This week in US Powersports racing.

Hunter Lawrence Grabs Third Pro Motocross Championship Victory and 450SMX Points Lead on America’s 250th at RedBud

The Pro Motocross Championship, sanctioned by AMA Pro Racing, celebrated America’s 250th Anniversary with the longstanding Independence Day tradition that is the 5.11 RedBud National. One of the biggest crowds in event history was on hand for Round 22 of the Monster Energy SMX World Championship, as overnight rain gave way to sunny skies and a continually evolving racetrack. With a heightened atmosphere for the milestone holiday the action on the track responded with compelling action across both classes. In the premier 450SMX Class, Honda HRC Progressive’s Hunter Lawrence [#96] made it two in-a-row and three for the season following an incredible second moto win in which he overcame a near 10-second deficit. In the 250SMX Class, Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing’s Cole Davies [#37] became the first repeat winner in the class this summer with back-to-back victories.

Qualifying

The two timed sessions in the premier class were split atop the charts, with championship leader and Honda HRC Progressive rider Jett Lawrence [#1] leading the way in the first session with a time of 2:16.573 and Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing’s Haiden Deegan [#38] setting the pace in the second session with a time of 2:16.818. Lawrence’s lap was enough to narrowly edge out Deegan by a few tenths to earn the first gate pick.

Moto 1 [30 Minutes + 2 Laps]

The opening moto started with the Red Bull KTM Factory Racing machine of Jorge Prado [#26] leading the Lawrence brothers to the holeshot, as the Spaniard then assumed control of the lead. Behind him, Jett and Hunter engaged in a spirited fight for second, while further back Deegan was involved in a first-turn incident and started at the tail end of the field.
The top three settled in through the opening five minutes as Jett Lawrence asserted his hold on second and started to chip away at the deficit to Prado while Hunter Lawrence lurked a couple seconds behind in third. A couple laps later Jett pulled the trigger on a quick, decisive pass to take control of the lead.
The top three remained unchanged through the middle of the moto, but Hunter Lawrence was able to close in on Prado just past the halfway point and made a quick pass to take over second. With about a dozen minutes left on the race clock the brothers were separated by 3.5 seconds.
The distance between Jett and Hunter remained about the same until the moto entered its final two minutes, when Hunter closed within striking distance of his younger brother. The elder Lawrence put in a charge and made the pass just before time ran out on the race clock then sprinted away to a lead of more than seven seconds.
On the final lap, Hunter tipped over as he navigated lapped riders, which allowed Jett to reclaim the lead and bring home his fifth moto win of the summer by 3.2 seconds. Prado finished more than 20 seconds back in third, followed by Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing’s RJ Hampshire [#24] in fourth and Monster Energy Kawasaki’s Garrett Marchbanks [#36] in fifth.

Moto 2 [30 Minutes + 2 Laps]

The final race of the day got underway with Prado out front for a sweep of the holeshots, followed closely by Deegan and Jett Lawrence. Hunter Lawrence started just outside the top five in sixth.
As the lead trio sprinted away from the field Hunter Lawrence fought his way around Hampshire and Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing’s Cooper Webb [#2] to move up to fourth.
While pursuing Deegan for second, Jett Lawrence lost traction with his rear tire and went down, eventually remounting just outside the top 10 in 11th place. That moved Hunter Lawrence up to third.
With the clear track, Prado was able to seize control of the moto and sprint out to a lead of 3.5 seconds over Deegan as Hunter Lawrence looked to close in from third. Behind them, Jett Lawrence experienced even more misfortune and went down for a second time while running eighth. He remounted once again in 11th place.
Prado continued to build on his advantage, which sat at nearly nine seconds at the halfway point of the moto. Deegan maintained a firm hold of second, but Hunter Lawrence inched in from third to initiate a battle for the position. Further back, Jett Lawrence continued to fight his way through the field and was on the cusp of the top five.
Hunter Lawrence easily got the upper hand in a brief battle with Deegan and took control of second place with 13 minutes left on the race clock. At that point, Lawrence faced a 9.2 second deficit to Prado.
Over the next few laps, Lawrence took big chunks out of Prado’s lead and soon enough the Honda rider moved within three seconds of his KTM foe. Lawrence’s push continued and moved him onto Prado’s rear fender.
Prado responded and was able to stabilize his advantage as the moto approached its final five minutes. Hunter then went on the attack and made an assertive pass for the lead with under three minutes remaining. Moments later, Jett Lawrence made a pass on Marchbanks for fifth.
Once out front, Hunter Lawrence surged out to lead of more than five seconds and went on to redeem his miscue from the first moto with his fifth moto win of the season. He took the checkered flag by a margin of 11.2 seconds over Prado, with Deegan a distant third. Jett Lawrence made a valiant charge to salvage fifth.

Overall

Hunter Lawrence’s 2-1 effort netted him a second straight win and class-leading third overall victory of the season.
Prado’s pair of holeshots carried him to 3-2 finishes and a second career podium result, which equaled his career best from the opening round.
Jett Lawrence captured his 38th premier class podium in third following a 1-5 performance and finished tied with Prado in event points but lost out on the second moto tiebreaker.
For the first time in 53 years, the overall podium at RedBud was composed entirely of international athletes.
With the win Hunter Lawrence reclaimed control of the championship points lead and holds a three-point lead over Jett. Deegan, who finished sixth overall (10-3), remains third, 51 points out of the lead and 12 points ahead of Prado in fourth.

Jorge Prado [#26] edged out the Lawrences to grab the Moto 1 holeshot as he, Jett Lawrence [#1], and Hunter Lawrence [#96] each took turns at the front of the field.
MX Sports Pro Racing, Inc.

Prado [#26] put himself out front again to begin Moto 2 [1]

Prado [#26] put himself out front again to begin Moto 2 and went on to lead the majority of the race before Hunter Lawrence [#96] caught and passed him for the win.
MX Sports Pro Racing, Inc.

450SMX Class Overall Results (Moto Finishes // Points)

Hunter Lawrence, Landsborough, Qld., Australia, Honda (2-1 // 47)
Jorge Prado, Lugo, Galicia, Spain, KTM (3-2 // 42)
Jett Lawrence, Landsborough, Qld., Australia, Honda (1-5 // 42)
RJ Hampshire, Hudson, Fla., Husqvarna (4-4 // 36)
Garrett Marchbanks, Coalville, Utah, Kawasaki (5-6 // 33)
Haiden Deegan, Temecula, Calif., Yamaha (10-3 // 32)
Mikkel Haarup, Silkeborg, Denmark, Triumph (7-7 // 30)
Dylan Ferrandis, Avignon, France, Ducati (6-9 // 29)
Cooper Webb, Newport, N.C., Yamaha (8-8 // 28)
Jordon Smith, Belmont, N.C., Triumph (11-11 // 22)

450SMX Class Championship Standings (Race 5 of 11)

Hunter Lawrence, Landsborough, Qld., Australia, Honda – 227
Jett Lawrence, Landsborough, Qld., Australia, Honda – 224
Haiden Deegan, Temecula, Calif., Yamaha – 176
Jorge Prado, Lugo, Galicia, Spain, KTM – 164
RJ Hampshire, Hudson, Fla., Husqvarna – 157
Garrett Marchbanks, Coalville, Utah, Kawasaki – 149
Dylan Ferrandis, Avignon, France, Ducati – 125
Mikkel Haarup, Silkeborg, Denmark, Triumph – 124
Cooper Webb, Newport, N.C., Yamaha – 111
Aaron Plessinger, Hamilton, Ohio, KTM – 102

SMX World Championship Regular Season Standings (Round 22 of 28)

Hunter Lawrence, Landsborough, Qld., Australia, Honda – 573
Cooper Webb, Newport, N.C., Yamaha – 426
Jorge Prado, Lugo, Galicia, Spain, KTM – 353
Ken Roczen, Mattstedt, Germany, Suzuki – 349
Justin Cooper, Cold Spring Harbor, N.Y., Yamaha – 323
Dylan Ferrandis, Avignon, France, Ducati – 301
Chase Sexton, La Moille, Ill., Kawasaki – 298
Garrett Marchbanks, Coalville, Utah, Kawasaki – 291
Eli Tomac, Cortez, Colo., KTM – 275
Jett Lawrence, Landsborough, Qld., Australia, Honda – 224

1st Place – Hunter Lawrence | #96 Team Honda HRC Progressive (2-1)

“[This win] is so good. It’s America’s 250th birthday and we’re so grateful for the opportunity we have here [in this country]. We’re living the American dream and couldn’t have this life anywhere else in the world. What a day.”

