The Pro Motocross Championship returned to the legendary Unadilla MX circuit in New Berlin, New York, for Round 26 of the 2026 Monster Energy SMX World Championship, delivering dramatic championship shifts in both classes. Jett Lawrence captured his fourth overall victory of the season whilst reclaiming the 450SMX points lead from brother Hunter Lawrence, whilst Cole Davies moved within a single point of the 250SMX championship lead after securing his fourth win of the campaign.
Picture-perfect weather and one of the largest crowds in Unadilla history set the stage for an afternoon of racing that would dramatically alter both title fights with just two rounds remaining.
450SMX Class: Lawrence Brothers’ Title Battle Takes Dramatic Turn
The opening moto saw Hunter Lawrence (Honda HRC Progressive) deliver a commanding performance, leading from the opening lap to claim his 10th moto win of the season by 9.4 seconds over Jett. Haiden Deegan (Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing) grabbed the holeshot but was quickly overtaken, whilst Jett briefly dropped to fifth after nearly colliding with Deegan mid-race.
The second moto proved catastrophic for Hunter’s championship aspirations. After leading early, he was passed by Jett with 20 minutes remaining, then suffered a devastating crash on Unadilla’s infamous “The Wall” section whilst running third. Unable to ride at pace, Hunter eventually retired to the pits, credited with 39th position.
Jett Lawrence capitalised on his brother’s misfortune, dominating the second moto with a 10.7-second victory over Jorge Prado (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing). The 2-1 performance delivered Jett his 28th career overall victory and moved him 10 points clear atop the standings with two rounds remaining.
“I’m bummed [that Hunter crashed]. I don’t want to [take the points lead] like this. He was right there. It sucks,” said Jett post-race.
Jorge Prado matched his best American performance with a 3-2 effort for second overall, whilst Haiden Deegan extended his podium streak to four consecutive rounds with a 4-3 result. Hunter’s eighth-place finish marked his first time outside the top five in premier-class Pro Motocross competition.
250SMX Class: Davies Strikes as Kitchen Battles Back
The 250SMX class delivered equally compelling drama as Levi Kitchen (Monster Energy Pro Circuit Kawasaki) appeared to seize control with his first moto victory since Thunder Valley, dominating by 8.1 seconds over Davies. Carson Mumford (AEO Powersports KTM) equalled his career-best moto finish in third.
The second moto flipped the script entirely. Cole Davies (Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing) grabbed the holeshot whilst Kitchen was forced off track in the opening turn, dropping to 37th. Davies controlled the moto wire-to-wire for his seventh moto win of the season, 5.3 seconds clear of Chance Hymas (Honda HRC Progressive).
Kitchen’s gritty charge through the field proved the ride of the day, advancing 31 positions to sixth place despite heavy traffic. The damage-limitation effort preserved his points lead, though his advantage shrunk to a single point over Davies heading into the penultimate round.
“I’ve had like 12 [come-from-behind] rides this year. It’s been tough, but I’m trying to stay positive,” said Kitchen. “I don’t know what the points are, but I know it’s close.”
Davies’ 2-1 performance secured his class-leading fourth overall victory. “It’s a tight championship now, so we’ll race to the end and hopefully pull it off,” the New Zealander stated.
Chance Hymas recorded his third consecutive overall podium with a 4-2 effort, whilst Ryder DiFrancesco (Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing) finished fifth overall.
The Pro Motocross Championship continues next Saturday, 22 August, at Budds Creek Motocross Park in Maryland for the penultimate round of the regular season.
Photo: MX Sports Pro Racing Media
