2023 AMA Pro Motocross Championship
Round 11 – Ironman Raceway, Crawfordsville, IN
Images by Jeff Kardas
Much history was made at Indiana’s Ironman Raceway on Saturday as the 2023 Pro Motocross Championship came to a close with the Tucker Freight Lines Ironman National.
Headlining the 11th and final round of the summer was the completion of the fourth perfect season in American motocross history as Team Honda HRC’s Jett Lawrence captured moto wins 21 and 22 to put the finishing touch on what will be one of the most memorable championship campaigns the sport has ever witnessed.
![](https://www.mcnews.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/2023-AMA-ProMX-Round11-Ironman-450-R2-6-Jett-Lawrence-1024x692.jpg)
In the 250 Class, Team Honda HRC’s Hunter Lawrence completed his own championship journey to cap off a historic feat for the Australian duo as the first ever siblings to sweep each respective title.
![](https://www.mcnews.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/2023-AMA-ProMX-Round11-Ironman-250-R2-5-Hunter-Lawrence-Champ-681x1024.jpg)
To top it all off, Honda became the first manufacturer to successfully claim every championship in a single season following a sweep of the trio of titles up for grabs in Monster Energy Supercross earlier this year.
450 Moto One
![](https://www.mcnews.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/2023-AMA-ProMX-Round11-Ironman-450-R1-1-Start-1024x656.jpg)
The penultimate moto of the season for the 450 Class kicked off with an incredible start by Jett Lawrence who easily grabbed the holeshot ahead of Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Aaron Plessinger and Team Honda HRC’s Chase Sexton.
![](https://www.mcnews.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/2023-AMA-ProMX-Round11-Ironman-450-R1-2-Jett-Lawrence-1024x683.jpg)
A torrid pace in the opening laps saw Lawrence move out to a 1.7 second lead while Sexton was able to fight his way around Plessinger for second.
![](https://www.mcnews.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/2023-AMA-ProMX-Round11-Ironman-450-R1-3-Chase-Sexton-813x1024.jpg)
The Honda duo were in a class of their own and easily distanced themselves from the rest of the field. They traded fast laps, and each enjoyed better sections of the track, creating a bit of a yo-yo effect with the gap. Sexton was able to move within just over a second, but Lawrence responded and picked up the pace significantly to move out 4.4 seconds ahead of his team-mate. Behind them, Monster Energy Kawasaki’s Jason Anderson made moves from a fifth place start to break into podium position with a pass on Plessinger.
![](https://www.mcnews.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/2023-AMA-ProMX-Round11-Ironman-450-R1-5-Jett-Lawrence-1024x627.jpg)
Back up front, Lawrence added to his lead over the second half of the moto and soon found himself more than nine seconds ahead of Sexton as time ran out on the moto clock. While the leaders found themselves well ahead of the rest of the field, the battle for third persisted as Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing’s Dylan Ferrandis was on a torrid charge to the podium. The Frenchman started ninth and was impressive in his forward progression, which culminated with a pass on Anderson for third inside the final 10 minutes of the moto.
Lawrence enjoyed another wire-to-wire effort to capture moto win 21, crossing the line 5.8 seconds ahead of Sexton, with Ferrandis a distant third. Anderson followed in fourth, while Plessinger rounded out the top five.
450 Moto One Results
Pos | Rider | Bike | Laps/Interval |
1 | Jett Lawrence | HON CRF450R WE | 19 Laps |
2 | Chase Sexton | HON CRF450R WE | +05.883 |
3 | Dylan Ferrandis | YAM YZ 450F | +37.781 |
4 | Jason Anderson | KAW KX450SR | +49.859 |
5 | Aaron Plessinger | KTM 450 SX-F FE | +55.457 |
6 | Adam Cianciarulo | KAW KX450SR | +1m06.262 |
7 | Garrett Marchbanks | YAM YZ 250F | +1m20.917 |
8 | Dylan Wright | HON CRF450R | +1m33.749 |
9 | Harri Kullas | YAM YZ 450F | +1m37.281 |
10 | Jess Pettis | KTM 450 SX-F FE | +1m49.702 |
11 | Justin Barcia | GAS MC450F | +1m54.475 |
12 | Phillip Nicoletti | YAM YZ 450F | 18 Laps |
13 | Stephen Rubini | KAW KX450 | +04.023 |
14 | Grant Harlan | YAM YZ 450F | +16.379 |
15 | Bryce Shelly | YAM YZ 450F | +22.243 |
16 | Jeremy Hand | HON CRF450R | +29.896 |
17 | Vincent Luhovey | HON CRF450R | +38.867 |
18 | Jace Kessler | YAM YZ 450F | +43.889 |
19 | Kevin Moranz | KTM 450 SX-F | +46.438 |
20 | Justin Rodbell | HQV FC450 | +48.236 |
21 | Ryder Floyd | HON CRF450R | +51.159 |
22 | Fredrik Noren | SUZ RMZ 450 | +56.830 |
23 | Anthony Rodriguez | KTM 450 SX-F | +58.141 |
24 | Max Miller | KTM 450 SX-F | +1m00.293 |
25 | Shane McElrath | YAM YZ 450F | +1m01.080 |
26 | John Adamson | HQV FC450 | +1m09.042 |
27 | Zack Williams | HON CRF450R | +1m11.715 |
28 | Derek Drake | SUZ RMZ 450 | +1m15.676 |
29 | Luca Marsalisi | YAM YZ 450F | +1m19.215 |
30 | Crockett Myers | KTM 450 SX-F | +1m24.795 |
31 | Joshua Hill | YAM YZ 450F | +2m01.458 |
32 | Scott Meshey | HQV FC450 | 17 Laps |
33 | Jacob Baumert | YAM YZ 450F | +09.649 |
34 | Eddie Norred | KAW KX450 | +53.676 |
35 | Raimundo Trasolini | GAS MC450F | 16 Laps |
36 | Jared Lesher | YAM YZ 250 | +56.420 |
37 | Colt Nichols | KAW KX450 | 10 Laps |
38 | Jerry Robin | YAM YZ 450F | 7 Laps |
39 | Jose Butron | GAS MC450F | DNF |
40 | Romain Pape | GAS MC450F | DNF |
450 Moto Two
![](https://www.mcnews.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/2023-AMA-ProMX-Round11-Ironman-450-R2-1-Start-1024x629.jpg)
All the key players emerged at the front of the field to start the final moto of the season, with Ferrandis snagging the holeshot ahead of Lawrence, Sexton, and Plessinger. Just a few turns into the race Ferrandis crashed hard, which ended the Frenchman’s race and handed the lead to Lawrence as Sexton and Plessinger settled into second and third, respectively.
