd during the Main Event at round 1 of the Monster Energy AMA Supercross Championship at Angel Stadium of Anaheim on Saturday, Jan. 6, 2024. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)
The smoke from dry ice rises out of a vendors goods during round 1 of the Monster Energy AMA Supercross Championship at Angel Stadium of Anaheim on Saturday, Jan. 6, 2024. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)
250SX Main Event winner Rj Hampshire (24) celebrates as he crosses the finish line during round 1 of the Monster Energy AMA Supercross Championship at Angel Stadium of Anaheim on Saturday, Jan. 6, 2024. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)
Jett Lawrence (18) celebrates after taking the checkered flag to win the 450SX Main Event during round 1 of the Monster Energy AMA Supercross Championship at Angel Stadium of Anaheim on Saturday, Jan. 6, 2024. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)
Jett Lawrence (18) celebrates with a crew member after winning the 450SX Main Event during round 1 of the Monster Energy AMA Supercross Championship at Angel Stadium of Anaheim on Saturday, Jan. 6, 2024. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)
Jett Lawrence (18) leads the field into turn one during the 450SX Main Event during round 1 of the Monster Energy AMA Supercross Championship at Angel Stadium of Anaheim on Saturday, Jan. 6, 2024. Lawrence went on to win the event. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)
ANAHEIM — Right now, no one can seem to stop Jett Lawrence. And he made history Saturday night at Angel Stadium.
Lawrence dominated the main event, leading all 20 laps on his factory Honda, to become the first rookie in AMA history to win his debut 450cc Supercross race.
Jason Anderson finished second on a Kawasaki 7.188 seconds behind, with Chase Sexton following in third in his inaugural race with the KTM factory team. Aaron Plessinger and Dylan Ferrandis completed the top five.
Last summer, Lawrence became just the third rider in history to post a perfect season, winning all 22 motos during the 11-race Outdoor Nationals season.
“The nerves were through the roof. It was going through my mind that you are actually here. This was no joke,” Lawrence said. “Once I got that start, I was like, ‘Go … go … go,’ and I was able to build a gap. It was an unreal achievement.”
While battling Anderson for second place on Lap 17, Cooper Webb flipped over his handlebars going over a tabletop jump. He got back on his bike and dropped to sixth place, where he finished.
“These guys are keeping me honest. Me and Coop got in a battle there,” Anderson said. “I am thankful for everything … thankful for Kawasaki, and I think if I can keep getting up there, I can get a win.”
Ken Roczen won his third 450cc heat race in a row dating to last season, cruising to a 4.412-second victory over Plessinger in the first six-lap qualifier. Malcom Stewart followed in third, with Eli Tomac and Dean Wilson rounding out the top 5.
Sexton’s title defense couldn’t have gotten off to a worse start. Hunter Lawrence, who was making his 450cc class debut, crashed in the first turn, taking out Sexton. That put Sexton in 17th place in the 22-bike field at the end of the first lap. But three laps later he was back in the top 10. He eventually finished sixth, more than 18 seconds behind Roczen to earn one of the nine transfer spots into the main event.
In the second heat, Jett Lawrence got the hole shot, but a few turns later Webb pushed him to the side to take the lead. Webb appeared to be headed to an easy victory until he made it to the whoops on the penultimate lap. Lawrence closed to with a few bike lengths of Webb, but just as he was about to make his move, Lawrence lost control of his Honda. He smashed face first into the dirt, allowing Webb to claim an easy victory and Anderson to speed past him into second.
Webb beat Anderson by 4.433 seconds, with Lawrence following in third 8.21 seconds behind.
Hunter Lawrence had to compete in the last-chance race to try and earn one of the final four places in the main event. But he finished fifth, failing to make a pass on Cade Clason for fourth in the final turn of the last lap.
Christian Craig made his return to the factory Husqvarna team on Saturday after a nasty crash in Glendale, Arizona left him with a dislocated hip, elbow and broken arm on his right side.
Craig said his elbow proved to be the biggest problem, requiring three surgeries to help it heal. His wife Paige and three children — Jagger, Lennon and Madden — played a key role in his recovery. Each day, he said they found a way to keep him busy, stalling any slide he might have had into some “dark places” if he would have been on his own.Even though he ranks among the older riders in the starting gate at 32, he said retirement was never a consideration.
“Yes, I am getting old, but I still have that fire burning,” he said. “I feel like I know when that time will come. Right now, I am focused and believe I am one of the top guys out there.”
Craig didn’t have lofty goals for his comeback Saturday, saying all he wanted to do was run consistently in the top 10.
He kind of met his goal. He finished seventh in his heat race, but he placed 20th in the main event.
Staying healthy has been a challenge for Craig. He retired in 2013 because of several serious injuries, but he returned to the sport in 2016. Last season, he jumped up to the 450cc with some lofty expectations after recording 16 250cc podiums during his career.
He finished in the top 10 in seven of his 450cc races before his crash.
“It (recovering from his crash) was a process. Every rider has to deal with ups and downs during their career,” he said. “The big thing is how you deal with them. Now, all I want to do is show my speed.”
RJ Hampshire dominated the 250cc main event, leading all but one of the 15 laps to win by 3.138 seconds on his Husqvarna. Jordan Smith finished second, followed by Levi Kitchen, Jo Shimoda and Maximus Vohland.
“I am so thankful to be on this team. I was so confident today,” Hampshire said. “We won A1, and I am stoked.”
