Tomac Wins Daytona Supercross for Record Seventh Time

Hunter Lawrence Also Makes History with 250SX Class Win

Daytona Beach, Fla. – Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing’s Eli Tomac took a hard-earned Monster Energy AMA Supercross victory at the 53rd running of the Daytona Supercross, stretching his record number of wins at the venue to seven.

Red Bull KTM’s Cooper Webb was close but had to settle for second place at Round 8 on the unique track built into the trioval of the Daytona International Speedway. Team Honda HRC’s Chase Sexton had some close calls but no crashes to finish third on the high-speed Supercross track. In the fourth round of the 10-round Eastern Regional 250SX Class series, Team Honda HRC’s Hunter Lawrence took the Daytona win in convincing style.

When the gate dropped for the 450SX Class Main Event, Tomac grabbed the Holeshot but Webb took an outside line in the second corner and snatched the lead. Sexton held third place with Troy Lee Designs Red Bull GASGAS Factory Racing’s Justin Barcia applying pressure to take over the spot. After one lap Monster Energy Kawasaki’s Jason Anderson had made his way into fifth, and Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing’s RJ Hampshire sat sixth in his first 450SX Class Main Event after winning his Heat race.

With the rain coming down Webb held command of the race. Then approximately seven minutes into the 20-minute plus one lap race Webb and Tomac had a fierce exchange. The two racers traded the lead four times in one section, with Webb retaining the front spot after the two riders bumped entering a rutted, elevated corner. Tomac was sent wide, but not off the track. The incident allowed Sexton to close the gap and suddenly the top three in the points all had a shot at the Daytona win.

Nine minutes in, Webb hit neutral entering the high-speed rhythm just after the finish line. Tomac jumped past and locked down the lead. The front four, Tomac, Webb, Sexton, and Barcia were still close, with less than four seconds separating the four riders.

Then Sexton made a big mistake in one of the rutted rhythm sections. Barcia tried to capitalize, Sexton blocked, and the riders came together right before a triple jump. The contact sent Barcia off the track but not down. Less than a lap later Sexton stalled his bike braking for the tight, elevated corner. Barcia tried to jump past on the corner’s exit and the riders came together again. The second incident went worse for Barcia and he found himself down on the Florida soil. Barcia was able to remount in time to stay in front of Anderson in fifth.

In the late laps Webb made a push to get back to Tomac. The KTM rider closed the gap down to 1.4 seconds as the racers reached the white flag. But Tomac laid down a mistake-free final lap and kept his Yamaha up front. When Tomac crossed the checkers he stretched his all-time Daytona win record to seven and took sole possession of third in all-time 450SX Class wins, just one behind James Stewart who was in the broadcast booth calling the race alongside Ricky Carmichael and Daniel Blair.

In the Eastern Regional 250SX Class Fire Power Honda’s Max Anstie jumped out in first with the Holeshot but down the first straight Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing’s Nate Thrasher took over the lead. One turn later Red Bull KTM’s Tom Vialle took the top spot from Thrasher. Lawrence was up near the front and as the racers went through the sand section for the first time he collided with Thrasher. Lawrence got the position and Thrasher went down and fell back to last place. Lawrence sped forward, blitzing past Vialle and into the lead on the first pass through the whoops.

Muc-Off FXR ClubMX Yamaha’s Jeremy Martin held third with Monster Energy Pro Circuit Kawasaki’s Chris Blose behind and Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing’s Haiden Deegan in fifth. Then Vialle crashed hard in the short rhythm after the whoops, giving up his second place spot. Four and a half minutes into the 15-minute plus one lap race, with light rain coming down, Deegan moved confidently past Martin to take over third place. With 8:22 left on the race clock Thrasher reached tenth and looked to have the speed to reach the top five. Half a lap later Thrasher landed on a Tuff Blox, crashed hard, and looked out of the race; but Thrasher re-joined and worked his way back up to tenth by the finish.

The win by Lawrence matched his brother’s victory in 2022, making the Lawrence brothers the first in the sport’s history to each have a Daytona Supercross win. This augments their other ‘first’ this season as being the only brother duo to simultaneously lead both the Eastern and the Western Regional 250SX Class points. Anstie earned his second runner-up finish of 2023 and rookie Haiden Deegan earned his career-first podium finish in only his fourth professional Supercross race.

