Hunter Lawrence scores his first AMA Supercross premier-class win in Arlington
AT&T Stadium
・Australian’s debut victory extends his lead in the 450SX title chase
・Jo Shimoda delivers inspiring second-place 250SX East result in return from injury
・Team disputes race direction’s decisions regarding red-cross incidents in both classes
The Arlington, Texas, AMA Supercross round proved to be an incredible night of racing for Honda HRC Progressive, with emotional performances in both categories. After coming close on several occasions, Hunter Lawrence notched his career-first win in the 450SX class, while Jo Shimoda secured an impressive second-place result in the 250SX East opener—his first race back from a neck injury.
Lawrence quickly recovered from a so-so jump out of the gate, positioning himself in third exiting turn 1. He took advantage of a lap-8 Cooper Webb mistake to move into second and soon joined Ken Roczen at the front. A three-way battle for the lead ensued, with the Australian demonstrating determination and composure as he dealt with the riders ahead and behind. Lawrence made the decisive move on Roczen at the five-minute mark and quickly established an advantage out front. That edge shrunk when the riders behind him jumped with a red-cross flag displayed, but Lawrence held firm until the checkered flag, earning the first premier-class win of his career. Quad Lock Honda’s Joey Savatgy secured seventh place, while his teammate Christian Craig crossed the line in ninth, marking his best result of the season.
In the 250SX main event, Shimoda grabbed the holeshot aboard his CRF250RWE and led the field through the opening stages. At around one-third race distance, after seeing the red lights flashing (indicating a red-cross situation), he rolled a small double and the finish-line jump that followed it. Meanwhile, Pierce Brown jumped with the red light still illuminated, enabling him to pass Shimoda. Despite applying intense pressure on Brown for the remainder of the race, the Japanese rider was unable to reclaim the lead. Nonetheless, his performance underlined his status as a championship contender. Also notable was Phoenix Racing Honda’s Cullin Park, who finished a respectable ninth.
At night’s end, Honda HRC Progressive personnel vigorously disputed the lack of penalties around the red-flag incidents in both classes. On Monday, the AMA released an official statement indicating that it has no plan to apply penalties. The team intends to escalate the issue and is currently reviewing all viable avenues.
NOTE
・Local dealership Al Lamb’s Dallas Honda enhanced the fan experience in Honda HRC Progressive’s pit area with an interactive pop-up activation, showcasing a CRF450R and a CRF110F—the latter being featured in an exclusive giveaway. The dealership team connected directly with fans and customers throughout the event, strengthening local engagement. Giveaway results will be announced via Dallas Honda’s official Instagram and Facebook channels on Tuesday. The dealership is also a sponsor for Red Rider John Short IV, and staff members cheered him on during the evening program.
・Jo Shimoda and team manager Lars Lindstrom represented Honda HRC Progressive during Friday’s official pre-event media activities, with Shimoda also taking advantage of valuable track time. The duo were joined by a strong group of Honda-affiliated riders during the Media Day activities, including Quad Lock Honda’s Christian Craig, Shane McElrath and Joey Savatgy, along with Phoenix Racing Honda riders Evan Ferry, Gavin Towers and Cullin Park.
・Arlington served as a Military Appreciation round, and SKDA supplied Honda HRC Progressive with special bike graphics featuring TrueTimber’s white Viper Snow camo pattern, while TrueTimber outfitted riders and staff in coordinated apparel. Military veterans were invited to attend Media Day, with opportunities to meet the riders and engage directly with the team.
・IndyCar driver Marcus Ericsson attended the Arlington round, with his Andretti Global Honda IndyCar displayed next to the Honda HRC Progressive team trucks, highlighting the brand’s racing presence across disciplines. Ericsson also appeared on Race Day Live for an interview.
・On Saturday, Feld’s video crew captured exclusive opening-ceremony footage with Shimoda, and they conducted a pre-main-event interview with him as well.
・Hunter Lawrence and Shimoda participated in a fan autograph session under the Honda HRC Progressive tent, engaging with their supporters.
・Shimoda’s participation in the 250SX East opener caught many by surprise, as the reigning SMX 250 Champion had suffered a serious neck injury just under three months earlier. Following surgery, Shimoda embarked on an intensive recovery program, and he received the go-ahead to resume riding just a couple of weeks before Arlington.
