The second half of the SMX World Championship regular season got underway on Saturday, with the start of the 54th season of the Pro Motocross Championship, sanctioned by AMA Pro Racing. Southern California’s Fox Raceway at Pala was the site for Round 18, the Pala Casino Spa & Resort Fox Raceway National Presented by Fox Racing, where abundant sunshine and moderate temperatures set the stage for a compelling afternoon of racing that saw a pair of dominant performances from two of the sport’s rising stars.
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In the 450 Class, Team Honda HRC Progressive’s Jett Lawrence made his return to action from a torn ACL and maintained his unbeaten record at Fox Raceway with a 1-1 sweep in which he led every lap. In the 250 Class, Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing’s Haiden Deegan began his title defense with a second straight win at the season opener, his home race, also completing a sweep of the motos.
450: JETT LAWRENCE 1-1
In three career 450 Class starts at Fox Raceway, Jett Lawrence has not only won all six motos but also every single lap. A third straight 1-1 performance resulted in his 16th win in 17 career starts. Tomac’s first season opener since the 2022 season resulted in a runner-up effort (4-2), while Hunter Lawrence rounded out the overall podium in third (3-4).
Jett Lawrence’s initial lead in the championship standings sits at 10 points over Tomac, with Hunter Lawrence 12 points behind.
250: HAIDEN DEEGAN 1-1
Deegan begins his title defense the same way he started his championship campaign from a year ago, with a 1-1 performance for the eighth win of his career. Shimoda recorded his best-ever opening round result in second (2-2), while Vialle rounded out the overall podium in third (4-3).
Deegan has established a six-point lead over Shimoda in the point standings after one round, with Vialle 12 points back in third.
