Honda HRC Progressive Team Sweeps Qualifying
Chance Hymas (250 class) and Jett Lawrence (450 class) landed their Honda HRC Progressive machines at the top in their respective classes’ qualifying sessions at Fox Raceway. In typical Pro Motocross fashion, lap times from the first qualifying sessions were significantly slower due to the wet and muddy track conditions. In the first qualifying session, Chance Hymas had an underwhelming performance finishing seventh, 2.508 seconds off of Haiden Deegan who lead the 250 session. On the contrary, Jett Lawrence put in an outstanding performance among the 450 field, leading the pack with a 2:15.029 lap time, over two seconds faster than Eli Tomac who finished the session second. With the track beginning to develop and dry out, lap times were destine to get faster. Jett increased his lap time in the second qualifying session to a 2:14.379, this time leading Chase Sexton by 1.254 seconds. Chance Hymas put in a stellar performance stunning the 250 field in the dying moments of the second qualifying session. On his final lap, Hymas reached the finish line, knocking Deegan off pole position with a lap time 1.639 seconds quicker. It was a statement lap by Hymas, showing he has the speed to compete with Deegan.
Deegan Dominates Again At Round One with 1-1 Moto Finishes
Deegan does it again at Fox Raceway and repeats his dominance from 2024 with the same result, taking the overall win in the 250 class by winning both motos. Deegan slowly fought his way to the front of the field in moto one. With the mistake from Hymas, Deegan made his way into second and made short work of Julien Beaumer. He was able to settle into a suitable pace and cruise to victory. Starting at the front in moto two, Deegan was quickly able to reach the lead. After passing the KTM duo of Beaumer and Vialle, Deegan stretched his lead and took hold of the moto win. After sweeping the opening motos of the season, Deegan looks to take a commanding hold on this championship.
Jett Lawrence Returns to Action and Continues His Supremacy at Fox Raceway
The success of Jett Lawrence at Fox Raceway is nothing short of incredible. Since 2020, Jett has won 13 of the possible 16 motos and has taken the overall victory at all eight races at the Fox Raceway venue. This was his third race at Fox Raceway on a 450 and continues to remain unbeatable, winning every moto.
Moto one was comfortable for Jett as he did not have to fight off much pressure from the competition and finished the moto over 11 seconds ahead of Justin Cooper in second place. On the other hand, moto two was a different story for Jett. He quickly found his way to the lead but had pressure for a large part of the moto from Eli Tomac. Eli made several attempts at passing Jett but was unsuccessful. Lawrence’s race craft and line choice prevailed ahead of Tomac’s. Not to mention, Jett had him beat on raw speed. Both riders had their fastest lap on lap three however, Jett was nearly one second faster than Eli. Tomac made one last lunge at the lead in the final laps of the moto but Jett held him off. Although fresh off of ACL surgery, Jett proved he was still a force to be reckoned with.
A Season Opener to Forget for Chase Sexton
From the start of 450 moto one, Chase Sexton did not look comfortable aboard his Red Bull KTM Factory Racing machine, and it only got worse as the moto progressed. Early into the moto, Sexton removed his goggles. Anyone who has rode a motorcycle, particularly a 450, knows removing goggles is done in dire situations. It is likely Sexton got dirt inside of his goggles which is not only distracting but can get inside the eye and limit vision. Sexton chose to toss his goggles, and most assumed he would enter the pit area for a new pair. As the laps went on and with Red Bull KTM urgently seeking Sexton’s attention, Chase showed no sign of wanting to pit for new goggles. He had good track position at the front of the field around his championship competitors and pitting meant he would give that up. However, riding without goggles forced Chase to adjust his race craft. Racing without goggles is extremely dangerous as dirt and rocks to the eyes could lead to undesired consequences. This meant Chase would have to remain far enough distance from the rider ahead of him to not get roosted or choose alternate lines around the track that could be slower. His race would ultimately be ruined as a mid-moto crash on the landing of the finish line jump would see him unfit to continue with the race. Sexton entered the pits, left the track and would not line-up for the second moto. It was not the day Sexton would have hoped for, ending with DNF-DNS moto scores at Fox Raceway.
