2022 Fox Raceway Pala National Motocross Results

Personal News Cycle | May 28, 2022

It was an all-Honda spectacle at Fox Raceway in Pala, Calif. for the opening round of the 2022 Lucas Oil AMA Pro Motocross Championship, as the Red Riders crushed their competition in the 450MX and 250MX classes. Its four factory riders occupied the first two steps of the podium, not only in the general classification, but also in the motorcycles.

In the 450MX class, Chase Sexton and Ken Roczen went 1-2 in both motos, with Sexton taking the overall win ahead of his veteran teammate. Aboard retro-styled CRF450RWE, with blue seats, gold rims and vintage 1980s graphics to celebrate 50 years of the company^e motocross racing season, Sexton and Roczen let the rest of the field down as they gave up moto wins. Both motos went the same way, with Roczen jumping into the early heads for Sexton to catch and pass him later for the double wins. Even after being passed, Roczen held on and still hid in case Sexton made a mistake, but Sexton rode perfectly all day.

Monster Energy Star Racing Yamaha’s Christian Craig was the second best rider in both motos, going 3-3 on the day to take the overall podium, but Craig was well behind both Hondas at the finish line in both motos, about 15 seconds behind Roczen in moto one and almost 30 seconds in moto two. Still, it was an impressive ride for veteran and current 250SX West Supercross champion Craig.

Craig’s teammate Eli Tomac finished fourth overall, despite falling off the pace in the first moto after getting off to a promising start. Tomac bounced back in the second run, rolling hard to the end despite his kicked knee, putting pressure on Craig on the ladies. His 7-4 gave the former 450MX champion fourth place overall.

The feel-good story of the day was Ryan Dungey who finished in the top five overall after a five-year hiatus. His last outdoor MX race was six years ago, and the former champion has certainly proven that he hasn’t lost much speed. Dungey, looking like the Dungey of yore, got into third place in both motos (second for a brief moment at the start of moto two) and finished fifth overall with a pair of fifths. His goal was to finish in the top five, so mission accomplished. He admitted he was off the pace but “…had to start somewhere.” Overall, however, he was satisfied and excited with his performance. Don’t be surprised if he runs all summer. (His original plan was to only ride a few of the early laps.)

Dungey’s teammate and former world champion Antonio Cairoli, who also came out of retirement, albeit short, rode well, going 10-6 for seventh overall.

It was a tough day for the Monster Energy Kawasaki team. Joey Savatgy retired before motos with a knee injury and Jason Anderson, who topped many people’s list as a possible winner today, had to battle in both motos after making starts terrible, including a rollover at turn two. Anderson, however, rode well all day, coming from the bottom of the field to go 4-8 for sixth place overall.

Aaron Plessinger (6-10), Justin Barcia (8-9) and Shane McElrath (11-7) round out the top 10 overall.

In the 250MX class, the peloton is going to have to rethink its game plan after seeing defending champion Jett Lawrence go off in the distance in both motos. Lawrence never went wrong on the ornate and tricky track at Fox Raceway and looked like he was in a class of his own en route to a 1-1 sweep.

The only rider even remotely close to him was his older brother and Honda HRC teammate Hunter Lawrence, who went 2-2 but had to work a bit along the way, especially in moto two when he had to overtake a Stubborn Jo Shimoda (Monster Energy/Pro Circuit/Kawasaki) late in moto two to end the perfect day for Honda HRC.

Shimoda completed the 250MX podium with a 4-3.

After finishing third in the first moto, Rockstar Energy Husqvarna’s RJ Hampshire missed his opportunity for the overall podium after getting off to a poor start in moto two. A 3-9 gave him fourth place overall.

TLD/Red Bull/GasGas’ Michael Mosiman (9-4) rounded out the top five overall.

Number one qualifier Seth Hammaker went 8-5 for seventh overall, ahead of Levi Kitchen, Pierce Brown and Stilez Robertson.

2022 Lucas Oil AMA Pro Motocross Championship

Round 1

Fox Tour

Pala, California

Results (May 28, 2022)

450MX in total (Top 10)

1.	sacristan hunting	(honored)	1-1
2.	Ken Roczen	(honored)	2-2
3.	Christian Craig	(Yam)	3-3
4.	Eli Tomac	(Yam)	7-4
5.	Ryan Dungey	(KTM)	5-5
6.	Jason Anderson	(kaw)	4-8
seven.	Antonio Cairoli	(KTM)	10-6
8.	Aaron Plessinger	(KTM)	6-10
9.	Justin Barcia	(GG)	8-9
ten.	Shane McElrath	(Hus)	11-7

250MX in total (Top 10)

