2022 Unadilla Motocross Recap

Looks like we have a legit title chase.

Chase Sexton put the brakes on Eli Tomac's Championship winning ways with a convincing sweep of Round 9 of the 2022 Lucas Oil Pro Motocross Championship series and pulled back into the points lead by one.

Sexton carried the Red Plate through Round 6 after his season opening win but his lead slowly shrank as Tomac won eight straight Motos to grab the lead at Round 7. Sexton looked destined to settle for runner-up to Tomac finishing second in those eight Motos but got the overall at Washougal on the tie-breaker but simply dominated Saturday at Unadilla.

Sexton worked his way up from sixth after the first lap in Moto 1 and blew past Tomac a little more than midway through the race and pulled away to win by nearly 13 seconds. The second race was even more dominating as Tomac grabbed the MotoSport.com Holeshot but after four laps Sexton again blew past and won this one by almost 16 seconds. The final three rounds of the season have the potential of an epic Championship battle as Tomac and Sexton have either finished first or second in the last 12 Motos.

Jason Anderson finished third overall for the third straight round and now holds a 21 point lead over Ken Roczen for third in the standings. Reigning Champion Dylan Ferrandis raced for the first time this year after needing surgery prior to the start of the season. He grabbed the Holeshot in Moto 1 and went (4-10) on the day for seventh overall.

2022 Motocross 450 Class Standings after Round 9

  1. Chase Sexton - 409
  2. Eli Tomac - 408
  3. Jason Anderson - 325
  4. Ken Roczen - 304
  5. Christian Craig - 273

In the 250 class, Jo Shimoda (1-3) got his second overall of the season thanks to a well-raced first Moto as much of his competition seemed unable to keep it on two wheels.

Justin Cooper (5-1), who is trying to prove himself worthy of a spot on Team USA for Motocross of Nations next month, grabbed the MotoSport.com Holeshot in Moto 1, pulled away then threw it away. A slight sidewinder that tossed him off the bike but he managed to rebound for fifth then fully proved himself in Moto 2 with another holeshot and fully checked out for the win and second overall.

Series leader Jett Lawrence (7-2) had his worst outing since a mechanical issue at RedBud left him with a DNF in Moto 1. This time around he finished both Motos but hit the dirt twice in the first race including a gnarly toss he was lucky to not only walk away from but get back on the bike. He made a race of it for Moto 2 finishing second for fourth overall.

Lawrence still holds a strong 26 point lead in the Championship standings over his brother Hunter who went (2-5) on the day. In the second Moto, it was his turn for a mechanical though it didn't keep him from finishing. At one point, Hunter (2-5) even went off the track but managed to settle for fifth and third overall.

2022 Supercross 250 Class Standings after Round 9

  1. Jett Lawrence - 391
  2. Hunter Lawrence - 365
  3. Jo Shimoda - 351
  4. Justin Cooper - 316
  5. RJ Hampshire - 227

The MotoSport Sponsored Muc-Off / FXR / ClubMX Team

Alex Martin (13-11) continues to enjoy a retirement announcement boost finishing 11th overall just ahead of Garrett Marchbanks (8-17) who took 12th overall. Newly acquired free agent Shane McElrath (16-18) took 17th overall.

Motocross heads to Mechanicsville, MD for Round 10 at Budds Creek.

2022 Unadilla Motocross