A runner-up finish for Australian Hunter Lawrence at Oakland’s round two of the AMA Supercross Championships puts the virtual rookie in a solid position as he chases the 250cc title.
In the second AMA Supercross 250SX West race of the 2022 season, Team Honda HRC rider Lawrence notched his second podium result, charging to a runner-up finish in Oakland, California.
Finding himself in fifth after the 250SX main-event start, the young Australian turned in an impressive performance, advancing to third by lap four.
With six minutes remaining, he and Seth Hammaker (Kawasaki) battled for second, with Lawrence securing the position right before the finish.
“Oakland wasn’t a bad night; we got second overall,” said Lawrence afterwards.
“Still, I’m definitely a bit frustrated. I had a few more laps than last weekend to work on Seth [Hammaker], and we had a good battle. He was riding really well in the beginning, so I had to keep just pushing through.
“My start wasn’t ideal, so we’re going to be working on that this week, but we’re fit and healthy. Next weekend we’re moving on to San Diego, so hopefully that will be a good race.”
NOTES
* Ken Roczen’s premier 450cc class AMA Supercross victory at round one of the series in Anaheim last week was the 20th of his career, moving him into a tie with Kawasaki stalwart Jeff Ward for 10th place on the all-time wins list.
* Roczen arrived at Oakland in style, taking a chartered jet with fellow racers Adam Cianciarulo (Kawasaki) and Eli Tomac (Yamaha).
* On Friday, SmarTop/Bullfrog Spas/MotoConcepts Honda rider Justin Brayton posted on social media that he had tested positive for COVID-19 and would therefore miss the Oakland round.
* Hunter Lawrence is enjoying his best start to a Supercross series, with a pair of podium finishes putting him in a tie for second in the 250SX West points standings.
In 2020 Lawrence only raced two indoors rounds, and last year saw him notch fifth- and sixth-place results at the first two 250SX West events, something that came back to haunt him as he only lost the title by 13 points. Lawrence now has five podiums in his first 13 career starts.
With two AMA Supercross rounds already in the books, the riders and teams head back to Southern California, as round three takes place Saturday (Sunday NZ time) at Petco Park in San Diego.
Photo courtesy Honda
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450 Round Results
- Jason Anderson (Kawasaki)
2. Aaron Plessinger (KTM)
3. Justin Barcia (GasGas)
4. Eli Tomac (Yamaha)
5. Malcolm Stewart (Husqvarna)
6. Dylan Ferrandis (Yamaha)
7. Cooper Webb (KTM)
8. Marvin Musquin (KTM)
9. Chase Sexton (Honda)
10. Dean Wilson (Husqvarna)
11. Joey Savatgy (KTM)
12. Adam Cianciarulo (Kawasaki)
13. Ken Roczen (Honda)
14. Shane McElrath (KTM)
15. Max Anstie (KTM)
16. Brandon Hartranft (Suzuki)
17. Alex Martin (Yamaha)
18. Kyle Chisholm (Yamaha)
19. Justin Starling (GasGas)
20. Josh Hill (KTM)
21. Joan Cros (Kawasaki)
22. Justin Bogle (Suzuki)
450 Standings After Round 2
- Justin Barcia 42
2. Jason Anderson 39
3. Cooper Webb 39
4. Aaron Plessinger 37
5. Ken Roczen 36
6. Eli Tomac 36
7. Marvin Musquin 34
8. Malcolm Stewart 34
9. Chase Sexton 32
10. Joey Savatgy 27
11. Dylan Ferrandis 24
12. Dean Wilson 24
13. Adam Cianciarulo 23
14. Max Anstie 17
15. Shane McElrath 14
16. Brandon Hartranft 13
17. Justin Brayton 10
18. Mitchell Oldenburg 8
19. Alex Martin 6
20. Justin Starling 6
250 Round Results
- Christian Craig (Yamaha)
2. Hunter Lawrence (Honda)
3. Seth Hammaker (Kawasaki)
4. Michael Mosiman (GasGas)
5. Nate Thrasher (Yamaha)
6. Vince Friese (Honda)
7. Jo Shimoda (Kawasaki)
8. Garrett Marchbanks (Yamaha)
9. Chris Blose (GasGas)
10. Robbie Wageman (Yamaha)
11. Dilan Schwartz (Suzuki)
12. Cole Thompson (Yamaha)
13. Carson Brown (KTM)
14. Carson Mumford (Suzuki)
15. Devin Harriman (KTM)
16. Ryan Surratt (Yamaha)
17. Logan Karnow (Kawasaki)
18. Hunter Schlosser (Yamaha)
19. Dylan Woodcock (Husqvarna)
20. Dominique Thury (Yamaha)
21. Gared Steinke (KTM)
22. Jerry Robin (GasGas)
250 Championship Standings After Round 2
1. Christian Craig 52
2. Hunter Lawrence 44
3. Seth Hammaker 44
4. Michael Mosiman 36
5. Vince Friese 35
6. Garrett Marchbanks 34
7. Jo Shimoda 32
8. Nate Thrasher 29
9. Robbie Wageman 28
10. Chris Blose 26
11. Carson Mumford 22
12. Dilan Schwartz 20
13. Cole Thompson 20
14. Dominique Thury 17
15. Ryan Surratt 14
16. Logan Karnow 11
17. Carson Brown 10
18. Mitchell Harrison 10
19. Devin Harriman 9
20. Hunter Schloosser 9