Fox Racing Canada Presents Behind The Lens: The Anaheim Collection
As we sit here today just a mere 72 hours away from the first gate drop of the 2022 Monster Energy Supercross Series, it’s a good time to both look ahead to the weekend as well as look back at previous opening rounds in Anaheim. Over the years we’ve witnessed some great races inside Angel Stadium to kick-off the SX Series. With Justin Barcia taking the win in the past three opening rounds, we have to go all the back to 2018 to find another winner. That year it was Marvin Musquin who grabbed the victory in front of Ken Roczen and Eli Tomac. So who is going to win A1 this year? Well, much to the delight of fans and media people alike, there is a long list of possible riders who could win on Saturday night. For this week’s Fox Racing Canada Behind the Lens let’s take a look back at some James Lissimore photos from over the years at the season opener in Anaheim.
We have to go all the way back to 2017 to see Chad Reed racing a Yamaha at his favourite stadium in Anaheim. The Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Team always look great under the lights at Angel Stadium. These two warriors have been racing the Anaheim opener for many years and we could see them up front again this weekend. Every riders dream is to stand on top of the podium at the Anaheim SX.The first gate drop of a new season is always exciting. A SX at Angel Stadium in Anaheim is a must see if your a fan of this sport. Back in 2019 Mother Nature wasn’t too kind to the opening round as light rain fell for the most of the evening. Ken Roczen has always been fast at the opening round.. Who can forget Chad Reed’s #onelastride tour back in 2020. This photo captured Reed’s final wave to the Anaheim crowd. It’s been three years since Jess Pettis raced the opening round in Anaheim. He was supposed to line up this weekend but due to a lingering wrist injury Jess will now wait until the 250SX East Series. Jess Pettis looked comfortable at the opening round back in 2019. All the Dean Wilson fans would no doubt love to see him come out swinging this weekend in Anaheim. Due to a broken collarbone suffered last month AC is coming into the opening round without a lot of seat time. Oh yes! The King of the opening round of SX Justin Barcia. Can Bam Bam make it four in a row this weekend at Angel Stadium?Sadly Justin Cooper will not only miss the opening round of the 250SX West Series this weekend, but due to a recent foot injury he will miss the entire SX series. Heal up JC!After switching from Husqvarna to the Monster Energy Kawasaki Team for 2022, Jason Anderson has to be considered one of the favourites to win the opening round this weekend. Although Jett Lawrence will not be racing this weekend, he will be there to engage with his growing legion of fans. Dylan Ferrandis is now in the 450SX class and along with Barcia and Anderson he’s one of the favourites to win on Saturday night in Anaheim. The podium in 2022 could look exactly the same as it did in 2019. Many are picking Cooper Webb to repeat as your Monster Energy Supercross Champion but most don’t think he’ll win this weekend. Webb is a smart rider and knows that all he needs in Anaheim is a safe race and to score some solid points.