【AMA-SX 2022 Season Review】Sexton first win in class, sixth overall with eight podiums

Honda's factory team, Team Honda HRC, continued to field Ken Roczen and Chase Sexton in the 450SX class, and Australian brothers Hunter Lawrence in the West Series, and Jet Lawrence in the East Series, continued to represent the team in the 250SX class. Riders were armed with 2022 model CRF450R / CRF250R bikes in their respective classes.

Roczen wins season opener, but health problems make season tough

The season opener was held on January 8 in Anaheim. Roczen’s lack of preparation was a concern, following his illness in December, but he took the lead as the race started, with Sexton in second place. Sexton fell back due to a crash, but Roczen was able to extend his lead to win. Roczen's season was seemly off to a good start, overcoming health concerns and taking his fourth win at Anaheim.

A crash in Round 2, Oakland, however, dropped him out of contention, finishing 13th. He was unable to fight for a win in the following races, his best result since Round 2 being fifth overall in the triple-header Round 5 in Glendale. To improve his physical condition, he had to withdraw from Round 10, Detroit, and missed the rest of the season.

Sexton's breakthrough in his second season

Sexton, on the other hand, made great strides in the first half of the season. 2022 would be his vindication, after finishing 12th in the 2021 standings in his 450SX class debut, partly due to an injury that sidelined him. In Round 3, San Diego, Sexton took an early lead to ride a perfect race to take his first win in the class. He followed up with third place podium finishes in rounds 4 (Anaheim 2) and 5 (Glendale), and was second in the point standings. Sexton had a series of races where he missed points, but at Round 9, Daytona, he returned to the podium in third place, and finished the season fifth.

In Round 10, Detroit with teammate Roczen out of action, solo team rider Sexton crashed and retired. He had suffered some bruises, but was able to finish fourth in the following round in Indianapolis. He was forced to sit out Round 12, Seattle, due to a crash in qualifying, but in the triple-header Round 13, St. Louis, he won Race 1 and finished second overall with a first, third, and third. After an chaotic start to the second half of the season, Sexton found his true rhythm, finishing third in Round 14, Atlanta and second in Round 15,  Foxborough. In Round 16, Sexton came from behind after a crash to finish in fourth place, keeping his strong performance up.

Sexton, who finished second in the final round in Salt Lake City, had three podium finishes in 2021. 2022 was a big improvement with eight podiums including one win, finishing the season in sixth place.

J. Lawrence wins 250SX East Series, H. Lawrence second overall in West Series

The 250SX class is divided into the East and West regions. Jet, the younger of the Lawrence brothers, was initially planning to race in the West Series, and Hunter, the elder brother, in the East. Due to Jet’s pre-season rib injury, the brothers swapped places at the last minute.

Despite his racing season starting a month earlier than planned, Hunter was on the podium in the first four rounds, winning Round 5 in Glendale, placing him in contention with Christian Craig (Yamaha) for the title. The early stages of the season went smoothly, but a crash in Round 6, Anaheim 3, ensured Craig was further ahead at the season’s midpoint. Although Hunter nearly caught up in the second half of the season after winning three consecutive rounds, he was still 10 points short. Other than a Round 6 retirement which was a setback, Hunter was able to finish on the podium in every other round to take second place for the year.

In the East Series which kicked off with Round 7 in Minneapolis, Jet was outstanding. After winning the opening round, Jet staged three straight victories from Round 3. His lead unchallenged, Jet was secured his first Supercross title in Round 8 (Round 15) at Foxboro. Despite missing the final round due to an injury sustained in Qualifying, he finished on the podium in all eight rounds he raced in, winning four.

450SX - Standings

250SX East - Standings

250SX West - Standings

Race Reports

Rd.01 Anaheim 1：Flawless Win for Roczen to Start 2022 AMA Supercross Season
Rd.02 Oakland：Second-Place Finish for Hunter Lawrence at Oakland AMA Supercross
Rd.03 San Diego：Sexton Scores Career-First AMA 450SX Win at San Diego Supercross
Rd.04 Anaheim 2：Podium Finishes for Sexton, Lawrence at Anaheim 2 AMA Supercross
Rd.05 Glendale：Lawrence Takes 250SX Overall Win at Glendale’s Triple Crown
Rd.06 Anaheim 3：Challenging Night for Team Honda HRC at Anaheim 3 Supercross
Rd.07 Minneapolis：Jett Lawrence Begins 250SX East Series With a Flawless Win
Rd.08 Arlington：Podium for Lawrence on Difficult Evening for Team Honda at Arlington SX
Rd.09 Daytona：Second Win in Three Races for Lawrence at Daytona
Rd.10 Detroit：Lawrence Extends 250SX East Points Lead with Detroit Win
Rd.11 Indianapolis：Indianapolis Delivers Lawrence Fourth 250SX East Win in Five Races
Rd.12 Seattle：Hunter Lawrence Takes 250SX West Win at Seattle Supercross
Rd.13 St. Louis：Twin Second-Overall Finishes for Team Honda HRC at St. Louis Triple Crown Supercross
Rd.14 Atlanta：Lawrence Brothers First and Third at Atlanta East-West Showdown
Rd.15 Foxborough：Jett Lawrence Clinches AMA Supercross 250SX East Championship
Rd.16 Denver：Perfect Day for Hunter Lawrence at Denver 250SX West Supercross
Rd.17 Salt Lake City：Second-Place Finishes for Chase Sexton, Hunter Lawrence at Salt Lake City SX Finale