2022 Atlanta Supercross Recap
Atlanta Motor Speedway has now fully cemented itself as the go-to venue for Supercross in the Peach state over the Mercedes Dome in violence stricken and traffic plagued downtown Atlanta, playing host to some of the most exciting racing action for the second year.
Emerging on the schedule a year ago with fantastic results, Atlanta Motor Speedway with a stretched track layout, similar to Daytona, delivered not only in the Main Event but produced some fine competition in the Heat races for Round 14 of the 2022 Monster Energy Supercross season.
In the 450 class, it was the Jason Anderson and Eli Tomac show as the two doubled down in their Heat race in a fierce display of dominance leaving the field behind and Tomac nearly on the ground with seconds left on the clock. Coming out of the over-under Tomac somehow held on to one of the most violent tank slappers you'll ever see before regaining his traction and returning to action for the final lap. Another near washout finally forced him to ease up on the throttle and settle for second as lights out Anderson rode to the win.
In the Main, the two points leaders finished 1-2 again with far less excitement but enabled by a host of crashes that took down the early leaders. Chase Sexton crashed while leading with about 15 minutes remaining allowing Anderson and Justin Barcia by. Barcia tipped over on a turn with about 13 minutes remaining dropping him to third behind Cooper Webb. Tomac initially looked a bit too casual in his stride but worked his way into third and with less than six minutes left he passed Webb for second. By then though, Anderson had an eight second lead and an easy road for his fourth win of the season.
Tomac retains a more than two-race lead over Anderson in the standings so a win next week in Foxborough clinches the 2022 Supercross title two rounds early. Anderson's win gives him a 15 point cushion over Barcia, who finished sixth, for second-place in the standings. Sexton charged back for third after his crash and the reigning Champion Webb, who sat out the last round to nurse some injuries, took fourth.
2022 Supercross 450 Class Standings after Round 14
- Eli Tomac - 325
- Jason Anderson - 272
- Justin Barcia - 257
- Malcolm Stewart - 253
- Marvin Musquin - 245
The 250 class featured the first East/West showdown of the year with the Lawrence brothers taking on Christian Craig and the return of Austin Forkner. Heat races run by the coast, but the Main combines both classes and points given by finish.
In the 250 East Heat race, points leader Jett Lawrence went down in the first turn but quickly worked his way into a qualifying fifth-place. Forkner took the win in his first race back since a midair collision with Lawrence at Arlington. Craig won the West Heat race remaining perfect on the year.
In the Main, West rider Jo Shimoda grabbed the holeshot and enjoyed the lead for three laps until Hunter Lawrence got by then mostly checked out for the win which helps him keep pace with points leader Craig in the West. Craig finished second and holds a 23 point lead over Lawrence with two rounds remaining. A win in Denver in two weeks secures the 250 West title for Craig.
The biggest action on the track came from Jett Lawrence who went down while running in third with about 13 minutes left. He feverishly fought his way from 15th to fourth then played a little cat and mouse with Shimoda to get into third and on to the podium with his brother.
2022 Supercross 250 East Class Standings after Round 7
- Jett Lawrence - 169
- RJ Hampshire - 122
- Cameron Mcadoo - 114
- Pierce Brown - 107
- Mitchell Oldenburg - 103
2022 Supercross 250 West Class Standings after Round 8
- Christian Craig - 194
- Hunter Lawrence - 171
- Michael Mosiman - 158
- Vince Friese - 127/li>
- Jo Shimoda - 125
The MotoSport Sponsored Muc-Off / FXR / ClubMX Team
Alex Martin finished a season best 12th but in the 250 class Phil Nicoletti crashed in the East Heat race and broke his arm. Garrett Marchbanks, Enzo Lopes and Jace Owen finished 14th, 15th and 17th respectively.
Supercross stays east with Round 15 at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, MA.
2022 Atlanta Supercross
