2024 FOX RACEWAY MOTOCROSS PRE-RACE REPORT: INJURED LIST, TV SCHEDULE & MORE

This weekend we head down to Pala, California to Fox Raceway for the first round of the Pro motocross series. Jett Lawrence heads into motocross with a continued streak of twenty-two moto wins, which was a perfect season that he had accomplished in 2023. There are a few riders who are looking to stop the streak this weekend like Chase Sexton, Jason Anderson, or even Jett’s brother Hunter Lawrence. With a few riders injured at the beginning of this season, results are a little more predictable, but anything can happen in motocross. The 250 class had a taste of the competition in Supercross with the East/West showdowns but now this is where they will come together and attempt to become champion. For all updates on the pre-race, read down below.

2024 FOX RACEWAY NATIONAL // FULL COVERAGE

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FRESH AIR AND 40 RIDERS

RJ Hampshire heading down the start straight at the 2023 Fox Raceway National.

The 250 class comes together this weekend for the start of the pro motocross series. In Supercross the riders are split East and West but in motocross all the riders are on the track battling for position. Last year RJ Hampshire was able to win the first moto but a crash in the second moto took him out of contention. Hunter Lawrence was last year’s champion, but has now moved into the 450 class opening the door for a new winner. Long 30 minute plus two lap motos will determine who’s worked hardest in the two week break from Supercross.

WILL THE STREAK CONTINUE?

Jett Lawrence on track to his first win of the season in 2023.

On race day Jett Lawrence will try to continue his 364-day streak of not losing an National motocross race. He had a perfect season in 2023 going 22-0 on the results list. Now Jett faces an all new challenge of changing track conditions and fierce competition who want to knock him off the top spot. Jett is coming off a recent 450 Supercross championship but has always favored the motocross tracks. It will be interesting to see how his results look this summer and if he can keep up the momentum.

INJURED LIST:

COOPER WEBB – THUMB

Cooper Webb had closed the points gap on Jett Lawrence in the 450 Supercross Championship only to injure the ulnar ligament in his left thumb. He kept racing, but it was obvious that he had trouble holding on—that allowed Jett Lawrence to pull away in the Championship points chase.

Cooper Webb said, “It’s disappointing to be missing the beginning of Pro Motocross, but fixing this thumb injury is a must to be at my best for the remainder of the year. The goal is to come back for the final stretch of the outdoor season and come into the SMX playoffs swinging.”.

ELI TOMAC – THUMB

Eli Tomac will be sitting out this weekend and possibly in the near future as the crash in Denver resulted in a fracture and torn ligaments in his thumb that will require surgery. Eli will sit out the opening rounds of motocross.

Eli Tomac States: “This is not the news I wanted to break to everyone, but at the Denver Supercross in free practice I crashed on my thumb, and it’s resulted in a Bennett fracture and some torn ligaments that will require surgery to stabilize my thumb. This is a tough one to swallow, knowing that I’m going to miss the opening rounds of motocross, but I’m optimistic I will be able to race the later portion of the outdoor season and the SMX rounds. I want to thank all my fans and Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing for being so supportive through the Supercross season. We will be back stronger in the later half of this season.”

AARON PLESSINGER – ELBOW

Aaron Plessinger had a scary crash when getting cross-rutted on the landing of a triple in Foxborough. Aaron attempted to ride the qualifying sessions but ultimately pulled off due to the severity of pain in his elbow. He did break his elbow and missed  the rest of the Supercross season, but annpounced that he will be at the Pala opener.

AUSTIN FORKNER – BACK & SHOULDER

Austin had one of the scarier crashes we’ve seen in a while when he came up short entering a rhythm section which knocked his hand off the bars and sent him flying onto the infield concrete. As a result, he fractured his L3-L4 in his spine as well as a fractured scapula. Fortunately, his injuries did not require surgery, and he is expected to make a full recovery. Austin Forkner is still recovering and will be sit out the opening rounds of 2024 AMA Motocross Championship.

ENZO LOPES – FOREARM

Enzo Lopes underwent “Arm Pump” surgery on his forearms, which is claimed to help improve blood flow to the arms. This type of surgery usually takes a few weeks to recover from, but in Enzo’s case, it has been lingering over the last couple of months. He will sit out the opening rounds of the outdoors.

Enzo Lopes said, “Riding for Star Racing comes with a lot of expectations, especially after my momentum from last season. Unfortunately, the cards we were dealt with this off-season were out of our control, and with that, we agreed on missing some rounds. I am super bummed, but I know in the long run this will be the best decision for me and also the team.”