The series heads to Indianapolis next weekend where Lucas Oil Stadium will host Round 9 of both the 17-round 2023 Monster Energy AMA Supercross season as well as the brand-new 31-round SuperMotocross World Championship series. The inaugural series incorporates Supercross, Pro Motocross, and three hybrid-style events to crown one SuperMotocross World Champion in each bike displacement class. The 2023 seasons combine for the largest total purse of any off-road motorcycle racing series with a 10 million dollar purse.

All 31 rounds are streamed live on Peacock. Select rounds will also show domestically on NBC, USA Network, and CNBC. International coverage of all 31 events is provided through the SuperMotocross Video Pass at SuperMotocross.tv. For video highlights, race results, the full schedule, and ticket information please go to SupercrossLIVE.com.

450SX Class Results

1. Eli Tomac, Cortez, Colo., Yamaha

2. Cooper Webb, Newport, N.C., KTM

3. Chase Sexton, Clermont, Fla., Honda

4. Justin Barcia, Greenville, Fla., GASGAS

5. Jason Anderson, Rio Rancho, N.Mex., Kawasaki

6. Justin Cooper, Tallahassee, Fla., Yamaha

7. Ken Roczen, Clermont, Fla., Suzuki

8. RJ Hampshire, Minneola, Fla., Husqvarna

9. Aaron Plessinger, Hamilton, Ohio, KTM

10. Christian Craig, Clermont, Fla., Husqvarna

450SX Class Championship Standings

1. Eli Tomac, Cortez, Colo., Yamaha (186)

2. Cooper Webb, Newport, N.C., KTM (181)

3. Chase Sexton, Clermont, Fla., Honda (176)

4. Jason Anderson, Rio Rancho, N.Mex., Kawasaki (148)

5. Ken Roczen, Clermont, Fla., Suzuki (138)

6. Aaron Plessinger, Hamilton, Ohio, KTM (135)

7. Justin Barcia, Greenville, Fla., GASGAS (132)

8. Christian Craig, Clermont, Fla., Husqvarna (103)

9. Joey Savatgy, Clermont, Fla., Kawasaki (85)

10. Colt Nichols, Murrieta, Calif., Honda (84)

Eastern Regional 250SX Class Results

1. Hunter Lawrence, Wesley Chapel, Fla., Honda

2. Max Anstie, Cairo, Ga., Honda

3. Haiden Deegan, Tallahassee, Fla., Yamaha

4. Jordon Smith, Ochlocknee, Ga., Yamaha

5. Jeremy Martin, Rochester, Minn., Yamaha

6. Chance Hymas, Pocatello, Idaho, Honda

7. Chris Blose, Phoenix, Ariz., Kawasaki

8. Coty Schock, Dover, Del., Honda

9. Cullin Park, Clermont, Fla., Honda

10. Nate Thrasher, Livingston, Tenn., Yamaha

Eastern Regional 250SX Class Championship Standings

1. Hunter Lawrence, Wesley Chapel, Fla., Honda (99)

2. Max Anstie, Cairo, Ga., Honda (85)

3. Haiden Deegan, Tallahassee, Fla., Yamaha (74)

4. Jordon Smith, Ochlocknee, Ga., Yamaha (71)

5. Jeremy Martin, Rochester, Minn., Yamaha (71)

6. Nate Thrasher, Livingston, Tenn., Yamaha (70)

7. Chance Hymas, Pocatello, Idaho, Honda (60)

8. Tom Vialle, Murrieta, Calif., KTM (53)

9. Chris Blose, Phoenix, Ariz., Kawasaki (53)

10. Michael Mosiman, Minneaola, Fla., GASGAS (51)

More, from a press release issued by Daytona International Speedway:

Eli Tomac Elevates to “The King” of DAYTONA Supercross with Seventh Career Win at Daytona International Speedway

Hunter Lawrence claims Daytona 250SX Class victory as Haiden Deegan lands first podium in rookie season

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – With a flying pass in front of a packed Daytona International Speedway front stretch, Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing’s Eli Tomac became “The King” of DAYTONA Supercross as he bested his own overall record win total at the historic venue, also tying “The King” of NASCAR, Richard Petty, in overall marquee wins at the track.

It was a night of milestone wins for Tomac, who entered the race tied with Ricky Carmichael for third on the all-time Supercross wins list with 48, now holds third by himself at 49. It was also his fifth straight DAYTONA Supercross win – breaking a tie he held with Carmichael and Jeff Stanton for most consecutive victories at Daytona. And the seven overall wins matches Petty’s seven DAYTONA 500 championships.

“The best way to put it is that it just feels like home to me,” Tomac said after the race. “Earlier in the day I was wondering what the heck was going on, I was a second off during practice and was struggling to just find some general flow. Once the lights came on, I was a whole different dude.”

