Photo credits: Align Media
After a two-week break, the AMA Pro Motocross Championship roars back into action this weekend with Round 9 at Ironman Raceway in Crawfordsville, Indiana — a fan-favorite stop that’s primed to deliver high drama, championship implications, and even a preview of October’s Motocross of Nations.
Riders return from the mid-season pause with one big question hanging over the paddock: who used the break to recover, and who kept grinding? For riders like Hunter and Jett Lawrence or Eli Tomac, who missed time earlier this year with injuries, the downtime may have been another opportunity to keep the training momentum going. Meanwhile, SMX points leader Justin Cooper, who hasn’t missed a single race this year, may have welcomed the chance to recharge.
450 Class – Can Chase Sexton deliver again?
The last round at Washougal delivered perhaps the best battle of the season between the Lawrence brothers, Eli Tomac, and Chase Sexton — with Sexton ultimately taking the win. The big question now: can Sexton keep it rolling?
Sexton should only be getting stronger after missing weeks earlier in the season, but Washougal has historically been a great track for him. Ironman could be another — its Midwestern soil is similar to his home track at RedBud, just a few hours away. He’ll come in with momentum, confidence, and a strong chance of being named to Team USA for the Motocross of Nations.
Meanwhile, Jett Lawrence will be looking to get back to his dominant form. He’s only lost two 450 overalls in his pro motocross career — the latest being that Washougal defeat to Sexton.
250 Class – Can Joe Shimoda continue his winning streak?
In the 250 division, Joe Shimoda has been on fire. If not for a rear brake issue at Spring Creek, he might be on a three-race winning streak. Across the pit area, Haiden Deegan is hungry to rebound after losing ground last round. The rutted Ironman circuit could also play into the hands of riders like Seth Hammaker or Garrett Marchbanks.
Track Analysis
Trackside analyst Jason Thomas reports that Ironman will likely present a harder, drier version of itself this year thanks to limited rain — a far cry from the full mud race of 2015.
The venue features a section added last year that’s been further developed, providing fans more camping space, expanded viewing areas, and great sightlines in the wooded sections.
Starts will be crucial as always, but Ironman does offer passing opportunities — provided riders set up their moves before the corner, since many turns funnel riders to the inside line.
Motocross of Nations Preview
This year’s Ironman round doubles as a dress rehearsal for the 2025 Motocross of Nations, set to take place here on October 5th. Fans can expect to see Team USA, last year’s winners Team Australia. Also title contenders from Europe like Team France, Team Netherlands and Team Belgium won’t be missing.
Last year’s MXON in Great Britain was one of the most exciting races of the year, especially with Tim Gajser and Jett Lawrence going head-to-head in the final moto. Team USA will have the advantage of the home soil, there is not one favorite among the teams
Injury Report
There are many absent riders, who are out for the season from before. Also Aaron Plessinger was added to that list this week. But there are many who are expected to race this weekend, returning from their injuries: Tom Vialle, Julien Beaumer, Michael Mosiman, Pierce Brown, Daxton Bennick and Jett Reynolds.
Surely and exciting weekend ahead of us. Who will step on the top of the podium?