・As he refamiliarized himself with the racing environment, Shimoda placed 15th in 250SX East combined qualifying. Phoenix Racing Honda riders Cullin Park, Evan Ferry and Gavin Towers qualified eighth, 25th and 33rd, respectively. Jeremy Hand (Valley Motorsports) qualified in 16th, Ryder Floyd (Ti Lube Honda) in 21st and John Short IV (Short Racing) was 23rd, while Storm Lake Honda riders Luke Neese and Izaih Clark were 24th and 30th, respectively.
・In 450SX overall qualifying, Lawrence placed ninth, followed by Quad Lock Honda riders Joey Savatgy, Christian Craig and Shane McElrath in 11th, 12th and 16th, respectively. Other Red Riders included Zack Williams (McGinley Clinic), who qualified in 32nd, and Ronnie Orres (Lasting Impressions), who was 35th.
・Shimoda enjoyed exceptional starts in 250SX East heat racing, grabbing two holeshots (including once after a red flag), and his eventual second-place result transferred him to the main event. Park and Short advanced directly through their heat races, while Neese won the LCQ and Jeremy Hand secured third, moving both to the main event.
・Lawrence dominated his 450SX heat race with a holeshot and wire-to-wire victory. Savatgy delivered a standout performance to finish second after battling Eli Tomac throughout the race. Craig (fifth) and McElrath (seventh) also transferred directly to the main event.
・On his way to his first win, Lawrence set the fastest time in the 450SX main event—a first for the Australian.
・Lawrence took the first 450SX win of his career in the same venue where he earned his first 250SX victory back in 2022.
・With his first career 450SX victory, Lawrence joins an elite group of premier-class winners, and he also retains the championship points lead, extending his advantage over Tomac from one point to four.
・The team now turns its focus to round 8 of AMA Supercross this Saturday in Daytona Beach, Florida.
Tonight I got around the first turn, and that’s really important with how good the class is, because it’s hard to get a bad start and expect to battle your way through for a win. It’s tough to replicate racing, but we’ve been working hard on the bike and myself. My first half of the races have been getting better, for sure. Ken [Roczen] would make a little mistake, and I’d try to get him, but then he would have the inside for the next corner; I think the racing was really cool to watch and to be a part of, when the battle goes on for multiple laps. I was playing defense but still playing offense—it’s such a tricky spot to be in, but I really enjoy that and it feels good when you pull it off. On the last lap, I was just thinking, ‘Hit your marks, don’t do anything stupid, and get across the finish line.’ I feel like I’ve been doing the same thing every round this year and it’s been going well, so I keep the same approach. I don’t need to change a lot of stuff—I’ve been getting good starts and riding well in the main events, so just keep doing that.
Tonight I got around the first turn, and that’s really important with how good the class is, because it’s hard to get a bad start and expect to battle your way through for a win. It’s tough to replicate racing, but we’ve been working hard on the bike and myself. My first half of the races have been getting better, for sure. Ken [Roczen] would make a little mistake, and I’d try to get him, but then he would have the inside for the next corner; I think the racing was really cool to watch and to be a part of, when the battle goes on for multiple laps. I was playing defense but still playing offense—it’s such a tricky spot to be in, but I really enjoy that and it feels good when you pull it off. On the last lap, I was just thinking, ‘Hit your marks, don’t do anything stupid, and get across the finish line.’ I feel like I’ve been doing the same thing every round this year and it’s been going well, so I keep the same approach. I don’t need to change a lot of stuff—I’ve been getting good starts and riding well in the main events, so just keep doing that.
My night was good. I wanted to keep building my momentum from last year, so I’m just happy to be here. I get paid to race and do good, but at the same time, a neck injury is pretty sensitive. I got approved by the doctors two weeks ago to ride again, but you never know until you’re on the bike. I feel comfortable and strong enough, and I’ve been doing the right preparation to come back. I was pretty rusty all day long, but it ended up being a good night. I haven’t been doing a lot of testing, so each session we’ve been getting a little bit better. When the main event came around, I was like, ‘Let’s just make it stiff enough to where I can send it and shift the focus to get a good start, jump whoops, and do the things I can do.’ Once the race came around, I was really locked in. I did see a red light on the double, so I had to slow down and roll the jump. If the red light was still on for the other guys, I think it’s fair that the points are given to me—three points could matter at the end of the year. I did better than I expected, as far as the pace and finish position. It’s a really good way to start the season, but we still have a lot to work on, the bike and myself. I think we’re only going to get better from here, so I’m excited for the upcoming rounds!
