Monster Energy-Backed Jason Lawrence (YoT) Wins San Francisco

January 30, 2008, 6:09am

Lawrence nuts up and toughs out the most difficult Monster Energy Supercross conditions yet this season to record his first career SX win

CORONA, Calif., (Jan. 29, 2008) – Monster Energy-backed Jason Lawrence (Yamaha of Troy) topped a field of the world’s premier Lites class racers this past weekend in San Francisco, winning his first-ever main event on the Monster Energy AMA Supercross, an FIM World Championship, tour.

Lawrence, 20, rode aggressively from start to finish, taking the lead from Brett Metcalfe and Tommy Hahn on the first lap and then led every lap of the rain abbreviated ten-lap contest. During the race Lawrence made numerous saves that brought the 37,000-plus San Franciscans out of their seats in approval.

“I have to give it up to Monster and, especially, the whole Yamaha of Troy team,” said Lawrence. “I know I give those guys some trouble sometimes, but just because I want a result like this.”

Lawrence got to the main by virtue of a 3rd place finish in his heat race. With monsoon-like conditions facing him, Lawrence buckled down and rode the race of his life to date to take the win. In fact, it was raining so hard that Lawrence got cleaner as the race went on. But that was all for not as YoT team manager Chris McAvoy tackled Lawrence in the mud in celebration after Lawrence crossed the finish line.

“Now we’re going back to Anaheim so I can try and revenge (meaning “avenge”) myself,” said Lawrence on the podium. “I probably feel I should have won there (Anaheim) the last two times.”

Next up for Monster Energy Supercross is the Anaheim (Calif.) 3 round back at Angels Stadium (Feb. 2).