Cooper Webb took advantage of a pair of mistakes by Jett Lawrence to win his sixth Monster Energy Supercross race at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas in 10 career starts. Five of these have now come in the last four years.
With this win, Webb closed the gap to the championship leader to only three points.
“I don’t know if I did (start to believe I could win) to be honest,” Webb told NBC Sports’ Will Christien after he remarkable win. “Obviously I got a little bit of a handout. I just kept clicking my laps and tried to stay as close as I could to Jett. The track really got tough, especially where he fell. It was really hard to get that rhythm.”
In the post-race news conference, Webb still seemed a little confused as to why this track has been so kind, but he was more than happy to bank another win and move back into sole possession of 10th on the all-time wins’ list.
When Jett Lawrence posted the fastest time in qualification, he knew he would have a strong night. Two times previously - in the season opener in Anaheim and at Detroit - he set quick time and won both races. Lawrence just didn’t count on making mistakes in Arlington and when he crashed late in the race after clipping a Tuff Blox, he handed the lead to Webb.
Lawrence mounted a strong comeback and caught Webb on the last lap before running into the back of a lapped rider and crashing a second time.
That accident handed second over to Eli Tomac, who experienced his trouble early in the race and fell well outside the top five.
“I was riding my heart out there,” Tomac said. “I made such a frustrating mistake overjumping the triple. Just tucked my front end and lost my hand off the grip.
“I’m sick of people calling me the old guy. I’m just warming up, getting better. I’m coming. Second will do for tonight.”
Tomac and the field now head to Daytona - a track he’s dominated during his career.
Aaron Plessinger was also able to get around Lawrence at the end. He took the final spot on the podium.
Since winning in San Deigo and carrying the red plate for two weeks, Plessinger is riding a massive wave of confidence.
Jett Lawrence finished fourth, nearly eight seconds behind Webb.
In fifth, Hunter Lawrence scored his second consecutive top five after a rocky start to the season.
Click here for complete 450 results | Championship points
When Brian Deegan scored his first Supercross victory, he famously ghost rode his bike; Haiden Deegan carried on the family tradition in Arlington by abandoning his bike to let it roll down the track after scoring his first win in this division. He’s been wondering when the best time to do so would come after feeling he missed the opportunity in the Los Angeles Coliseum last fall.
Deegan said after Arlington that he chose not to perform the feat because he was uncertain if he had won the SuperMotocross World Championship finale.
“Dude, I am so amped right now,” Deegan told NBC Sports’ Jason Thomas. “My first career win in Supercross. This is unreal. I hit the finish and I didn’t know what to do, so I’m just going to pull the clutch and let this thing go off the table.”
UPDATE: Austin Forkner suffers spine and scapula injuries
From the top of the podium, Deegan expressed concern for Austin Forkner who led the first 16 laps before he suffered another heavy crash. Two years ago, he and Jett Lawrence collided in mid-air sending him hard to the ground and breaking his collarbone.
Forkner landed awkwardly after a bad jump off a tabletop and was ejected from his bike before landing flat on his back on the concrete. Forkner was standing on his own power before the 250 riders left the track. He was fitted with a neck brace and helped to the medical cart.
MORE: Austin Forkner crashed in 2023 season opener
Deegan was one of several riders with poor results at Detroit who rebounded in Arlington. Cameron McAdoo crashed on the start of the 250 East season opener and dug a big points deficit. He finished second in Arlington and pulled to within nine points of the championship leader Max Anstie.
Tom Vialle rounded out the podium.
Seth Hammaker also struggled in Detroit but was able to regain some points in Arlington. He finished fourth.
Pierce Brown rounded out the top five.
Finishing sixth in the 250 Main, Anstie will take the red plate signifying his championship lead into next week’s race in Daytona.
Click here for complete 250 East results | 250 Championship points
In-Race Notes
Christian Craig announced on Instagram this morning that he will skip Arlington because of elbow pain.
Chase Sexton reported to Haley Shanley that his wrist is 80 percent this week.
Jett Lawrence entered the race as the only rider in the 450 class with multiple victories after taking the season opener in Anaheim and Round 5 in Detroit.
Ken Roczen became the fifth winner in the first six rounds in Glendale, but you’ll want to keep an eye on Tomac and Jason Anderson to see if they can add to that tally in Arlington.
