On a treacherous track in a packed Angel Stadium of Anaheim, California, Team Honda HRC enjoyed a strong start to the 2023 AMA Supercross season. For Jett Lawrence, a convincing 250 victory was a promising start to his bid for a West title to go along with last year’s East crown; for Chase Sexton, a safe third-place finish in a dramatic 450 main showed that he’s capable of minimizing errors in perilous scenarios; and for Colt Nichols, a sixth-place ride was a respectable performance in his first race aboard 450 machinery.

Lawrence rode nearly flawlessly in the 250 West main event, taking the holeshot and leading every lap, but the 450 main was much more dramatic. Nichols nailed the holeshot aboard his CRF450RWE, but an early bobble caused him to be overtaken by several riders, including teammate Sexton, who sat fifth in the early going. The Illinois native’s patient riding was rewarded when he profited from mistakes by other riders, and an aggressive lap-12 pass on Malcolm Stewart put him into the lead. Sexton’s momentum slowed during the race’s latter stages, and he was overtaken by Eli Tomac and Cooper Webb, though he still finished just 4.35 seconds off the winning time.

450SX Results

1. Eli Tomac (Yam)
2. Cooper Webb (KTM)
3. Chase Sexton (Hon)
4. Dylan Ferrandis (Yam)
5. Ken Roczen (Suz)
6. Colt Nichols (Hon)
7. Jason Anderson (Kaw)
8. Aaron Plessinger (KTM)
9. Adam Cianciarulo (Kaw)
10. Joey Savatgy (Kaw)

450SX Championship Points (after Round 1 of 17)

1. Eli Tomac: 26
2. Cooper Webb: 23
3. Chase Sexton: 21
4. Dylan Ferrandis: 19
5. Ken Roczen: 18
6. Colt Nichols: 17
7. Jason Anderson: 16
8. Aaron Plessinger: 15
9. Adam Cianciarulo: 14
10. Joey Savatgy: 13

250SX West Results

1. Jett Lawrence (Hon)
2. R.J. Hampshire (Hus)
3. Cameron McAdoo (Kaw)
4. Mitchell Oldenburg (Hon)
5. Max Vohland (KTM)
6. Enzo Lopes (Yam)
7. Levi Kitchen (Yam)
8. Phil Nicoletti (Yam)
9. Stilez Robertson (Yam)
10. Derek Kelley (KTM)

250SX West Region Championship Points (after Round 1 of 9)

1. Jett Lawrence: 26
2. R.J. Hampshire: 23
3. Cameron McAdoo: 21
4. Mitchell Oldenburg: 19
5. Max Vohland: 18
6. Enzo Lopes: 17
7. Levi Kitchen: 16
8. Phil Nicoletti: 15
9. Stilez Robertson: 14
10. Derek Kelley: 13