Honda HRC Riders Take Championship Leads at RedBud Motocross

Honda HRC Progressive riders Hunter Lawrence and Jo Shimoda have taken the championship points leads in both the 450 and 250 classes following their strong performances at the RedBud Motocross National. This significant achievement means Honda HRC RedBud leads both premier categories as the AMA Pro Motocross Championship progresses. The event, held on July 6, 2026, saw Lawrence secure his third overall victory of the season in the premier class, while Shimoda earned his first moto win and second overall finish in the 250 class.

450 Class Dominance and Challenges

Hunter Lawrence achieved his third overall win of the season, and second consecutively, at RedBud. Despite a challenging first moto where he led before a mechanical issue caused a tip-over, he recovered to finish second. In moto two, Lawrence started sixth but quickly advanced, passing Jorge Prado for the lead with three laps remaining and securing a 12-second victory. This performance extends Honda's record for premier-class overall wins at RedBud to 14.

His brother, Jett Lawrence, also reached the overall podium, finishing third despite an uncharacteristic day. Jett won the first moto after Hunter's incident but experienced two early tip-overs in moto two, dropping him outside the top 10 before a determined charge back to fifth. Jett Lawrence, who topped 450 combined qualifying, noted that a foot injury affected his balance and performance on the difficult track conditions.

Hunter Lawrence now holds a narrow three-point lead over Jett Lawrence in the 450MX standings, with 227 points to Jett's 224 after five of eleven rounds.

Shimoda Takes 250 Class Lead

In the 250 class, Jo Shimoda claimed his first moto victory of the season and finished second overall, propelling him into the championship lead. After navigating a first-turn incident in moto one to finish third, Shimoda delivered a strong moto two performance. He methodically closed on the leaders and passed Cole Davies for the win, pulling away to a 12-second lead.

Shimoda's consistent riding on the challenging RedBud course, which featured deep ruts and varied conditions due to heavy rainfall, proved crucial. He now leads the 250MX championship by four points, holding 194 points compared to Cole Davies' 190.

Teammate Chance Hymas also showed progress, recording his strongest result of the season with a seventh-place overall finish from 8-6 moto scores, continuing to build momentum in the series.

Championship Outlook

The RedBud Motocross National proved to be a pivotal event for Honda HRC Progressive, with both Hunter Lawrence and Jo Shimoda now leading their respective championships. This dual success ensures Honda HRC RedBud leads the way in both classes, setting a strong precedent for the remainder of the season. Hunter Lawrence's 22nd career premier-class podium finish moved him past his trainer, Johnny O'Mara, in career achievements.

The team's strong performance, including improved starts in the 250 class, positions them favorably as the AMA Pro Motocross Championship progresses. Both red plates will be on Honda bikes at the next event. The championship battle remains tight, particularly in the 450 class, with only three points separating the Lawrence brothers. The series moves to Southwick, Massachusetts, for the next round this Saturday.

For Honda motocross enthusiasts and followers of the AMA Pro Motocross Championship, the results from RedBud indicate a strong season for the HRC Progressive team. The Honda HRC RedBud leads across both classes position the team favorably as they head into the next round in Southwick, Massachusetts.