![](https://www.mcnews.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/2023-AMA-ProMX-Round11-Ironman-450-R2-2-Jett-Sexton-1024x642.jpg)
Lawrence put the hammer down on the opening laps to establish a 1.5 second lead over Sexton as the rest of the field settled into race pace. As each lap passed, Lawrence’s margin grew, little by little, and soon sat at more than four seconds approaching the halfway point of the moto. Sexton kept his teammate honest, which allowed both riders to distance themselves from Plessinger in third.
![](https://www.mcnews.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/2023-AMA-ProMX-Round11-Ironman-450-R2-3-Jett-Lawrence-1024x621.jpg)
As the final 10 minutes of the season approached Sexton had chipped away to gain about a second on Lawrence and was the fastest rider on the track at this point of the moto. The gap between the teammates continued to shrink and soon dipped under three seconds, partially impacted by the leaders navigating through lapped traffic. As the final five minutes approached the gap was just 1.4 seconds, but as he’s done for much of the year Lawrence was able to pick up the pace again and pull back out. As time ran out on the moto clock the lead had grown to 3.4 seconds with just two laps to go.
Lawrence looked to manage the lead on the final lap as Sexton went all out and started to gain ground. However, it was too little too late for Sexton as Lawrence completed the perfect season with moto win 22. The final margin of victory was 1.7 seconds. Plessinger finished in a distant third, over a minute behind.
450 Moto Two Results
Pos | Rider | Bike | Laps/Interval |
1 | Jett Lawrence | HON CRF450R WE | 19 Laps |
2 | Chase Sexton | HON CRF450R WE | +01.736 |
3 | Aaron Plessinger | KTM 450 SX-F FE | +1:06.251 |
4 | Jason Anderson | KAW KX450SR | +1:26.723 |
5 | Justin Barcia | GAS MC450F | +1:32.493 |
6 | Adam Cianciarulo | KAW KX450SR | +1:40.123 |
7 | Phillip Nicoletti | YAM YZ 450F | +1:44.821 |
8 | Garrett Marchbanks | YAM YZ 250F | +1:45.110 |
9 | Dylan Wright | HON CRF450R | +2:07.436 |
10 | Fredrik Noren | SUZ RMZ 450 | 18 Laps |
11 | Jose Butron | GAS MC450F | +02.318 |
12 | Harri Kullas | YAM YZ 450F | +03.135 |
13 | Shane McElrath | YAM YZ 450F | +14.770 |
14 | Grant Harlan | YAM YZ 450F | +25.418 |
15 | Romain Pape | GAS MC450F | +31.663 |
16 | Jeremy Hand | HON CRF450R | +38.462 |
17 | Max Miller | KTM 450 SX-F | +40.821 |
18 | Zack Williams | HON CRF450R | +45.992 |
19 | Joshua Hill | YAM YZ 450F | +49.540 |
20 | Bryce Shelly | YAM YZ 450F | +51.722 |
21 | Vincent Luhovey | HON CRF450R | +1:05.211 |
22 | Ryder Floyd | HON CRF450R | +1:15.411 |
23 | John Adamson | HQV FC450 | +1:20.965 |
24 | Jace Kessler | YAM YZ 450F | +1:34.364 |
25 | Kevin Moranz | KTM 450 SX-F | +1:52.479 |
26 | Derek Drake | SUZ RMZ 450 | +2:01.169 |
27 | Crockett Myers | KTM 450 SX-F | 17 Laps |
28 | Justin Rodbell | HQV FC450 | +1:02.534 |
29 | Jared Lesher | YAM YZ 250 | +1:04.677 |
30 | Eddie Norred | KAW KX450 | +1:10.655 |
31 | Logan Leitzel | KAW KX450 | 16 Laps |
32 | Luca Marsalisi | YAM YZ 450F | 15 Laps |
33 | Ryan Diezic | KAW KX450 | 13 Laps |
34 | Anthony Rodriguez | KTM 450 SX-F | 9 Laps |
35 | Jerry Robin | YAM YZ 450F | 5 Laps |
36 | Colt Nichols | KAW KX450 | DNF |
37 | Dylan Ferrandis | YAM YZ 450F | DNF |
38 | Jess Pettis | KTM 450 SX-F FE | DNF |
39 | Stephen Rubini | KAW KX450 | DNF |
40 | Scott Meshey | HQV FC450 | DNF |
450 Round
The most dominant and impressive rookie season in 450 Class history saw Lawrence join elite company with the sport’s rarest feat. He becomes just the third rider in 52 seasons to go undefeated, joining AMA Hall of Famers Ricky Carmichael, who compiled two perfect seasons, and James Stewart. Lawrence’s 11 career wins already place him into a tie for 15th all time after just one season of competition.
