Sports
Rookie Jett Lawrence Dominates to Win First DAYTONA Supercross
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (March 2, 2024) – In only his eighth career 450SX Class start, Team Honda HRC rider Jett Lawrence dominated the field to capture his first DAYTONA Supercross title at Daytona International Speedway and third victory of his rookie season in the top class.
Jett Lawrence wins 2024 DAYTONA Supercross at Daytona International Speedway, Saturday, March 2, 2024. Photo by Harry Castiblanco / Florida National News
His performance came in front of the largest crowd in DAYTONA Supercross history, and the fourth such crowd in as many rounds of the Monster Energy AMA Supercross season, as the series contested its eighth round of the season in Florida on Saturday night.
Jett Lawrence wins 2024 DAYTONA Supercross at Daytona International Speedway, Saturday, March 2, 2024. Photo by Harry Castiblanco / Florida National News
The race that turned out to be Lawrence’s to win almost began in disaster, as seconds before the gate drop the team managed to pull the tire heater off the rear wheel. From the start, it looked like a three-way battle would be waged between Lawrence, seven-time DAYTONA Supercross champion Eli Tomac and reigning AMA Supercross 450cc champion Chase Sexton.
Red Bull KTM Factory Racing rider Sexton jumped out to an early advantage, as Lawrence and Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing’s Tomac settled in behind, trying to hold off Progressive Insurance ECSTAR Suzuki’s Ken Roczen.
Jett Lawrence wins 2024 DAYTONA Supercross at Daytona International Speedway, Saturday, March 2, 2024. Photo by Harry Castiblanco / Florida National News
But Lawrence surged past both Tomac and Sexton and never looked back – pulling out to a lengthy lead and leaving it to the other two to sort out how the rest of the podium would play out.
For Tomac, this marked the third second-place finish at Daytona International Speedway in 10 years – but the other seven results all landed him atop the podium. Sexton finished third while Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing’s Cooper Webb and Roczen completed the top five.
Lawrence continues to lead the Monster Energy Supercross Championship points standings, now holding a 10-point advantage over Webb. Sexton sits 13 points behind Lawrence in third.
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (Florida National News) – The Jacksonville Jaguars (1-4) won their first game of the season, beating the Indianapolis Colts (2-3) 37-34. Today’s victory put an end to QB Trevor Lawrence’s losing streak of nine straight starts, dating back to his last win at Houston on Nov. 26, 2023. The Jaguars wore throwback jerseys today to commemorate their inaugural 1994 expansion team, which is celebrating their 30th anniversary all season long.
The Colts scored on their first drive of the game as QB Joe Flacco, who was filling in for the injured Anthony Richardson, completed a 1 yard pass to WR Michael Pittman Jr. The extra point by K Matt Gay put Indianapolis up 7-0. Later in the quarter, RB Travis Etienne Jr. moved into fifth place on the Jaguars’ all time list of receiving yards for running backs, passing RB James Stewart’s 853 yards.
In the second quarter, the Jaguars put their first points on the board, a 23 yard K Cam Little field goal. But QB Trevor Lawrence later completed an 85 yard touchdown pass to WR Brian Thomas Jr., followed by the XP from Little, putting the Jags ahead 10-7. Matt Gay added a 30 yard field goal for the Colts to tie the score at 10-10. A fumble recovery by DE Josh Hines-Allen after DE Travon Walker got Flacco to drop the ball, marked the first forced turnover by the Jaguars defense this season. That set up Cam Little’s 30 yard field goal, putting the Jags back up 13-10 at halftime.
At the half, the Jaguars’ first and all-time winningest Coach, Tom Coughlin, was inducted onto the Pride of the Jaguars, joining Tony Boselli, Wayne and Delores Weaver, Fred Taylor, Mark Brunell, and Jimmy Smith. Coughlin received the Jaguars Pride teal jacket for his 72 victories, including two division titles and four trips to the playoffs, including a pair of AFC Championship game appearances in 1996 and 1999.
