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Monster Energy® Kawasaki Rider Jason Anderson Achieves First Career AMA Pro Motocross Overall Victory at Hangtown
The second round of the 2022 AMA Pro Motocross Championship at Prairie City SVRA in Rancho Cordova, California, saw Monster Energy® Kawasaki’s Jason Anderson claim his first career Pro Motocross overall victory with strong 1-3 moto scores and climb to third in the 450 Class championship points standings. Monster Energy Kawasaki teammate Joey Savatgy made his return to Team Green™ with a respectable ninth place result (11-9). Monster Energy®/Pro Circuit/Kawasaki rider Jo Shimoda earned fourth overall (5-4) in the 250 Class, while teammate Seth Hammaker finished seventh (8-8).
Recognized as the longest-running national race in American Motocross history, the Hangtown Motocross Classic boasts an exceptionally challenging track with drastic changes in elevation, off-camber sections and notoriously hard-pack soil. In 450 Class timed qualifying, Anderson proved he had the strength and speed to overcome the physically demanding track by recording a lap time of 2:06.296 to earn fastest qualifier and first gate pick for the motos. Savatgy utilized the first half of the morning qualifying session to study his competitor’s lines before clocking in a lap time of 2:08.050 to qualify in sixth.
In the first 450 Class moto, Anderson launched out the gate aboard his KX™450SR just barely being edged out of the holeshot credit with Savatgy following behind in sixth. Anderson quickly began chasing down the lead rider before a small mistake led the No.21 off the race course momentarily, putting a halt to his early race attack, yet maintaining second position. Staying patient, Anderson quietly cut down the leader’s advantage and studied his opponent’s lines before mounting a second charge. Combining raw speed with superior bike handling skills, Anderson was able to utilize the deteriorating track conditions to experiment with different lines and secure a late-race pass for the lead. The New Mexico native crossed the finish line to claim his first moto win of the 2022 Pro Motocross season while Savatgy finished in 11th after jockeying for a top-10 result the entire race.
The second 450 Class moto saw Anderson start inside the top-10 with Savatgy running in 11th. Anderson showed no hesitation carving his way through the competition ahead and into fourth before the halfway point. With the race nearing its end, Anderson gained control of third by railing around the outside of a rutted corner. Savatgy showed impressive race pace and endurance during Moto 2 as the No.17 was able to use similar lines as his teammate to move inside the top-10. When the checkered flag flew, Anderson crossed the line in third to claim his first AMA Pro Motocross overall victory with 1-3 moto results while Savatgy earned an impressive ninth overall with his 11-9 moto finishes.
“Man, I’ve been working so hard for so long to get an overall win in the Pro Motocross Championship that this doesn’t even feel real yet. I think today was the best I’ve ever felt racing a motocross national and I want to thank everyone on the team at Monster Energy Kawasaki for all the hard work they put in to get me here. This wouldn’t be possible without them. I have to admit, it feels really good to get the first one out of the way early. Now it’s time to keep digging and grinding for more.” - Jason Anderson
“I’m very pleased with the ninth-place result this weekend. My goal for the race was to get comfortable being in real race scenarios again and leave Hangtown healthy. All things considered, I achieved those goals and the team was pleased with my performance so today was an overall success for us. I know I’m only going to get faster and more comfortable on the bike as the season goes on, so there’s no need to try and rush things early.” - Joey Savatgy
Heading into the Hangtown Motocross Classic, Monster Energy/Pro Circuit/Kawasaki’s Shimoda was keen on building from his podium finish at Round 1 last weekend as he started the day by recording the seventh fastest lap time in qualifying with a 2:08.438. Meanwhile, Hammaker quickly adapted to the rough conditions in his first professional race at the venue to qualify eighth overall with a 2:08.535 lap time.
At the start of 250 Moto 1, Hammaker launched his No.47 KX™250 out to a seventh-place start while teammate Shimoda emerged from the first turn outside the top-10. A determined Shimoda again lived up to his hard-charging reputation as he maneuvered by the riders ahead to make his way inside the top-10 by the end of Lap 8. Utilizing his late-race pace and fitness, Shimoda capitalized on the mistakes of others to pass his way up to fifth with only three laps remaining. The Japanese native continued to push forward but ultimately ran out of time and finished the race with an impressive fifth. After a strong showing in the first half of the race battling up front, Hammaker fell victim to extensive pressure from the riders behind and crossed the line eighth.
The second 250 Class moto saw the Monster Energy/Pro Circuit/Kawasaki riders Hammaker and Shimoda emerge from the first turn running in ninth and 10th. In the opening lap of the race, Hammaker appeared ready to blitz his way through the field until contact with another rider in Turn 2 dropped the Monster Energy/Pro Circuit/Kawasaki rider back near 30th . Meanwhile, Shimoda quickly mounted a charge through the pack to take firm control of fifth place by the end of Lap 1. The Hangtown crowd roared as the Japanese sensation continued to push toward the riders ahead and entered a three-rider battle for the lead. With the front three riders separated by less than three seconds, Shimoda relentlessly applied pressure until he took control of second place on Lap 10. Eager to capture his first Pro Motocross win of the season, Shimoda followed close behind the leader ready to capitalize on a mistake. Unfortunately, a small mistake by Shimoda in a deeply rutted corner dropped him back to fourth where he would finish the race. Hammaker had quickly remounted after the early tip over and charged his way through the field to finish the race in eighth place. Shimoda’s 5-4 moto scores earned him fourth overall while Hammaker’s 8-8 finishes secured seventh overall.
“Today was an okay race for me. My starts weren’t great but I think I rode well considering I had to fight through the pack in both motos. The good news is I have the speed and fitness to make up for a not-so-great start. I wanted the win in Moto 2 but I rushed the pass and made a little mistake which set me back to fourth. I just need to get more consistent with my starts and clean up a few things before next weekend and we’ll be back on the podium." - Jo Shimoda
“The track was very rough today, especially in the second moto. This is my first time racing here as a professional, so I wasn’t sure what to expect but overall I think a seventh-place result is something we can build on heading into Colorado. Thanks to everyone on the team for all the hard work.” - Seth Hammaker