Sexton’s sixth runner-up finish (2-2) of the season capped off an impressive summer for the Supercross Champion, despite missing three races with injury. He failed to finish off the podium just once in eight starts. Plessinger rounded out the overall podium in third (5-3) for his third podium result of the season.
Lawrence’s final margin in the 450 Class standings is 151 points over Ferrandis, while Plessinger earned his best-career championship finish in the premier class in third.
Jett Lawrence – Team Honda HRC
“[The perfect season] doesn’t feel real. I started off so nervous hitting the gate [in Moto 2]. I don’t know how I led the first lap. Now we’re undefeated. To all the people who doubted me, here we are now. Also, congrats to Hunter [Lawrence]. No one deserved that [250 Class] title more than him.”
![](https://www.mcnews.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/2023-AMA-ProMX-Round11-Ironman-450-R2-7-Jett-Lawrence-1024x649.jpg)
Chase Sexton – Team Honda HRC
“Jett upped the game a bit [this season]. I had to play catch up when I came back [from injury], but then he got better. You haven’t seen the last of me winning [in Pro Motocross]. I’m determined to come back stronger next season.”
Aaron Plessinger – Red Bull KTM Factory Racing
“I don’t know what it is, but I love these second motos. I ride way better in the second motos than the first, so I’ve got to get that figured out. I heard these home fans every lap, it was amazing. I’m really happy with what we accomplished this season.”
![](https://www.mcnews.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/2023-AMA-ProMX-Round11-Ironman-450-R2-5-Jett-Lawrence-Sexton-Plessinger-1024x671.jpg)
450 Class Overall Results (Moto Finish = Points)
1. Jett Lawrence, Australia, Honda (1-1 = 50)
2. Chase Sexton, Honda (2-2 = 44)
3. Aaron Plessinger, KTM (5-3 = 36)
450 Round Results
Pos | Rider | M1 | M2 | Points |
1 | Jett Lawrence | 1 | 1 | 50 |
2 | Chase Sexton | 2 | 2 | 44 |
3 | Aaron Plessinger | 5 | 3 | 36 |
4 | Jason Anderson | 4 | 4 | 36 |
5 | Adam Cianciarulo | 6 | 6 | 30 |
6 | Garrett Marchbanks | 7 | 8 | 27 |
7 | Justin Barcia | 11 | 5 | 26 |
8 | Dylan Wright | 8 | 9 | 25 |
9 | Phillip Nicoletti | 12 | 7 | 23 |
10 | Harri Kullas | 9 | 12 | 21 |
11 | Dylan Ferrandis | 3 | 37 | 20 |
12 | Grant Harlan | 14 | 14 | 14 |
13 | Fredrik Noren | 22 | 10 | 11 |
14 | Jess Pettis | 10 | 38 | 11 |
15 | Jose Butron | 39 | 11 | 10 |
16 | Jeremy Hand | 16 | 16 | 10 |
17 | Shane McElrath | 25 | 13 | 8 |
18 | Stephen Rubini | 13 | 39 | 8 |
19 | Bryce Shelly | 15 | 20 | 7 |
20 | Romain Pape | 40 | 15 | 6 |
21 | Max Miller | 24 | 17 | 4 |
22 | Vincent Luhovey | 17 | 21 | 4 |
23 | Zack Williams | 27 | 18 | 3 |
24 | Jace Kessler | 18 | 24 | 3 |
25 | Joshua Hill | 31 | 19 | 2 |
26 | Kevin Moranz | 19 | 25 | 2 |
27 | Justin Rodbell | 20 | 28 | 1 |
28 | Ryder Floyd | 21 | 22 | 0 |
29 | John Adamson | 26 | 23 | 0 |
30 | Derek Drake | 28 | 26 | 0 |
31 | Crockett Myers | 30 | 27 | 0 |
32 | Anthony Rodriguez | 23 | 34 | 0 |
33 | Luca Marsalisi | 29 | 32 | 0 |
34 | Eddie Norred | 34 | 30 | 0 |
35 | Jared Lesher | 36 | 29 | 0 |
36 | Logan Leitzel | 31 | 0 | |
37 | Scott Meshey | 32 | 40 | 0 |
38 | Ryan Diezic | 33 | 0 | |
39 | Jerry Robin | 38 | 35 | 0 |
40 | Colt Nichols | 37 | 36 | 0 |
41 | Jacob Baumert | 33 | 0 | |
