2022 Southwick Motocross Recap
Neither loam, blue groove, hard pack or sand stays Eli Tomac from the swift completion of his appointed rounds.
Yep, Eli Tomac delivered again.
The 2022 Lucas Oil Prom Motocross Championship season hit the midway point on Saturday at the sand pit in Southwick, MA and Tomac displayed little trouble in taking the Round 6 win, his third straight overall.
Even bad starts don't seem to phase him anymore as they used to. Tomac started outside the Top 5 in Moto 1 and worked his way to the lead, getting by Christian Craig via air cargo, well before the race was half over. He led by more than 10 seconds before dialing it back and taking the checkers. Moto 2 was more of the same, but arguably even better.
Funny thing though. He still doesn't have the points lead. His primary competition in Chase Sexton holds a tight grip on the Red Plate, as he has since his opening round victory, and though it sure seemed like Saturday was the day for the leadership swap, Sexton, also arguably, rode just as well, or at least as well as he could have to fight his way into second-place for both Motos and limit the points damage to minus 6. Sexton remains in first place but now just a point in front of Tomac who has five straight Moto wins countered by five straight runners-up by Sexton.
Tomac has seven Moto wins on the season; Sexton three. Tomac started the year in fourth, 18 points back of Sexton. But Round 1 feels like a series ago and at this rate if all goes well with Tomac in his first Outdoor season on his new Yamaha dirt bike and new team, Tomac just might double the points Sexton had over him at the start - to end the season - if Sexton can keep up.
Elsewhere, Aaron Plessinger (7-3) got on the podium for the first time this season; Ken Roczen (6-4) grabbed both MotoSport.com Holeshots, but was unable to hold off the charging Tomac and Sexton, leading in both races ultimately surrendering several positions to finish fourth and missing the overall podium by just a point. In fact, third through seventh place was determined by just two points. Christian Craig (3-8) who led a third of Moto 1, rounded out the Top 5 tied with Roczen in points, while Max Anstie (5-5) and Ryan Dungey (4-7) finished sixth and seventh, respectively, also tied in points.
2022 Motocross 450 Class Standings after Round 6
- Chase Sexton - 268
- Eli Tomac - 267
- Ken Roczen - 227
- Jason Anderson - 207
- Ryan Dungey - 185
In the 250 class, Jett Lawrence experienced no bike malfunctions this week and easily took both wins and rocketed back to first in the standings. Easily, though, may be relative as he hit the sand twice in Moto 1, the second time a decent toss and as he got up was nicked by at least one passing rider. But he still led all laps in both Motos except one.
Lawrence has won all rounds this season apart from the previous week at High Point thanks to the bike failure that ended a sure winning ride in Moto 1. As a result, he dropped to second place in the standings behind his brother Hunter Lawrence, but what a difference a working bike makes because he now boasts a 16 point lead as Hunter (6-8) finished a season worst seventh overall at Southwick.
Joe Shimoda (2-3) followed his first career victory with a second overall and closed to within 22 points of Hunter Lawrence in the standings. Justin Cooper (3-4) took third overall. Levi Kitchen (8-2), who battled briefly with Jett Lawrence for the lead in Moto 2, took fourth overall and RJ Hampshire (4-5) took fifth overall.
2022 Supercross 250 Class Standings after Round 6
- Jett Lawrence - 261
- Hunter Lawrence - 246
- Jo Shimoda - 224
- Justin Cooper - 197
- Levi Kitchen - 180
The MotoSport Sponsored Muc-Off / FXR / ClubMX Team
Alex Martin announced his retirement at season's end last week took 14th overall on a (14-11) day. We're all quite upset. Garrett Marchbanks (14-39) finished 17th overall.
Milllllvilllle! Or is it Spriiiiing Creeek? Is next. Round 7. Saturday. Minnesota. Be there.
2022 Southwick Motocross
