The 450 Main Event at Anaheim 1 delivered high drama from the opening gate drop, with multiple lead changes and crashes shaping the outcome of the season opener. Championship hopeful Jett Lawrence faced immediate adversity, emerging last from turn one after getting caught up with a Tuff Block while Jorge Prado and Jason Anderson established themselves at the front.

Anderson briefly took control of the race before defending champion Chase Sexton mounted a charge to the front. The early stages saw more drama as Eli Tomac went down on the opening lap, joining Lawrence at the back of the pack. Ken Roczen showed impressive speed, working his way into second position just as Lawrence suffered his second crash of the night, forcing another comeback ride from the rear.

The drama continued when race leader Sexton had a stall, allowing Roczen to close the gap. However, Sexton regrouped and re-established his lead, ultimately taking the win. Roczen secured second place, 4.293 seconds behind, while Anderson completed the podium 5.916 seconds off the lead. Cooper Webb put in a solid ride for fourth, with Tomac salvaging fifth after his early setback, finishing 10.469 seconds behind Sexton.

Justin Barcia crossed the line in sixth, followed by Justin Cooper, Justin Hill, and Aaron Plessinger. Malcolm Stewart rounded out the top ten, while the Lawrence brothers, Hunter and Jett, finished 11th and 12th respectively. Jorge Prado’s late crash in the whoops relegated him to 14th position, ahead of Vince Friese in 15th.

In the 250 West Main Event, Jo Shimoda secured a commanding victory in the season opener. Julien Beaumer impressed with a strong second-place finish, 4.747 seconds behind Shimoda, while maintaining pressure throughout the 15-lap race. Jordon Smith showed tremendous resilience, recovering from a crash to claim the final podium position, 11.599 seconds off the lead.

Ryder DiFrancesco finished fourth, while Haiden Deegan fought through the pack after first-lap chaos to secure fifth position with a dramatic last-corner pass on Coty Schock, who finished sixth. Anthony Bourdon, Cole Davies, and Garrett Marchbanks completed the top nine, with Cole Thompson rounding out the top ten.

After the race, Deegan reflected on his performance: “Not really happy, better than last year – we will take the positive! Went down, fought my heart out and got to fifth.”

The night’s events suggest a highly competitive championship battle lies ahead in both classes as the series moves forward.

Image: Feld Entertainment Inc.