42 | Raimundo Trasolini | 35 | 0 |
450 Championship Points
Pos | Rider | M1 | M2 | Points |
1 | Jett Lawrence | 1 | 1 | 50 |
2 | Chase Sexton | 2 | 2 | 44 |
3 | Aaron Plessinger | 5 | 3 | 36 |
4 | Jason Anderson | 4 | 4 | 36 |
5 | Adam Cianciarulo | 6 | 6 | 30 |
6 | Garrett Marchbanks | 7 | 8 | 27 |
7 | Justin Barcia | 11 | 5 | 26 |
8 | Dylan Wright | 8 | 9 | 25 |
9 | Phillip Nicoletti | 12 | 7 | 23 |
10 | Harri Kullas | 9 | 12 | 21 |
11 | Dylan Ferrandis | 3 | 37 | 20 |
12 | Grant Harlan | 14 | 14 | 14 |
13 | Fredrik Noren | 22 | 10 | 11 |
14 | Jess Pettis | 10 | 38 | 11 |
15 | Jose Butron | 39 | 11 | 10 |
16 | Jeremy Hand | 16 | 16 | 10 |
17 | Shane McElrath | 25 | 13 | 8 |
18 | Stephen Rubini | 13 | 39 | 8 |
19 | Bryce Shelly | 15 | 20 | 7 |
20 | Romain Pape | 40 | 15 | 6 |
21 | Max Miller | 24 | 17 | 4 |
22 | Vincent Luhovey | 17 | 21 | 4 |
23 | Zack Williams | 27 | 18 | 3 |
24 | Jace Kessler | 18 | 24 | 3 |
25 | Joshua Hill | 31 | 19 | 2 |
26 | Kevin Moranz | 19 | 25 | 2 |
27 | Justin Rodbell | 20 | 28 | 1 |
28 | Ryder Floyd | 21 | 22 | 0 |
29 | John Adamson | 26 | 23 | 0 |
30 | Derek Drake | 28 | 26 | 0 |
31 | Crockett Myers | 30 | 27 | 0 |
32 | Anthony Rodriguez | 23 | 34 | 0 |
33 | Luca Marsalisi | 29 | 32 | 0 |
34 | Eddie Norred | 34 | 30 | 0 |
35 | Jared Lesher | 36 | 29 | 0 |
36 | Logan Leitzel | 31 | 0 | |
37 | Scott Meshey | 32 | 40 | 0 |
38 | Ryan Diezic | 33 | 0 | |
39 | Jerry Robin | 38 | 35 | 0 |
40 | Colt Nichols | 37 | 36 | 0 |
41 | Jacob Baumert | 33 | 0 | |
42 | Raimundo Trasolini | 35 | 0 |
SMX Combined Points
Pos | Rider | Points |
1 | Chase Sexton | 710 |
2 | Aaron Plessinger | 622 |
3 | Jett Lawrence | 550 |
4 | Adam Cianciarulo | 538 |
5 | Dylan Ferrandis | 455 |
6 | Cooper Webb | 451 |
7 | Jason Anderson | 449 |
8 | Ken Roczen | 340 |
9 | Eli Tomac | 339 |
10 | Justin Barcia | 334 |
11 | Fredrik Noren | 297 |
12 | Grant Harlan | 270 |
13 | Garrett Marchbanks | 255 |
14 | Ty Masterpool | 242 |
15 | Justin Hill | 212 |
16 | Kyle Chisholm | 203 |
17 | Dean Wilson | 200 |
18 | Shane McElrath | 182 |
19 | Colt Nichols | 163 |
20 | Joshua Hill | 155 |
21 | Jose Butron | 152 |
22 | Christian Craig | 150 |
23 | Phillip Nicoletti | 143 |
24 | Lorenzo Locurcio | 110 |
25 | Kevin Moranz | 103 |
26 | Derek Drake | 94 |
27 | Justin Starling | 94 |
28 | Benny Bloss | 91 |
29 | Romain Pape | 90 |
30 | Joey Savatgy | 85 |
31 | Justin Cooper | 76 |
32 | Joshua Cartwright | 76 |
33 | Jerry Robin | 69 |
34 | Harri Kullas | 67 |
35 | Jeremy Hand | 67 |
36 | Cade Clason | 64 |
37 | Luca Marsalisi | 46 |
38 | Bryce Shelly | 35 |
39 | Jace Kessler | 34 |
40 | Ryan Surratt | 33 |
41 | Marshal Weltin | 32 |
42 | Max Miller | 31 |
43 | Tristan Lane | 29 |
44 | Anton Gole | 29 |
45 | Devin Simonson | 28 |
46 | Chris Canning | 27 |
47 | Stephen Rubini | 26 |
48 | Dylan Wright | 25 |
49 | Brandon Ray | 23 |
50 | Chase Marquier | 22 |
250 Moto One
![](https://www.mcnews.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/2023-AMA-ProMX-Round11-Ironman-250-R1-1-Start-1024x613.jpg)
The first moto of the 250 Class saw Monster Energy/Pro Circuit/Kawasaki’s Ryder DiFrancesco lead the field to the holeshot ahead of the Red Bull KTM Factory Racing ride of Tom Vialle and the Monster Energy/Pro Circuit/Kawasaki duo of Seth Hammaker and Jo Shimoda.
