AMA Pro Motocross thriller at Southwick
By Team TMX on 13th Jul 26
The AMA Pro Motocross Championship returned to one of its most iconic venues as The Wick 338 hosted Round Six of the series, marking 50 years of racing at the famed Southwick sand track. Known as one of the toughest stops of the season, the Crestview Construction Southwick National delivered dramatic racing across both classes, with international talent making a major impact.
In the 450 Class, Team Honda HRC Progressive’s Jett Lawrence reclaimed the overall victory and the championship points lead after a hard-fought day that included another intense battle with his brother, Hunter. Meanwhile, in the 250SMX Class, Belgian sensation Sacha Coenen produced a stunning performance in just his second Pro Motocross appearance, sweeping both motos for a dominant overall win.
The premier class saw a strong international presence from the outset, with MXGP points leader Lucas Coenen topping qualifying ahead of Jorge Prado and Jett Lawrence.
Moto 1 quickly turned into a familiar storyline as Jett and Hunter Lawrence led the field out of the first turn, with Jett grabbing the holeshot. The brothers broke away from the pack, while Coenen mounted an impressive charge from the back after a first-turn crash. The Belgian carved through the field at a remarkable pace before a heavy crash ended his race while running inside the top five.
Up front, Hunter applied steady pressure before a late mistake from Jett handed him the lead. A red flag on the final lap sealed the result, giving Hunter his fourth win in the last five motos ahead of Jett and Haiden Deegan.
Moto 2 saw Hunter take another holeshot, with Deegan and Jett in pursuit. The trio quickly distanced themselves, setting up a second straight Lawrence showdown. Jett made a decisive move into second and began closing the gap, but lapped traffic repeatedly disrupted his charge.
The race turned in the closing stages when Hunter suffered a costly error, going over the bars after hitting neutral in a turn. Jett capitalised immediately, taking the lead and cruising to his sixth moto win of the season—and the milestone 50th of his career. Deegan finished second, with Prado third.
Jett’s 2-1 scorecard secured his third overall win of the season and the 27th of his career, tying him with AMA Hall of Famer Bob Hannah. Crucially, the victory also moved him back into the championship lead, now just one point ahead of Hunter.
Hunter’s 1-4 finishes were enough for second overall, ending his recent win streak, while Deegan’s consistent 3-2 effort earned him a third podium of his rookie campaign.
The 250 ddivision was headlined by the arrival of MX2 points leader Sacha Coenen, who wasted no time making his presence felt by topping qualifying.
The championship picture was shaken before racing even began, as points leader Jo Shimoda suffered a fractured collarbone and concussion in qualifying, forcing him out of the event.
Moto 1 saw Coenen take control early and deliver one of the most dominant rides of the season. He opened a commanding lead within minutes and ultimately crossed the line more than 33 seconds ahead of the field. Levi Kitchen climbed through the pack to finish second, with Ryder DiFrancesco completing the podium.
In Moto 2, Coenen again showcased his speed, quickly moving into contention after the start. He tracked down early leader Cole Davies and made the decisive pass just past the halfway mark. Despite a late crash that left him without goggles, Coenen remounted with enough of a cushion to maintain the lead and complete a perfect 1-1 sweep.
The victory made Coenen the third first-time winner of the season and the 96th different winner in 250SMX Class history. Remarkably, he achieved the feat while managing an injury sustained in the second moto crash.
Kitchen’s 2-4 finishes secured second overall, while Davies rebounded from a Moto 1 crash to claim third overall with a 7-2 scoreline. With Shimoda sidelined, Davies now takes over the championship lead by two points over Kitchen.
With five rounds remaining in the Pro Motocross season, the title fights in both classes remain finely balanced. In the 450 class, just a single point separates Jett and Hunter Lawrence at the top, while in the 250 division, a fourth different rider will carry the red plate next round as Davies moves into control of the standings.
Southwick once again lived up to its reputation as one of the toughest and most unpredictable stops on the calendar, delivering pivotal moments that could prove decisive in the run to the championship.
