The FXR Spring Creek National delivered one of the most unpredictable races of the 2026 Pro Motocross season, as Hunter Lawrence swept both motos to reclaim the 450SMX Class championship lead whilst Julien Beaumer became the fourth different first-time winner in the 250SMX Class at Round 24 of the Monster Energy SMX World Championship.
Racing at the challenging Spring Creek MX Park in Millville, Minnesota, the seventh round of the outdoor championship produced dramatic moments and significant championship implications across both classes.
Hunter Lawrence dominated the 450SMX Class with clinical 1-1 performances aboard his Honda HRC Progressive machine. The Australian qualified fastest with a 1:54.746 lap time before controlling the opening moto from the holeshot, eventually winning by 16.8 seconds over younger brother Jett Lawrence.
The second moto appeared destined for a Jett Lawrence victory after he passed Hunter for the lead, building a seven-second advantage inside the final 10 minutes. However, disaster struck when the defending champion lost traction on a jump face and crashed, his handlebar becoming entangled in his boot. Hunter inherited the lead and cruised to his eighth moto win of the season by 15.4 seconds.
Haiden Deegan salvaged a career-best second overall despite crashing on the opening lap of the first moto. The Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing rookie charged through the field to fourth in the opener before securing second in the final moto. Jett Lawrence completed the podium in third, his worst result of the season, but maintained a nine-race podium streak dating back to 2025.
Hunter’s victory moved him 10 points clear atop the championship standings whilst also clinching the top seed for the SMX Playoffs with four rounds remaining.
The 250SMX Class produced extraordinary drama as Julien Beaumer captured his first career outdoor victory just 10 months after suffering a burst fracture in his spine during last year’s SMX Playoffs. The Red Bull KTM Factory Racing rider came from seventh to win the opening moto with a last-lap pass on Michael Mosiman, then rode conservatively to fourth in the second moto for the overall.
Points leader Cole Davies endured a nightmare afternoon, running out of fuel whilst running inside the top 10 in the opening moto after his tank was holed in a frightening first-turn pile-up. The Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing rider crashed twice in the second moto, finishing 16th overall and surrendering the championship lead.
Levi Kitchen displayed remarkable resilience after being collected in the first-turn incident, charging from outside the top 30 to eighth in the opening moto before finishing second in the final race. The Monster Energy Pro Circuit Kawasaki rider now leads the championship by 24 points heading to his home round at Washougal.
Chance Hymas earned his first podium of the season with second overall following a dominant moto two victory, whilst Carson Mumford achieved a career-best third in the final moto to help secure fifth overall.
The series continues next Saturday, 25 July, for Round 25 at Washougal MX Park in Washington State.
Photo: MX Sports Pro Racing Media
