2026 Ironman Motocross Photo Gallery

2026 Ironman Motocross Recap

The final round of the 2026 Pro Motocross Championship series ended in decidedly dramatic fashion on Saturday at the Ironman National in Crawfordsville, IL.

In the end though, those likely expected to walk away as champions, walked away champions.

In the 450 class, Hunter Lawrence held a one point lead plus the tie-breaker over his brother Jett Lawrence, also the defending champion, thus he simply needed to finish ahead of Jett in one race and keep pace with him in the other. Entering Round 11, between them, the Lawrence brothers had won every Moto this year.

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Hunter grabbed the Holeshot for the first Moto, was quickly passed by another rider who subsequently went down a few turns later tangling Lawrence in the crash. Whoa, a shoo-in for Jett. But where was he? Somewhere near the Top 20 as he rode past the two downed riders.

Once Hunter got his bearings, he was outside the Top 30. Jorge Prado ended up in front who checked out with RJ Hampshire second and Cooper Webb third. Jett was 17th after three minutes but seemed lackadaisical in his efforts to move forward. Was he hurt? Could he seriously be waiting for his brother? Those two were the only ones in the title fight.

Near the midway point of the race, Hunter caught his brother and passed him for 14th place. It was reported Jett was not using the special footpeg he used earlier in the season to aid riding on an ankle injury he suffered in December that required surgery and kept him out of Supercross. It was also reported he used the standard footpeg this season as well during races he won.

Regardless, Jett settled for 11th and did not pursue Hunter who finished eighth. Jett was seen holding his ailing ankle after the Moto. Hunter's lead now was four heading into the final race.

In Moto 2, Jett raced with the special footpeg which must have helped because he fared far better. Prado (1-1) grabbed the Holeshot and checked out, so all eyes on the Lawrence brothers who hovered around the Top 3 from the start.

Hunter lost his grip on second after six minutes when his rear swapped out around a corner and he dropped to third. Near the midway point Jett (11-3) passed Hunter (8-4) for third and with the title in-hand at this point Hunter attempted a few brief charges pass for third but mostly held his ground in fourth and secured the 450 class Motocross Championship finally ending a swarm of second-place season finishes behind his brother.

"I don't even know where to start. The first lap of the first Moto I was like 'Here we go again,'" he said. "I can't even... thank the whole team for being behind me. My brother, my family, everyone that supports us. Everyone that's here cheering for us coming by asking if they can pray for us and bless us. Thank you, America! We're living the American dream and we couldn't do it anywhere else but the United States of America."

Lawrence finished second this year to Ken Roczen for the 450 class Supercross Championship thanks in part to a heartbreaking final round crash. With the Motocross title seemingly well in-hand, a crash at Unadilla two rounds ago turned a 15 point lead at the start of Moto 2 into a 10 point deficit. He rebounded with a sweep a week later while his brother struggled in muddy Budds Creek conditions that swung the points lead back to Hunter for the final round.

A bit lost in the Championship celebrations was Prado's sweep and first career Moto win and overall racing in the United States. The MXGP Champion became the first Spaniard to win a National. RJ Hampshire (2-6) got a season best second overall and Cooper Webb (3-8) finished his Motocross career on the box with a third overall. He returns next year racing Supercross only.

Eli Tomac (7-5) took fifth overall on the tie-breaker to Lawrence and he announced his retirement today (sad face emoji) from professional racing after the SMX finals that start next week. He was expected to race Supercross next year but a Round 1 neck injury that keep him out half the season likely played a part in his decision.

250 Class

In the 250 class, Cole Davies held a 14 point lead over Levi Kitchen for the title so a wider door for him to pass through. But he had his own problems this year that helped keep things tight like a Round 7 crash with another rider at Spring Creek that punctured his gas tank and he rolled to a stop during Moto 1. He was 25 points behind Kitchen at that point with four rounds left.

As for Kitchen? The first race resembled his season long struggles.

Julien Beaumer grabbed the Moto 1 Holeshot with Davies second. Kitchen was 11th. Chance Hymas took the lead on the first lap. Kitchen was ninth. Then he was 35th. All year long Kitchen, either by his own doing or getting caught up in others' doings, seemed to work his way from the back of the pack. Often with startling success but not this time.

First, Kitchen had a hard time getting back on his bike because of the blind spot on the track as racers sprinted down a hill, then it was clear he had mechanical issues and took what felt like 10 minutes to get going as his mechanic watched helplessly. Rules prevent mechanics from helping solve issues. Ultimately, Kitchen got going but after a few minutes pulled off and called it a day. He didn't even return for the second Moto but the DNF in Moto 1 secured the 250 class Motocross title for Davies (3-13).

"I expected nothing less than holding this plate at the end of the year. What a journey its been," said Davies, who joins riders like James Stewart, Ryan Dungey, Ryan Villopoto and Jett Lawrence to win a regional Supercross title and a 125/250 Motocross title in the same year as a teenager.

"I've worked my whole life to get to where I am now. Just Grateful to be in the position I'm in. Grateful to the people around me. Striving to be the best I can. It's been an up and down season, it's my first Pro Motocross season. To be holding this plate it's all worth it and to wrap it up on my (19th) birthday is unreal."

Also lost in the Championship celebration were the rides from Beaumer (2-1) and Hymas (1-2) tying in points as each won a moto and finished second in the other. Beaumer took the overall on the tie-breaker and his results place him second for the season. He was 42 points behind Kitchen for second entering the round. Hymas tied Kitchen (DNF-DNS) in points for third but takes fourth on the tie-breaker to end the season.

Riders get a weekend off to regroup and heal before the three-round SuperMotocross playoff starts September 12 at Historic Crew Stadium in Columbus, OH.

Webb, Hymas and Kitchen were chosen to represent Team USA at the Motocross of Nations on October 4 in Ernee, France.