2026 San Diego 450SX Qualifying Results | Racer X

(San Diego, January 18, 2026) – Qualifying for the 450SX class at the Monster Energy AMA Supercross Championship in San Diego has concluded, setting the stage for Saturday’s main event.

Qualifying results in San Diego have persistent the starting grid for the 450SX class, with riders vying for optimal positioning in Saturday’s races.

• Qualifying determines the starting gate selection for the main event.
• Riders compete in timed sessions to establish their qualifying order.
• The San Diego event is a key stop in the Monster Energy AMA Supercross Championship series.

Qualifying sessions are crucial in Supercross, as they directly influence a rider’s gate pick for the main event. A better qualifying position translates to a more favorable gate selection, potentially providing a significant advantage at the start of the race. The 2026 San Diego event is an important stop on the championship tour.

Did you know? – Supercross qualifying isn’t a one-shot deal. Riders typically have multiple sessions to improve their times and secure a better starting position. The fastest overall qualifying time earns the frist gate pick.

Why It Matters

The San Diego Supercross is a long-standing and popular event on the AMA Supercross calendar. The track is known for its challenging layout, often featuring a demanding whoop section and technical jumps. A strong performance in qualifying at San Diego is especially important as it sets the tone for the entire weekend and can substantially impact a rider’s championship aspirations. The ability to navigate the track quickly and consistently during qualifying demonstrates a rider’s preparedness and skill, offering a psychological edge heading into the main event.

The qualifying results establish the competitive order for Saturday’s races, and the event is a key component of the overall monster Energy AMA Supercross Championship.

Pro tip – Gate selection is critical. An inside gate generally offers a tighter line into the first turn, while outside gates provide more room for error but a longer route.

Who qualified fastest? Jett Lawrence of the honda HRC team secured the fastest qualifying time, followed closely by Chase Sexton on a KTM. The top 40 riders advanced to Saturday’s main event, with the remaining riders competing in Last Chance Qualifier (LCQ) races for the final remaining spots.

What happened during qualifying? The sessions saw intense competition, with riders pushing the limits of their machines and skills. Several riders experienced minor crashes, but no serious injuries where reported.Lawrence’s consistent speed throughout both qualifying sessions proved to be the difference, earning him the coveted first gate pick.

How did it end? Qualifying concluded with Lawrence setting a blistering lap time of 51.2 seconds, establishing a new benchmark for the weekend. Sexton’s time of 51.5 seconds secured him second place, while other top contenders like Ken Roczen and Cooper Webb also secured favorable starting positions. The stage is now set for an exciting main event on Saturday night, where these top riders will battle for the win.

Time.news based this report on results from the 2026 San diego – 450SX Combined Qualifying Monster Energy AMA Supercross Championship Results.