![](https://www.mcnews.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/2023-AMA-ProMX-Round11-Ironman-250-R1-7-Hunter-Lawrence-1024x683.jpg)
Deep in the field was championship point leader Hunter Lawrence, who started 17th aboard after being forced to avoid a crash in the first turn. The early adversity also impacted Lawrence’s primary title rival, Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing’s Justin Cooper, who was one of several riders collected in the incident and forced to fight his way forward from well outside the top 20.
![](https://www.mcnews.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/2023-AMA-ProMX-Round11-Ironman-250-R1-2-Difrancesco-Hammaker-1024x783.jpg)
With his first opportunity to lead a Pro Motocross moto DiFrancesco took hold of the top spot and managed a lead for the opening nine minutes before Vialle closed in and made the pass. Vialle was followed by Shimoda, who dropped his team-mate to third. From there a battle for lead ensued as the international duo engaged in a spirited fight, with Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing rookie Haiden Deegan lurking in third. As the moto approached its halfway point the top three on the track were separated by a mere 1.5 seconds.
![](https://www.mcnews.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/2023-AMA-ProMX-Round11-Ironman-250-R1-3-Deegan-Robertson-1024x691.jpg)
Shimoda ramped up his aggression and managed to make the pass on Vialle, which put the Frenchman into the clutches of Deegan. The battle for second saw both riders swap lines throughout the track, trading bursts of momentum. Meanwhile, Shimoda moved out to a one-second lead. Behind them, Lawrence broke into the top 10, while Cooper remained mired in 15th.
![](https://www.mcnews.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/2023-AMA-ProMX-Round11-Ironman-250-R1-9-Shimoda-Vialle-Deegan-1024x710.jpg)
Deegan mounted another charge to make the pass on Vialle and then looked to erase a 2.1 second deficit to Shimoda with less than 12 minutes remaining. Deegan made an initial push to close the gap, but Shimoda responded and continued to build on his advantage as the moto wore on and eventually moved ahead by nearly 7.5 seconds. From there the top three settled into their respective positions while Lawrence’s climb through the field continued to the cusp of the top five in sixth.
![](https://www.mcnews.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/2023-AMA-ProMX-Round11-Ironman-250-R2-3-Shimoda-1024x683.jpg)
Shimoda’s single-best-moto of the season saw the Japanese rider take the seventh moto win of his career and his second of the season, crossing the line 7.6 seconds ahead of Deegan, followed by Vialle in third. Monster Energy/Pro Circuit/Kawasaki’s Austin Forkner finished in fourth, while Lawrence clawed his way up to fifth. Cooper managed to fight his way back to 13th, but it wasn’t enough to keep Lawrence from clinching the championship with his top-five result.
250 Moto One Results
Pos | Rider | Bike | Laps/Interval |
1 | Jo Shimoda | KAW KX 250 | 19 Laps |
2 | Haiden Deegan | YAM YZ 250F | +07.696 |
3 | Tom Vialle | KTM 250 SX-F FE | +10.322 |
4 | Austin Forkner | KAW KX 250 | +36.304 |
5 | Hunter Lawrence | HON CRF250R | +38.573 |
6 | Seth Hammaker | KAW KX 250 | +41.411 |
7 | Levi Kitchen | YAM YZ 250F | +45.012 |
8 | Maximus Vohland | KTM 250 SX-F FE | +47.229 |
9 | Ryder DiFrancesco | KAW KX 250 | +48.691 |
10 | Talon Hawkins | HQV FC250 RE | +53.881 |
11 | Jalek Swoll | HQV FC250 RE | +55.506 |
12 | Stilez Robertson | YAM YZ 250F | +59.466 |
13 | Justin Cooper | YAM YZ 250F | +1:03.071 |
14 | Dilan Schwartz | SUZ RMZ 250 | +1:05.224 |
15 | Julien Beaumer | KTM 250 SX-F FE | +1m08.398 |
16 | Preston Kilroy | YAM YZ 250F | +1m13.107 |
17 | Pierce Brown | GAS MC250F | +1m16.215 |
18 | Joshua Varize | KTM 250 SX-F | +1m24.662 |
19 | Jorgen Talviku | HQV FC250 | +1m27.872 |
20 | Daxton Bennick | YAM YZ 250F | +1m48.264 |
21 | Mark Fineis | GAS MC250F | +1m57.943 |
22 | Trevin Nelson | YAM YZ 250F | 18 Laps |
23 | Derek Kelley | KTM 250 SX-F | +00.329 |
24 | Gage Linville | GAS MC250F | +16.804 |
25 | Marcus Phelps | KTM 250 SX-F | +29.346 |
26 | Gage Stine | YAM YZ 250F | +33.049 |
27 | Slade Smith | KTM 250 SX-F | +44.413 |
28 | Casey Cochran | HQV FC250 | +46.376 |
29 | Cameron Durow | KTM 250 SX-F | +1m04.747 |
30 | Matti Jorgensen | KTM 250 SX-F | +1m16.612 |
31 | Gavin Brough | HON CRF250R | +1m37.655 |
32 | Hunter Cross | KTM 250 SX-F | +2m03.105 |
33 | Leo Tucker | KTM 250 SX-F | 17 Laps |
34 | Bronson McClure | YAM YZ 250F | +09.057 |
35 | Jesse Jacobsen | KTM 250 SX-F | +12.107 |
36 | Caden Braswell | KAW KX 250 | +26.987 |
37 | Gerhard Matamoros | KTM 250 SX-F FE | +30.330 |
38 | Peyton Jackson | HQV FC250 | +1m16.892 |
39 | Mitchell Zaremba | YAM YZ 250F | 15 Laps |
40 | Vincent Varola | KAW KX 250 | 3 Laps |
250 Moto Two
![](https://www.mcnews.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/2023-AMA-ProMX-Round11-Ironman-250-R2-1-Start-1024x610.jpg)
The final 250 Class moto of the summer started off with a sweep of the holeshots by DiFrancesco with Shimoda right on his rear fender ahead of Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing’s Levi Kitchen. A persistent Kitchen went on the attack against Shimoda and made the pass before setting his sights on DiFrancesco. Shimoda bided his time in third, several positions ahead of all his rivals in the battle for the overall as Vialle sat sixth, Deegan seventh, and Lawrence 10th.
