The 2022 Monster Energy AMA Supercross series kicked off Saturday night with Team Honda HRC’s Ken Roczen grabbing his fourth season opener win in the 450SX Class inside a sold-out Angel Stadium.
Report and Images by Supercross Live
Defending champion Red Bull KTM’s Cooper Webb charged hard for a second place finish amid the screaming of 45,050 race fans. Troy Lee Designs Red Bull GASGAS Factory Racing’s Justin Barcia, who was in line for a record-breaking fourth-straight season opener victory, put in a smart and fast ride to fill out the podium with third. In the Western Regional 250SX Class, Monster Energy Star Racing Yamaha’s Christian Craig turned a good race start into a great start to his season with his first win inside the stadium in which he grew up watching Monster Energy Supercross from the stands.
The 2022 Monster Energy AMA Supercross series kicked off Saturday night with Team Honda HRC’s Ken Roczen grabbing his fourth season opener win in the 450SX Class inside a sold-out Angel Stadium. Defending champion Red Bull KTM’s Cooper Webb charged hard for a second place finish amid the screaming of 45,050 race fans. Troy Lee Designs Red Bull GASGAS Factory Racing’s Justin Barcia, who was in line for a record-breaking fourth-straight season opener victory, put in a smart and fast ride to fill out the podium with third. In the Western Regional 250SX Class, Monster Energy Star Racing Yamaha’s Christian Craig turned a good race start into a great start to his season with his first win inside the stadium in which he grew up watching Monster Energy Supercross from the stands.
Monster Energy Pro Circuit Kawasaki’s Seth Hammaker grabbed the Western Regional 250SX Class Main Event holeshot but Smartop Bullfrog Spas MotoConcepts Honda’s Vince Friese pushed past into the lead early. Christian Craig moved quickly from fourth to second, then made the move into the front spot less than four minutes into the 15-minute plus one lap race. On the fifth lap Hammaker got past Friese with Muc-Off FXR ClubMX’s Garrett Marchbanks right behind. Marchbanks applied pressure for the spot, but it was Team Honda HRC’s Hunter Lawrence who put in the final attack for the spot with contact in the final corner. It was not enough to take the position. Other title favorites Troy Lee Designs Red Bull GASGAS Factory Racing’s Michael Mosiman and Monster Energy Pro Circuit Kawasaki’s Jo Shimoda ran into trouble early but showed speed climbing through the pack that indicates they’ll be battling for wins in the coming rounds.
The 17-round 2022 Monster Energy AMA Supercross series lines up the racers every Saturday night with only one break in April for the holiday weekend. Round two invades RingCentral Coliseum in Oakland, California on January 15th. Tickets are available now to attend one of the exciting, family-friendly, day-long events. Every race is aired live on the Peacock app, with showings also airing on NBC, CNBC, and USA Network. For tickets, videos, photos, race results, and event information please go to SupercrossLIVE.com.
450SX Class Results
1. Ken Roczen, Clermont, Fla., Honda
2. Cooper Webb, Newport, N.C., KTM
3. Justin Barcia, Greenville, Fla., GASGAS
4. Marvin Musquin, Corona, Calif., KTM
5. Chase Sexton, Clermont, Fla., Honda
6. Eli Tomac, Cortez, Colo., Yamaha
7. Malcolm Stewart, Murrieta, Calif., Husqvarna
8. Joey Savatgy, Clermont, Fla., KTM
9. Aaron Plessinger, Leesburg, Fla., KTM
10. Jason Anderson, Rio Rancho, N.Mex., Kawasaki
450SX Class Championship Standings
1. Ken Roczen, Clermont, Fla., Honda (26)
2. Cooper Webb, Newport, N.C., KTM (23)
3. Justin Barcia, Greenville, Fla., GASGAS (21)
4. Marvin Musquin, Corona, Calif., KTM (19)
5. Chase Sexton, Clermont, Fla., Honda (18)
6. Eli Tomac, Cortez, Colo., Yamaha (17)
7. Malcolm Stewart, Murrieta, Calif., Husqvarna (16)
8. Joey Savatgy, Clermont, Fla., KTM (15)
9. Aaron Plessinger, Leesburg, Fla., KTM (14)
10. Jason Anderson, Rio Rancho, N.Mex., Kawasaki (13)
Western Regional 250SX Class Results
1. Christian Craig, Temecula, Calif., Yamaha
2. Seth Hammaker, Temecula, Calif., Kawasaki
3. Hunter Lawrence, Wesley Chapel, Fla., Honda
4. Garrett Marchbanks, Coalville, Utah, Yamaha
5. Vince Friese, Menifee, Calif., Honda
6. Michael Mosiman, Minneaola, Fla., GASGAS
7. Jo Shimoda, Menifee, Calif., Kawasaki
8. Robbie Wageman, Newhall, Calif., Yamaha
9. Dominique Thury, Scheenberg, GER, Yamaha
10. Carson Mumford, Simi Valley, Calif., Suzuki
Western Regional 250SX Class Championship Standings
1. Christian Craig, Temecula, Calif., Yamaha (26)
2. Seth Hammaker, Temecula, Calif., Kawasaki (23)
3. Hunter Lawrence, Wesley Chapel, Fla., Honda (21)
4. Garrett Marchbanks, Coalville, Utah, Yamaha (19)
5. Vince Friese, Menifee, Calif., Honda (18)
6. Michael Mosiman, Minneaola, Fla., GASGAS (17)
7. Jo Shimoda, Menifee, Calif., Kawasaki (16)
8. Robbie Wageman, Newhall, Calif., Yamaha (15)
9. Dominique Thury, Scheenberg, GER, Yamaha (14)
10. Carson Mumford, Simi Valley, Calif., Suzuki (13)