Adam Cianciarulo is still out with a finger injury, but reports are circulating he is eying a return next week in Daytona.
Click here for the complete schedule from Arlington.
Mains
450s
It’s Jett Lawrence with a the holeshot and early lead. Webb gives chase.
For others, it’s a messy start to the 450 Main with Tomac, Anderson, Justin Barcia, Roczen and Malcom Stewart crashing early.
Hunter Lawrence is having one of the best rides of the 2024 season. He was running third until Aaron Plessinger slipped by with 15 minutes on the clock.
At the halfway point, Jett stretches his advantage to 4.1 seconds over Webb. Plessinger, Hunter Lawrence and Chase Sexton are also in the top five.
Tomac recovers to ride sixth.
For the first time this season, Tomac is doing Tomac things. He’s charging and up to fifth. Two minutes later, he passes Hunter for fourth and has Plessinger in sight for a podium.
With two minutes remaining, Tomac moves to third. Webb is 4.6 seconds ahead, but the way Tomac is riding he could catch him.
Things fall apart for Jett at the end of the race. In the closing laps he crashes and hands the lead to Webb. The difference is now 1.8 seconds between first and second and another 2.6 seconds back to Tomac. Could this become a three-man race?
Lawrence catches Webb on the white flag lap.
Lawrence runs into the back of Vince Friese and crashes. Tomac gets by for second. Plessinger also slips past.
Webb wins.
250s
The 250 East riders get off to a better start in Texas than Michigan; everyone makes it through the first turn.
Deegan gets the holeshot but Forkner gets around early.
Nicholas Romano proves his heat was not a fluke as he settles into third on Lap 2 before giving up the position to Kawasaki teammates Seth Hammaker and McAdoo.
It’s a bad day for Triumph. Jalek Swoll crashes on the first lap and cannot continue. His teammate Evan Ferry did not line up today after crashing on Press Day.
Halfway through, it appears Forkner is in control by 1.4 seconds ahead of Deegan. McAdoo, Hammaker and Vialle round out the top five.
Swoll leaves the track on the back of the medical cart.
Deegan is faster than Forkner for a few laps and then makes a mistake in the sand. He falls from 1.2 seconds behind to 2.2 with two minutes remaining.
Forkner crashes hard and gets pitched from his bike. He landed hard on the concrete.
Deegan inherits the lead and hangs on till the end.
McAdoo finishes second with Vialle taking the last step on the podium.
Hammaker in fourth and Pierce Brown rounds out the top five.
As Deegan celebrates with a ghost ride, Forkner stands under his own power and is helped to the medical cart.
Last Chance Qualifiers
450s
Justin Barcia has been struggling, but prior to this race he said he was happy to have the extra track time. He’s putting the experience to work by walking away from the field.
Jerry Robin finishes 4.1 seconds behind in second with Ryan Breece in third.
Robbie Wageman makes his first 450 Main after finishing fourth.
Click here for complete results for the 450 LCQ.
250s
Daxton Bennick has something to prove after struggling in his heat. He gets the holeshot.
Bennick stretches his advantage and with time running off the clock, he has a 4.3 second lead.
Bennick holds on for the win. These extra laps will help him in the long run, but probably not tonight.
Arenacross veteran Izaih Clark makes his first 250 Main.
After trading elbows in their heat, Brock Papi and Hardy Munoz also advance into the Main. There is still a chance for more sparks to fly.
Click here for complete results for the 250 LCQ.
Heats
450 Heats
The 450 division will roll out first with their heats but once the features roll around, they be in their accustomed place as the anchor of coverage.
Two of Supercross’ most popular riders, Plessinger and Tomac mount a fierce battle with a minute remaining on the clock. The confidence given him by having the red plate earlier in the season pays dividends as Plessinger holds Tomac off for several laps.
But a slight mistake on the final lap and the need to dodge the downed bike of Ty Masterpool costs Plessinger. Tomac takes the victory.
Roczen settles into third with Sexton fourth and Hunter Lawrence rounding out the top five.
Click here for complete 450 Heat 1 results.
Jett Lawrence gets the holeshot but Webb gets to the inside and momentarily passes.
Like Tomac, Anderson is also looking for his first win of 2024. He takes the lead early but can’t get too far ahead of Lawrence.