![](https://www.mcnews.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/2023-AMA-ProMX-Round11-Ironman-250-R2-2-Shimoda-1024x615.jpg)
After settling into a groove Shimoda’s pace ramped up again. He caught the leaders and made a quick, savvy move to reclaim second from Kitchen. He proceeded to close in on his teammate for the lead and apply pressure. The top three pulled away from the rest of the field and sat more than five seconds clear of fourth.
Shimoda started to look for a way around DiFrancesco, but the rookie withstood the attack initially. However, Shimoda’s persistence paid off and he took control of the lead with 18 minutes remaining. Kitchen then made the move on DiFrancesco for second and looked to track down Shimoda once more. At the turn of the midway point of the moto Shimoda’s lead hovered around two seconds over Kitchen, while Cooper rebounded from his adversity filled first moto with a move into podium position, which dropped DiFrancesco to fourth.
With a little more than 10 minutes to go Kitchen crashed out of second and was forced to retire from the moto, which moved Cooper up to second and Vialle up to third. For Shimoda the dominance continued through the remainder of the race as he wrapped up the first moto sweep of his career, finishing 2.1 seconds ahead of Cooper, while Deegan made a late pass on Vialle to nab third. In his first moto as champion, Lawrence savored the moment and cruised home to a ninth-place finish.
250 Moto Two Results
Pos | Rider | Bike | Laps/Interval |
1 | Jo Shimoda | KAW KX 250 | 19 Laps |
2 | Justin Cooper | YAM YZ 250F | +02.177 |
3 | Haiden Deegan | YAM YZ 250F | +35.933 |
4 | Tom Vialle | KTM 250 SX-F FE | +44.299 |
5 | Jalek Swoll | HQV FC250 RE | +53.092 |
6 | Ryder DiFrancesco | KAW KX 250 | +56.678 |
7 | Daxton Bennick | YAM YZ 250F | +58.256 |
8 | Maximus Vohland | KTM 250 SX-F FE | +58.256 |
9 | Hunter Lawrence | HON CRF250R | +1m05.505 |
10 | Pierce Brown | GAS MC250F | +1m09.518 |
11 | Stilez Robertson | YAM YZ 250F | +1m19.737 |
12 | Seth Hammaker | KAW KX 250 | +1m24.883 |
13 | Dilan Schwartz | SUZ RMZ 250 | +1m31.323 |
14 | Derek Kelley | KTM 250 SX-F | +1m37.111 |
15 | Preston Kilroy | YAM YZ 250F | +1m40.084 |
16 | Jorgen Talviku | HQV FC250 | +1m47.447 |
17 | Joshua Varize | KTM 250 SX-F | +2m01.999 |
18 | Caden Braswell | KAW KX 250 | 18 Laps |
19 | Talon Hawkins | HQV FC250 RE | +13.627 |
20 | Mark Fineis | GAS MC250F | +35.451 |
21 | Trevin Nelson | YAM YZ 250F | +36.535 |
22 | Slade Smith | KTM 250 SX-F | +44.848 |
23 | Cameron Durow | KTM 250 SX-F | +45.465 |
24 | Gage Stine | YAM YZ 250F | +55.841 |
25 | Hunter Cross | KTM 250 SX-F | +1m22.338 |
26 | Matti Jorgensen | KTM 250 SX-F | +1m25.300 |
27 | Gage Linville | GAS MC250F | +1m29.925 |
28 | Gerhard Matamoros | KTM 250 SX-F FE | +1m53.052 |
29 | Gavin Brough | HON CRF250R | +1m55.581 |
30 | Mitchell Zaremba | YAM YZ 250F | 17 Laps |
31 | Leo Tucker | KTM 250 SX-F | +13.994 |
32 | Jesse Jacobsen | KTM 250 SX-F | +15.060 |
33 | Bronson McClure | YAM YZ 250F | 16 Laps |
34 | Peyton Jackson | HQV FC250 | +16.075 |
35 | Austin Forkner | KAW KX 250 | 14 Laps |
36 | Marcus Phelps | KTM 250 SX-F | 13 Laps |
37 | Levi Kitchen | YAM YZ 250F | 10 Laps |
38 | Julien Beaumer | KTM 250 SX-F FE | 9 Laps |
39 | Casey Cochran | HQV FC250 | 7 Laps |
40 | Vincent Varola | KAW KX 250 | DNF |
250 Round
Shimoda’s maiden 1-1 performance and third career win proved significant for Kawasaki, which had yet to win throughout Monster Energy Supercross and the first 10 rounds of Pro Motocross, and helped the manufacturer avoid its first winless season since 1981. Deegan’s late pass for third in Moto 2 allowed the newly crowned Rookie of the Year to finish in the runner-up spot (2-3), while Vialle ended his first year on American soil with his third podium result in third (3-4).
