Hunter Lawrence Wins First 450 AMA Pro Motocross Championship

Honda HRC Progressive rider Hunter Lawrence secured his first AMA Pro Motocross 450 National Championship on Saturday at Ironman Raceway, capping a hard-fought, season-long battle with his brother and teammate, Jett Lawrence. It was an emotional achievement for the 27-year-old who, after coming close on several occasions, finally achieved a lifelong goal of earning a premier-class title.

After finishing a close second in the 2026 AMA Supercross Championship, Hunter approached the outdoors series more determined than ever, tallying a perfect 1-1 score at the opening round in Pala, California. That victory set the tone for an impressive season, with the Australian going on to collect a total of six overall wins across the 11-round series.

Hunter’s main competition came from his brother and teammate, Jett Lawrence—the defending champion—as the CRF450RWE-mounted duo combined to win 20 of 22 motos, trading the championship lead six times along the way. The brothers entered the last round with only one point separating them, setting up a dramatic finale.

The first moto saw Hunter get a strong start, only to be collected by Haiden Deegan’s lap 1 crash and sent to the back of the pack. Meanwhile, Jett reaggravated his ankle injury early on and was unable to ride at his normal pace. Hunter eventually passed him and worked his way up to eighth, while Jett struggled to an 11th-place result. Moto 2 saw the brothers battle over third place for much of the race, with Jett eventually securing the position and sixth overall. Hunter’s fourth place was good for fourth overall and the championship.

“I don’t even know where to start,” Hunter laughed on the podium. “The first lap in the first moto, I was like, ‘Here we go again.’ In the second moto, I just knew I had to finish right behind Jett; most of my work was done in the first moto. He’s been a trooper with that foot; he tweaked it in the first turn of the first lap and had instant pain. It was a pretty uncharacteristic day for the Lawrences, but we got it done. Thanks to the whole team for being behind me, thanks to my brother and family, thanks to everyone that supports us, everyone who’s here cheering for us, coming by and asking if they can pray for us and bless us. Thank you America; we’re living the American dream, and we couldn’t do it anywhere else but here.”

This latest title gives Honda HRC Progressive its second consecutive 1-2 finish in the AMA Pro Motocross 450 Rider Championship standings. It also marks Honda’s 16th premier-class AMA Pro Motocross Riders Championship, extending its record. Other Red Riders to earn the title are Gary Jones, Donnie Hansen, David Bailey, Rick Johnson, Jeff Stanton, Jean-Michel Bayle, Jeremy McGrath, Ricky Carmichael and Jett Lawrence.

“It’s a new feeling for me, getting second in a championship,” said Jett, who has twice won the same title. “I put my heart into it, but today was just an off day. I tweaked my foot so many times in practice and in that first race, so it was a bummer. I tried my best in that second one, but I was just finished. Hunter rode unreal this year. He was the main guy; I did my best to try and get him, but I just couldn’t get it done—maybe I should’ve put some laxative in his coffee this morning! It was a good season, and I can’t be too bummed with everything I’ve gone through. I’m still very happy—congrats to Hunter!”

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