2nd Place – Jorge Prado | #26 Red Bull KTM Factory Racing (3-2)

“It’s an awesome experience racing at RedBud. We used the week off to make some improvements on the bike and in the second moto I felt way more like myself. We led laps, we got the holeshot, and I’m really happy with the steps we’ve made. We’re coming.”

3rd Place – Jett Lawrence | #1 Team Honda HRC Progressive (1-5)

“I doubled down [in Moto 2] with my terrible riding today. I made a decision with the team to go a certain way on the bike, and it didn’t work. Hunter [Lawrence] is riding really well so we’ll go back to work and try to come out better at Southwick.”

https://youtube.com/watch?v=O1hJgWUch3o%3Ffeature%3Doembed

450SMX Class Highlights // RedBud National

Qualifying

Fresh off a first career win at the previous round, Davies kept the momentum rolling in Qualifying with the fastest lap of the morning at 2:19.661. The New Zealander set the pace in each session but did have his first fast lap disallowed after his motorcycle failed sound inspection. He sat 1.3 seconds clear of the 2:21.048 set by his rookie teammate Caden Dudney [#82] in second.

Moto 1 [30 Minutes + 2 Laps]

The first moto of the day started with the Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing duo of Dudney and Davies side-by-side, with Dudney able to grab his first ever holeshot and early lead. Behind them, Monster Energy Pro Circuit Kawasaki’s Nick Romano [#141] started third, battling Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Julien Beaumer [#13], who then went down and dropped to the tail end of the field. Championship leader Levi Kitchen [#47] started sixth aboard his Monster Energy Pro Circuit Kawasaki.
Dudney was able to seize the moment and lead the first laps of his young career, soon opening up a lead of more than three seconds over Davies. The top two then pulled away from the rest of the field, building a double-digit advantage over third just 10 minutes into the moto.
A multi-rider battle for third unfolded between Romano, Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing’s Casey Cochran [#56], and Kitchen. Cochran made the pass for third and inched away from the Kawasaki teammates. Kitchen then made the move for fourth.
Back up front, the battle for the lead picked up as the moto approached its halfway point. Davies hounded Dudney and attempted multiple passes for the lead, only to be denied every time. The lead then restabilized at around two seconds.
Inside the final 10 minutes the battle for third heated up again as Cochran, Kitchen, and Honda HRC Progressive’s Jo Shimoda [#30] sat within less than a second of one another. As Kitchen looked to make a pass on Cochran, Shimoda took advantage and made his way by both riders to take control of third.
With less than five minutes to go Davies closed in on Dudney for the lead once again. Davies was patient and waited for his opportunity, and with just over 30 seconds remaining on the race clock he made the pass. He pulled away from Dudney over the final two laps, as Davies captured his third straight moto win by 2.6 seconds. Shimoda followed in third, with Kitchen fourth, and Cochran fifth.

Moto 2 [30 Minutes + 2 Laps]

The second moto kicked off with Davies leading the field to the holeshot ahead of Honda HRC Progressive’s Chance Hymas [#29] and Cochran, with Shimoda in fourth and Dudney in fifth. Kitchen started outside the top 10 in 13th place. Cochran put in a charge on the opening lap and was able to make the move around Hymas for second.
As Davies sprinted out to a lead of nearly three seconds it was Shimoda who took the opportunity to push forward. He made the pass on his teammate for third and then went after Cochran. After several laps of pursuit, Shimoda made the pass for second but faced a 7.3 second deficit to Davies with 20 minutes remaining. Cochran, meanwhile, lost hold of third to his Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing teammate Ryder DiFrancesco [#34] and then dropped behind Kitchen.
Just past the halfway point of the moto, Kitchen started to pressure DiFrancesco for third as Shimoda made small inroads on his deficit to Davies. Kitchen made the move around DiFrancesco but went down a couple laps later and dropped from third to sixth, which moved DiFrancesco back into a podium spot.
Back up front, Shimoda erased almost the entire deficit to Davies and moved within striking distance with more than five minutes left in the moto. The Japanese rider got alongside the New Zealander and made the pass with about 3.5 minutes remaining on the race clock.
The reigning SMX World Champion charged home to his first moto win of the summer, and 15th of his career, by a margin of 11.1 seconds over Davies. DiFrancesco finished third.

Overall

Despite losing his grasp on another sweep of the motos, Davies’ 2-1 effort still placed him atop the overall classification, with back-to-back victories to make him the first repeat winner of the season.
Shimoda’s impressive win in Moto 2 landed him in the runner-up spot (1-3) for his third straight podium result. It also paid big dividends in the championship standings as it moved him atop the points as the third different rider to carry the red plate through the first five races.
A quiet and consistent afternoon for DiFrancesco netted him the first overall podium result of his career (6-3), which came in his 43rd start. He’s the sixth different rider to earn a maiden overall podium this season.
Shimoda’s lead atop the 250SMX Class standings sits at four points over Davies. Kitchen dropped from first to third following a fifth-place finish (4-5) and now faces a nine-point deficit to Shimoda.

Caden Dudney [#82] grabbed his first holeshot and led his first laps as a pro in Moto 1 before getting passed by teammate Cole Davies [#37].
MX Sports Pro Racing, Inc.

Cole Davies [#37] stormed to the Moto 2 holeshot and led for most of the race until he was caught and passed by Jo Shimoda [#30].
MX Sports Pro Racing, Inc.

250SMX Class Overall Results (Moto Finishes // Points)

Cole Davies, Waitoki, New Zealand, Yamaha (1-2 // 47)
Jo Shimoda, Suzuka, Japan, Honda (3-1 // 45)
Ryder DiFrancesco, Bakersfield, Calif., Husqvarna (6-3 // 36)
Casey Cochran, Portsmouth, Va., Husqvarna (5-4 // 35)
Levi Kitchen, Washougal, Wash., Kawasaki (4-5 // 35)
Caden Dudney, Des Moines, Iowa, Yamaha (2-12 // 32)
Chance Hymas, Pocatello, Idaho, Honda (8-6 // 30)
Carson Mumford, Simi Valley, Calif., KTM (11-7 // 26)
Kayden Minear, Perth, Western Australia, Yamaha (9-9 // 26)
Nate Thrasher, Livingston, Tenn., Yamaha (10-10 // 24)

250SMX Class Championship Standings (Race 5 of 11)

Jo Shimoda, Suzuka, Japan, Honda – 194
Cole Davies, Waitoki, New Zealand, Yamaha – 190
Levi Kitchen, Washougal, Wash., Kawasaki – 185
Julien Beaumer, Lake Havasu City, Ariz., KTM – 159
Ryder DiFrancesco, Bakersfield, Calif., Husqvarna – 147
Seth Hammaker, Bainbridge, Pa., Kawasaki – 134
Kayden Minear, Perth, Western Australia, Yamaha – 127
Chance Hymas, Pocatello, Idaho, Honda – 120
Nick Romano, Bayside, N.Y., Kawasaki – 116
Caden Dudney, Des Moines, Iowa, Yamaha – 105

SMX World Championship Regular Season Standings (Round 22 of 28)

Cole Davies, Waitoki, New Zealand, Yamaha – 421
Levi Kitchen, Washougal, Wash., Kawasaki – 362
Seth Hammaker, Bainbridge, Pa., Kawasaki – 314
Ryder DiFrancesco, Bakersfield, Calif., Husqvarna – 311
Jo Shimoda, Suzuka, Japan, Honda – 294
Haiden Deegan, Temecula, Calif., Yamaha – 233
Daxton Bennick, Morganton, N.C., Husqvarna – 203
Max Vohland, Sacramento, Calif., Yamaha – 203
Nick Romano, Bayside, N.Y., Kawasaki – 188
Nate Thrasher, Livingston, Tenn., Yamaha – 182
Michael Mosiman, Sebastopol, Calif., Yamaha – 182

1st Place – Cole Davies | #37 Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing (1-2)

“Jo [Shimoda] was riding good. It’s a long championship and we have a long way to go. It was a good day, and we got a win at RedBud. That’s all I can ask for. We’re in a really good spot with the bike right now so I’m really happy.”

