Sexton Reclaims 450 Class Point Lead with Dominant Effort. Shimoda Prevails Again In 250 Class.
The 50th Anniversary of the Lucas Oil Pro Motocross Championship, sanctioned by AMA Pro Racing, returned east to one of its most storied venues to kick off the stretch run of this landmark season as Central New York’s iconic Unadilla MX welcomed the world’s best riders for the Parts Unlimited Unadilla National. The ninth round of the summer featured arguably the toughest racetrack of the season, with rough and highly technical conditions that became a true test of every rider’s prowess.
450 Class
The tight battle for the 450 Class title took another dramatic turn at Unadilla as Team Honda HRC’s Chase Sexton has reclaimed control of the championship and put the momentum back into his favor. The Illinois native enjoyed one of the most dominant outings of his career in which he caught and passed entering point leader and Monster Energy Star Yamaha Racing rider Eli Tomac in each moto to post a 1-1 sweep and reclaim hold of the red plate.
Sexton’s second 1-1 sweep of the summer brought him his third victory of the season and his second in a row. It’s the fifth win of his career. Tomac (2-2) settled for the runner-up spot, while Anderson (3-3) completed the overall podium.
The winning effort vaulted Sexton back atop the championship standings, where he reclaimed his hold of the red plate with a one-point edge over Tomac with three rounds and six motos remaining. Anderson further strengthened his hold of third, 84 points out of the lead.
Chase Sexton, Team Honda HRC
“It was an awesome day. I struggled this morning in qualifying but we made some bike changes that worked out really well. This track really suited my style and I just couldn’t be happier with how the day went. I’m having an awesome summer and I’m so happy on my bike. I just want this to keep going.”
Eli Tomac, Monster Energy Star Yamaha Racing
“I did what I could. Chase [Sexton] was just really strong today. This was a big improvement for me here [at Unadilla]. I haven’t had the best results in the past, but Chase was just riding so well. We’ll take second and try to come out stronger next weekend.”
Jason Anderson, Monster Energy Kawasaki
“After you get third enough times this step of the podium can kind of feel like a bummer. I’m happy to be up here and I feel like I’m making progress, but those guys in front of me are just ripping right now.”
450 Class Overall Results (Moto Finish // Points)
- Chase Sexton, La Moille, Ill., Honda (1-1 // 50)
- Eli Tomac, Cortez, Colo., Yamaha (2-2 // 44)
- Jason Anderson, Edgewood, N.M., Kawasaki (3-3 // 40)
- Aaron Plessinger, Hamilton, Ohio, KTM (7-4 // 32)
- Ryan Dungey, Belle Plaine, Minn., KTM (6-6 // 30)
- Ken Roczen, Germany, Honda (5-7 // 30)
- Dylan Ferrandis, France, Yamaha (4-10 // 29)
- Justin Barcia, Monroe, N.Y., GASGAS (10-5 // 27)
- Joey Savatgy, Thomasville, Ga., Kawasaki (9-8 // 25)
- Christian Craig, El Cajon, Calif., Yamaha (11-9 // 22)
450 Class Championship Standings (Round 9 of 12)
- Chase Sexton, La Moille, Ill., Honda – 409
- Eli Tomac, Cortez, Colo., Yamaha – 408
- Jason Anderson, Edgewood, N.M., Kawasaki – 325
- Ken Roczen, Germany, Honda – 304
- Christian Craig, El Cajon, Calif., Yamaha – 273
- Ryan Dungey, Belle Plaine, Minn., KTM – 266
- Justin Barcia, Monroe, N.Y., GASGAS – 246
- Aaron Plessinger, Hamilton, Ohio, KTM – 230
- Joey Savatgy, Thomasville, Ga., Kawasaki – 191
- Shane McElrath, Canton, N.C., Husqvarna – 165
250 Class
The wildest and most unpredictable afternoon of racing of the season thus far saw Shimoda prevail with his second victory of the season and of his career following 1-3 finishes. Cooper’s dominant second moto landed him in the runner-up spot (5-1), while Hunter Lawrence edged out his brother for the final spot on the overall podium in third (2-5).
Despite missing out on the overall podium for just the second time this season in fourth (7-2), Jett Lawrence lost just two points to his brother in the championship battle. A total of 26 points now separates the siblings with six motos remaining, as Shimoda sits 40 points behind in third.
Jo Shimoda, Monster Energy/Pro Circuit/Kawasaki
“I judged where I was at and knew I was in the overall position [for the win]. I just wanted to keep fighting and finish the [second] moto strong. I ended up tipping over and made it harder on myself, but I’m really happy with this result.”
Justin Cooper, Monster Energy Star Yamaha Racing
“I can’t be too disappointed, but I wanted to go 1-1 here today. I’ve never won here [at my home race] and really wanted to, but we rebounded in the second moto and rode the way I know I can. I’m feeling more and more like myself as the season goes on.”
Hunter Lawrence, Team Honda HRC
“It was a rough situation. I kept thinking it was something with the engine [in Moto 2] but the motor never stopped, so it must have been something with the brake. I’m bummed because I feel like I had an overall win in me today.”
250 Class Overall Results (Moto Finishes // Points)
- Jo Shimoda, Japan, Kawasaki (1-3 // 45)
- Justin Cooper, Cold Spring Harbor, N.Y., Yamaha (5-1 // 41)
- Hunter Lawrence, Australia, Honda (2-5 // 38)
- Jett Lawrence, Australia, Honda (7-2 // 36)
- RJ Hampshire, Hudson, Fla., Husqvarna (2-8 // 33)
- Max Vohland, Sacramento, Calif., KTM (6-6 // 30)
- Nick Romano, Bayside, N.Y., Yamaha (4-9 // 30)
- Cameron McAdoo, Sioux City, Iowa, Kawasaki (11-4 // 28)
- Nate Thrasher, Livingston, Tenn., Yamaha (10-7 // 25)
- Pierce Brown, Sandy, Utah, GASGAS (9-10 // 23)
250 Class Championship Standings (Round 9 of 12)
- Jett Lawrence, Australia, Honda – 391
- Hunter Lawrence, Australia, Honda – 365
- Jo Shimoda, Japan, Kawasaki – 351
- Justin Cooper, Cold Spring Harbor, N.Y., Yamaha – 316
- RJ Hampshire, Hudson, Fla., Husqvarna – 227
- Max Vohland, Sacramento, Calif., KTM – 222
- Seth Hammaker, Bainbridge, Pa., Kawasaki – 207
- Levi Kitchen, Washougal, Wash., Yamaha – 180
- Michael Mosiman, Sebastopol, Calif., GASGAS – 169
- Stilez Robertson, Bakersfield, Calif., Husqvarna – 169
- Nate Thrasher, Livingston, Tenn., Yamaha – 169