Mt. Morris, PA High PointAMA Pro Motocross Championship

Main image by Mitch Kendra

Hampshire’s Fifth Moto Win

The 46th AMA Motocross event at High Point Raceway took place over the weekend. In the first moto of the day, RJ Hampshire claimed his second moto win of the season (and the fifth of his Pro Motocross career). Hampshire fought back from a turn one get together with his teammate Jalek Swoll to finish seventh in moto two, going 1-7 for second overall on the day, his 11th overall Pro Motocross podium of his career.

Hunter’s Third 3-1

For the third time in the first four rounds, Hunter Lawrence finished 3-1 to claim the overall win. It was Hunter’s 11th career moto win, his fifth career Pro Motocross overall win and the 17th total overall podiums in Pro Motocross (in 44 total 250 Class starts). Hunter’s win in the second moto was 18.640 seconds back to second-place Tom Vialle—the largest gap at finish line in first eight motos of the year (first over 10 seconds).

First to Four

Lawrence becomes the sixth rider in 125/250 Class history to start a Pro Motocross season with four straight overall wins. The previous five times it happened, said rider became the champion. Will Hunter make it six-for-six this year?

Deegan’s Third OA Podium

Haiden Deegan finished 2-6 to claim third overall, earning his third career Pro Motocross overall podium in his sixth start, and third in four races this season.

Haiden Deegan receiving his high school diploma from MX Sports' Tim Cotter. Rowan Ferrick
Deegan celebrating his overall podium a few hours later. Rowan Ferrick

Hymas Building

Chance Hymas led the first laps of his professional career, leading the first six laps of the second moto before finishing fifth. The Honda HRC rider finished 8-5 for sixth overall.

Jett’s 8-for-8, 4-0

In his fourth Pro Motocross race on a 450, Jett Lawrence claimed both moto wins once again, continuing his perfect streak of eight moto wins (in eight starts) and four overall wins (in four starts). Jett’s win of 26.205 seconds back to P2 was his second largest gap at finish line so far (+31.609 in Colorado moto one), and the moto win was Jett’s fourth moto win over 10 seconds or more back to P2. Jett has lost more visors (two) in motos than he has lost actual motos (zero). While Jett saw his first challenges of the season—crashing and fighting back and not leading every lap, he still rode home a 1-1 day.

Check out this cool post by MX Reference, which shows the most consecutive laps led to start a premier class season in AMA Motocross, as Jett led 97 laps before someone else led.

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Jett becomes the 12th rider in 250/450 Class history to start a Pro Motocross season with four straight overall wins. The previous 11 times it happened, said rider became the champion ten of those times (champions in bold):

It's worth noting that the only time the first to four-straight didn’t win the title is when Ricky Carmichael chose not to compete in the entire 2007 season, due to retirement.

Jett Lawrence pre-crash. Mitch Kendra
Jett Lawrence post-crash, without his visor. Mitch Kendra

Roczen’s Return

In his first Pro Motocross race of the season, Ken Roczen became the first rider other than Jett Lawrence to lead at least one 450 Class lap. Roczen led six laps in the first moto, then ten laps in the second moto. Jett led nine laps in the first moto, then six in the second moto. Roczen finished 7-2 for second overall, his 50th overall 450 Class Pro Motocross podium.

Ken and Griffin Roczen. Alec Gaut
Ken Roczen Mitch Kendra

AC’s Podium Return

With 4-4 finishes, Adam Cianciarulo claimed third overall to earn his first Pro Motocross podium since the ’21 High Point National (June 19, 2021) and the ninth of his 450 Class Pro Motocross career.

Marching Marchbanks

Garrett Marchbanks had a career day, finishing second in the first 450 Class moto to earn his maiden moto podium finish in either class in Pro Motocross. He then charged from 37th to eighth in the second moto, giving him a new career best fifth overall and the RC Hard Charger Award from the series.

