The second half of the 2026 AMA Pro Motocross Championship kicks off this weekend at the legendary Spring Creek MX Park, and for Australian fans there’s only one question that matters. Will it be Jett or Hunter Lawrence to win at Spring Creek?
Just one point separates the Honda HRC Progressive teammates after six rounds, making this one of the closest 450 title fights in recent memory. Jett reclaimed the red plate with victory at Southwick last weekend after Hunter’s late-race mistake proved costly, but momentum can swing just as quickly at Spring Creek.
The Minnesota circuit has long been regarded as one of America’s greatest motocross tracks. The enormous start straight, notorious sand whoops, massive Holy Schmidt jump and the recently redesigned Mount Martin combine to create one of the most technical and physically demanding circuits on the calendar.
It’s also a track where both Lawrences have already proven they can win.
Jett has been almost untouchable at Spring Creek since moving into the premier class, winning both of his 450 appearances at the venue in 2024 and 2025. Hunter hasn’t quite reached the top step on a 450 here, but has finished runner-up the past two seasons after previously winning the 250 class in 2023.
JETT LAWRENCE
Championship leader – Honda HRC Progressive
The younger Lawrence brother arrives carrying the red plate after claiming his third overall victory of the season at Southwick. Statistically, Jett continues rewriting the record books.
His Southwick victory was the 27th premier-class outdoor win of his career, drawing level with Bob Hannah for fourth on the all-time 450 Pro Motocross wins list. Remarkably, Jett has achieved that in just 33 starts. Hannah needed 62.
Another overall victory this weekend would move him within four wins of Eli Tomac and see him become just the eighth rider in SMX history to reach 70 career race wins across Supercross and Pro Motocross competition.
Perhaps most importantly, he has history on his side. Spring Creek has suited his smooth, effortless riding style perfectly, with two starts resulting in two overall victories.
HUNTER LAWRENCE
Second in championship – Honda HRC Progressive
Hunter may have surrendered the red plate by a single point at Southwick, but he’s shown all season that he has the pace to beat his younger brother. The elder Lawrence has won three overalls this year and has stood on the podium an incredible 23 times in just 28 premier-class Pro Motocross starts.
He also knows how to win at Spring Creek. Hunter claimed the 250 overall here in 2023 before graduating to the 450 class, where he’s finished second in both appearances. If there’s one rider capable of stopping Jett’s momentum this weekend, it’s Hunter.
Can anyone beat the Australians?
If the Lawrence brothers make mistakes, there’s no shortage of riders waiting to capitalise. Haiden Deegan continues improving in his rookie 450 campaign and finished on the podium again at Southwick, while reigning MXGP World Champion Jorge Prado has now recorded four consecutive top-five finishes since finding his feet in America.
The biggest wildcard, however, is the return of four-time Pro Motocross champion Eli Tomac, who is expected to make his comeback this weekend after injury. Whether he has the pace to challenge for victory immediately remains to be seen, but his presence adds another heavyweight to what is already shaping as one of the best races of the season.
SPRING CREEK BY THE NUMBERS
History lesson
- Spring Creek first hosted Pro Motocross in 1983.
- Bob Hannah won the inaugural 250 overall.
- Bailey won the 1983 Grand National Championship by just one point over Hannah.
44 consecutive years
- Spring Creek has been on the Pro Motocross calendar every year since 1983.
- The 450 class returned in 1994 and hasn’t missed the venue since.
Carmichael’s playground
- Ricky Carmichael won 8 overall victories at Spring Creek.
- He claimed 16 moto wins at the venue.
- During his unbeaten 2002 season, Spring Creek was one of just eight tracks where he swept both motos.
Opening moto matters
- The rider who wins Moto 1 has gone on to win the overall 60% of the time (24 of 40 events).
SPRING CREEK RECORDS
Most 450 overall wins (manufacturer)
- Kawasaki – 9
- Suzuki – 9
- Honda – 9
- KTM – 4
- Yamaha – 2
Most rider victories
- Ricky Carmichael – 8
- Ryan Dungey – 4
- Jeff Emig – 3
= Eli Tomac – 3
= Bob Hannah – 2
= Jett Lawrence – 2
Most 450 moto wins
- Ricky Carmichael – 16
- Ryan Dungey – 8
- Jeff Emig – 6
= Eli Tomac – 6 - Jett Lawrence – 3
= Ken Roczen – 3
= James Stewart – 3
ADB Tip: If history is anything to go by, don’t be surprised if another Lawrence name is added to those records by the end of the weekend. With Jett unbeaten at Spring Creek on a 450 and Hunter desperate to reclaim the red plate, this could be the race that shapes the 2026 championship.
