‘I left it all on the track’, Hunter Lawrence Finishes Second in 2024 450SMX World Championship

Hunter Lawrence Finishes Runner-Up in 2024 450SMX World Championship: ‘I Gave It My All’

Hunter Lawrence has proven to be one of the most improved riders in 2024. Despite a rocky start to the year—failing to qualify for the first round of the Monster Energy AMA Supercross—Hunter finished the season tied in points for the SuperMotocross World Championship (SMX). Though he lost the title to his brother Jett in a tie-breaker, with Jett having secured two wins to Hunter’s one, Hunter still enjoyed an impressive season.

Heading into the final round of the SMX, Hunter led Chase Sexton by just one point, making it a winner-takes-all showdown between him, Sexton, and Jett. Even with 22 riders on the grid, only one would walk away with the $1 million prize. Despite narrowly missing out, Hunter remained content after the race, sharing his perspective during the post-race press conference.

“I set a goal before the season started to be a contender every weekend,” Hunter said. “I wanted to be part of the conversation consistently, and while Supercross was a bit of a challenge early on, we improved as the season progressed. In the end, I’m happy with how things went, especially in the second moto. I gave everything I had out there. No mistakes from either of us, we went full throttle, and while I didn’t win, I put forth my best effort tonight. Who knows what the future holds, but I’ll keep pushing.”

Reflecting on his journey, Hunter expressed pride in competing against riders like Eli Tomac, whom he and his brother once admired from afar. “Not too long ago, we were just watching Eli on TV at Daytona,” Hunter shared. “Now, to be racing at the top of the sport and going head-to-head with people we looked up to is an incredible feeling. It’s surreal to think we might now have the same impact on kids watching us.”

With Hunter’s rising success, there’s speculation about a brewing rivalry between him and his younger brother Jett, a dynamic that could become one of the sport’s most thrilling stories. Jett, while acknowledging the challenges, spoke about the unique nature of racing against a sibling. “It’s tough because we love each other and have a great relationship, but racing is a solo sport. When the helmets are on, it’s all business. We ride differently around each other, more cautiously, but we’re also very comfortable because we know each other’s style.”

Jett also joked about the potential “quiet car rides” home if their competitive tension rises, but for now, the Lawrence family couldn’t be happier with a 1-2 finish in the SMX standings. Looking ahead to next season, if Hunter’s rapid improvement continues, it’s clear that even his brother Jett might need to watch his back.