2023 Los Angeles SuperMotocross | Qualifying Report & Times

2023 Los Angeles SuperMotocross | Qualifying Report

Presented by O’Neal

The final round of the inaugural SuperMotocross series is officially underway in Los Angeles, as the fastest racers in the world met inside the legendary Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum for round three of the unique championship. The technical course helped produce incredibly close lap times in both classes. Just fractions of a second split the front-runners in the 250 and 450 Class on the qualifying sheets, which ratcheted up the anticipation for tonight’s racing even more. Here’s a look at the fastest lap times and results…

Justin Cooper was the man to beat in timed-qualifying, as he laid down a blistering fast 1:08.512 in the final session of timed-qualifying. The Monster Energy/Star Racing/Yamaha rider looked to be going out with a bang at his final race aboard a 250cc. 

RJ Hampshire was the next rider on the time sheets, as he laid down a heater on the final lap of qualifying. The Rockstar Energy Husqvarna rider logged a 1:08.529 and was just behind Cooper’s fastest lap. 

Pierce Brown was the next name on the leaderboards, as he bettered his pace in the final session of timed-qualifying. The Troy Lee Designs/Red Bull/GasGas rider logged a 1:08.802 to just edge out Haiden Deegan’s lap time from the first session of practice.

Seth Hammaker will unfortunately sit-out the final round of SuperMotocross after a hard crash in Friday’s final free practice session. The Monster Energy/Pro Circuit/Kawasaki rider was looking speedy before mis-timing the rhythm before the triple jump. Heal up, Seth!

Hunter Lawrence also went down in Friday’s final free practice session, though, he remounted and seemed to be alright. However, his team revealed he tweaked his back and pinched a nerve in his neck after he pulled off early in the final session of timed-qualifying. Despite the bothersome injury, Hunter is still expected to race.

Chase Sexton topped the charts in the 450 class, as he laid down a 1:07.986 in the first session of timed-qualifying. The Team Honda HRC rider had a fall at the beginning of the final session of riding, but remounted with the second best lap time of that practice. 

Jason Anderson was next on the time sheets, as he logged a 1:08.025 late in the final session of riding. The Monster Energy Kawasaki rider traded pole position with multiple riders throughout the final session but ultimately held the second fastest lap time overall. 

Cooper Webb rounded out the top-3 in timed-qualifying, as he logged a 1:08.423 on his final lap in the last session of qualifying. The Monster Energy/Star Racing/Yamaha rider was looking more at home aboard his new ride, especially after uncorking a quad line that no-one else pulled.

250 LCQ

A second turn crash ruined Chris Blose and Cullin Park’s hope for a top-5 result, while Hunter Yoder snagged the early lead and did his best to check out. On the second lap, Mitchell Oldenburg took Varize wide before the finish line to take over fifth place. Robbie Wageman went down on the rhythm lane before the triple, ending his night. Chris Blose took Varize wide on the final lap to secure the final transfer position, while Hunter Yoder took the LCQ win and took Kilroy, Oldenburg, Schock, Neese, and Kelly with him to the night show.

450 LCQ

Phil Nicoletti executed a perfect start with Kevin Moranz in tail, who had a close one in the first rhythm lane and dropped back to ninth place. Jeremy Hand then moved into second place with Jerry Robin in third. On the third lap, Jerry Robin made the pass on Hand following the sand. Phil Nicoletti snagged the LCQ win and took both Robin and Hand with him to the night show.