Tomac Clinches 450SX Title
Eli Tomac earned the second 450SX title of his career, Hunter Lawrence held off Christian Craig
May 2, 2022
By Keaton Maisano
In front of his home-state crowd, Colorado native and Monster Energy Star Racing Yamaha’s Eli Tomac closed out the second AMA 450SX title of his career Saturday.
Riding the momentum of an impressive season, Tomac didn’t need to do much to wrap up the 450SX championship, which he first captured in 2020. While Tomac cruised to the class championship and fifth at the penultimate AMA Supercross event for the 2022 season, Monster Energy Kawasaki’s Jason Anderson won for the third straight time — and sixth time this year — to cement himself in second place in the 450SX standings.
![Eli Tomac acknowledging the crowd at Denver AMA Supercross | Credit: Jeff Kardas](jpg/tomac_kardy_sx22_den_1027.jpg)
While all eyes were on the winners of the day and season, Rockstar Energy Husqvarna’s Malcolm Stewart flashed his talent again with a runner-up finish in Round 16. The podium visit marked Stewart’s third on the year.
Stewart, who sits in third in the 450SX standings, leads Troy Lee Designs Red Bull GasGas’ Justin Barcia by 4 points and Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Marvin Musquin by 8 points with one event left. Entering the season, Stewart’s best season finish in the 450SX class was sixth.
In the 250SX class, the 250W class did not crown a champion Saturday as Monster Energy Star Racing Yamaha’s Christian Craig was unable to shut the door on Team Honda HRC’s Hunter Lawrence, who claimed his third consecutive win to pull within 18 points of Craig. Salvaging a podium visit, Craig finished two spots behind Lawrence in third place.
Both Craig and Lawrence are seeking the first AMA Supercross title of their careers.
The 250SX West title will be decided Saturday at the AMA Supercross Finale in Salt Lake City.
![Hunter Lawrence taking a jump at Denver AMA Supercross | Credit: Jeff Kardas](jpg/lawrenceh_kardy_sx22_den_1299.jpg)