Tensions continue to rise as Lawrence clips Anderson’s back wheel. Both riders survive.
MORE: Jett Lawrence, Jason Anderson fined for San Diego altercation
With two minutes remaining, Stewart makes the move to second.
Two lead changes come with one minute on the clock. Lawrence takes the lead briefly and then Stewart takes over.
Lawrence prevails over Stewart and Anderson in one of the season’s best races.
Webb in fourth and Justin Cooper round out the top five.
Click here for complete 450 Heat 2 results.
250s
Deegan did not get a chance to show what he could do in the season opener because of a crash in Detroit. He’s showing it now with the early lead.
But Forkner has a statement to make as well after returning from injury. He withstands contact from Deegan after an aggressive move and wins his second heat in as many tries.
Anstie also got around Deegan to finish second. Danger Boy holds on for third.
Guillem Farres in fourth and Swoll round out the top five.
Click here for complete 250 Heat 1 results.
The three-digit number tells you he’s a dark horse; Romano has the early lead on the No. 511.
Halfway through the race, McAdoo separates from the pack and starts to chase down Romano.
A fast launch out of a turn and a triple jump gives McAdoo the lead.
McAdoo wins by 2.7 seconds over Romano. Hammaker rounds out the podium.
Chance Hymas in fourth and Vialle round out the top five.
The biggest challenge of the heat was for the final transfer. Papi pushes Munoz off course as they try to decide who’ll be ninth but as they lose focus, Gage Linville steaks past them. He moves directly into the Main with Papi and Munoz will take their unresolved issues into the Last Chance Qualifier.
From a podium in the opener in Detroit to 14th tonight, Bennick learns how tough it is to be a rookie.
Click here for complete 250 Heat 2 results.
Qualification
450s
Times were faster in Qualification 2 and Jett Lawrence set quick time at 43.770 seconds. This is the third time he’s set the fastest lap. He won the previous two races at A1 and Detroit.
Even at 80 percent, Sexton’s wrist did not slow him and he logged the second fastest time. Cooper rounded out the top three.
Tomac is still seeking his first 2024 win; he was fourth. Also looking for the top spot on the podium for the first time, Anderson rounded out the top five.
When Qualification 1 and 2 were added together, Ty Masterpool was the final rider to make the night show. He was 40th with a lap of 47.776. Grant Harlan (46.993) was 31st, so both Texas natives returning to action in Texas were successful.
Jett Lawrence, Roczen and Dean Wilson all hit the ground in the sand section midway through Qualification 1.
Cooper ends the session at the top of the board with a lap of 45.158 seconds. Tomac and Sexton round out the top three.
Anderson is fourth and Jett Lawrence rebounds from his fall to post the fifth fastest time.
Harlan returns to action this week. He was in Group C in Qualification 1 and posted the sixth-fastest time there of 49.823 seconds, which was more than a second off leader Mitchell Oldenburg.
Also returning, Masterpool is in Group B this week. He was 10th in this group at 49.492 seconds, two seconds behind leader Mitchell Harrison.
Click here for complete 450 qualification.
250s
Hammaker must have felt left out by his two teammates when Forkner and McAdoo paced the first qualification session. Hammaker jumps to the top of the board quickly in Qualification 2.
In Q2, Forkner was second for the second time today with a small margin (0.068) to first. Pierce Brown rounds out the top three.
After crashing on Lap 1 in the 250 East opener in Detroit, McAdoo posts the fastest time at 46.891. Forkner is second and only 0.030 seconds slower.
Anstie (46.931) rounds out the top three. Triumph’s Swoll is just outside the top five in the manufacturer’s second Supercross race.
Click here for complete 250 qualification.
2024 Race Recaps
Arlington: Cooper Webb, Haiden Deegan
Glendale: Ken Roczen, RJ Hampshire
Detroit: Jett Lawrence, Austin Forkner
Anaheim 2: Cooper Webb, Levi Kitchen
San Diego: Aaron Plessinger, Nate Thrasher
San Francisco: Chase Sexton, Jordon Smith
Anaheim 1: Jett Lawrence, RJ Hampshire
More SuperMotocross News
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Starting experiences separate 2024 from 2023 for Austin Forkner
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