Titles to Jett Lawrence, Jo Shimoda at Drama-Filled SMX Finale

10^th career AMA championship for Jett Lawrence
Hunter Lawrence runner-up in Las Vegas and in 450 standings
Jo Shimoda makes history as first Japanese rider to win an AMA crown

The 2025 SuperMotocross World Championship came to a dramatic conclusion at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, where Honda HRC Progressive delivered a historic sweep of both classes. Jett Lawrence secured his 10^th career title with a strong 1-2 performance in the 450SMX motos, while his brother Hunter Lawrence capped off a consistent season by finishing second overall in both the finale and the championship standings. Meanwhile, Jo Shimoda made history as the first Japanese rider to capture a professional AMA title, sealing the 250 crown with a 1-2 moto score and the overall win.

Hunter (who was under the weather with a cold) grabbed the holeshot in the opening 450 moto and led the early laps, with Eli Tomac eventually taking over the lead. Jett started in second but was shuffled back to fourth. He settled in for a bit before mounting a charge around the halfway mark, eventually executing a decisive pass on Tomac four laps from the end to take the win, while Hunter held on to finish third.

The second moto saw Hunter start third and move into the lead on lap 2, while Jett was fighting through traffic after starting eighth. Knowing he needed to finish second in the moto to take the win and title, Jett advanced to third by lap 4. His progress stalled there, but he rallied late and, with less than three laps remaining, moved by Tomac for second. Hunter took the wire-to-wire win, but Jett’s runner-up result was enough for the overall victory and the title. Also worthy of mention was Quad Lock Honda’s Joey Savatgy, who finished eighth overall on the day and ninth in the final standings.

The first 250 moto saw Shimoda rocket out of the gate to grab the holeshot, and he never looked back, leading wire-to-wire for a commanding win. Moto 2 brought high drama, with championship stakes on the line. Shimoda was guaranteed the championship if he could finish the moto in third or better, but he started fifth and immediately dropped back to eighth. He quickly began carving through the pack, and by lap 4 he was in fourth. After a brief hold there, he surged forward again, momentarily taking the lead when championship-rival Haiden Deegan slowed and allowed Shimoda to pass him. Deegan then made several blatant take-out attempts, knocking both riders down at one point and dropping out with an injury. Jo was able to get going in second place, and although he slipped to third near the end, he made a last-lap pass on Tom Vialle to add the overall win to his championship.

NOTES

Jett Lawrence, Hunter Lawrence and Jo Shimoda represented Honda HRC Progressive in Friday’s formal pre-race press conference at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. Unlike last week’s closed event, this press conference was open to the public.
Carter Powersports of Las Vegas was on-site in the Honda HRC Progressive pits for the SuperMotocross Final, engaging with fans and showcasing Honda’s powersports lineup, including a CRF50F and a CRF250R.
Bailey Zimmerman, a young country-music star, attended the race and came by the Honda HRC Progressive pits to visit the Lawrence brothers.
Honda hosted a suite at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, welcoming company associates and guests to enjoy the final round and support Honda HRC Progressive riders.
All three active Honda HRC Progressive riders took part in the opening ceremonies.
Jett was quickest overall in 450 qualifying, with Hunter just behind in second. Quad Lock Honda Racing riders Joey Savatgy and Shane McElrath were ninth and 12^th, respectively, and Phoenix Racing Honda’s Dylan Ferrandis was 15^th. Quad Lock Honda Racing’s Dean Wilson made his way through the 450 wildcard race, finishing seventh to secure a spot in the night show.
Shimoda logged the second-fastest time in combined 250 qualifying, while Rodbell Racing’s Justin Rodbell and Phoenix Racing Honda’s Cullin Park advanced through the 250 wildcard race, finishing fifth and seventh, respectively.
Jett set the fastest lap in 450 moto 2.
Jett, Hunter and Shimoda took part in the post-race press conference, and the two champions were part of the AC & JB show.
In addition to earning both SMX rider crowns, Honda claimed the 2025 SuperMotocross Manufacturers’ title.

Media contact:

Tati Ziemer // Jonnum Media // tati@jonnummedia.com // +1 (707) 888-9418

450 Overall Results

Jett Lawrence (Hon)
Hunter Lawrence (Hon)
Eli Tomac (Yam)
Ken Roczen (Suz)
Justin Cooper (Yam)
R.J. Hampshire (Hus)
Cooper Webb (Yam)
Joey Savatgy (Hon)
Justin Barcia (Gas)
Justin Hill (KTM)

—

11. Shane McElrath (Hon)

16. Dylan Ferrandis (Hon)

17. Dean Wilson (Hon)

450 Championship Points (after 3 of 3 rounds)

Jett Lawrence (166)
Hunter Lawrence (151)
Eli Tomac (135)
Ken Roczen (117)
Justin Cooper (115)
Cooper Webb (112)
R.J. Hampshire (109)
Chase Sexton (92)
Joey Savatgy (89)
Justin Barcia (86)

250 Overall Results

Jo Shimoda (Hon)
Seth Hammaker (Kaw)
Tom Vialle (KTM)
Nate Thrasher (Yam)
Ty Masterpool (Kaw)
Jordon Smith (Tri)
Garrett Marchbanks (Kaw)
Lux Turner (KTM)
Haiden Deegan (Yam)
Dilan Schwartz (Yam)

—

11. Cullin Park (Hon)

20. Justin Rodbell (Hon)

250 Championship Points (after 3 of 3 rounds)

Jo Shimoda (167)
Seth Hammaker (144)
Tom Vialle (127)
Nate Thrasher (118)
Haiden Deegan (116)
Ty Masterpool (99)
Jordon Smith (96)
Garrett Marchbanks (81)
Levi Kitchen (77)
Daxton Bennick (65)

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Jett Lawrence ¹⁸

“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.”

Hunter Lawrence ⁹⁶

“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.”

Jo Shimoda ³⁰

“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.”

Lars Lindstrom

Team Manager

“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.”