Supercross/Pro Motocross

Moto | Monster Energy Supercross: Denver – A Title Clinched for Tomac

May 3, 2022
News Wire

Eli Tomac Crowned 2022 Supercross Champion

Second Title Makes Tomac Oldest Champion in Sport’s History

Jason Anderson wins three in a row

Nothing beats the comfort of home.

Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing’s Eli Tomac earned his second Monster Energy AMA Supercross Championship in front of a home-state crowd inside Empower Field at Mile High Stadium in Denver, Colo. Tomac’s fifth place finish at round 16 of the 17-round series gave the 29-year old racer the distinction of becoming the oldest rider to capture the Supercross Championship in the sport’s 49-year history.

This title has to be that much sweeter to win in front of a wildly pro-Tomac crowd as his first title in 2020, was won in the bubble with no fans present.

450SX Class

When the gate dropped Team Honda HRC’s Chase Sexton grabbed the holehot with Tomac applying pressure to take over from the first lap. Troy Lee Designs Red Bull GASGAS Factory Racing’s Justin Barcia sat third at the holeshot stripe but it was Anderson on the move, gaining quickly from sixth to third before the first lap was in the books. Two minutes into the 20-minute plus one lap race Sexton’s front tire went over a ledge that ran across the start straight. He spun sideways, grabbed traction, then ran into the mechanic’s area barriers and went down.

Tomac suddenly had the lead. The stadium erupted. The Colorado fans cheered, section by section, as Colorado-native Tomac circled the track at the front of the pack. Anderson continued his momentum forward and was quickly on Tomac and pressuring hard for the top spot. Anderson sat as the only rider with a mathematical shot at the title if Tomac finished fifteenth or worse. Anderson rode around Tomac cleanly before the whoops and Tomac did not counter attack. Just before the race’s midpoint, Anderson was unchallenged out front as Stewart reached Tomac’s rear fender and also got past.

“I could hear the crowd each and every lap,” said Tomac. “This place (Denver) has such a great fanbase and it is awesome to be able to win this one here. To be a champion after making such a big move and change teams in the off season is a dream come true. We have come together as a team and made smart moves throughout the season to put us in the absolute best position we could and it paid off.”

Tomac joined the Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing team just prior to the 2022 season in a move that proved successful for both rider and brand. Tomac’s seven race wins thus far in the 2022 series that spans 13 states elevated the Yamaha rider to a tie for fourth place on the all-time wins list. Prior to this season, Yamaha had only amassed two wins between the years 2013 through 2021. Tomac’s #1 plate marks the first premier class championship for Yamaha since 2009.

250SX Class

In the Western Regional 250SX Class, Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing’s Christian Craig sat in position to wrap up his first Supercross title with a win or by gaining three points over Hunter Lawrence. When the gate dropped for the Main Event, Lawrence grabbed the holeshot ahead of Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing’s Jalek Swoll and Craig. Craig was quickly into second place and up to Lawrence’s rear fender. From the first laps Craig applied intense pressure, showing a wheel to Lawrence in more than one section of the track. Craig looked to have the speed, and a line in the whoops that would deliver the championship. Lawrence had said before the race he enjoys the pressure, and he proved his ability to keep his composure as he maintained his sliver-thin lead.

It was Craig who fumbled. Just before the race clock hit the ten minute mark in the 15-minute plus one lap race, Craig slid out on the take-off into the sand section. He dramatically looped as he fell off the bike when he landed. The crash dropped Craig to sixth place as Hunter held a comfortable lead over Troy Lee Designs Red Bull GASGAS Factory Racing’s Michael Mosiman. Craig was on the move on the slick, hard-packed track. With just over two minutes left on the clock he passed Monster Energy Pro Circuit Kawasaki’s Jo Shimoda to keep his podium streak alive for 2022.

Craig goes into the final round in Salt Lake City with an 18 point lead. To complicate the championship-deciding race it will be the second Dave Coombs Sr. East/West Showdown of the year, and Hunter Lawrence’s younger brother Jett will be on the track as the championship is settled between Craig and Hunter Lawrence. Jett already has his title locked up, so will we see Jett play defense for his brother to secure an all Lawrence championship?

Watch to find out. Tickets are on sale for the season finale at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City, Utah. For the full points standings, video highlights, feature stories, live airtimes on Peacock and CNBC, and the re-airing broadcast time on NBC please go to SupercrossLIVE.com.

Full Results

450SX Class Results

  1. Jason Anderson, Rio Rancho, N.Mex., Kawasaki
  2. Malcolm Stewart, Murrieta, Calif., Husqvarna
  3. Marvin Musquin, Corona, Calif., KTM
  4. Chase Sexton, Clermont, Fla., Honda
  5. Eli Tomac, Cortez, Colo., Yamaha
  6. Cooper Webb, Newport, N.C., KTM
  7. Justin Barcia, Greenville, Fla., GASGAS
  8. Justin Brayton, Charlotte, N.C., Honda
  9. Mitchell Oldenburg, Aledo, Tex., Honda
  10. Kyle Chisholm, Valrico, Fla., Yamaha

450SX Class Championship Standings

  1. Eli Tomac, Cortez, Colo., Yamaha (359)
  2. Jason Anderson, Rio Rancho, N.Mex., Kawasaki (324)
  3. Malcolm Stewart, Murrieta, Calif., Husqvarna (295)
  4. Justin Barcia, Greenville, Fla., GASGAS (291)
  5. Marvin Musquin, Corona, Calif., KTM (287)
  6. Chase Sexton, Clermont, Fla., Honda (269)
  7. Cooper Webb, Newport, N.C., KTM (261)
  8. Brandon Hartranft, Brick, N.J., Suzuki (163)
  9. Justin Brayton, Charlotte, N.C., Honda (160)
  10. Dean Wilson, Murrieta, Calif., Husqvarna (152)

Western Regional 250SX Class Results

  1. Hunter Lawrence, Wesley Chapel, Fla., Honda
  2. Michael Mosiman, Minneaola, Fla., GASGAS
  3. Christian Craig, Temecula, Calif., Yamaha
  4. Jo Shimoda, Menifee, Calif., Kawasaki
  5. Garrett Marchbanks, Coalville, Utah, Yamaha
  6. Vince Friese, Menifee, Calif., Honda
  7. Chris Blose, Phoenix, Ariz., GASGAS
  8. Robbie Wageman, Newhall, Calif., Yamaha
  9. Nate Thrasher, Livingston, Tenn., Yamaha
  10. Jalek Swoll, Clermont, Fla., Husqvarna

Western Regional 250SX Class Championship Standings

  1. Christian Craig, Temecula, Calif., Yamaha (215)
  2. Hunter Lawrence, Wesley Chapel, Fla., Honda (197)
  3. Michael Mosiman, Minneaola, Fla., GASGAS (181)
  4. Vince Friese, Menifee, Calif., Honda (144)
  5. Jo Shimoda, Menifee, Calif., Kawasaki (144)
  6. Nate Thrasher, Livingston, Tenn., Yamaha (126)
  7. Garrett Marchbanks, Coalville, Utah, Yamaha (117)
  8. Robbie Wageman, Newhall, Calif., Yamaha (109)
  9. Chris Blose, Phoenix, Ariz., GASGAS (106)
  10. Jalek Swoll, Clermont, Fla., Husqvarna (93)