Monster Energy’s Eli Tomac & Chase Sexton go 1st -2nd Southwick MX – Sexton retains o/a point lead

Sexton takes a one-point 450 class lead into the second half of the MX Nationals season; Monster Energy’s Shimoda & Cooper both make the 250 class podium

CORONA, CA – July 11, 2022- (Motor Sports NewsWire) – With two dominant come-from-behind moto victories on Saturday on arguably the most physically demanding track on the Lucas Oil AMA Pro Motocross Championship tour – Massachusetts’ Southwick MX – Monster Energy’s Eli Tomac (Star Racing/Yamaha) pulled to within one point of Monster Energy’s Chase Sexton (Honda) in the battle for 450 class supremacy. Sexton, who also had to pass some of the world’s top racers to score a runner-up 2^nd place finish (2-2) at Southwick, leads Tomac 268-267 at the series’ midway point.

And in 250 class racing at Southwick Monster Energy was led by Pro Circuit/Kawasaki’s Jo Shimoda who placed 2^nd (2-3) and Justin Cooper (Star Racing/Yamaha) in 3^rd (3-4).

“This is a gnarly point race and, obviously, neither of us has blinked,” said Tomac on him and Sexton.

Added Sexton: “I just gotta get better (race) lines like Eli (Tomac). He’s the racer to beat.”

450 class podium Monster Energy’s Eli Tomac

Here’s a look at what went down at Southwick MX, beginning with the 450 class.

450 Moto 1 –  Monster Energy’s Christian Craig

Out of the opening gate drop on the MB Tractor Equipment Southwick MX National Christian Craig (Monster Energy/Star Racing/Yamaha) was out in 3^rd place, followed by Monster Energy racers Sexton (4th) and Tomac (9^th). … The first turn wouldn’t be so kind to Jason Anderson as the Monster Energy/Kawasaki racer went down in the first turn of the opening moto for the second-straight week, re-mounting in dead last place (out of 40 racers). … Craig would quickly move past multi-time Outdoor National MX champ Ryan Dungey (KTM) and in to 2^nd place. … By lap two Tomac had moved up to 7^th place, behind 6^th place Joey Savatgy (Monster Energy/Kawasaki). … Tomac would put on an early charge, getting past Aaron Plessinger (KTM) and fast local pro Chris Canning (Gas Gas). … Craig would then get past race leader Ken Roczen (Honda), and held the lead for five laps. … During Craig’s run up front, Sexton would also get past Roczen, with Tomac closing in fast. … Tomac would catch up to Sexton near the midway point of Moto 1 (15:03), making up a six-second differential in four laps prior to the pass for 2^nd. … At the 12:12 mark Tomac would out-jump Craig on a downhill…