Jett Lawrence finds himself in unfamiliar territory. While he remains in control of his own fate, it is by the slimmest of margins—one that could evaporate at the Unadilla National.
Six motos remain in three rounds of the 2026 Pro Motocross season. If Jett wins all of them, he could gain 18 points on his brother, the current championship leader Hunter Lawrence.
If Hunter wins two motos and Jett finishes second in both, while winning the remainder, the math is simple. Hunter wins by six points.
That is a plausible scenario given the strength of these two riders.
Hunter has been nearly flawless in the 2026 Pro Motocross Championship. But then again, so has Jett after his return from a foot and ankle injury.
Hunter and Jett Lawrence have crossed under the checkered flag first and second nine times in 2026, but only eight of those counted. Align Media
Hunter and Jett Lawrence have crossed under the checkered flag first and second nine times in 2026, but only eight of those counted. Align Media
Hunter and Jett have crossed the finish first and second nine times in 16 motos this year, but two incidents at Washougal—one controversial, one self-inflicted—have shifted the balance. One of those incidents can only be attributed to Jett; the other depends on how a person interprets the AMA rule book.
On Lap 1 of the second moto, Jett rode wide in a corner while attempting to pass Hunter. The AMA determined he accelerated before returning to the track, which cost him one position in the final rundown. Jett was placed behind Haiden Deegan in the final running order and what would have been the ninth 1-2 finish for the brothers was officially denied.
The penalty cost Jett two points, the difference between second and third.
Hunter and Jett Lawrence have been nearly flawless in 2026 Pro Motocross. Align Media
Hunter and Jett Lawrence have been nearly flawless in 2026 Pro Motocross. Align Media
“It was just kind of get back on the track as quick as possible,” Jett said in post-race media availability. “I didn’t really gain much time. And that section’s pretty hard. Not hard … fast. So, I didn’t want to come on and be going way slower and get [rear-ended]. So probably gave a bit of gas to get on. But like I said, AMA didn’t like that. So, it is what it is. I mean, two points less. It sucks, but we’ll take it. I just got to try and make up 12 points now, which sucks, but we’re just going to try and win everything here going out. We’ll see how it goes.”
Section 1.6.20 states: A Rider leaving the course may only continue by properly re-entering the course, without gaining a time or position advantage, from the closest possible point to where that Rider left the course. While off course, the Rider must immediately slow down to a safe speed so as not to endanger life or limb of other riders, crew members, officials or the public and must not accelerate in an unsafe manner at any time.
Jett believed he followed the spirit of the rule by accelerating only enough to reenter safely. The AMA disagreed.
“I think you’ll have to ask AMA on that one because obviously in the rule book as well, you got to enter back safely,” Jett said later in the media session. “I was trying to enter back safely and get speed so then I’m not coming on and then get, like I said, get hit from behind. So, I mean, yeah, have to talk to AMA.”
Hunter was docked one position for cutting the track in Moto 1 of the Thunder Valley National.
The second pivotal moment came on Lap 9, moments after he passed Hunter for the lead. His pass also came moments after AMA announced his penalty.
For the second time in consecutive weeks, Jett crashed while leading a race and handed the position to Hunter.
Hunter won both motos. In the second moto in Spring Creek, Jett crashed while attempting to pass a lapped rider. Hunter crashed out of the lead in the first moto.
“It was one of those things, kind of like a Valentino Rossi back in the day when he gets a five-, 10-second penalty, whatever it is, and then he just wins by that much because he had to, to win,” HRC Team Manager Lars Lindstrom said. “It was kind of one of those where we’re like, do we tell him that if he doesn’t pass Hunter, he’s going to get third and whatever. ... And then he had that fall.”
