Surging Team Honda HRC Sets Sights on 2023 Pro Motocross Championship Following Sweep of Supercross Titles
After Dominant Winter Campaign, Chase Sexton, Jett Lawrence, and Hunter Lawrence Enter Summer Season as Early Title Favorites
MORGANTOWN, W.Va. (May 15, 2023) – The first phase of the inaugural SuperMotocross World Championship has been a showcase of the sport’s incredible highs and heart-wrenching lows through 17 rounds of Monster Energy AMA Supercross, which resulted in an extraordinary campaign that saw many of the sport’s biggest names grab the spotlight and endure the anguish that can accompany this high-flying showcase. Now, the centerpiece of the SuperMotocross World Championship awaits with the Pro Motocross Championship, sanctioned by AMA Pro Racing, with 11 rounds and 22 motos spread across the most iconic venues in the sport for what is annually the most grueling test of physical and mental fortitude during the hottest months on the calendar.
“We want to commend Feld Motor Sports, our esteemed partners in the SuperMotocross League, for one of their most impressive seasons of Monster Energy Supercross to date,” said Davey Coombs, President, MX Sports Pro Racing. “They were faced with several bouts of adversity throughout the course of the season and continually found a way to present a dramatic and memorable championship season like the world class organizers they are. Every stadium was jam-packed and provided the kind of electric atmosphere that makes Supercross a one-of-a-kind spectacle. We’re grateful for their efforts and their unwavering support of Pro Motocross as we prepare to take the baton for the summer with our own unique brand of the most competitive and enthralling motorsport on the planet.”
On the heels of a truly unpredictable Supercross season, MX Sports Pro Racing celebrates Team Honda HRC for the first sweep of all three class titles by a manufacturer in 16 years. The rising star trio of Chase Sexton (450SX Class), Jett Lawrence (250SX West Region), and Hunter Lawrence (250SX East Region) prevailed as champions in their respective divisions and will now set their sights on continued success this summer in Pro Motocross, which will kick off from Southern California’s Fox Raceway at Pala on Saturday, May 27, during Memorial Day Weekend.
“Honda is one of the most decorated and legendary manufacturers in the history of Supercross and Pro Motocross, but a season filled with the abundance of success like they’ve enjoyed thus far in 2023 has been long overdue,” added Coombs. “Chase Sexton persevered to end a 450SX Class title drought that spanned 20 years, while the Lawrence brothers further cemented their distinction as the sport’s most successful siblings by dominating their respective regions. More excitement lies ahead for this trio this summer as each enter Pro Motocross with title aspirations and have the potential to lead Honda to the first-ever single-season championship sweep by a manufacturer. We cannot wait to see how it all unfolds.”
As last season’s 450 Class championship runner-up, Sexton’s maiden premier class title coincides with the breakout he enjoyed last summer. The 23-year-old Illinois native is the clear leader of a new generation of elite talent and now has the championship experience to become an established star. Adding to the intrigue of his pursuit of both the Supercross and Pro Motocross titles is a new teammate aboard the CRF450R in Jett Lawrence. The 19-year-old Australian is a phenom, having captured four consecutive championships to wrap up his 250cc career, including back-to-back 250 Class crowns in Pro Motocross, and is expected to assert himself immediately in the 450 Class, despite his lack of experience aboard the bigger, more powerful motorcycle. Together, Sexton and Lawrence become the most formidable tandem in the 450 Class and will carry a target on their back from the outset of the summer.
Jett’s vacancy of the 250 Class title opens the door for his older brother to fill the void. At 23 years of age, Hunter Lawrence appears to be entering his prime at a pivotal moment in his career, as evidenced by the firm hold he had on the 250SX East Region in Supercross. This summer will mark the Aussie’s fifth season of Pro Motocross competition, where he’s still yet to ascend to his full potential. As one of the elder statesman of the 250 Class, Lawrence is determined to turn back-to-back finishes on the championship podium the past two seasons into a title-winning campaign that would likely signify his send-off from the division.
Less than two weeks remain until the roar of 40-rider gates greet the most passionate fans in motorsports for another memorable summer of the Pro Motocross Championship. The 11-round season will travel to 10 different states, with visits to the hallowed grounds of Fox Raceway, Hangtown, Thunder Valley Motocross Park, High Point Raceway, RedBud MX, The Wick 338, Spring Creek MX Park, Washougal MX Park, Unadilla MX, Budds Creek Motocross Park, and Ironman Raceway.
MX Sports Pro Racing
MX Sports Pro Racing manages and produces the world’s premier motocross racing series – the Pro Motocross Championship, sanctioned by AMA Pro Racing. MX Sports Pro Racing is an industry leader in off-road powersport event production and management, its mission is to showcase the sport of professional motocross competition at events throughout the United States. Through its various racing properties, partnerships and affiliates, MX Sports Pro Racing organizes events for thousands of action sports athletes each year and attracts millions of motorsports spectators.
Pro Motocross Championship
The Pro Motocross Championship features the world’s fastest outdoor motocross racers, competing aboard homologated bikes from one of seven competing manufacturers on a collection of the roughest, toughest tracks on the planet. Racing takes place each Saturday afternoon, with competition divided into two classes: one for 250cc machines, and one for 450cc machines. MX Sports Pro Racing, the industry leader in off-road powersports event production, manages the Pro Motocross Championship.
SuperMotocross World Championship
The SuperMotocross World Championship™ is the premier off-road motorcycle racing series that combines the technical precision of stadium racing with the all-out speed and endurance of outdoor racing. Created in 2022, the SuperMotocross World Championship combines the Monster Energy AMA Supercross Championship and the Pro Motocross Championship, sanctioned by AMA Pro Racing, into a 31-event series that culminates in a season-ending two round playoff and SuperMotocross World Championship Final.
AMA Pro Racing
AMA Pro Racing is the premier professional motorcycle racing organization North America, operating a full schedule of events and championships for a variety of motorcycle disciplines. It serves as the sanctioning body of the Pro Motocross Championship.
NBC Sports
NBC Sports connects people to the moments that matter most and serves sports fans 24/7 with premier live events, insightful studio shows, and compelling original programming. The sports media company presents premier content across linear platforms NBC, USA Network, Golf Channel, as well numerous digital sites, including Peacock. It also consists of NBC Sports Next, a subdivision of NBC Sports and home to all NBCUniversal digital applications in sports and technology within its three groups: Youth & Recreational Sports, Golf, and Betting & Gaming. NBC Sports possesses an unparalleled collection of media rights agreements, partnering with some of the most prestigious sports properties in the world: the International Olympic Committee and United States Olympic and Paralympic Committee, the NFL, Big Ten Conference, NASCAR. INDYCAR. PGA TOUR. Notre Dame The R&A, PGA of America, USGA, Churchill Downs, Premier League, MLB, Tour de France. Roland-Garros, and many more.
Peacock
Peacock’s expansive programming features live sports coverage including Sunday Night Football, Premier League, MLB Sunday Leadoff, NASCAR, INDYCAR, Notre Dame Football, golf, Olympic sports, horse racing, and much more. Peacock also offers daily sports programming on the NBC Sports channel which streams Peacock Original Brother from Another and staples like The Dan Patrick Show and Pro Football Talk Live.