2nd Place – Jo Shimoda | #30 Honda HRC Progressive (3-1)

“The bike was better today. I felt good and didn’t get tired until the end [of Moto 2]. Every bit of it today was better. We’re making progress and that’s exactly what we need right now.”

3rd Place – Ryder DiFranceso | #34 Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing (6-3)

“This [first podium] has been a long time coming. I was sitting in third [in the second moto] and was thinking I was the only American to get on the podium [on 4th of July]. This is what every motocross rider dreams of.”

Kopp, Drane Conjure Victory at Magic Mile

Kody Kopp (No. 12 Latus Motors Racing Harley-Davidson XG750R) returned to the top of the box for first time since his brilliant season-opening double by claiming victory in Sunday’s thrilling Drag Specialties DuQuoin Mile presented by Parts Unlimited, Round 10 of the 2026 Progressive American Flat Track season, sanctioned by AMA Pro Racing.

Saturday’s weather delay pushed the scheduled Independence Day action at the DuQuoin State Fairgrounds in DuQuoin, Illinois, to Sunday, which saw further delays to get the surface competition ready. And yet, in the end, America’s Original Extreme Sport® came through to celebrate the nation’s 250th birthday in Grand (National Championship) style.

By half-distance, a healthy seven-rider lead pack was whittled down to just four contenders – the usual suspects of Kopp, reigning Mission AFT SuperTwins champ Dallas Daniels (No. 1 Estenson Racing Yamaha MT-07), and the on-form Briar Bauman (No. 3 RWR/Jacob Construction/Parts Plus Harley-Davidson XG750R), plus a super spoiler in Davis Fisher (No. 67 Rackley Racing/Bob Lanphere’s BMC Racing KTM 790 Duke).

The four proceeded to trade their positions back and forth with ferocity and frequency, testing novel lines and last-lap strategies all the while. 

All of that prelude set up the decisive final lap. Kopp led to open, with Fisher, Daniels, and Bauman in close formation. Daniels ran down low to snatch the lead coming out of Turn 2, with Kopp, Fisher, and Bauman railing around above him.

They streaked alongside as all four powered to the checkered flag. There, the stripe clocked Kopp in first, just 0.012 seconds ahead of Fisher.

Meanwhile, Daniels earned the final spot on the box another 0.046 seconds back, with Bauman left off the podium despite missing out on victory by less than two-tenths-of-a-second.

A jubilant Kopp said, “I was looking at the time (remaining), looking at everything I could, and using all my tools (to work out a final-lap plan). I can’t believe we pulled that one off. Dallas checked down low going into Turn 4, and I had planned on trying to draft him to line. But when he did that, I just started rolling and picked it up mid-corner more than I had all race. That fence came up real quick. I’m happy to get that one. 

“This says a lot about my team. Dave (Zanotti) and Michelle (Disalvo), they’ve been working so hard on this package.”

Hunter Bauer (No. 24 G&G Racing Yamaha MT-07) escaped what was a four-rider second group to equal his best career premier-class of fifth on a very fast G&G Yamaha.

Behind, ‘25 Springfield Mile winner Trent Lowe (No. 48 American Honda/Mission Foods Honda CB750 Hornet) eked ahead of Declan Bender (No. 70 Memphis Shades/Vinson Construction Yamaha MT-07) and Ben Lowe (No. 25 Rackley Racing/Roof Systems KTM 790 Duke) to win their battle for sixth at the line.

Cody Johncox (No. 96 Sunnyside Cycle/Hyper Dog Yamaha MT-07) and Dalton Gauthier (No. 79 Moto Anatomy X Powered by Royal Enfield 650) rounded out the top ten.

Kopp’s win stretched out his Grand National Championship lead just a bit, as he now heads Daniels by eight points (192-184) with Bauman still very much in contention at 172.

KICKER AFT Singles

Regardless of what the calendar said, KICKER AFT Singles still delivered fireworks worthy of the Fourth of July. 

A dash of additional drama was baked into the Main Event as a result of reigning champ and breakaway title leader Tom Drane (No. 1 Estenson Racing Yamaha YZ450F) starting his race from the back of the grid. 

The Australian encountered problems during his heat race, a rare bout of misfortune further magnified by the day’s compressed schedule which eschewed the LCQ and forced him to burn his season’s provisional start just to gain entry into the Main.

Meanwhile, another pre-race favorite, Trevor Brunner (No. 21 KMA Racing/March Equipment Honda CRF450R), had to skip the KICKER AFT Singles Bill’s Home Improvement Challenge race after running into bike issues of his own moments after finishing second in that same heat.

While unlucky for Drane and Brunner, that gave what was already expected to be an unpredictable affair a feeling that this was truly anyone’s race to win. And that vibe rang true right up to the checkered flag.

Despite the handicap, Drane blasted up to sixth on the opening lap while fellow DuQuoin magician Chase Saathoff (No. 88 1st Impressions Race Team Husqvarna FC450) grabbed the early lead over Bodie Paige (No. 165 RWR/American Honda/BWR Ranch Honda CRF450R), Evan Kelleher (No. 31 Schaeffer’s Motorsports KTM 450 SX-F), Brunner, and company.

Saathoff continued to set the pace over the race’s opening half via a high line that was imitated by everyone in the lead eight-rider pack.

Everyone other than Drane that is, who utilized a low path to sneak his way forward. Saathoff recognized the wisdom in his rival’s decision with around three minutes to go, and soon enough, everyone in that big group of contenders moved down to jockey for position with the laps winding down.

While Brunner fell off the chase, as many as seven riders opened the final couple of laps retaining at least a glimmer of hope for victory. Among them, Drane, Saathoff, and Paige were the clear favorites, and they powered into the final corner in that position.

And – even following a final sprint down the long start/finish straight – that’s how they stayed. Drane tucked in tight and willed his way to the checkered flag before second- and third-place finishers Saathoff and Paige managed to slingshot their way through to steal away the honors.

Drane’s margin of victory over Saathoff was a typical DuQuoin-style 0.088 seconds. Meanwhile, Paige improved his perfect Progressive AFT podium record to three for three with the rookie finishing just 0.131 seconds back of the win despite riding in considerable pain after catching his foot in a hole.

The triumph marked Drane’s ninth all-time at a Mile, breaking a tie with Shayna Texter-Bauman for most in KICKER AFT Singles history. It also represented a record-extending 25th of his career. 

He said, “It was a tough break in the heat race, but I was able to put my head down (at the start of the Main). I knew I could get a good start and work my way up the field. I couldn’t do it without my whole Estenson Racing Monster Energy Yamaha team. They turned around and gave me a new bike that was ready to go. They put in such hard work, and we put it up on the top step.”

Tarren Santero (No. 75 Roof Systems/Texas Utility Studies/Vinson Construction Honda CRF450R) found his way up that lead group in the race’s latter stages to secure fourth, while Pfanders completed the top five.

Walker Porter (No. 10 American Honda/Mission Foods CRF450R) and Kelleher took sixth and seventh, standing as the final riders still within sight of the win.

Brunner held on for eighth. He was followed by title fighter Kage Tadman (No. 28 American Honda/Mission Foods CRF450R) and Canadian Jordan Beaulac (No. 156 Picotte Motosport/Dofralex GASGAS MC 450F), who finished ninth and tenth, respectively. 

With four straight wins in his corner, Drane’s title lead has ballooned to a sizable 41 points over Saathoff (203-162). Tadman is third at 149.

