01/07/2024 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 01/07/2024 19:35
The 2024 AMA Pro Motocross series was closely fought heading into round 5 in the New England sand of The Wick 338, and by the time the championship left, the battle was even closer. With his fourth overall victory of the year, Team Honda HRC's Jett Lawrence reduced his deficit in the premier-class title chase to only three points, while Hunter Lawrence continued his perfect podium streak, retaining possession of the points lead. The squad's 250 riders also had respectable showings aboard their CRF250Rs, Jo Shimoda notching his first moto victory and overall podium of the season, while Chance Hymas tallied 3-5 finishes for fourth overall.
As has been typical of this season, the CRF450RWE race machines of Jett and Hunter Lawrence were in front out of turn 1 in the first premier-class moto, and that's where they remained throughout the race, with just 6 seconds separating them at the checkers and another 11 back to third place. Once again, Jett and Hunter were 1-2 around moto 2's first turn, and two laps later, Hunter moved by his brother for the lead. Jett got back by on lap 10, by which time the clouds had started to sprinkle. Chase Sexton managed to pass both Lawrences in the late going, but with the brothers holding on for second and third, Jett earned the overall victory, with Hunter third overall and still in possession of the red plate.
Hymas was third across the first 250 moto's holeshot line and quickly up to second, while Shimoda was buried in the pack following a first-turn crash, completing lap 1 just inside the top 30. Hymas was displaced by Tom Vialle on lap 7, by which point Shimoda was inside the top 15. At the finish, the Red Riders were third and ninth, respectively. Shimoda enjoyed a pair of stronger starts in moto 2 (the second coming following an early red flag), as he ran second after four laps. The Japanese rider moved by Vialle for the lead with three laps remaining and, following a rousing late battle with Vialle and Haiden Deegan, that's where he was at the finish, earning his first moto win and overall podium of the season. Hymas was fifth in the moto, good enough for fourth overall.
NOTES
Jett Lawrence
"Southwick wasn't too bad. My legs got tired in the second moto, so we have to work on that for the rest of the season. Chase was riding strong; I tried going for it a couple times, but decided it was time to check up. I'm very happy to get out of here with the overall win. We just have to keep pushing."
Hunter Lawrence
"Gnarly day at the 'Wick! I left it all out there today, and we have some good things to take away from this weekend. If you saw how many moments I had late in the second moto, it's safe to say I was pushing and giving it my all! I came up a little short, but it's a huge positive to leave here with the red plate after losing it here the last two years. Now we can keep getting better this week."
Chance Hymas
"Good result for my first time at Southwick. My goal in qualifying was to be in the top 10, and I was right there with seventh. I was second off the start in the first moto and finished third. I had another great start in the second moto before the restart, but I was only seventh after the red flag. We'll take a fourth overall and getting out of here healthy."
Jo Shimoda
"I started the day pretty slow, and that led to a bad gate pick and a crash in the first turn. I had two good starts in the second moto and was able to charge to the front. This was a big boost for my confidence and makes me excited to go racing next weekend."
Lars Lindstrom - Team Manager
"You can tell we've been having a lot of success when, after a great weekend like this one, we aren't satisfied with the results, even though we won! [Laughs] This is probably the most difficult track on our circuit, both physically for the rider and also mechanically on the motorcycle, so I'm proud of how well both performed. I have to say, for his first time at this track, I'm impressed and stoked with how well Chance Hymas rode, and I'm also really happy for Jo to win that second moto; if it weren't for that first-moto first-turn crash, he could've been a threat for the overall win."
Media contact:
Danny Gonzalez // Jonnum Media // [email protected] // +1 (805) 915-7889
450 Overall Results
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15. Gert Krestinov (Hon)
16. Alvin Ostlund (Hon)
17. Cullin Park (Hon)
31. Jeremy Hand (Hon)
38. Tyler Stepek (Hon)
450 Championship Points (after 5 of 11 rounds)
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17. Cullin Park: 39
250 Overall Results
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250 Championship Points (after 5 of 11 rounds)
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