ClubMX's Mike Bonacci celebrates Marchbanks second-place finish in the first moto. Rowan Ferrick

Building Burkeen (Literally)

Matt Burkeen had to work on the top-end of his Yamaha YZ250 two-stroke in between the motos. It was a tough showing in moto two as he once again ran into bike issues, but he still showed out for our Twisted Tea Best Post-Race Show (which you can watch below). Check out some photos of the Burkeen camp’s piston swap. He made it to the starting line in time for moto two!

Mitch Kendra
Mitch Kendra
Mitch Kendra
Mitch Kendra
Mitch Kendra
Mitch Kendra
Mitch Kendra
Mitch Kendra
Mitch Kendra
Mitch Kendra
Mitch Kendra
Mitch Kendra
Mitch Kendra
Mitch Kendra
Mitch Kendra
Mitch Kendra
Mitch Kendra
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Pennsylvania native Steve Roman racing in the 250 Class at the High Point National at @highpointmx. Roman finished 37-26 for 30th overall at the pro race Saturday then won all four of his amateur classes on Sunday. #ProMotocross #Motocross #MX2023 #2023HighPointMX #HighPointMX pic.twitter.com/NLRFJqjOz8
— Mitch Kendra (@mitch_kendra) June 22, 2023

Kelley’s Incredible Save

Our guy Rowan Ferrick captured the following photos of an incredible save sequence by Derek Kelley during the morning qualifying session. “I have no idea how he saved that one!” Ferrick said.

Rowan Ferrick
Rowan Ferrick
Rowan Ferrick
Rowan Ferrick
Rowan Ferrick

More Saves

Check out RJ Hampshire’s saves from the first moto en route to his moto win.

Post-Race Penalty Report

The AMA post-race penalty report from @Highpointmx has been posted.
Of the 3 violations noted, Hunter Lawrence's 7-point penalty is the most significant. The championship leader does keep his moto & overall win. #ProMotocross #Motocross #MX2023 #2023HighPointMX #HighPointMX pic.twitter.com/lhKsXj1LkK
— Mitch Kendra (@mitch_kendra) June 22, 2023

Awards

Privateer Power Award

Ty Masterpool | 5-7 for 7th overall

RC Hard Charger Award

Garrett Marchbanks | 37th to 8th in moto 2

Ty Masterpool Rowan Ferrick
Garrett Marchbanks Mitch Kendra

SMX Standings Update

Through 21 rounds (of 31) of the SuperMotocross World Championship (SMX), the big takeaway is Cooper Webb has taken over sole possession of the 450SMX standings and Jett Lawrence is now 11th place. Hunter Lawrence continues to lead the 250SMX standings over Hampshire.

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SuperMotocross

450SMX Standings - 2023

Position	Rider	Hometown	Qualifying Points	Points
1	Jett Lawrence	Landsborough, Australia	550	163
2	Ken Roczen	Mattstedt, Germany	340	146
3	Chase Sexton	La Moille, IL	710	126
4	Cooper Webb	Newport, NC	451	120
5	Aaron Plessinger	Hamilton, OH	622	104
6	Adam Cianciarulo	Port Orange, FL	538	96
7	Garrett Marchbanks	Coalville, UT	255	92
8	Jason Anderson	Edgewood, NM	449	91
9	Colt Nichols	Muskogee, OK	163	90
10	Ty Masterpool	Paradise, TX	242	84

Full Standings

SuperMotocross

250SMX Standings - 2023

Position	Rider	Hometown	Qualifying Points	Points
1	Haiden Deegan	Temecula, CA	554	157
2	Jo Shimoda	Suzuka, Japan	468	152
3	R.J. Hampshire	Hudson, FL	474	122
4	Levi Kitchen	Washougal, WA	478	114
5	Jordon Smith	Belmont, NC	234	110
6	Justin Cooper	Cold Spring Harbor, NY	399	101
7	Max Vohland	Sacramento, CA	416	98
8	Tom Vialle	Avignon, France	422	90
9	Hunter Lawrence	Landsborough, Australia	660	89
10	Jalek Swoll	Belleview, FL	221	88