While Shimoda enjoyed the spoils of victory, it was Lawrence who savored the celebration of a championship. The veteran Australian captured seven victories over the course of the summer and eight podium finishes to finish the season with a final margin of 20 points over Cooper, who earned his fourth career championship podium result, while Shimoda earned a second straight championship podium finish in third.
![](https://www.mcnews.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/2023-AMA-ProMX-Round11-Ironman-250-R2-4-Hunter-Burnout-1024x683.jpg)
Team Honda HRC is now in the midst of a three-year winning streak for 250 Class titles following back-to-back crowns by Jett Lawrence in 2021 and 2022.
Hunter Lawrence, Team Honda HRC
“I saw the chaos in the second turn. I saw blue bikes and then the No. 32 and thought, ‘That sucks.’ I was way, way back, trying to be patient and trying not to rush anything. Man, what a year. Never say die, never give up. It’s unbelievable. So honoured to thank the team with five championships, and the year’s not done.”
![](https://www.mcnews.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/2023-AMA-ProMX-Round11-Ironman-250-R2-6-Hunter-Lawrence-Champ-1024x576.jpg)
Jo Shimoda, Monster Energy/Pro Circuit/Kawasaki
“I’m so happy to end the last race like this. I got two good starts and it turned into a 1-1. It’s been a long, great season and I’m excited for the SMX rounds.”
![](https://www.mcnews.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/2023-AMA-ProMX-Round11-Ironman-250-R2-7-Shimoda-1024x576.jpg)
Haiden Deegan, Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing
“This year’s been crazy. To be honest, I woke up sick as a dog, but there ain’t no quit in me. I’m going to fight until the end. This year’s been hard, but I never gave up. I’m going to go home, work my butt off, and come back swinging next year.”
![](https://www.mcnews.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/2023-AMA-ProMX-Round11-Ironman-250-R2-8-Deegan-1024x577.jpg)
Tom Vialle, Red Bull KTM Factory Racing
“It’s nice to finish the season on the podium. This track was sick. I’m really looking forward to coming back and having a better season next summer.”
250 Round Results
Pos | Rider | M1 | M2 | Points |
1 | Jo Shimoda | 1 | 1 | 50 |
2 | Haiden Deegan | 2 | 3 | 42 |
3 | Tom Vialle | 3 | 4 | 38 |
4 | Justin Cooper | 13 | 2 | 30 |
5 | Hunter Lawrence | 5 | 9 | 28 |
6 | Ryder DiFrancesco | 9 | 6 | 27 |
7 | Jalek Swoll | 11 | 5 | 26 |
8 | Maximus Vohland | 8 | 8 | 26 |
9 | Seth Hammaker | 6 | 12 | 24 |
10 | Stilez Robertson | 12 | 11 | 19 |
11 | Austin Forkner | 4 | 35 | 18 |
12 | Daxton Bennick | 20 | 7 | 15 |
13 | Pierce Brown | 17 | 10 | 15 |
14 | Dilan Schwartz | 14 | 13 | 15 |
15 | Levi Kitchen | 7 | 37 | 14 |
16 | Talon Hawkins | 10 | 19 | 13 |
17 | Preston Kilroy | 16 | 15 | 11 |
18 | Derek Kelley | 23 | 14 | 7 |
19 | Jorgen Talviku | 19 | 16 | 7 |
20 | Joshua Varize | 18 | 17 | 7 |
21 | Julien Beaumer | 15 | 38 | 6 |
22 | Caden Braswell | 36 | 18 | 3 |
23 | Mark Fineis | 21 | 20 | 1 |
24 | Trevin Nelson | 22 | 21 | 0 |
25 | Slade Smith | 27 | 22 | 0 |
26 | Gage Stine | 26 | 24 | 0 |
27 | Gage Linville | 24 | 27 | 0 |
28 | Cameron Durow | 29 | 23 | 0 |
29 | Matti Jorgensen | 30 | 26 | 0 |
30 | Hunter Cross | 32 | 25 | 0 |
