2023 Charlotte SuperMotocross | Qualifying Report & Times

Presented by O’Neal

After a weekend off, following the conclusion of the 2023 Pro Motocross Championship, round one and the inaugural SuperMotocross series is officially underway in Charlotte. The fastest racers in the world met for the first time in zMax Dragway for round one of the unique three-round championship. The fast, technical course helped produce incredibly close lap times in both classes. Just fractions of a second split the front-runners in the 250 and 450 Class on the qualifying sheets, which ratcheted up the anticipation for today’s racing even more. Here’s a look at the fastest lap times and results…

Seth Hammaker topped the charts in the 250cc class after a late fast lap in the final session of riding. The Monster Energy/Pro Circuit/Kawasaki racer turned in an impressive 1:15.052, which was a few hundredths faster than the next best time.

Team Honda HRC’s Hunter Lawrence improved greatly in the final session of timed-qualifying, as he was next on the time sheets. The 2023 Pro Motocross 250 champion logged a 1:15.118 late in the final session to earn second place. 

Pierce Brown looked to be on his way to turning around his 2023 season, as he ended up in third place overall in 250 timed-qualifying. The Troy Lee Designs/Red Bull/GasGas Factory Racing rider clicked off a 1:15.149 in the final session.

After topping the charts in the first qualifier, Haiden Deegan went down hard in the second session of riding. Although he did not continue riding, we believe the Monster Energy/Star Racing/Yamaha rider will be okay and line-up for today’s race. 

Jett Lawrence topped the charts after improving on his time in the final session of timed qualifying. The Team Honda HRC rider had a rough first practice, where he crashed and changed tires, but turned it around later in the morning and logged a 1:13.332 to claim the fastest qualifier title. 

Team Honda HRC teammate Chase Sexton was just behind on the time sheets, as he laid down a 1:14.039 in the final session of timed-qualifying. 

Ken Roczen is back at the races and looking as good as ever. The Pipes Motorsports Group Suzuki racer was third fastest in the 450 class after laying down a 1:14.414 in the second and final session of riding. 

250 LCQ

Austin Forkner got the jump off the gate and met Joshua Varize in the first corner, but Varize then lost traction and went down just a few moments later. That mistake by Joshua left Forkner out front by himself and Chris Blose in second place. Cullin Park settled into third place and had Luke Neese in tail. 

Hunter Yoder advanced past Neese for fourth place, but Luke then fired back a few sections later. Yoder passed Neese again and then worked to pull away from him. During the battle for fourth place, Cullin Park made the pass on Chris Blose for second place. Austin Forkner took the LCQ victory ahead of Cullin Park, Chris Blose, and Hunter Yoder; who all advance into the main events. 

450 LCQ

Jeremy Hand secured the early lead after a solid jump and some fortunate luck in the first corners, as others over-shot the corner. Phil Nicoletti sat in second place and had Kevin Moranz in tail, who held on to the final transfer position. Phil Nicoletti made the pass for the lead on the second lap, after opting for the left side through the split lane. 

Jeremy Hand stalled while running in second place, which dropped him back to third. He then made another mistake and tipped-over, ending his chances at transferring to the main events. Jerry Robin then advanced past Simonson and secured the final transfer spot. Phil Nicoletti took the LCQ win ahead of Moranz and Robin; who all transferred to the main events.