The Wick 338 Reaches 50 Years of Racing and Community with Continued Title Support from Crestview Construction

The Pro Motocross Championship, sanctioned by AMA Pro Racing, will cross the halfway threshold this weekend with the sixth race of the outdoor campaign and Round 23 of the Monster Energy SMX World Championship. What awaits is the most grueling challenge of the summer in the legendary sands of Western Massachusetts’ The Wick 338, which will reach the 50-year milestone of racing in Southwick. The annual summer spectacle is woven into the fabric of the community and has been strengthened through the multi-year partnership with local business Crestview Construction, which will return with title support of the Crestview Construction Southwick National this Saturday, July 11.

“For the past five decades The Wick 338 has not only remained an integral contributor and supporter of the community in Southwick, but it has also carved out a truly unique and indelible legacy within American motocross. It’s been great to see that connection grow even more through its partnership with another local stalwart in Crestview Construction,” said Davey Coombs, President, MX Sports Pro Racing. “The sands of Southwick are hallowed grounds that have put racers to the ultimate test of patience and endurance for 50 years. This pillar event of the Pro Motocross Championship has attracted the finest sand specialists from around the world throughout its existence and that will continue with another gifted group of guest riders this weekend.”

The first Southwick National was held in 1976, during the budding years of the Pro Motocross Championship, and The Wick 338 has endured through the sport’s ongoing evolution to remain a central tenet of American motocross’ most storied and celebrated events. This year will mark the 45th running of the race, which boasts the sport’s most intimate setting behind American Legion Post 338, for which the track bears its name, an elementary school, and a high school. It’s the town of Southwick’s hidden gem that becomes motocross’ global epicenter every summer, with an ever-changing racing surface that athletes from all over the world hope to try and tame.

The legendary sands of The Wick 338 will reach a 50-year milestone of hosting the Pro Motocross Championship and bringing the world’s best racers to the community of Southwick.

Established in 1983, Crestview Inc. was founded by Bernie LeDuc and John Dziengelewski, two neighbors who became friends and together purchased a pair of dump trucks to serve as subcontractors for various companies across Massachusetts and Connecticut. Dziengelewski’s family-owned Crestview Dairy Farm in Southwick served as the company’s original headquarters and also fostered its name. Eventually, Crestview Construction and Trucking grew with the addition of heavy equipment and the inclusion of residential jobs. That expansion continued into commercial building and infrastructure, which has allowed Crestview to become one of Southwick’s most prominent and highly regarded small businesses. Entering its 43rd year of operation, Crestview Inc. is now a multi-generational company as LeDuc’s son, Brian, and Dziengelewski’s son, Aaron, each serve significant roles within the company.

The action on the track so far this summer has been exceptional, with each class’ point standings incredibly tight at the top. The premier 450SMX Class has seen one of the Lawrence brothers win each race up to this point, with the emergence of Hunter Lawrence serving as the most notable storyline through the first five weekends. The elder sibling now enjoys a class-leading three wins and has reclaimed the points lead from younger brother Jett to carry the red plate for a second time. If the performances he has set forth in the past two races at High Point and RedBud are any indication, Hunter is poised to tighten his grip on control of the championship. However, Jett is never one to count out, even as he continues to adapt to racing with his surgically repaired foot and ankle. The Australians are separated by just three points heading into Southwick, where Jett is undefeated in three premier class starts.

Honda HRC Progressive’s Hunter Lawrence is once again in possession of the red plate heading into Southwick after his class-leading third overall victory of the season.
MX Sports Pro Racing, Inc.

After leading the championship for the past two races, Honda HRC Progressive’s Jett Lawrence will look to overcome a three-point deficit to his older brother starting at Southwick.
MX Sports Pro Racing, Inc.

Also on the rise is Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Jorge Prado, who showcased the speed at RedBud that made him a multi-time world champion. The Spaniard led the most laps and came just a few minutes short of his first win on U.S. soil, which ultimately equaled a career-best runner-up finish. That allowed Prado to inch closer to Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing’s Haiden Deegan for third in the championship following the rookie’s sixth-place finish. Prado broke through with his first ever top-5 finish in Pro Motocross last season at Southwick.

Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Jorge Prado made his return to the podium and will now look to keep the momentum rolling at Southwick, where he contended at the front of the field last summer.
MX Sports Pro Racing, Inc.

The 450SMX Class will receive an added boost of talent this weekend with the addition of a trio of top-level talent from Europe, led by Belgian Lucas Coenen. The current MXGP points leader returns to Red Bull KTM Factory Racing for one more race after a memorable debut at Thunder Valley and coming off yet another dominant performance at the most recent international round in South Africa. The sand specialist should be considered a contender for victory alongside the Lawrences, Deegan, and Prado, which adds to the intrigue of Saturday’s action. Additionally, Italian legend Antonio Cairoli will compete again with Troy Lee Designs Red Bull Ducati Factory Racing, while Dutch veteran Roan van de Moosdijk will also make a second start with Kosak KTM Racing Team.

MXGP points leader Lucas Coenen will return at Southwick with Red Bull KTM Factory Racing with an eye on contending for victory in the sand.
MX Sports Pro Racing, Inc.

After an unpredictable first month of competition, the 250SMX Class appears to be taking shape. Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing’s Cole Davies became the first rider in the division to become a repeat winner, doing so with back-to-back victories at High Point and RedBud. The New Zealander’s recent string of consistency has shifted the momentum into his favor as he inches even closer to the top of the championship standings. Davies’ upward surge has coincided with a similar ascension for Honda HRC Progressive’s Jo Shimoda. The Japanese rider came into the summer as one of the title favorites and since his victory at Thunder Valley the reigning SMX World Champion has strung together a trio of podium finishes, capped off by his first moto win of the season at RedBud. Shimoda’s return to form has moved him atop the point standings for the first time, with a four-point edge over Davies. Behind the pair is Monster Energy Pro Circuit Kawasaki’s Levi Kitchen, who has weathered through a challenging stretch after a strong start to the summer. Kitchen has suffered costly miscues the past two races that ended potential podium efforts and after a fifth-place finish at RedBud he has dropped from first to third in the championship. He’ll look to rebound at Southwick facing a nine-point deficit to Shimoda.

Honda HRC Progressive’s Jo Shimoda will carry the red plate for the first time in Pro Motocross as the 250SMX Class points leader coming into Southwick.
MX Sports Pro Racing, Inc.

With back-to-back victories Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing’s Cole Davies is riding a wave of momentum into Southwick and sits just four points out of the lead.
MX Sports Pro Racing, Inc.

Monster Energy Pro Circuit Kawasaki’s Levi Kitchen will look to bounce back at Southwick after losing control of the championship points lead.
MX Sports Pro Racing, Inc.

The 250SMX Class will also receive an injection of international talent, spearheaded by the other half of the Coenen twins, Sacha. The current leader of the MX2 championship captured a moto win at Thunder Valley and will come to Southwick with Red Bull KTM Factory Racing in search of an overall victory with his sand riding prowess. Also joining the fray will be the Venum BUD Racing Kawasaki duo of Francisco Garcia and Jake Cannon, who currently sit first and second in the EMX250 Championship, respectively. Garcia has been on a tear, with the Spaniard capturing five victories through the first eight rounds of the season. Cannon, meanwhile, has enjoyed a breakthrough season of his own, as the Australian captured his maiden win earlier this year in Italy.

MX2 points leader Sacha Coenen will rejoin Red Bull KTM Factory Racing at Southwick, where he will look to challenge the best of the 250SMX Class for victory.
MX Sports Pro Racing, Inc.

The Crestview Construction Southwick National will get underway this Saturday, July 11, with on-track action starting at 5 a.m. PT / 8 a.m. ET, followed by opening ceremonies at 9:15 a.m. PT / 12:15 p.m. ET before the gate drops on motos at 10 a.m. PT / 1 p.m. ET. Comprehensive live streaming coverage from The Wick 338 will air exclusively on Peacock, beginning with Race Day Live at 7 a.m. PT / 10 a.m. ET before coverage of the motos gets underway at 10 a.m. PT / 1 p.m. ET.

