Hunter’s late-race push to third pulls him level with Eli Tomac atop the 450SX standings as Roczen wins
Round 12 of the 2026 AMA Supercross season in St. Louis delivered a gritty rebound for Honda HRC Progressive as Hunter Lawrence fought through discomfort and shifting track conditions to climb back onto the 450SX podium, a result that also hauled him back into a share of the championship lead.
Lawrence set the tone early by snatching the holeshot in his 450SX heat race, then settled into second after Ken Roczen slipped by on lap two. That solid ride earned him a favorable gate pick, and he made it count when the main event dropped, ripping to his second holeshot of the night. With clean air and momentum, Lawrence immediately found himself in the middle of an intense opening exchange that included Jorge Prado and Roczen, but by lap two he was established in third as the pace sharpened and the rhythm lanes began to break down.
As the race wore on, the St. Louis track turned more technical and punishing, and Lawrence’s night became less about comfort and more about control. Still dealing with wrist discomfort stemming from a crash at the previous round, he briefly slipped out of podium position through the middle portion of the main event, spending several laps managing the changing surface and keeping himself within striking distance rather than forcing mistakes. Then, in a push that has become a hallmark of his season, Lawrence found something late. Over the closing stages he surged back forward, reclaimed third, and locked it down to the finish for his eighth podium of the year.
Lawrence’s third-place finish moved him into a tie for the 450SX points lead with Eli Tomac, while maintaining a five-point cushion over Roczen as the series heads toward its final stretch. Next, the championship fight rolls into Nashville for round 13.
Hunter Lawrence
“From what happened last week and how my wrist is feeling, I’m pretty happy. I think this track was arguably one of our gnarliest tracks, more so than Daytona or Indy. It was wild how the bumps were, how kicky the jumps were, and how deep the ruts were. I had to ride more governed. A lot of it was just due to the strength loss in my wrist; it would give out on some of the stuff where normally I could kind of muscle up and continue on and make the next rhythm. Nothing’s broken—it’s just really sore and swollen in the joint, but it was good enough to do what I could do today. I’ve got a great team behind me, and we’re in a great spot. How cool is it? Three of us, so close, and two tied for the red plate! I’m going to get healthier again and be back ready to fight next weekend in Nashville.”
AMA 450SMX ST LOUIS RESULTS
- Ken Roczen (SUZ) – Gap: —
- Justin Cooper (YAM) – Gap: 13.295
- Hunter Lawrence (HON) – Gap: 19.629
- Jorge Prado (KTM) – Gap: 22.410
- Cooper Webb (YAM) – Gap: 23.868
- Eli Tomac (KTM) – Gap: 37.901
- Joey Savatgy (HON) – Gap: 42.604
- Malcolm Stewart (HUS) – Gap: 45.743
- Garrett Marchbanks (KAW) – Gap: 59.973
- Dylan Ferrandis (DUC) – Gap: 1 Lap
- Christian Craig (HON) – Gap: 1 Lap
- Shane McElrath (HON) – Gap: 1 Lap
- Colt Nichols (SUZ) – Gap: 1 Lap
- Justin Hill (KTM) – Gap: 1 Lap
- Mitchell Harrison (KAW) – Gap: 1 Lap
- Grant Harlan (KTM) – Gap: 1 Lap
- Jordon Smith (TRI) – Gap: 1 Lap
- Cole Thompson (YAM) – Gap: 2 Laps
- Kevin Moranz (KTM) – Gap: 2 Laps
- Jeremy Hand (HON) – Gap: 3 Laps
- Vince Friese (KAW) – Gap: 4 Laps
- Chase Sexton (KAW) – Gap: 12 Laps
AMA 450SMX STANDINGS AFTER ROUND 12
- Eli Tomac (KTM) – Points: 245
- Hunter Lawrence (HON) – Points: 245
- Ken Roczen (SUZ) – Points: 240
- Cooper Webb (YAM) – Points: 220
- Justin Cooper (YAM) – Points: 198
- Joey Savatgy (HON) – Points: 153
- Chase Sexton (KAW) – Points: 144
- Malcolm Stewart (HUS) – Points: 141
- Jorge Prado (KTM) – Points: 131
- Justin Hill (KTM) – Points: 117
- Dylan Ferrandis (DUC) – Points: 114
- Christian Craig (HON) – Points: 107
- Aaron Plessinger (KTM) – Points: 99
- Shane McElrath (HON) – Points: 95
- Colt Nichols (SUZ) – Points: 90
- Jason Anderson (KAW) – Points: 84
- Garrett Marchbanks (KAW) – Points: 79
- Mitchell Harrison (KAW) – Points: 51
- Jordon Smith (TRI) – Points: 48
- Vince Friese (KAW) – Points: 47