Tom Coughlin gets his Jaguars Pride teal jacket (photo credit: Mike Brodsky, Florida National News)
In the third quarter, RB Tank Bigsby ran for a 19 yard touchdown and Little added the extra point, extending the Jaguars lead to 20-10, which remained the score at the end of the third quarter.
In the fourth, Flacco found TE Mo Alie-Cox in the end zone, completing an 18 yard touchdown pass, Matt Gay added the extra point to narrow the Colts’ deficit to 20-17. Trevor Lawrence added a 4 yard touchdown pass to TE Brenton Strange, and Little’s extra point extended the Jags’ lead to 27-17. The Colts’ Matt Gay scored a 37 yard field goal, to narrow their deficit to 27-20. But Tank Bigsby added another impressive touchdown run for 65 yards, and after Little’s XP, the Jaguars were ahead 34-20. Flacco later completed a 45 yard pass to WR Alec Pierce, and RB Trey Sermon ran the ball in for a 1 yard touchdown, followed by Matt Gay’s XP, to make the score 34-27. Flacco added a 65 yard touchdown pass to Alec Pierce, and Gay’s extra point tied the game up at 34-34. Cam Little scored a 49 yard field goal late in the 4th to put the Jags ahead again 37-34, securing the victory.
Trevor Lawrence finished with 371 yards and 2 touchdowns. Tank Bigsby led the Jaguars’ rushing with 101 yards and 2 touchdowns. Brian Thomas, Jr. was the leading receiver with 122 yards and 1 touchdown.
The Jaguars head to London to face the Chicago Bears on Sunday, 10/13 and the New England Patriots on Sunday, 10/20. Kickoff for both games will be 9:30 a.m. The Jaguars’ next home game will be against the Green Bay Packers on Sunday, 10/27 at 1:00 p.m. Be sure to follow www.FloridaSportsChannel.com and www.FloridaNationalNews.com for more.
Sports
LeJuan James Shines at Orlando Magic Media Day, Celebrates Hispanic Heritage Month and Talks Championship Hopes
ORLANDO, Fla. (FNN Sports) – Latino social media star LeJuan James, one of the top influencers with 17.9 million likes on TikTok, 3 million Instagram followers, and 3.3 million Facebook followers, made a splash at the Orlando Magic’s Media Day for the 2024-2025 season. Known for his relatable comedic skits that highlight Hispanic culture, James engaged with NBA players and the team’s beloved mascot, Stuff, adding his unique flair to the event.
LeJuan James arrived at Orlando Magic Media Day wearing a shirt featuring Puerto Rican Carlos Arroyo, a former Orlando Magic player. His outfit paid homage to Arroyo’s legacy, showcasing pride in his Puerto Rican roots while also celebrating Hispanic representation in the NBA.
LeJuan James at Orlando Magic Media Day 2024: Credit: LeJuan James, Facebook Page
During an exclusive interview with FNN, James shared his thoughts on the Magic’s potential to bring home a championship, while also reflecting on the significance of his Hispanic roots.
James’ impact on social media continues to inspire millions, particularly within the Latino community, where his content bridges cultural gaps, fostering connection and representation on a global scale.
__________________________
J Willie David, III and Mike Brodsky contributed to this report.
sports@FloridaNationalNews.com
Florida1 day agoPresident Biden to Visit Florida on Sunday to Survey Hurricane Milton Damage
Sports24 hours agoOrlando Magic Sign Free Agent Robert Baker II, Waive Guard Javonte Smart
Florida5 days agoCongressman Maxwell Frost Joins NOAA’S Hurricane Hunters for Flight Into the Storm
US NATIONAL NEWS1 day agoPresident Biden Approves Major Disaster Declaration for Florida in Wake of Hurricane Milton
Central Florida News3 days agoCity of Orlando Issues Hurricane Milton Recovery Update: Power Restoration, Debris Cleanup, and Safety Guidelines for Residents