For information about the Pro Motocross Championship, please visit ProMotocross.com and be sure to follow all of the Pro Motocross social media channels for exclusive content and additional information on the latest news:

Haiden Deegan and Cooper Webb Overcome Adversity for Top 10 Finishes at RedBud

Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing’s Haiden Deegan mounted an impressive comeback after a crash in Moto 1, charging back to 10th, and then returned to the podium in Moto 2 with a third-place finish at RedBud MX in Buchanan, Michigan. The 450MX rookie’s 10-3 score secured sixth overall and helped maintain third in the points standings. His teammate, Cooper Webb, also showed resolve in the punishing conditions, earning a pair of eighth-place finishes for eighth overall while feeling under the weather.

RedBud MX is one of the favorite stops on the Pro Motocross calendar. The atmosphere is always electric for the Fourth of July weekend, with this year’s running of the RedBud National falling on the Fourth. It also brought high temperatures and humidity, and with the rain the day before, the track conditions were challenging.

Despite the conditions, Deegan was quick from the start, qualifying second. Unfortunately, the six-time 250-class champion went down at the start of the first moto and rejoined the field at the back. After checking over his bike before rejoining, the 20-year-old went to work and charged through to 18th in the first half of the moto. Deegan kept pushing and fought all the way to the finish, crossing the line 10th for an impressive charge through the field.

The Californian got a much better start in Moto 2, slotting into second early. Deegan maintained the runner-up spot until the halfway mark before Hunter Lawrence made the pass. From there, he rode at a strong pace to finish third, earning his fourth moto podium of the season and securing sixth overall.

“I had good speed in the morning,” said Deegan. “It was one of my best qualifying sessions. Then, the first moto, I got in a pile-up, and even after spending the time looking through the bike to make sure it wasn’t messed up, I still crawled all the way back up to 10th. So it was a good day of charging hard in that first moto. Obviously, that’s not what you want to do, but it builds character. In the second moto, I got a good start and was just off the pace. I wasn’t used to it because I was so far back in that first moto, but that’s how she goes. I got third, so at least we got on the podium then.”

Despite feeling less than 100% with an illness, Webb soldiered on at RedBud MX to earn his third top-10 overall result of the season. The North Carolina rider qualified 13th and got a good start in sixth, where he ran for the better part of the first half of Moto 1 before dropping back to eighth, where he would finish. Webb got an even better start to Moto 2 and was fourth, battling up front. He advanced to third after Jett Lawrence went down on that second lap, but eventually dropped back to eighth by mid-moto, ending the day eighth overall with the pair of eighth-place finishes.

“RedBud was a gnarly day for me,” said Cooper Webb. “I got sick Thursday night, and my symptoms got worse as the weekend went on. I truly was just going to try to finish both motos, and I ended up having a very solid day with two great starts and 8-8 moto scores. It’s a bummer that I was sick because I feel like I took a small step with speed and fitness over the break, but hopefully I can recover quickly and come out swinging at Southwick. RedBud is always one of the best races of the year, and it was the same this year, even though it was extremely rough and deep, and hot and humid due to the rain the night before. RedBud will be a track I’ll miss!”

“I think overall it was a pretty good day for Haiden,” said Rich Simmons, Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing’s 450 Team Manager. “He had a good qualifying, but unfortunately went down in the first turn of Moto 1. To come all the way back to 10th was a good recovery in that moto, and then to start up front in the second one and run with those guys in that first part of the race, I’m proud of him for that effort and for getting back on the podium.

“Webb was not feeling the greatest physically today, but he pushed through it and went 8-8. He had a decent qualifying again and a really good start in the second moto. I’m proud of the whole team, proud of both guys. We’ll just keep moving forward.”

Next up on the schedule is another iconic Pro Motocross venue, The Wick 338. As the outdoor season approaches the halfway mark – Round 6 of Pro Motocross and Round 23 of the SuperMotocross World Championship – the Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing team looks to come out swinging in Southwick, Massachusetts.

Cole Davies Scores Back-to-Back 250MX Overall Wins at RedBud

As Pro Motocross nears the halfway point in the 11-round series, Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing’s Cole Davies continued his upward trend in the 250MX Championship. The New Zealander delivered another impressive ride at RedBud MX in Buchanan, Michigan, earning his second consecutive overall victory with 1-2 moto finishes and trimming the championship deficit to just four points. In the SMX Next Motocross Scouting Moto Combine, Carson Wood completed a perfect weekend, sweeping both motos for his first victory in the class.

After a weekend break, Davies picked up where he left off at the RedBud National. He was the fastest qualifier for the third round in a row. After the gate drop, he got a great start just shy of the holeshot and slotted into the runner-up spot behind his teammate Dudney. The young Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing duo battled, and although Dudney reclaimed the lead and built another gap, Davies launched another attack as the clock ran out, made the pass, and rode away to secure his third consecutive moto win and fourth of the season.

In the second moto, Davies grabbed the holeshot and led for most of the moto, with his title rival Jo Shimoda passing him with five laps to go. From there, Davies rode it on home to secure his second-consecutive overall victory with his 1-2 moto score, closing the gap to Shimoda to four points in the title fight.

“It was a really good day,” Davies said. “I qualified first and went 1-2 in moto scores for first overall. We’ll just keep building each round and keep gaining points back. We’re well in this thing, so we’ll just keep on fighting for this championship, and hopefully by the end of the season we’ll be in a good spot.”

Caden Dudney also enjoyed a strong outing at RedBud, where the Fourth of July weekend once again delivered one of the most electric atmospheres on the Pro Motocross schedule. It was a hot one, though, with challenging track conditions due to the rain the day before. Despite that, Dudney qualified second and then grabbed the holeshot in Moto 1 and built a gap up front. With around 19 minutes on the clock, Davies closed back in. Dudney put up a good fight, but in the end he would finish second, earning his best moto result in the class. In Moto 2, he got another good start in fourth, but dropped back to 12th after a tipover in those opening laps. He continued to push, making it back to 10th and ultimately finishing 12th to end the day sixth overall.

“Qualifying went well,” said Dudney. “Then in Moto 1, I got the holeshot and led almost the whole race. In the second moto, I kind of messed up the start a little bit. Someone beside me flinched, but I still came around in the top five. Then I was just rushing it too much. I made a couple of mistakes and went down, but I managed to have a good race and got 12th in that moto for sixth overall. So it was a great day. This is my new favorite track. The fans are amazing!”

Coming off a career-best top-five result at High Point, Kayden Minear continued to push and secured his fourth top-10 finish of his rookie season. The 19-year-old Australian qualified 10th and got a top-10 start in the first moto, quickly making his way to sixth. As the race wore on, he was shuffled back to ninth and continued to fight, but ultimately would finish there. In Moto 2, he was 17th after the start and charged his way to eighth by Lap 3. He continued to battle for a top-10 result, finishing ninth and ending the day ninth overall.

“It was a struggle today,” said Minear. “I was just struggling with setup, but the results weren’t bad. I executed the first start and kind of hustled my way through. Then the second start was average, but I went from 17th to 10th on the first lap. So I’m proud of how I was hustling at the start of the motos. There were a lot of positives to take away, like it was a much better qualifying than in the previous rounds. We’re just going to keep working.”

After being sidelined for a few rounds, Nate Thrasher returned to action and brought home a top-10 result. The Tennessee rider qualified 14th and got a good start to the first moto in ninth. Although he dropped back to 12th on the opening lap, he kept pushing and made his way to 10th by the halfway mark and finished there. In Moto 2, Thrasher got a better start in sixth but dropped back to ninth on the opening lap. He found himself in a battle with his teammates and crossed the line 10th to secure 10th overall.

“It was a good day overall,” said Thrasher. “We were P10 on the day for my first race back. I will get better and keep working. I’d like to give a big thanks to the team.”

Michael Mosiman got the day off to a good start, qualifying fifth. Unfortunately, a bad start and a crash in Moto 1 made for an uphill battle. In 22nd after the start, he put his head down and made his way through to 11th by Lap 5. On the following lap, he crashed and then lost some time before rejoining the moto, and from there salvaged points in 30th. Despite the less-than-ideal gate pick, the Californian got a much better start to Moto 2 in 14th, then charged his way to ninth by the halfway mark. He continued to push, finishing eighth and ending the day 15th overall.