The 450SX Class podium was a familiar one for Monster Energy AMA Supercross fans this season as Tomac, Red Bull KTM’s Cooper Webb and Team Honda HRC’s Chase Sexton – who entered Round 8 with just a five-point gap between the three – finished in that order.

Webb and Tomac took off to a quick lead over the field, with Webb holding the advantage over Tomac through the opening nine minutes.

But a slight bobble from Webb as the pair entered the front stretch jumps following the finish line allowed Tomac to vault past him over the table top just before the halfway point of the race. Tomac was flawless after that on the Carmichael-designed course, never allowing Webb a chance to catch him.

“I made that mistake and somehow clicked neutral, and he got by me,” Webb conceded following the race. “I tucked right in behind him and I felt like I stayed right there on him, really hoping for a mistake. I think we left it all out there for sure.”

Sexton was third, while Troy Lee Designs Red Bull GASGAS Factory Racing’s Justin Barcia and Monster Energy Kawasaki’s Jason Anderson rounded out the top five.

Tomac now holds a five-point lead over Webb in the 450SX Class points standings, 186 to 181, while Sexton remains in third with 176 points.

Hunter Lawrence wins 250SX Class

The 250SX Class of the 53rd running of DAYTONA Supercross produced a high-level of intense racing throughout the entire day, from the first Heat to the main event.

The action began with two Heats and a Last Chance Qualifier for the 250SX Class. Coming off a victory in Arlington last weekend, Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing’s Nate Thrasher secured Heat 1 early in the evening to set the scene for the Main Event while Team Honda HRC’s Hunter Lawrence took the Heat 2 win. Josiah Natzke topped off the early evening action by finishing first in the Last Chance Qualifier.

The Main Event was tight from the moment the gate dropped as Red Bull KTM’s Tom Vialle, Thrasher and Lawrence battled it out for the Holeshot, but it wasn’t long before a collision between Lawrence and Thrasher caused a shift in momentum. Thrasher went down while Lawrence continued on, eventually turning his Heat win into an overall DAYTONA Supercross crown.

“You’re making split decisions out there,” said Lawrence, the newest 250SX Class Daytona champion. “I just want to be the best version of me when I ride and do well for the team. Obviously, they’re stoked and happy. It’s a cool time right now.”

Lawrence came across the finish line 9.127 seconds ahead of Fire Power Honda’s British rider Max Anstie, who finished second. Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing’s Haiden Deegan rounded out the top three, securing his first professional career podium and becoming the second youngest podium finisher in Supercross history. Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing’s Jordan Smith finished fourth while Muc-Off FXR ClubMX Yamaha’s Jeremy Martin was fifth.

The 17-year-old 250 rider and son of former Supercross athlete Brian Deegan hoisted his trophy after only four races in his rookie season, an impressive feat.

Thrasher managed to work his way back up the standings, finishing tenth, while Vialle’s race came to an early end.

Tickets are on sale now the DAYTONA 200 and other events during Bike Week at The World Center of Racing. For more information, fans are encouraged to visit www.daytonainternationalspeedway.com.

Fans can stay connected with Daytona International Speedway via www.daytonainternationalspeedway.com, on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram, as well as the all-new NASCAR Tracks App, for the latest speedway news.

About Daytona International Speedway 

Daytona International Speedway is a state-of-the-art motorsports facility and was awarded the SportsBusiness Journal’s prestigious Sports Business Award for Sports Facility of the Year in 2016. Daytona International Speedway is the home of The Great American Race – the DAYTONA 500. Though the season-opening NASCAR Cup Series event garners most of the attention – as well as the largest audience in motorsports – the approximately 500-acre motorsports complex, also known as the World Center of Racing, boasts the most diverse schedule of racing on the globe. Some of the exciting racing events include January’s Rolex 24 At DAYTONA and Roar Before The Rolex 24, February’s DAYTONA 500 and Speedweeks Presented by AdventHealth, March’s Bike Week At DAYTONA Presented By Monster Energy, featuring DAYTONA Supercross and the DAYTONA 200, the August Coke Zero Sugar 400 weekend, and much more. The Speedway grounds are also used extensively for other events that include concerts (Welcome to Rockville, Heroes Honor Festival, etc.), sporting events (DAYTONA Soccer Fest, CLASH DAYTONA, etc.) civic and social gatherings, car shows, photo shoots, production vehicle testing and police motorcycle training.