31 | Gavin Brough | 31 | 29 | 0 |
32 | Marcus Phelps | 25 | 36 | 0 |
33 | Leo Tucker | 33 | 31 | 0 |
34 | Gerhard Matamoros | 37 | 28 | 0 |
35 | Jesse Jacobsen | 35 | 32 | 0 |
36 | Bronson McClure | 34 | 33 | 0 |
37 | Casey Cochran | 28 | 39 | 0 |
38 | Mitchell Zaremba | 39 | 30 | 0 |
39 | Peyton Jackson | 38 | 34 | 0 |
40 | Vincent Varola | 40 | 40 | 0 |
250 Championship Points
Pos | Rider | Points |
1 | Hunter Lawrence | 419 |
2 | Justin Cooper | 399 |
3 | Jo Shimoda | 393 |
4 | Haiden Deegan | 371 |
5 | Levi Kitchen | 322 |
6 | Tom Vialle | 302 |
7 | Maximus Vohland | 295 |
8 | RJ Hampshire | 288 |
9 | Jalek Swoll | 221 |
10 | Ryder DiFrancesco | 208 |
11 | Seth Hammaker | 157 |
12 | Talon Hawkins | 129 |
13 | Dilan Schwartz | 123 |
14 | Daxton Bennick | 116 |
15 | Caden Braswell | 109 |
16 | Carson Mumford | 101 |
17 | Austin Forkner | 98 |
18 | Chance Hymas | 92 |
19 | Pierce Brown | 76 |
20 | Jordon Smith | 75 |
21 | Preston Kilroy | 71 |
22 | Guillem Farres | 57 |
23 | Stilez Robertson | 51 |
24 | Derek Kelley | 46 |
25 | Joshua Varize | 34 |
26 | Jett Reynolds | 29 |
27 | Julien Beaumer | 28 |
28 | Slade Smith | 28 |
29 | Jorgen Talviku | 26 |
30 | Michael Mosiman | 20 |
31 | Mitchell Harrison | 19 |
32 | Jeremy Martin | 15 |
33 | Garrett Marchbanks | 15 |
34 | Chase Yentzer | 15 |
35 | James DeCotis | 13 |
36 | Tyson Johnson | 13 |
37 | Brock Bennett | 12 |
38 | Hardy Munoz | 11 |
39 | Ty Masterpool | 7 |
40 | Matti Jorgensen | 7 |
41 | Lux Turner | 7 |
42 | James Harrington | 6 |
43 | Maxwell Sanford | 5 |
44 | Preston Boespflug | 4 |
45 | Joel Rizzi | 3 |
46 | Marcus Phelps | 2 |
47 | Casey Cochran | 2 |
48 | Mark Fineis | 2 |
49 | Kai Aiello | 2 |
50 | Mitchell Zaremba | 1 |
SMX Combined Points
Pos | Rider | Points |
1 | Hunter Lawrence | 643 |
2 | Haiden Deegan | 539 |
3 | Levi Kitchen | 478 |
4 | RJ Hampshire | 474 |
5 | Jo Shimoda | 468 |
6 | Tom Vialle | 421 |
7 | Maximus Vohland | 416 |
8 | Justin Cooper | 399 |
9 | Jordon Smith | 234 |
10 | Jett Lawrence | 223 |
11 | Jalek Swoll | 221 |
12 | Ryder DiFrancesco | 208 |
13 | Talon Hawkins | 202 |
14 | Max Anstie | 181 |
15 | Pierce Brown | 174 |
16 | Dilan Schwartz | 174 |
17 | Carson Mumford | 173 |
18 | Caden Braswell | 161 |
19 | Seth Hammaker | 157 |
20 | Chance Hymas | 152 |
21 | Enzo Lopes | 149 |
22 | Jeremy Martin | 147 |
23 | Chris Blose | 133 |
24 | Derek Kelley | 133 |
25 | Mitchell Oldenburg | 131 |
26 | Nate Thrasher | 120 |
27 | Cullin Park | 117 |
28 | Daxton Bennick | 116 |
29 | Stilez Robertson | 106 |
30 | Cameron Mcadoo | 101 |
31 | Austin Forkner | 99 |
32 | Coty Schock | 89 |
33 | Cole Thompson | 87 |
34 | Henry Miller | 86 |
35 | Jace Owen | 81 |
36 | Robbie Wageman | 78 |
37 | Michael Mosiman | 71 |
38 | Preston Kilroy | 71 |
39 | Joshua Varize | 67 |
40 | Mitchell Harrison | 63 |
41 | Jeremy Hand | 62 |
42 | Guillem Farres | 57 |
43 | Michael Hicks | 57 |
44 | Hunter Yoder | 55 |
45 | Derek Drake | 52 |
46 | Dylan Walsh | 49 |
47 | Phillip Nicoletti | 44 |
48 | Luke Neese | 44 |
49 | Hardy Munoz | 43 |
50 | Marshal Weltin | 42 |
2023 AMA SuperMotocross Calendar
Rnd | Series | Stadium | Location | Date |
29 | SMX | zMAX Dragway | Charlotte, NC | September 9 |
30 | SMX | Chicagoland Speedway | Joilet, IL | September 16 |
31 | SMX | LA Memorial Coliseum | Los Angeles, LA | September 23 |