“Today was decent,” said Mosiman. “I rode well, but I have some things to clean up. I felt pretty good on the bike. I qualified fifth overall. In the first moto, I was making some passes coming through the field and had good pace, but I made a mistake and crashed in a blind spot. I had to flag other riders down so they wouldn’t land on me, and I lost a ton of ground. Also, the crash caused an issue with my clutch tension adjuster that held me back for the rest of the moto. In the second moto, I had a good start but was way outside, and I came back from around 15th to eighth. I felt strong and made some good passes. I think the big thing that needs to be worked on right now is my starts. If I could get towards the front at the beginning of the moto, I’m sure I could put it on the box. Thank you to the team for their support and help.”

It was another tough outing for Pro Motocross rookie Landen Gordon, but the 19-year-old showed speed and kept fighting. He started the day with a solid qualifying in 13th and was 14th after the start of Moto 1. He battled for position but unfortunately crashed after hitting his teammate’s downed bike and finished 17th. In Moto 2, he got a great start in eighth despite the gate pick, but once again, he fought through adversity, coming back from crashes early in the moto that put him at the back of the field and charging to 15th, securing 17th overall.

“It was not an ideal day at Redbud,” said Gordon. “In the first moto, I was mid-pack and then hit my teammate’s bike on the ground, causing me to crash and tweak my bike. In the second moto, I had two crashes in the first few turns and came from dead last to 15th. I’m going to work on a few things for Southwick next weekend!”

Carson Wood enjoyed a top weekend at RedBud MX at the first SMX Next Motocross Scouting Moto Combine of the season. He was the fastest qualifier and then built on that with a holeshot in Friday’s Moto 1. Despite being under pressure, he led every lap en route to the moto victory. With all of the rain, Moto 2 was postponed to Saturday, and it was another great ride from Wood. In third after the start, he claimed the lead on the opening lap, and once again kept cool under pressure to secure another victory and his first overall win in the class.

“SMX Next at RedBud went really well,” said Wood. “It was a perfect day for me. P1 in qualifying and P1 in both motos, and I felt really good. It was great to get my first combine win. I came close a few times, but just came up short, so it felt really nice to finally get it done.”

“It was an awesome day with Cole once again, chipping away at that points lead and getting another overall, and Dudney finishing on the podium in the first moto,” said Wil Hahn, Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing’s 250 Team General Manager. “And also great to see Carson win both motos and the combine overall. So all around, it was good, having a lot of guys in the top 10, and we had all six guys in the top 11 in the first qualifier today. We’ll keep making progress.”

The Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing squad looks to keep the momentum rolling next weekend in the sands of Southwick, Round 6 of the Pro Motocross Championship and Round 23 of the Monster Energy SuperMotocross World Championship at The Wick 338 in Southwick, Massachusetts, on July 11.

JORGE PRADO SCORES REDBUD 450MX PODIUM WITH RED BULL KTM FACTORY RACING

Round 5 – AMA Pro Motocross Championship

Prado qualified fourth fastest in 450MX aboard his KTM 450 SX-F FACTORY EDITION, posting a 2:18.172 lap-time before launching to the holeshot in Moto 1 and leading the opening stages.

The four-time world champion ultimately crossed the line in third after a hard-fought race, before grabbing another holeshot in Moto 2. He led the majority of the race and was rewarded with second place, securing P2 overall for the weekend and retaining fourth in the standings.

Jorge Prado:“First of all, it’s always crazy to race here at RedBud! Thank you to all the fans who made it super special. We used the weekend off to make some improvements, and today during the day we kept searching for that feeling, which helped me feel really comfortable in the second moto. We’re getting closer – laps led and a couple of holeshots – so I’m happy with the progress.”

450MX teammate Aaron Plessinger qualified ninth fastest onboard his KTM 450 SX-F FACTORY EDITION, entering Round 5 fresh off a season-best fifth-place finish at High Point. Unfortunately, his day came to an early end after a first-turn crash in Moto 1 forced him out altogether. Further medical evaluations will determine the extent of his injuries.

Equipped with the KTM 250 SX-F FACTORY EDITION, Julien Beaumer qualified seventh fastest in the 250MX division at RedBud. An early crash in Moto 1 forced the 20-year-old to recover to 15th place.

Another fall in Moto 2 made for a difficult afternoon, with the Red Bull KTM Factory Racing rider eventually recording 18th position to finish 18th overall. Beaumer now sits fourth in the 250MX standings heading into Southwick next weekend.

Julien Beaumer:”It was just one of those days at RedBud for me. The riding was great, but I put myself in bad positions – I was at the back in both motos, and really had to work hard to salvage what I could. I’m happy with the way that I am riding and the things I’m doing – I just need to put myself in better positions, which we’ll clean up for next weekend. We’ll get back to work and try to go for a win.”

Next Race: July 11 – Southwick, Massachusetts

Results 450MX Class – RedBud National

Hunter Lawrence (Honda)
Jorge Prado (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing)
Jett Lawrence (Honda)
RJ Hampshire (Husqvarna)
Aaron Plessinger (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing)

Standings 450MX Class 2026 after 5 of 11 rounds

Hunter Lawrence, 227 points
Jett Lawrence, 224
Haiden Deegan, 176
Jorge Prado, 164
RJ Hampshire, 157
Aaron Plessinger, 102
Lucas Coenen, 44
Dante Oliveira, 25
Malcolm Stewart, 10

Results 250MX Class – RedBud National

Cole Davies (Yamaha)
Jo Shimoda (Honda)
Ryder DiFrancesco (Husqvarna)
Casey Cochran (Husqvarna)
Daxton Bennick (Husqvarna)
Julien Beaumer (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing)

Standings 250MX Class 2026 after 5 of 11 rounds

Jo Shimoda, 194 points
Cole Davies, 190
Levi Kitchen, 185
Julien Beaumer, 159
Ryder DiFrancesco, 111
Casey Cochran, 89
Daxton Bennick, 43
Sacha Coenen, 33

Ryder DiFrancesco celebrates first-career 250MX podium at RedBud National

Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing’s Casey Cochran and RJ Hampshire also inside the top-five

DiFrancesco qualified fourth fastest aboard his Husqvarna FC 250 Factory Edition before converting that speed into a hard-fought sixth-place finish in Moto 1. He elevated his performance in Moto 2 with a third place result, with a 6-3 scorecard securing third overall for the annual Fourth of July weekend.

Following five rounds of Pro Motocross, Ryder D climbs to fifth in the 250MX standings as the series heads to the sands of Southwick on July 11.

“RedBud was awesome!” commented DiFrancesco. “My qualifying was solid, and then Moto 1 was going really well until I tipped it over, and then rebounded to sixth. In the second moto, I put myself in a good position – I just know the class is stacked at the moment, and if you have a good second score, you can still end up on the box. I maximized that one and rode it in for third overall, which I am stoked with.”

250MX teammate Casey Cochran qualified eighth fastest at RedBud and was in contention throughout Moto 1, powering his Husqvarna FC 250 Factory Edition to a solid fifth-place score. Another strong start in Moto 2 saw the 19-year-old run second during the opening 10 minutes, before battling to fourth at the checkered flag. His 5-4 scorecard earned fourth overall for the weekend.

“It was a solid weekend, I felt good all day, and definitely making steps to where I want to be!”Cochran said.”RedBud is always a round that we enjoy, and to run up there in the motos and be at the front made it even better for me this weekend. We are building and I’m excited for Southwick next.”

250MX contender Daxton Bennick returned to racing at RedBud after two rounds on the sidelines, with the 20-year-old qualifying ninth aboard his Husqvarna FC 250 Factory Edition and recording 14-11 moto scores for 11th overall. He will aim to improve his starts and early track position in the coming rounds.

“It was good to be back at the races and we can begin to work our way forward from here,”Bennick commented.”We were able to keep progressing and get two solid motos in – I feel like if I can start up front we will be good, plus we made some changes during the day that worked well for me. I’m happy with where we’re at with the bike, so we will be better for Southwick.”