1.	Jett Laurent	(honored)	1-1
2.	Laurent hunter	(honored)	2-2
3	Jo Shimoda	(kaw)	4-3
4.	JR Hampshire	(Hus)	3-9
5.	Michael Mosiman	(GG)	9-4
6.	Austin Forker	(kaw)	6-6
seven.	Seth Hammaker	(kaw)	8-5
8.	Kitchen Levi	(Yam)	5-8
9.	Brown Pierce	(GG)	7-7
ten.	Stilez Robertson	(Hus)	10-11

450MX POINT STANDINGS (After 1 of 12 rounds)

1.	sacristan hunting	(honored)	Victory 50/1
2.	Ken Roczen	(honored)	44
3.	Christian Craig	(Yam)	40
4.	Eli Tomac	(Yam)	32
5.	Ryan Dungey	(KTM)	32
6.	Jason Anderson	(kaw)	31
seven.	Antonio Cairoli	(KTM)	26
8.	Aaron Plessinger	(KTM)	26
9.	Justin Barcia	(GG)	25
ten.	Shane McElrath	(Hus)	24

250MX POINTS STANDING (After 1 of 12 rounds)

1.	Jett Laurent	(honored)	Victory 50/1
2.	Laurent hunter	(honored)	44
3	Jo Shimoda	(kaw)	38
4.	JR Hampshire	(Hus)	32
5.	Michael Mosiman	(GG)	30
6.	Austin Forker	(kaw)	30
seven.	Seth Hammaker	(kaw)	29
8.	Kitchen Levi	(Yam)	29
9.	Brown Pierce	(GG)	28
ten.	Stilez Robertson	(Hus)	21

QUALIFICATION

The 2022 Fox Raceway AMA Pro motocross is officially underway, with Team Honda’s Chase Sexton and Ken Roczen lighting up the standings with the top two spots after 450MX qualifying. In the 250MX class, Monster Energy/Pro Circuit/Kawasaki’s Seth Hammaker leads the way.

In cool, overcast conditions, Sexton was clearly the fastest rider of the morning, as he dominated both 450MX qualifying sessions and capped things off by setting the fastest single lap of the morning at the end of the Q2 with a time of 2:12.333, which is almost a second faster than the second best runner, Sexton’s teammate Roczen (2:12.120).

Former champion Eli Tomac quickly adapted to the track setting the third fastest time with a 2:13.831, followed by Jason Anderson and former MX World Champion Antonio Cairoli (2:14.384).

Ryan Dungey finished seventh with a time of 2:15.021.

Hammaker flies in the 250MX class. His best time in Q1 held up all morning and enters the motos as the top qualifier in the 250MX class.

Honda’s Hunter Lawrence finished second overall, followed closely by RJ Hampshire, Jett Lawrence and Cameron McAdoo. Justin Cooper, back from injury, finished sixth.

The big news from Game 1 is that defending 450MX champ Dylan Ferrandis won’t be racing today, nor will Kawasaki’s Joey Savatgy. As reported yesterday, Ferrandis injured his thumb on Tuesday. It turns out that he tore a ligament in the neck and will have to undergo surgery. As for Savatgy, his troublesome knee reacts and he won’t run. NC

2022 Lucas Oil AMA Pro Motocross Championship

Round 1

Fox Tour

Pala, California

Results (May 28, 2022)

QUALIFICATION

450MX Combined Qualifiers (Top 10)

1.	sacristan hunting	(honored)	2:12.333
2.	Ken Roczen	(honored)	2:13.121
3.	Eli Tomac	(Yam)	2:13.831
4.	Jason Anderson	(kaw)	2:13.976
5.	Antonio Cairoli	(KTM)	2:14.384
6.	Christian Craig	(Yam)	2:14.523
seven.	Ryan Dungey	(KTM)	2:15.021
8.	Justin Barcia	(GG)	2:15.883
9.	Garrett Marchbanks	(Yam)	2:15.913
ten.	Benny Bless	(KTM)	2:16.267

250MX Combined Qualifiers (Top 10)

1.	Seth Hammaker	(kaw)	2:13.063
2.	Laurent hunter	(honored)	2:13.380
3.	RJ Hampshire	(Hus)	2:13.599
4.	Jett Laurent	(honored)	2:14.055
5.	Cameron McAdoo	(kaw)	2:14.821
6.	justin cooper	(Yam)	2:14.887
seven.	Michael Mosiman	(GG)	2:15.061
8.	Kitchen Levi	(Yam)	2:15.146
9.	Jo Shimoda	(kaw)	2:14.413
ten.	Austin Forker	(kaw)	2:15.441

2022 Lucas Oil AMA Pro Motocross Calendar