My night was good. I wanted to keep building my momentum from last year, so I’m just happy to be here. I get paid to race and do good, but at the same time, a neck injury is pretty sensitive. I got approved by the doctors two weeks ago to ride again, but you never know until you’re on the bike. I feel comfortable and strong enough, and I’ve been doing the right preparation to come back. I was pretty rusty all day long, but it ended up being a good night. I haven’t been doing a lot of testing, so each session we’ve been getting a little bit better. When the main event came around, I was like, ‘Let’s just make it stiff enough to where I can send it and shift the focus to get a good start, jump whoops, and do the things I can do.’ Once the race came around, I was really locked in. I did see a red light on the double, so I had to slow down and roll the jump. If the red light was still on for the other guys, I think it’s fair that the points are given to me—three points could matter at the end of the year. I did better than I expected, as far as the pace and finish position. It’s a really good way to start the season, but we still have a lot to work on, the bike and myself. I think we’re only going to get better from here, so I’m excited for the upcoming rounds!
This was a huge morale boost for the team, but it was another bittersweet night even though the result was fantastic. We couldn’t be prouder of both Hunter and Jo, and I want to congratulate Hunter on his first 450SX win. He rode unbelievable tonight and had to race the best of the best to take the win. Jo shouldn’t even be here, and for him to have that result is just incredible. I told him before the race, ‘Let’s just take what the night gives us, but don’t forget, you are a freak!’ The fact that he didn’t get more tired after almost no prep is just mind-blowing. The bittersweet part is being on the short end of the stick when it comes to other riders jumping on red flashing lights and red-cross flags. In the past, we’ve been penalized more than any other team for this—some deserved, some we didn’t agree with at all. In this case, it was clear to us that there were penalties necessary, which should have given us the win in 250s, and dramatically increased our 450 points lead. The team, Honda management, and I are absolutely infuriated that there wasn’t more done in this situation after what has happened to us in the past for the same things. I am very disappointed with this decision, and we will be fighting hard to have it overturned.
This was a huge morale boost for the team, but it was another bittersweet night even though the result was fantastic. We couldn’t be prouder of both Hunter and Jo, and I want to congratulate Hunter on his first 450SX win. He rode unbelievable tonight and had to race the best of the best to take the win. Jo shouldn’t even be here, and for him to have that result is just incredible. I told him before the race, ‘Let’s just take what the night gives us, but don’t forget, you are a freak!’ The fact that he didn’t get more tired after almost no prep is just mind-blowing. The bittersweet part is being on the short end of the stick when it comes to other riders jumping on red flashing lights and red-cross flags. In the past, we’ve been penalized more than any other team for this—some deserved, some we didn’t agree with at all. In this case, it was clear to us that there were penalties necessary, which should have given us the win in 250s, and dramatically increased our 450 points lead. The team, Honda management, and I are absolutely infuriated that there wasn’t more done in this situation after what has happened to us in the past for the same things. I am very disappointed with this decision, and we will be fighting hard to have it overturned.
250SX East Standings
Pos. | Rider | Num. | Team | Constr. | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Pierce BROWN | 163 | Monster Energy Star Racing Yamaha | Yamaha | 25 |
2 | Jo SHIMODA | 30 | Honda HRC Progressive | Honda | 22 |
3 | Daxton BENNICK | 58 | Rockstar Energy Husqvarna | Husqvarna | 20 |
4 | Seth HAMMAKER | 10 | Monster Energy Pro Circuit Kawasaki | Kawasaki | 18 |
5 | Cole DAVIES | 37 | Monster Energy Star Racing Yamaha | Yamaha | 17 |
6 | Drew ADAMS | 35 | Monster Energy Pro Circuit Kawasaki | Kawasaki | 16 |
9 | Cullin PARK | 49 | Phoenix Honda Racing | Honda | 13 |
14 | Jeremy HAND | 87 | Valley Motorsports | Honda | 8 |
17 | Luke NEESE | 95 | Storm Lake Honda Buddy Brooks Racing | Honda | 5 |
