· Hunter Lawrence finishes his 31-race 2026 campaign with third in SMX Playoffs

· Poor starts limit Jo Shimoda to 12^th overall in the 250 class

· Wrist injury in practice puts Chance Hymas out of Saturday program

Eight-and-a-half months and 31 races after kicking off the 2026 season, Honda HRC Progressive concluded its campaign at the SMX Final, held in a unique, picturesque amphitheater setting in southern Missouri. On a true hybrid track with a layout that made it difficult to make up time and overtake, the team didn’t manage to add to Hunter Lawrence’s 2026 AMA Pro Motocross 450 Championship, but they ended the long, eventful year pleased with their positive showing.

Lawrence was pushed wide in turn 1 on the first 450 start but emerged in third place. He pushed hard for the remainder of the moto but ultimately finished in the same position. The Australian once again started third in moto 2 and pressed through the middle part of the race, but lost ground after a close call at about the three-quarter mark and brought it home in third place. With a 3-3 result on the day and triple points up for grabs, the Australian secured third in the SMX Playoffs, capping the strongest season of his career so far.

Shimoda suffered a couple of crashes early in the first 250 moto and rejoined the race in last place. Despite his best efforts, 15^th place was the best he could manage. Following a mid-pack start to the wet second moto, the Japanese rider dropped as low as 12^th place, but he rode strong in the latter stages and finished eighth, for 12^th overall.

NOTES

· Once again, Hunter Lawrence represented Honda HRC Progressive at the Friday press conference before all three of the team’s active riders took to the track for a pair of short practice sessions.

· Unfortunately, Chance Hymas overjumped an obstacle during Friday practice and injured his wrist, forcing him to withdraw from Saturday’s program, as well as the upcoming Motocross of Nations. A scan confirmed that the Idaho native had suffered fractures to a couple of small bones in his left wrist.

· Lawrence, Shimoda and Hymas participated in a FanFest autograph session on Friday.

· Honda of Ozarks, a dealership located approximately one hour north of the race venue, staffed a pop-up display in the Honda HRC Progressive pit footprint. Dealer personnel showcased a CRF450R and a Monkey miniMOTO, while engaging with fans and customers.

· Also on display in the Honda HRC Progressive pit were a trio of NT1100 Police motorcycles, displayed by motor officers from the City of Branson Police Department. “It’s great to see this bike catching on with departments across the country,” said Honda Police Fleet Program Liaison Bill Turner. “It’s a really good option for motor officers, and we’re happy to do our part to support law enforcement in the U.S.”

· The Honda HRC Progressive team and riders were visited by several professional athletes, including NASCAR drivers Kyle Larson, Ricky Stenhouse Jr. and Noah Gragson, as well as former NFL player Nate Holley. Daytona International Speedway President Frank Kelleher also spent some time with the team.

· Lawrence ended the two 450 qualifying sessions as the second-fastest rider, while Quad Lock Honda’s Christian Craig and Joey Savatgy were 12^th and 17^th, respectively. Valley Motorsports rider Jeremy Hand was 26^th. In the 250 ranks, Jo Shimoda was the sixth-best rider in combined qualifying.

· The sport’s top female athletes were featured in the WMX Invitational, and Red Riders did well, with Quad Lock Honda’s Charli Cannon and SLR Honda’s Mayla Herrick battling for the early lead. In the end, Cannon settled for a close second-place finish to Lachlan Turner, while SLR Honda’s Mikayla Nielsen and Herrick finished fifth and ninth, respectively. Phoenix Racing Honda’s Tayla Jones ended the night 12^th.

· The SMX Final marked the last race for a couple of former Red Riders—Eli Tomac and Dylan Ferrandis, who in the past raced for Factory Connection and Phoenix Racing Honda, respectively. Everyone at Honda salutes the duo and wishes them well as they enter retirement.

· Honda HRC Progressive also congratulates Red Bull KTM’s Jorge Prado and Monster Energy Pro Circuit Kawasaki’s Levi Kitchen on earning the 2026 450 and 250 SuperMotocross Championships, respectively.

· This week, the Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation will auction off the autographed bodywork used by Honda HRC Progressive at round 2 of the SuperMotocross Playoffs. Visit the PBTF website to place a bid on the parts, which feature one-of-a-kind designs created by patients and printed by SKDA.

Media contact:

Zoe Vargas // Jonnum Media // zoe@jonnummedia.com // 619-971-6440

450SMX Overall Results

1. Haiden Deegan (Yam)
2. Jorge Prado (KTM)
3. Hunter Lawrence (Hon)
4. Ken Roczen (Suz)
5. Cooper Webb (Yam)
6. R.J. Hampshire (Hus)
7. Garrett Marchbanks (Kaw)
8. Jordon Smith (Tri)
9. Malcolm Stewart (Hus)
10. Aaron Plessinger (KTM)
—
16. Christian Craig (Hon)
22. Jeremy Hand (Hon)
23. Joey Savatgy (Hon)

450SMX Championship Points (after 3 of 3 rounds)

1. Jorge Prado: 158
2. Haiden Deegan: 151
3. Hunter Lawrence: 136
4. Ken Roczen: 128
5. Cooper Webb: 123
6. Garrett Marchbanks: 103
7. R.J. Hampshire: 99
8. Jordon Smith: 87
9. Malcom Stewart: 83
10. Aaron Plessinger: 80
—
15. Christian Craig: 43
19. Joey Savatgy: 20
21. Jett Lawrence: 18

250SMX Overall Results

1. Cole Davies (Yam)
2. Levi Kitchen (Kaw)
3. Landen Gordon (Yam)
4. Nate Trasher (Yam)
5. Pierce Brown (Yam)
6. Julien Beaumer (KTM)
7. Ryder DiFrancesco (Hus)
8. Daxton Bennick (Hus)
9. Cameron Mcadoo (Kaw)
10. Caden Dudney (Yam)
—
12. Jo Shimoda (Hon)

250SMX Championship Points (after 3 of 3 rounds)

1. Levi Kitchen: 153
2. Ryder DiFrancesco: 129
3. Cole Davies: 128
4. Julien Beaumer: 119
5. Landen Gordon: 104
6. Nate Trasher: 99
7. Daxton Bennick: 98
8. Pierce Brown: 89
9. Jo Shimoda: 86
10. Kayden Minear: 84
—
15. Chance Hymas: 51

WMX Invitational Results

1. Lachlan Turner (Yam)
2. Charli Cannon (Hon)
3. Hannah Hodges (Tri)
4. Jordan Jarvis (Yam)
5. Mikayla Nielsen (Hon)
6. Piper Bell (KTM)
7. Lilly-Ann Pettus (Tri)
8. Kaylie Kayer (Yam)
9. Mayla Herrick (Hon)
10. Jamie Astudillo (Gas)
—
12. Tayla Jones (Hon)

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