Hunter Lawrence Claims First 450 Motocross Title for Honda

Honda HRC Progressive rider Hunter Lawrence secured his inaugural AMA Pro Motocross 450 National Championship on August 30, 2026, at Ironman Raceway in Crawfordsville, Indiana. This victory culminated a season-long contest with his brother and teammate, Jett Lawrence, and marked Honda's second consecutive 1-2 finish in the rider standings. Honda also claimed the AMA Pro Motocross Manufacturers Championship for the year.

A Season of Dominance and Close Competition

Hunter Lawrence, at 27 years old, achieved a significant career milestone by winning his first premier-class title. His season began strongly with a perfect 1-1 score at the opening round in Pala, California, setting the tone for his performance. Throughout the 11-round series, Hunter collected a total of six overall wins, demonstrating consistent form.

The championship battle was largely an internal affair between the Lawrence brothers, who combined to win 20 of the 22 motos contested. The points lead exchanged hands a record six times during the season, highlighting the intense rivalry and competitive balance between the two Honda riders. This close competition built anticipation for the final round.

Dramatic Finale at Ironman Raceway

Entering the final round, only one point separated Hunter and Jett Lawrence, setting the stage for a high-stakes finale. In the first moto, Hunter experienced an early setback when he was involved in a crash with Haiden Deegan on the first lap, forcing him to recover from the back of the pack. Simultaneously, Jett reaggravated an ankle injury, limiting his pace.

Despite the challenges, Hunter managed to pass Jett and climb to an eighth-place finish, while Jett struggled to 11th. The second moto saw the brothers vying for third place for much of the race. Jett ultimately secured third, placing him sixth overall for the event. Hunter's fourth-place finish in Moto 2 was sufficient to secure fourth overall for the day and, crucially, the Hunter Lawrence Motocross Championship title.

Honda's Continued Success in Motocross

Hunter Lawrence's championship marks Honda's 16th premier-class AMA Pro Motocross Riders Championship, extending the manufacturer's record in the sport. This achievement also represents the second consecutive year that Honda HRC Progressive riders have finished first and second in the 450 class standings, underscoring the team's strong performance.

Beyond the 450 class, Honda also saw success in the 250 class, with riders Chance Hymas and Jo Shimoda securing overall wins during the season. Hymas finished fourth overall in the series, while Shimoda's campaign was cut short by an injury at round six. The collective efforts across both classes contributed to Honda securing the AMA Pro Motocross Manufacturers Championship.

The 2026 season reinforces Honda's position in professional motocross. The team now looks ahead to the SuperMotocross World Championship, with the opening round scheduled for September 12 in Columbus, Ohio. Honda HRC Progressive has historically dominated the 450 class in this series, and Jett Lawrence and Jo Shimoda are the defending 450 and 250 SMX champions, respectively.