Equipped with the Husqvarna FC 450 Factory Edition, Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing’s RJ Hampshire was the fifth fastest qualifier in 450MX, posting a 2:18.971 lap time during the morning sessions at RedBud.

Hampshire converted his front-running speed into a pair of measured fourth-place finishes, with 4-4 moto scores earning fourth overall for the round. The result sees the 30-year-old maintain fifth in the 450MX standings heading into Southwick.

“We did some testing this week back home and found some more comfort,”recalled Hampshire.“The bike felt much better today – I felt like I could ride and push, and my speed in the second moto was much better than the first. I wanted to put it on the box today – especially on the Fourth of July – but we’re chipping away, and huge thanks to the whole Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing team for all the effort.”

Also in action at the RedBud National was Rockstar Energy Husqvarna amateur prospect Landon Gibson, who finished second overall in the SMX Next Scouting Moto Combine via 2-2 results this weekend.

Next Race: July 11 – Southwick, Massachusetts

Results 450MX Class – RedBud National1. Hunter Lawrence (Honda)2. Jorge Prado (KTM)3. Jett Lawrence (Honda)4. RJ Hampshire (Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing)41. Aaron Plessinger (KTM)

Standings 450MX Class 2026 after 5 of 11 rounds1. Hunter Lawrence, 227 points2. Jett Lawrence, 2243. Haiden Deegan, 1764. Jorge Prado, 1645. RJ Hampshire, 15710. Aaron Plessinger, 10218. Lucas Coenen, 4422. Dante Oliveira, 2532. Malcolm Stewart, 10

Results 250MX Class – RedBud National1. Cole Davies (Yamaha)2. Jo Shimoda (Honda)3. Ryder DiFrancesco (Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing)4. Casey Cochran (Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing)11. Daxton Bennick (Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing)18. Julien Beaumer (KTM)

Standings 250MX Class 2026 after 5 of 11 rounds1. Jo Shimoda, 194 points2. Cole Davies, 1903. Levi Kitchen, 1854. Julien Beaumer, 1595. Ryder DiFrancesco, 11112. Casey Cochran, 8920. Daxton Bennick, 4321. Sacha Coenen, 33

Honda HRC Progressive Leaves RedBud With Title-Chase Leads in Both Classes

Honda HRC Progressive enjoyed a standout Independence Day at the legendary RedBud Motocross National, as Hunter Lawrence and Jo Shimoda both took over the coveted red plates that signify the championship leads. For the third time this season and the second time in a row, Hunter secured a premier-class overall victory, while Jett Lawrence added another moto win and an overall-podium finish, despite experiencing an uncharacteristic challenging day. In the 250 class, Shimoda earned his first moto victory of the season to take over the championship lead, while Chance Hymas continued to build momentum with his strongest result of the season so far.

Heavy rainfall during the previous 24 hours left the track in an extremely challenging condition for the motos, with deep ruts developing throughout much of the course. After starting third in moto 1, Hunter overtook Jorge Prado and then caught and passed Jett for the lead in the closing laps. While Hunter was navigating one of the deepest ruts, dirt and debris became lodged in his bike’s chain guide and rear-sprocket area. This caused the rear wheel to momentarily lock, resulting in an unfortunate tip-over that allowed Jett to regain the lead, and Hunter was forced to settle for second. In moto 2, Hunter started sixth but quickly worked his way through the riders ahead of him. With just over three laps remaining, he passed Prado for the lead and pulled away to a convincing 12-second victory, securing the overall win. Meanwhile, a pair of early tip-overs dropped Jett outside the top 10 in moto 2, but the defending champ responded with a determined charge back to fifth, securing third overall.

After avoiding a first-turn incident in the first 250 moto, Shimoda steadily worked his way forward, putting in a signature late surge before finishing third. A stronger moto-2 start put him in immediate contention, and he methodically closed on the leaders before making the moto-winning pass on Cole Davies. Shimoda then pulled away to a convincing 12-second victory, earning the moto win and second overall. Hymas recorded an 8-6 moto tally as he builds consistency and works toward podium contention.

NOTES

Kendallville Powersports, an Indiana Honda dealership located an hour and a half southeast of the track, supported Honda HRC Progressive at RedBud, engaging with fans while showcasing a Pioneer 1000 side-by-side and a CRF50F.
Between qualifying sessions, Honda HRC Progressive hosted a fan autograph session featuring all four factory riders.
Jett Lawrence topped 450 combined qualifying, with Hunter Lawrence in third. TiLube Honda Racing’s Mark Fineis qualified in 14th, SLR Honda’s Justin Rodbell was 19th, Valley Motorsports’ Jeremy Hand was 21st, Quad Lock Honda Racing’s Christian Craig was 22nd, Lasting Impressions’ Ronnie Orres was 46th, 110 Racing’s Brett Heidorn was 50th, Feine Tune Racing’s Gavin Tilford was 59th, Trinity Motorsports’ Mitchell Prescott was 70th and GFR’s Dean Gall was 72nd.
In 250 combined qualifying, Honda HRC Progressive riders Jo Shimoda and Chance Hymas finished 11th and 12th, respectively. Quad Lock Honda Racing’s Brodie Connolly was 19th; Phoenix Racing Honda’s Gavin Towers and Aden Keefer were 29th and 30th, respectively; MPS Enterprise’s Ty Freehill was 49th and McGinley Clinic’s Kyle Czworkowski was 67th.
Hunter posted the fastest lap time in 450 moto 1, while Jett was second on the lap-time sheets. Shimoda posted the fastest lap in the first 250 moto.
RedBud marked Hunter Lawrence’s fourth career premier-class overall victory. It also marked his 22nd career premier-class podium finish, moving him past his trainer, Johnny O’Mara.
Hunter’s success extended Honda’s premier-class overall-win record at RedBud to 14—two more than the next-best manufacturer. He joins other Red Riders to have won at the venue, including Marty Tripes, Steve Wise, David Bailey, Jeff Stanton, Jeremy McGrath, Kevin Windham, Sebastian Tortelli, Ricky Carmichael (three times), Chad Reed and Jett Lawrence (twice).
Hunter leaves RedBud with a three-point lead over Jett in the 450 standings, with third place another 48 points back. Shimoda now leads the 250 championship by four points.
The AMA Pro Motocross Championship continues this Saturday in Southwick, Massachusetts, where Honda HRC Progressive will carry the red plates in both the 450 and 250 classes.

Hunter Lawrence
“I was super gutted after the first moto; I felt like I did everything right, and to not get that win was a bummer. So I was like, ‘I’ve got to make it right in the second one.’ I didn’t get the best start, but I kind of let it come to me. The track was extremely difficult this weekend; it was sandy, muddy, sloppy, hard packed, slippery—everything in one. It was tricky, but it was probably the coolest RedBud for me. I mean, July 4 was today, not Friday or Sunday—it was America’s 250th birthday, and it’s epic. How many people have tracked down Jett, made the pass and put a gap on him? That in itself I was really happy with. I had the first-moto win, but then a bunch of sand got blocked in the chain guide, stopping the rear wheel, and then the bike cut out—so that’s just because the conditions were so damn tough. It could happen to anyone, but I’m very happy—just proud of my day.”

Jett Lawrence
“Normally I really like these conditions and can ride them well, but I just struggled with my foot today; there’s muddy sand, and it just pulls you in. I have all my weight on my left foot, so I struggled a lot with my balance. It’s hard right now because I normally love riding, and lately it’s been a struggle with my foot—it’s kind of taken away one of the things I love doing. It’s tough because I can have a good flow on the track, but in the back of my mind I’m always thinking, ‘Imagine if I had another good ankle’—I know I could be going faster, and things would come a lot easier because I’m having to work so much harder. We’re just putting up with it, but today just wasn’t an ideal track for my situation. Hunter deserved that first one; he caught me and passed me, and I just wasn’t in a really good flow. I’ll take the moto win, but deep down I know it was gifted. It was a rough day at the office, but we’ll go back, get better, and try to be a little stronger for Southwick.“

Jo Shimoda
“I was able to ride a little faster without trying so hard. I want to give props to the track builders; I like the way they didn’t fix as much today. It just made more of a difference for the good riders, and it slowed down the race a lot. There were a lot of ruts, so I had to be patient and creative. It was a fun RedBud. This moto win means a lot; at Thunder Valley I went 3 -2 for first overall, but today was a proper moto win after my neck injury. It’s a massive confidence booster, and we needed that as a team—and it was a good place to do it. We’re not even halfway, so the red plate is cool but I feel like I have more in me.I’m looking forward to the next few rounds.”

