The 2026 AMA Supercross season came down to a thrilling showdown in Salt Lake City, where Honda HRC Progressive’s Hunter Lawrence entered the final round just one point behind championship leader Ken Roczen in one of the closest title fights ever. The best efforts of the Australian and his Honda HRC Progressive team weren’t quite enough this time and, although he was battling for the win early, a seventh-place result meant they had to settle for a runner-up showing in the final tally.
The highly anticipated main event delivered immediate excitement, as Lawrence grabbed the holeshot aboard his CRF450RWE, with Roczen quickly moving into the lead. A tense, mano-a-mano battle unfolded during the first part of the race, with Lawrence maintaining touch and occasionally applying pressure while also holding off Jorge Prado in third. Unfortunately, a pair of miscues—the first sending him briefly off the track, the second resulting in a fall—meant Lawrence found himself in seventh place with just over half the race remaining. That’s where he would eventually finish, and with Roczen posting a fifth-place result, Lawrence concluded the series second in the final standings, just three points shy of the title.
Throughout the 2026 series, Lawrence demonstrated impressive speed, consistency and progress. Everyone at Honda HRC Progressive and American Honda is proud of Hunter for the effort, professionalism and growth he displayed while battling for the championship until the final checkered flag.
A gracious Lars Lindstrom commented: “Looking back on the season, it has been a pretty incredible rollercoaster for us. There have been so many positives that make it easier to swallow the bitter pill of not winning the championship after being so close. I think we worked really well as a team the whole year, with definitely some difficult times, and I’m proud of everyone involved. Absolutely the MVP is of course, Hunter, who took himself to a new level in the elite class, and showed that he will be a threat for championships every year that he lines up. The professionalism, mental strength, speed, and how much of a genuine, good person he is make us all want to work harder and do anything and everything possible to help him achieve his goals.
“I also want to say congratulations to the Progressive Suzuki team and to Ken Roczen on their championship. With how well we know Kenny, and being there through his injuries and struggles, it was hard not to be emotional and happy for him; if we were going to lose the championship, I’m glad it was to him. I think this really completes his career, and he performed when he needed to make it happen.”
