2024 Denver Supercross Photo Gallery

2024 Denver Supercross Recap

The second to last round of the 2024 Monster Energy Supercross season gave Jett Lawrence reason to begin dusting off his mantel and Jo Shimoda reason to celebrate as both took the victory in their respective classes on Saturday at Mile High Stadium (yes, I'm aware it's no longer called this) in Denver.

In the 450 class, Jett Lawrence politely slipped past his brother Hunter Lawrence, who took the Holeshot and led half the race, to take his eighth win of the season and extend his points lead over Cooper Webb to 20. The Lawrence brothers missed out on a chance to make a little history had Hunter held his lead and made it the first time two brothers won in the premier class.

But with Jason Anderson creeping up on Jett Lawrence about halfway through the race, Jett, seemingly following his older brother and perhaps urging him forward to not have to pass and giving him the win, finally pulled ahead with about 10 minutes remaining on an easy pass and led the rest of the way without opposition.

"I was screaming in my helmet the first lap, when it was him and I out front. I was so pumped. He was riding awesome," Lawrence said. "It's so awesome to go one-two in the 450 class. It's the top of the class. It's also an accomplishment for our family. Excited for the last round. Hopefully we can repeat it."

Unless something drastic happens like Lawrence rupturing his Achilles in the opening laps of the final round (not like that's ever happened - at least on the last round!), he will lift the 2024 450 class Supercross Championship trophy as a rookie on Saturday in Salt Lake City. Webb, the lone survivor with chance at the title, finished fifth while nursing a thumb injury sustained in Round 9 after a collision with, of all people, Lawrence.

Despite the runner-up position, Hunter Lawrence had his best night as a 450 class rookie finishing second. He did not seem put-off being passed by his brother commenting that the Championship is not about him and he will help his brother in anyway. The elder Lawrence sits in ninth for the season, tied in points with Justin Barcia.

"I'll get that win soon enough," he said.

Elsewhere, Eli Tomac did not avenge his season ending injury last year in Denver resulting in him losing the 2023 title. He looked good at the start, running third but crashed in a corner coming off a jump, dropped to eighth and finished 10th, tying his worst result of the season. It was revealed later he injured his thumb in that crash. Tomac announced last week plans to race the entire Motocross season. Defending Champion Chase Sexton hit the dirt a couple of times ruining any chance of a podium and overtaking Tomac for third in the standings instead tying him as the two enter the final round with a chance to stand on the Championship podium in third. Jason Anderson continues a late season surge with another third-place. In his last four races he's finished 4-4-3-3.

Soon enough, however, came for Jo Shimoda in the 250 West class. Prophecy Update: Two weeks ago it was mentioned that Shimoda was on a trajectory of winning the final two rounds thanks to 4-4-3-3-2-2 finishes in his last six races. Well, he won and quite easily, grabbing the Holeshot and checking out with little competition until the final lap.

Levi Kitchen, returning, seemingly, unscathed from a brutal crash two weeks ago that ended the season for his teammate Cameron Mcadoo when the two came together, trailed in second for much of the race until he turned on the gas burners and began to close the distance on the last lap, after time expired. A little too late but made it somewhat of a nail-biter as less than a second separated Kitchen and Shimoda at the checkers. Shimoda won for the first time since the 16th round in 2021 and became the fifth winner in nine rounds of the 250 West class.

"I know its late in the season, I get it, but I'm just stoked to win," Shimoda said.

Kitchen rode with his left boot unbuckled for much of the race but whether it affected him or not, holding on to second moves him into a tie with RJ Hampshire heading into the final round. Hampshire finished third after a wide open throttle ride that nearly sent him to the floor but ultimately gave him the passes he needed to get on the podium.

The 2024 Supercross wraps on Saturday at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City. The 250 class meets in the second East / West Showdown. Tom Vialle holds a commanding 15 point lead over Haiden Deegan in the East.