Chance Hymas
“Fourth of July weekend was better for me—a good step in the right direction. I had two good starts, which is definitely positive, and I was inside the top 10 in both motos, which was also great. We just keep building each weekend, and I’m looking forward to Southwick.”

Lars Lindstrom – Team Manager
“Overall, we had another great weekend, and I’m really, really happy to have both red plates on our bikes for the next race. One of the most positive and exciting things about this weekend was that we were able to get better starts in the 250 class, which has been a focus of ours, and we’re determined to make that a habit and continue to improve. Jo was unbelievable once again, and proved that physically no one can touch him, which I think will be valuable for the next races. I’m also happy to see Chance have his best result of the summer, and continue to improve. Hunter was just on another level today, and I can’t even imagine how he feels after having such a dominant day at one of the coolest events of the year on our nation’s 250th birthday. I’m so happy for him, and he deserves a massive amount of credit. I really feel for Jett. To beat Hunter, he needs to be 100%, and he just isn’t at this time, so he’ll have to dig extremely deep, which I know he can and will. It will make it super exciting for the rest of the season.”

Monster Energy® Kawasaki Earns Podium and Multiple Top 5 Finishes at RedBud

Legends and Heroes of Motocross
Host The Wick 338 Reunion at 2026 Southwick National

The Legends and Heroes of Motocross, along with The Wick 338 and MX Sports Pro Racing, has announced a commemorative Legends and Heroes of The Wick 338 gathering to coincide with 50 years of Pro Motocross Championship racing at Western Massachusetts’ famed sand track. The special occasion will take place during the 45th running of the Crestview Construction Southwick National, this Saturday, July 11th.

The Southwick National carries a long and storied tradition of local racers delivering legendary performances, a byproduct of the most unique and challenging racing surface in American motocross. The ever-changing sand carries a celebrated history of favoring local riders who possess both the knowledge and stamina for one-off heroic performances. Over the span of The Wick 338’s five decades there are numerous stories highlighting local competitors who have taken advantage of their home track advantage to produce memorable underdog performances that are entrenched in the lore of Southwick. This gathering of local legends and heroes is designed to celebrate those iconic performances while also serving as an informal reunion for the New England racing community.

Headlining this group of racers is Mike Guerra, who will serve as Grand Marshal of the Southwick National. A native of Bolton, Connecticut, Guerra helped put New England on the map in mid to late 1970’s as an NESC Champion and a one of the top professional racers in both AMA and Trans-Am Nationals. In Pro Motocross competition Guerra shined at Southwick and captured the best finish of his professional career with a runner-up effort at the 1979 event in the 250cc class. During the late stages of his career in the early 1980’s, Guerra made the move overseas to compete in the GP circuit, where he broke through with a landmark victory at the 1982 Spanish GP. As Grand Marshal, Guerra will be celebrated for his incredible career and his role in making New England one of the country’s most prosperous motocross regions. He’s a fitting figure to commemorate 50 years of racing at The Wick 338.

“Southwick has perhaps the deepest history of locals having breakout rides and it seems like nearly every year there is at least one incredible story to talk about,” said Pete Nomen from Legends and Heroes of Motocross. “I personally was here when JoJo Keller won a moto in 1982 and when Pat Barton got the holeshot and led the 125cc class for more than 30 minutes in 1988. And who can forget Mike Sottile, a virtually unknown guy outside New England, who put in a hero lap in 2014 when he posted the fastest qualifying time with his three-digit number, beating guys like Chad Reed and Ryan Dungey. There are so many stories like those from the past 50 years. We want to honor all the fast locals over the last five decades who gave it their all when the National rolled into town, representing the pride of the NESC.”

“Back in the day, our New England guys were often overshadowed by the factory riders from California. So, when the National rolled into town, you had a bunch of highly motivated locals who had one shot to prove exactly how fast they were,” said Rick Johnson, General Manager of The Wick 338. “We wanted to give our local heroes the proper recognition they deserve and give them a chance to reconnect with the fans who cheered them on from the fences over the years. We hope to make this a new annual tradition at the National.”

Legends and Heroes of Motocross The Wick 338 Reunion
Date: Saturday, July 11
Time: 11:15 a.m. ET
Location: Legends and Heroes of Motocross display (behind American Legion Post 338)

Fans, families, and friends are invited to join the New England racing icons, who will gather for an autograph signing and some nostalgic bench racing. To honor the occasion, the Legends and Heroes have produced a special commemorative poster featuring many of the riders that can be purchased and signed.

Invited Athletes:

Mike Guerra / Bolton, CT – Southwick National Grand Marshal
Graham Barber / Lexington, MA
Pat Barton / South Dartmouth, MA
Dave Clemence / Johnston, RI
Jimmy Decotis / Peabody, MA
Leo Fauteux / Bedford, NH
Doug Henry / Torrington, CT
Charlie Iott / Houlton, ME
JoJo Keller / Plymouth, MA
Robbie Marshall / Stow, MA
Jimmy Meenan / Sudbury, MA
David Rudnicki / Hubbardston, MA
Mike Sottile / Marlborough, MA
Mike Treadwell / Rumford, ME

Additionally, special recognition goes out to the New England legends contributing to the event’s success as members of The Wick 338 track crew – Chris Canning (Hartford, CT), John Dowd (Ludlow, MA), Keith Johnson (Pembroke, MA), and Southwick’s own Gary Yellin – each of whom plan to make an appearance. On the racetrack, 54-year-old Tony Lorusso (Brockton, MA) will look to make history as the oldest rider to qualify for a Pro Motocross National.

Additional menu

Hunter Lawrence Grabs Third Pro Motocross Championship Victory and 450SMX Points Lead on America’s 250th at RedBud

Qualifying

Moto 1 [30 Minutes + 2 Laps]

Moto 2 [30 Minutes + 2 Laps]

Overall

1st Place – Hunter Lawrence | #96 Team Honda HRC Progressive (2-1)

2nd Place – Jorge Prado | #26 Red Bull KTM Factory Racing (3-2)

3rd Place – Jett Lawrence | #1 Team Honda HRC Progressive (1-5)

450SMX Class Highlights // RedBud National

Qualifying

Moto 1 [30 Minutes + 2 Laps]

Moto 2 [30 Minutes + 2 Laps]

Overall

250SMX Class Overall Results (Moto Finishes // Points)

250SMX Class Championship Standings (Race 5 of 11)

SMX World Championship Regular Season Standings (Round 22 of 28)

1st Place – Cole Davies | #37 Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing (1-2)

2nd Place – Jo Shimoda | #30 Honda HRC Progressive (3-1)

3rd Place – Ryder DiFranceso | #34 Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing (6-3)

Kopp, Drane Conjure Victory at Magic Mile

KICKER AFT Singles

The Wick 338 Reaches 50 Years of Racing and Community with Continued Title Support from Crestview Construction

Haiden Deegan and Cooper Webb Overcome Adversity for Top 10 Finishes at RedBud

Cole Davies Scores Back-to-Back 250MX Overall Wins at RedBud

JORGE PRADO SCORES REDBUD 450MX PODIUM WITH RED BULL KTM FACTORY RACING

Ryder DiFrancesco celebrates first-career 250MX podium at RedBud National

Honda HRC Progressive Leaves RedBud With Title-Chase Leads in Both Classes

Monster Energy® Kawasaki Earns Podium and Multiple Top 5 Finishes at RedBud

Legends and Heroes of MotocrossHost The Wick 338 Reunion at 2026 Southwick National

Legends and Heroes of Motocross
Host The Wick 338 Reunion at 2026 Southwick National