The AMA Pro Motocross Champs in the United States wrapped up at Budds Creek MX in Maryland at the weekend with Australian Jett Lawrence celebrating a dominant season finish.
Having already clinched the premier-class title last weekend, the Honda rider Lawrence closed out the series with another overall win thanks to a 1-2 scoreboard, while elder brother and team-mate Hunter Lawrence went 3-1 to lock up second overall on the day.
Hunter also finalised second place in the 450 points chase, giving Honda a 1-2 series sweep in the 450 division – the first time a manufacturer has taken the top two premier-class spots since 2014.
Jett delivered a wire-to-wire moto one performance, taking the holeshot aboard his CRF450RWE and leading every lap for a commanding victory. Hunter faced a tougher start from 13th out of turn one, but he steadily charged forward, making 10 passes over the course of the moto to secure third. He rebounded with the race two holeshot, just ahead of Jett.
Hunter set a strong pace, pulling a 13-second gap over his younger brother by the finish.
With Jett and Hunter splitting holeshots at Budds Creek, the brothers ended the series tied with seven each—giving Honda HRC Progressive an impressive total of 14 holeshots out of 22 (an impressive 64 percent!).
Jett’s flawless first moto at Budds Creek represented his ninth wire-to-wire win in 22 tries this season.
Adding to Honda’s strong day at Budds Creek, Jett Lawrence clocked the fastest lap in the first 450 moto.
With Jett’s success this weekend, Honda moves into a tie with Kawasaki for most premier-class overall wins at Budds Creek, at eight.
Jett ended the series with nine out of 11 overall premier-class wins, boosting his career total to 24.
Jett’s latest championship is his ninth crown in AMA professional racing, and it makes him the 14th rider to earn two or more premier-class AMA Pro Motocross crowns.
While it was impressive that Jett and Hunter locked in first and second in the AMA Pro Motocross premier-class final standings, it was not the first time that Honda has accomplished the feat. Ricky Johnson and David Bailey did it in 1986, Jean-Michel Bayle and Jeff Stanton did it in 1991, and Ricky Carmichael and Kevin Windham did it in 2003.
That said, this was the first time in history that a pair of siblings have gone 1-2 in the final premier class rankings.
Hunter finished the season as the only rider to finish every race in the top five. He has finished second in points in both of his seasons in the AMA Pro Motocross 450 class.
With AMA Pro Motocross complete, the riders and teams now take a weekend off before shifting to the SuperMotocross Playoffs. The three-round postseason will kick off September 6 at Charlotte Motor Speedway in North Carolina.
© Photo courtesy Honda
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RESULTS & FINAL STANDINGS:
450 Overall Results:
- Jett Lawrence (Hon)
- Hunter Lawrence (Hon)
- Justin Cooper (Yam)
- R.J. Hampshire (Hus)
- Justin Barcia (Gas)
- Malcolm Stewart (Hus)
- Dylan Ferrandis (Hon)
- Eli Tomac (Yam)
- Valentin Guillod (Yam)
- Jorge Prado (Kaw)
450 Championship Points (after 11 of 11 rounds):
- Jett Lawrence (509)
- Hunter Lawrence (454)
- Eli Tomac (395)
- Justin Cooper (389)
- R.J. Hampshire (366)
- Jorge Prado (262)
- Malcolm Stewart (240)
- Aaron Plessinger (204)
- Valentin Guillod (201)
- Justin Barcia (196)
250 Overall Results:
- Haiden Deegan (Yam)
- Jo Shimoda (Hon)
- Levi Kitchen (Kaw)
- Garrett Marchbanks Kaw)
- Nate Thrasher (Yam)
- Ty Masterpool (Kaw)
- Cole Davies (New Zealand, Yam)
- Drew Adams (Kaw)
- Ryder Difrancesco (Gas)
- Dilan Schwartz (Yam)
Also:
41st. Brodie Connolly (New Zealand, Hon)
250 Championship Points (after 11 of 11 rounds):
- Haiden Deegan (502)
- Jo Shimoda (454)
- Garrett Marchbanks (352)
- Levi Kitchen (327)
- Tom Vialle (288)
- Mikkel Haarup (239)
- Seth Hammaker (231)
- Maximus Vohland (230)
- Jordon Smith (211)
- Ryder Difrancesco (191)