AMA Supercross/Motocross

【AMA-MX 2022 Season Review】Sexton runner-up following fierce title fight

【AMA-MX 2022 Season Review】Sexton runner-up following fierce title fight

The 24-race / 12-round 2022 AMA Pro Motocross Championship kicked off on May 30, three weeks after the Supercross season ended. For Team Honda HRC, Ken Roczen and Chase Sexton raced in the 450MX class, and the Lawrence brothers Jett and Hunter represented the team in the 250MX class, a mirror image of the Supercross rider lineup  entrusted with the CRF450R / CRF250R.

Team Honda HRC’s 450MX dominates season-opener, Sexton takes the early lead

In the season opener at Fox Raceway, Team Honda HRC’s two riders suited in CR-CRF series 50th anniversary commemorative colors, were in full swing. Sexton won both Moto 1 and Moto 2, while Roczen finished second in both races. Roczen, second in Moto 1 was 15 seconds ahead of third place, and nearly 30 seconds in Moto 2. The team’s 1-2 results were the perfect start to the season.


Sexton and Roczen 1-2 in the opening round at Fox Raceway
Sexton and Roczen 1-2 in the opening round at Fox Raceway

In Round 2, Hangtown, Sexton finished second overall, and Roczen won in Round 3, Thunder Valley, keeping the top two spots in the standings within the team. Sexton was second in rounds 4 to 6, giving Supercross Champion Eli Tomac (Yamaha) the chance to catch up with three consecutive wins. His lead down to a single point, Sexton kicked into high gear to take on the title challenge with Tomac.

Seesawing the title race

In Round 7, Spring Creek, Sexton let Tomac  score a double win, and lost the top spot in the championship standings. In Round 8, Washougal, he contained the damage with a Moto 2 win, and then took a double win in Round 9, Unadilla to regain the top spot.


Case Sexton in Round 9, Unadilla
Case Sexton in Round 9, Unadilla

Going into the final three rounds of the season, Sexton had a one-point lead. In Round 10 Moto 1 at Budds Creek, Sexton suffered two crashes and fell back to 29th at one point, but he fought back hard to finish seventh. He won Moto 2 but finished fourth overall, again losing his one-point lead to Tomac, who was second overall (1-5). In the 11th round, Ironman, Tomac won Moto 1 and Sexton was second in Moto 2. The two teams remained one point apart heading into the final round.


Chase Sexton in Round 11, Ironman
Chase Sexton in Round 11, Ironman

Fox Raceway, where Sexton dominated in the opening round, was also the stage for the season finale. In Moto 1, Sexton took the holeshot with Tomac close behind. The two riders powered ahead of the field, locked in a battle all on their own, but Tomac was victorious thanks to his better handling of the backmarkers. In Moto 2, Sexton charged back to second place after three falls, but could not take the lead from Tomac. Despite narrowly missing out on the title, Sexton had a breakthrough year with four overall victories and eight moto wins.

Roczen finished the season fourth overall, with a Round 3 win and a third-place podium finish in Round 10, and was a consistent contender for the top spots throughout the season.


Ken Roczen in Round 3, Thunder Valley
Ken Roczen in Round 3, Thunder Valley

Jett Lawrence Repeats as 250MX Champion

In the season opener, Lawrence scored a perfect win, while teammate Hunter Lawrence was second and second, mirroring the perfect start to the season in the 450MX class. The brothers continued to battle for points, with Hunter taking the lead in Round 5, but Jett ‘s double win in the next round gave him the overall lead. From there, the two brothers held onto the lead, with Jett winning nine rounds to clinch back-to-back championships. Hunter finished the season in third place with three moto wins.


Jett Lawrence in Round 12, Fox Raceway 2
Jett Lawrence in Round 12, Fox Raceway 2

450MX - Standings

Rank No. Rider Constr. Pts.
1 3 Eli Tomac Yamaha 546
2 23 Chase Sexton Honda 539
3 21 Jason Anderson Kawasaki 440
4 94 Ken Roczen Honda 394
5 28 Christian Craig Yamaha 373
6 5 Ryan Dungey KTM 359
21 65 Grant Harlan Honda 47
23 34 Max Anstie Honda 45
27 837 Bryson Gardner Honda 23
28 140 Cullin Park Honda 23
33 63 Jeremy Hand Honda 14
43 682 Izaih Clark Honda 2
46 78 Cade Clason Honda 2
48 429 Justin Jones Honda 1


250MX - Standings

Rank No. Rider Constr. Pts.
1 1 Jett Lawrence Honda 525
2 30 Jo Shimoda Kawasaki 480
3 96 Hunter Lawrence Honda 468
4 32 Justin Cooper Yamaha 415
5 49 R.J. Hampshire Husqvarna 346
6 36 Maximus Vohland KTM 303
32 194 Lance Kobusch Honda 18
37 832 Chance Hymas Honda 11