Lindstrom: “I don’t think I’ve ever been more relieved to have the weekend be over!” September 23, 2025, 9:25pm
The following is a press release from Honda HRC Progressive
LAS VEGAS, Nevada (September 21, 2025) – Honda HRC Progressive capped an incredible 2025 campaign this weekend at Las Vegas Motor Speedway by sweeping the third edition of the SuperMotocross Playoffs, with Jett Lawrence earning the 450 Championship, while Jo Shimoda took the 250 crown. This marked the third year that the unique three-race series has been held, and Lawrence has earned all three premier-class titles; it is also the 10th career professional AMA crown for Lawrence, who just turned 22 last month.
As had been the case at the same race last year, Jett came into the event in a tight championship battle with brother and teammate Hunter Lawrence. With just six points separating the duo, and triple points being paid at this round, it was a winner-take-all scenario. The first moto saw Jett recover from fourth early on to score the win aboard his CRF450RWE, while Hunter finished a solid third after leading the first several laps. The second moto started in a similar way, with Jett running fourth early on while Hunter ran at the front. This time Hunter led all the way to the finish, but when Jett passed Eli Tomac for second near moto’s end, it was enough to secure the overall win and wrap up the title, with Hunter second overall and in the final standings. It was a rewarding night for the Lawrence family, as Jett won $1 million for the championship, while Hunter earned $500,000 for second place.
A native of Landsborough, Australia, Jett has raced for Honda his entire professional career, starting with the Factory Connection satellite squad. After transitioning to the factory team in 2021, he immediately collected the AMA Pro Motocross 250 Championship. The following year saw him repeat that accomplishment and won the AMA Supercross 250 East crown. He added the AMA Supercross 250 West title in 2023, then switched to the 450 class for AMA Pro Motocross, achieving a historic perfect season in his rookie attempt. That same year also saw him win the inaugural SuperMotocross 450 title. In 2024, Lawrence added the prestigious AMA Supercross 450 Championship to his resume, as well as the second SuperMotocross crown. This year, Jett was injured during the Supercross series, but he recovered in time to collect his second AMA Pro Motocross 450 title. He backed it up this evening with his third SuperMotocross premier-class championship, and he remains the only rider to have won that crown. Jett moves into a tie with Jeremy McGrath and Ryan Villopoto for second place on the all-time AMA Champions list (only Ricky Carmichael has more, with 16).
Jett10Time Press Release “It was a good race weekend,” Jett said. “Hunter rode well and executed two starts, which made it hard on me. The first moto I was able to dig deep and get that moto win, thankfully—it saved me for sure. In the second moto I got another bad start, and the boys were riding well. Honestly, I didn’t think I was going to be able to catch Eli to make the pass, but in the last few laps I was able to close up. I saw an opportunity to pass and jumped on it real quick. I was able to make it stick and get the win. It’s awesome to go 1-2 with Hunter and me.”
In the 250 class, Shimoda entered the finale with a 10-point lead, meaning that he could finish second overall to rival Haiden Deegan and still earn the championship. He delivered under pressure in moto 1, taking the holeshot aboard his CRF250RWE and leading from start to finish. The second moto was more challenging. Shimoda was back in eighth at the end of lap 1, but he began steadily climbing through the pack. Despite several attempts by Deegan to impede his progress (including one that put both riders on the ground), Shimoda stayed composed and crossed the line in second place, taking the overall win and the championship.
JoChampion Press Release Shimoda rode for Factory Connection’s satellite squad as an amateur and after turning pro in 2019. He moved to another manufacturer in 2021 but returned to Honda last year. This was his first professional AMA title, and he took home a $500,000 prize. The title cements Shimoda’s status as the most successful Japanese native in AMA history.
“We finished it off!” Shimoda said. “I know it’s just three rounds in SMX, but for me, just accomplishing something was the most important part. This is a massive confidence booster for me, to know I can do it. Honestly, the pressure wasn’t really a problem; I knew there was a lot of pressure on the line, and I was expecting Deegan to be really aggressive. I had to be smart. The most important thing is I just didn’t want to get smashed—I think I did pretty good!”
While Honda has earned all three SuperMotocross 450 crowns (and has taken the premier-class overall win at all nine events held to date), this was the first time that a manufacturer has won the SuperMotocross championships in both classes. With the dominant performance, Honda also won the SuperMotocross Manufacturer Championship.
Shimoda with Ben Griffith, mechanic, and crew chief Shane Drew. Honda HRC “What a season, and what a team!” said Brandon Wilson, Manager of Racing & Advertising at American Honda. “For the past few years, it has been so gratifying to have Honda where it belongs—fighting at the front and winning championships in both classes. It’s all down to our incredibly talented riders, an extremely capable team, our invaluable sponsors, a competitive technical package and strong support from HRC. On behalf of everyone in the Honda family, to Jett, Jo and Hunter, along with the crew at Honda HRC Progressive: thank you, and congratulations.”
The long regular season is now over for Honda HRC Progressive, although the team will support a number of Honda riders at the Motocross of Nations in Crawfordsville, Indiana, October 5, including all of Team Australia (comprising the Lawrence brothers and Kyle Webster), as well as Team Japan’s Shimoda.
“It’s definitely emotional. Honestly, midway through, I thought it was over—I was struggling to close on Eli and Hunter, and at one point I kind of gave up. Then with about three laps to go, I told myself, ‘I’m just going to send it.’ If it worked, great; if I crashed, that was the risk. Thankfully, it paid off. Afterward, the emotions hit me—especially seeing how well Hunter was riding this weekend. To be honest, if he hadn’t been sick, I think he would’ve had this—this 100 percent would’ve been a different story. He was so strong all weekend, and I was slacking compared to him. It’s really special to be out there racing with my brother, and I’m thankful for the team behind us.”
“It was a bittersweet night. I feel like I rode really well and gave it my all, but I came up just short in the end. I was able to win the final moto and do what I needed to there, but I probably could’ve been a little better in the first one. Still, it was a great night overall for the team, winning both championships and going 1-2 again in the 450 class—lots of positives to take away, and now I’m looking forward to Motocross of Nations.”
“Honestly, the day was really stressful, especially the second moto—I need to rewatch it! There was a lot of contact out there, but I’m glad I stayed up and kept pushing. To be the first Japanese rider to win a championship like this means so much to me. Accomplishing something so important gives me a huge confidence boost, and I’m really proud of everyone who helped make this possible.”
“I don’t think I’ve ever been more relieved to have the weekend be over! We were handed an opportunity going into the weekend that didn’t seem possible before, and we were determined to make the most of it. Obviously, we weren’t naïve, as we expected the unexpected in the 250 race, and we planned as well as we possibly could. I’m so proud of Jo for dealing with the crazy pressure and performing the way he did. I think it was a big turning point in his career! The 450 race felt much more comfortable, since the brothers have so much experience in those situations, but it was a nailbiter as to who would take the crown! Jett being Jett though, he performed miracles when they needed to be performed, and as happy as I was for him, I was equally gutted for Hunter. His day will come, and I don’t think we’ll need to wait long for it.”
