Round 12 of the Monster Energy® AMA Supercross Championship hosted the much-anticipated return of supercross to the Pacific Northwest after a two-year hiatus from Seattle, Wash. Monster Energy Kawasaki rider Jason Anderson secured his sixth podium result of the season with a second-place finish in the 450SX Main Event.
Anderson arrived at Lumen Field prepared to regain the podium momentum he enjoyed in the earlier rounds of the 2022 Monster Energy Supercross Championship. From the first timed session, Anderson proved his focus was on the main event by electing to use the track time as an opportunity to hone in on the ideal race setting. The unique combination of soft dirt, sharp whoops, and rough ruts in Seattle left most of the competition searching for the optimal chassis setup. Anderson and the Monster Energy Kawasaki team, however, had the KX™450SR handling how they wanted by the start of the final qualifying session when the No.21 rider logged the seventh fastest lap (49.031) and, more importantly, expressed confidence in his ability to contend for the win when the track broke down.
At the start of the second 450SX Heat Race, Anderson emerged from the first turn in second position. As a three-rider battle for the lead quickly ensued, Anderson moved around the track trying various lines while maintaining his position in the running order. Once the New Mexico native located the optimal lines in race conditions, he proceeded to set the fastest lap of the race (48.812) and swiftly made his way to the lead. At the checkered flag, Anderson claimed his fourth 450SX Heat Race win of the season.
When the gate fell for the 450SX Main Event, Anderson once again launched his KX450SR out to the front of the pack. The podium positions were tightly contested for the early stages of the race as Anderson ran in third place with an impressive pace. Before long, the lead group was making their way through lapped traffic and the race became a battle of attrition to overcome both the competition and the increasingly challenging course. On Lap 7, Anderson benefited from a mistake by the rider ahead to take control of second position. Anderson continued to press forward in the remaining laps as he consistently blitzed the torn-up whoop section and executed through the rutted rhythm lanes. Ultimately conquering the conditions and fending pressure from the rider behind, Anderson maintained second place through to the finish.
Anderson’s runner-up result in Seattle re-established his control over second place in the 450SX Championship points standings as the riders now head into their first and only off-weekend of the series.
Jason Anderson: The track was pretty tough tonight, so I definitely had to be smart about choosing my battles and taking what the conditions allowed. With the wet weather during the week, the dirt was soft but, it also broke away and had more rocks than normal. I made the most of it and I’m happy with how I managed my night by getting better each time I went out on the track. It’s nice to go into the upcoming off-weekend with another podium and have a bit of positive momentum again.”
Words: Kawasaki
Pic: Kawasaki