Challenging Opening SMX Round for Honda HRC Progressive in the Ohio Mud
Historic Crew Stadium
· Hunter Lawrence endures setbacks in both 450 motos
· Chance Hymas leads the team with seventh overall in 250 class
· First race back for reigning 250 champion Jo Shimoda
The SMX World Championship kicked off in challenging fashion, as Honda HRC Progressive experienced uncharacteristic struggles at the Columbus, Ohio, opener, with all three riders ultimately posting results that the team is determined to improve on at the last two rounds. Thunderstorms throughout the morning forced delays, the cancellation of qualifying, and shortened motos, along with extremely muddy track conditions.
Hunter Lawrence opened 450 moto 1 just inside the top 10 before suffering two falls in the race’s first half. In the slippery conditions, and with his bike twisted from the falls, he was unable to make his way back through the pack and finished 21st. Despite an outside gate spot, Lawrence got a better start in moto 2, but once again encountered misfortune. He salvaged an eighth-place result for 15th overall, and he currently sits sixth in the standings.
In the 250 class, reigning champion Jo Shimoda made his return to racing alongside teammate Chance Hymas. Both riders started the first moto inside the top 10 but lost positions on the opening lap, with Shimoda forced to continue without his goggles, making it difficult to charge forward. Hymas worked his way up to ninth, while Shimoda crossed the finish line in 12th. Hymas got off to a strong start in moto 2, running inside the top three, with Shimoda not far behind in eighth. Hymas battled hard and secured a fifth-place finish for seventh overall, while Shimoda earned 13th in the moto and 13th overall.
With the opening round behind them, Honda HRC Progressive looks to rebound this coming weekend at its home race in Carson, California, where double championship points will be awarded.
NOTES
· Reigning SMX 450 Champion Jett Lawrence was absent in Ohio, as he is sitting out the series to recover from a September 9 operation to remove hardware from his right ankle. The Australian is focused on returning to full health in time for the 2027 AMA Supercross series.
· On Friday, Hunter Lawrence, Jo Shimoda and Chance Hymas represented Honda HRC Progressive at the Columbus SMX press day. All three riders participated in the formal press conference as top-10 riders in the SMX Playoffs standings, with Jo also being recognized as the reigning 250 champion.
· All three riders also participated in two 10-minute free practice sessions on Friday before Honda HRC Progressive hosted an autograph session during Progressive FanFest, giving fans an opportunity to meet the team’s three active factory riders.
· Honda Marysville Motorsports, a dealership located half an hour north of the stadium, joined Honda HRC Progressive in the paddock with a pop-up display, engaging with fans and showcasing a Pioneer 1000 side-by-side and a CRF125F trail bike.
· Race day was heavily impacted by weather, with thunderstorms and lightning throughout the morning causing delays. Race officials ultimately canceled qualifying and moved straight into the afternoon race program. The first motos were shortened to 15 minutes plus one lap, and the second motos were shortened to 12 minutes plus one lap.
· Since there were no qualifying sessions in the morning, gate picks for the first motos were based on points coming into the SMX World Championship Playoffs. Hunter had the number-one seed in the 450 class, while Hymas and Shimoda were fourth and 11th, respectively, in the 250 class.
· The first round of the SMX Playoffs included an SMX Next World All-Stars component, bringing together 25 top amateur prospects competing for a title. Due to the track conditions, the race was shortened by two minutes, with SLR Honda riders Jace Williams and Cade Bradley finishing sixth and 16th, respectively, while GDR Honda’s Dylan Rempel was involved in a first-turn incident and was credited with a 21st-place result.
· Honda HRC Progressive heads back west for its home race in Carson, California, September 19.
Media contact:
Zoe Vargas // Jonnum Media // zoe@jonnummedia.com // 619-971-6440
“So glad the championship isn’t decided on the first round—I’ve struggled at first SMX rounds in years prior, but nothing like this! I’m shaking off the championship hangover, and going to get back to my winning ways next weekend at round 2.”
“So glad the championship isn’t decided on the first round—I’ve struggled at first SMX rounds in years prior, but nothing like this! I’m shaking off the championship hangover, and going to get back to my winning ways next weekend at round 2.”
“It’s been a while since the last time I raced, so it’s good to be back at the races. My shoulder isn’t quite 100%, but it’s good enough to ride. I think I could’ve managed the conditions a lot better today, I just fell too many times. I’m looking forward to making up for it next weekend.”
“It’s been a while since the last time I raced, so it’s good to be back at the races. My shoulder isn’t quite 100%, but it’s good enough to ride. I think I could’ve managed the conditions a lot better today, I just fell too many times. I’m looking forward to making up for it next weekend.”
“The first playoff of the year wasn’t ideal with the mud, but I came out with a decent result. I’m looking forward to the next couple rounds, with next weekend paying double points.”
“The first playoff of the year wasn’t ideal with the mud, but I came out with a decent result. I’m looking forward to the next couple rounds, with next weekend paying double points.”
“This was a tough weekend for us, no doubt about that. If we were going to have a tough weekend, the first playoff race is the one that you want to have it, with single points compared to the next two having double and then triple, respectively. We need to do some serious work as a team on our SX mud racing; we’re nowhere near where we need to be, and that will be a focus going into the 2027 season. I have no doubt that we’ll recover next weekend; hopefully we’re able to get back into the fight to retain our SMX titles.”
“This was a tough weekend for us, no doubt about that. If we were going to have a tough weekend, the first playoff race is the one that you want to have it, with single points compared to the next two having double and then triple, respectively. We need to do some serious work as a team on our SX mud racing; we’re nowhere near where we need to be, and that will be a focus going into the 2027 season. I have no doubt that we’ll recover next weekend; hopefully we’re able to get back into the fight to retain our SMX titles.”
450SMX Overall Results
1. Haiden Deegan (Yam)
2. Ken Roczen (Suz)
3. Jorge Prado (KTM)
4. Cooper Webb (Yam)
5. Joey Savatgy (Hon)
6. Dylan Ferrandis (Duc)
7. Aaron Plessinger (KTM)
8. Shane McElrath (Bet)
9. Jordan Smith (Tri)
10. Garrett Marchbanks (Kaw)
—
15. Hunter Lawrence (Hon)
17. Christian Craig (Hon)
450SMX Championship Points (after 1 of 3 rounds)
1. Jorge Prado: 42
2. Haiden Deegan: 40
3. Cooper Webb: 38
4. Ken Roczen: 34
5. Dylan Ferrandis: 33
6. Hunter Lawrence: 32
7. Garrett Marchbanks: 28
8. Aaron Plessinger: 22
9. Eli Tomac: 22
10. Jordon Smith: 21
—
11. Joey Savatgy: 20
21. Christian Craig: 9
250SMX Overall Results
1. Levi Kitchen (Kaw)
2. Daxton Bennick (Hus)
3. Ryder DiFrancesco (Hus)
4. Max Vohland (Yam)
5. Cameron Mcadoo (Kaw)
6. Caden Dudney (Yam)
7. Chance Hymas (Hon)
8. Landen Gordon (Yam)
9. Drew Adams (Kaw)
10. Cole Davies (Yam)
—
13. Jo Shimoda (Hon)
250SMX Championship Points (after 1 of 3 rounds)
1. Levi Kitchen: 47
2. Ryder DiFrancesco: 40
3. Cole Davies: 37
4. Daxton Bennick: 34
5. Chance Hymas: 33
6. Nate Trasher: 25
7. Caden Dudney: 23
8. Kayden Minear: 23
9. Max Vohland: 22
10. Julien Beaumer: 21
—
11. Jo Shimoda: 20
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