2024 Hangtown Motocross Photo Gallery

2024 Hangtown Motocross Recap

Hangtown 2024.

This one goes down in history and years from now people will say "Remember Hangtown 2024."

Round 2 of the 2024 Pro Motocross Championship series hit the iconic track on Saturday just outside Sacramento with a win streak on the line, any indication on the 450 class turning into a snoozer and whether a brash youngster can back up some tough talk. All of this was addressed and more.

In the 450 class, Jett Lawrence needed just a Moto 1 win to eclipse the famed James Stewart for consecutive Moto win streaks and he looked good for it at the gatedrop just missing the MotoSport.com Holeshot by inches from his brother Hunter Lawrence. He quickly squirted into the lead seemingly to never look back. Maybe a minute later catastrophe hit.

Jett Lawrence essentially cased a jump trying his best to leap over the rollers on a downhill and went down hard. How he got up only he knows, but limping, he managed to remount and resume racing, this after everyone passed leaving him in the rearview. Shortly later he hit the pits, letting his mechanic kick the bike back into alignment giving Lawrence a better handle on racing but he never got into the Top 20 for a point. He managed 24th.

How ironic. The Moto win streak ends at 24.

Meanwhile, Chase Sexton's day was just beginning. He worked his way from fifth in Moto 1 passing Justin Cooper and Jason Anderson who fell giving up second and with two minutes remaining, then Sexton got by Hunter Lawrence and grabbed the checkers.

While all eyes were on Jett Lawrence and how he would fare in Moto 2, Cooper grabbed the MotoSport.com Holeshot and a turn later Sexton slid out and fell, getting back on the bike LAST.

Cue dramatic movie magic music.

Aaron Plessinger needed less than a lap to get by Cooper and began to check out. Phil Nicoletti crashed out running in third. Lawrence fought to stay in the Top 3 along with brother Hunter.

Sexton in the Top 20 after four minutes.

Sexton seventh after 10 minutes.

DJ Dazzy Jett managed to work his way into second after 13 minutes seemingly showing no ill effect from his crash. It was short-lived. Brother Hunter re-passed him for second and Jett slowly dropped eventually handing fourth-place over to Jason Anderson.

Sexton into fourth with less than eight minutes after gliding past Lawrence and Anderson almost simultaneously. The overall was within reach.

Plessinger, undaunted by the goings-on behind him, closed in on his first career 450 class Moto win.

About four minutes left, Sexton passes Hunter Lawrence for third. He now has the overall.

A minute later Sexton passes Cooper for second. No sense in pushing it. By now, Sexton figured out how to stay on two-wheels despite multiple full-throttle scares. Could he?

The distance to Plessinger looked a little much. Time expired. Three laps to go. Overall Sexton's, no reason to push. However, the gap began to close.

Final lap.

Closing in.

Sexton catches Plessinger's rear fender. Maybe half a lap. Just a few corners to go. Sexton makes the pass.

A sweep. An epic ride he even acknowledged afterwards.

"That was a year and a half built up. I was dead last, (I said) this is going to be a hard Moto," Sexton said. "I don't know what to say. That was the best ride I think of my life.'

If Sexton wins the 2024 MX Championship he won it in Moto 2 at Hangtown.

Sexton's victory gives him the Red Plate for the next round with an eight point lead over Hunter Lawrence who took second overall at Hangtown on a (2-4) day. Plessinger's (5-2) day gave him third overall and he moves into third in the standings. Jett Lawrence (24-6) finished sixth in Moto 2 enough for 12th overall but he drops to sixth in the standings 24 points (how spooky - someone somewhere flashed a demonic Joe Biden style grin) back from Sexton. Jack Bauer DNS.

The 250 class might not have been as spectacular as "Sexton's Ride" but plenty of excitement ensued as Haiden Deegan almost swept but a crash in Moto 2 ended his Moto winning streak though he managed the overall victory and remains undefeated by rounds this season.

The Haiden Haters no doubt pulled their hair out in Moto 1 when Deegan looked simply unstoppable riding all that he and his family have billed him to be. He started 10th with Chance Hymas grabbing the MotoSport.com Holeshot, who looked to check out for his first career win. But Deegan was third after 10 minutes tailing Levi Kitchen setting up some potential drama after his comments a week earlier claiming Kitchen fades late in races.

Six minutes later Deegan made the pass on his would-be rival and three minutes later passed Hymas. He took a three-win Moto streak to start the season into the second race and looked good for the sweep. Deegan grabbed the MotoSport.com Holeshot and checked out. At least for a while because Tom Vialle began working his way up from eighth. Kitchen levied his position in second passing Ty Masterpool after 10 minutes, a minute later Vialle rolled up in third after passing Masterpool and five minutes later passed Kitchen.

So, we're about 14 minutes to go with Deegan, Vialle and Kitchen 1,2,3.

With six minutes left, the cocksure Deegan hit the dirt getting tossed like a crash test dummy after his rear wheel kicked out. Vialle said thanks and grabbed the lead. Both were so far ahead of the field, Deegan remounted and resumed in second where'd he'd cross the checkers. His overall safe, no injuries noted. Vialle took second overall on a (4-1) day and Kitchen finished third on a (3-3) day taking the tie-breaker over Hymas who went (2-4). Jo Shimoda (7-5) rounded out the Top 5.

Veteran Joey Savatgy's bike died nearly halfway through Moto 1 when he was in the Top 5. He finished 14th overall after taking seventh in Moto 2.

The Outdoors head east. Next up Thunder Valley on Saturday in Lakewood, CO.