Congratulations to Queensland brothers Hunter and Jett Lawrence, who created history by finishing first and second in the premiere 2026 AMA Pro Motocross 450 Championship in the United States.

The championship went right down to the wire at Ironman Raceway in Crawfordsville, Indiana, on 29 August, with just one point separating the Australian Honda teammates heading into the final round. It was a difficult day for both brothers, with neither making the overall podium, but it was Hunter who emerged as the big winner, securing his maiden premier-class outdoor championship with a 2-point win over Jett.

There was also plenty of Australian interest in the 250cc class, with Western Australian rising star Kayden Minear finishing an impressive sixth overall. The result capped an outstanding rookie season in the AMA Pro Motocross Championship for the young WA rider.

Remarkably, three years earlier, on the same weekend and at the same Ironman Raceway venue, younger brother Jett completed his incredible 22-0 perfect season in the premier 450cc class, while Hunter wrapped up the 250cc championship.  The Lawrence brothers again finished 1-2 in the premier class in 2025, with Jett claiming his second 450cc championship after Hunter moved up from the 250cc category. This time, however, it was Hunter’s turn to take centre stage.

Hunter produced a superb 2026 campaign, winning 12 motos, compared with Jett’s eight, and carrying strong momentum into the championship finale after sweeping both motos at Budds Creek the previous weekend.  But the Ironman finale proved anything but straightforward. Hunter’s title defence suffered a nightmare beginning when he was caught up in Haiden Deegan’s first-lap crash, forcing him to fight his way back from near the rear of the field to finish eighth in the opening moto. Jett also endured a difficult first race, battling through to finish 11th. The result gave Hunter a four-point advantage heading into the decisive second moto.

With the championship now firmly in their own hands, Jett charged to third in Moto 2, with Hunter following him home in fourth. Hunter’s 8-4 moto scorecard was enough to secure fourth overall on the day, but far more importantly, it delivered his first AMA Pro Motocross 450 Championship. Hunter finished the season with 474 points, just two ahead of Jett on 472.

The achievement is another remarkable chapter in the Lawrence brothers’ already extraordinary American racing careers. Hunter and Jett are now the first brothers to each win the AMA Pro Motocross premier-class championship, while their battle for the 2026 title saw them exchange the championship lead a record six times and collectively win 20 of the season’s 22 motos.

Perhaps one of the most memorable moments of the Ironman finale came after the racing, when Jett showed tremendous sportsmanship by celebrating his older brother’s breakthrough 450cc championship victory. For Hunter, it was the culmination of a remarkable season and a long-awaited premier-class crown. For Jett, it was a frustrating end to a championship campaign in which he had battled an ankle injury throughout the year.

In the days following Ironman, Team Honda confirmed that Jett would miss the 2026 SuperMotocross Playoffs after aggravating his right-ankle injury during the opening moto at Ironman. Jett is scheduled to undergo follow-up surgery on 9 September at the Steadman Clinic in Vail, Colorado, with the priority now on fully repairing the injury and returning to competition at 100 per cent rather than risking further damage during the three-round SMX Playoffs.

For Australian motocross fans, however, the 2026 AMA Pro Motocross season will be remembered as a truly historic one — Hunter and Jett Lawrence finishing 1-2 in America’s premier outdoor championship, with another chapter added to the remarkable Lawrence brothers story.