Team Honda HRC’s Jett Lawrence made history at the highly anticipated opener to AMA Supercross’s 50th anniversary season, becoming the first rookie to win in his premier-class indoors debut. Meanwhile, in his first official ride aboard the factory Team Honda HRC CRF250R, Jo Shimoda fought through the pack to finish fourth in the 250SX West division. The Anaheim 1 Supercross was not as kind to Hunter Lawrence, as a series of misfortunes prevented him from advancing to the main event, but he’s determined to come back strong next week to show his true potential in San Francisco.
Jett came out swinging in the 450SX main event with an impressive holeshot aboard his CRF450RWE. The 20-year-old Australian sensation led every lap with his signature smooth, collected style, perfectly managing the gap to the riders behind him and crossing the finish line with a seven-second margin. Also impressive was Dylan Ferrandis, who finished in the top five in his debut with Phoenix Racing Honda.
In the 250 main event, Shimoda got a good jump out of the gate but was shuffled to the outside of the first turn and found himself out of the top 10 early on. The Japanese rider remained calm and settled into a good pace, working his way forward throughout the main event to eventually threaten for a podium position, although he ultimately settled for a close fourth place when the checkers flew. Other Red Riders to finish in the top 10 were SmarTop/MotoConcepts racers Mitchell Oldenburg (eighth) and Carson Mumford (10th).
450SX Results
- Jett Lawrence (Hon)
- Jason Anderson (Kaw)
- Chase Sexton (KTM)
- Aaron Plessinger (KTM)
- Dylan Ferrandis (Hon)
- Cooper Webb (Yam)
- Justin Barcia (Gas)
- Justin Cooper (Yam)
- Eli Tomac (Yam)
- Ken Roczen (Suz)
450SX Championship Points (After Round 1 of 17)
- Jett Lawrence (25)
- Jason Anderson: 22
- Chase Sexton: 20
- Aaron Plessinger: 18
- Dylan Ferrandis: 17
- Cooper Webb: 16
- Justin Barcia: 15
- Justin Cooper: 14
- Eli Tomac: 13
- Ken Roczen: 12
250SX West Region Results
- R.J. Hampshire (Hus)
- Jordon Smith (Yam)
- Levi Kitchen (Kaw)
- Jo Shimoda (Hon)
- Max Vohland (Kaw)
- Julien Beaumer (KTM)
- Garrett Marchbanks (Yam)
- Mitchell Oldenburg (Hon)
- Ryder DiFrancesco (Gas)
- Carson Mumford (Hon)
250SX West Region Championship Points (After Round 1 of 10)
- R.J. Hampshire: 25
- Jordon Smith: 22
- Levi Kitchen: 20
- Jo Shimoda: 18
- Max Vohland: 17
- Julien Beaumer: 16
- Garrett Marchbanks: 15
- Mitchell Oldenburg: 14
- Ryder DiFrancesco: 13
- Carson Mumford: 12