The curtain has officially closed on the 2025 Pro Motocross Championship, and the finale could not have been more fitting. Under the warm Maryland sun, Budds Creek Motocross Park hosted the Yamaha Racing Budds Creek National Finals, the 11th round of the summer series and the 28th and final stop of the SMX World Championship regular season. Beyond the thrill of crowning moto winners, this decisive weekend locked in seeds for the SMX Playoffs and crowned a 250 Class Champion none other than Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing’s Haiden Deegan, who sealed his second consecutive Gary Jones Cup with a dominant ride. Meanwhile, in the 450 Class, the championship was already in the bag, but Jett Lawrence still had unfinished business, wrapping up his season with one last victory.
450 Class: Lawrence Brothers Finish 1-2 in Season & at Budds Creek
Moto 1
The premier-class racing opened with Jett Lawrence flying out of the gate to grab the Pro Motocross Holeshot, though Justin Cooper of Monster Energy Yamaha briefly sneaked past before Lawrence quickly reclaimed the lead. With Cooper holding second and RJ Hampshire close behind in third, the trio set the pace early.
For most of the moto, Jett maintained a comfortable five-second cushion while Cooper fought hard to keep Hampshire at bay. As traffic from lapped riders increased, Hunter Lawrence crept closer from fourth, setting up a dramatic final chase for second place. In the dying minutes, Hunter passed Hampshire and pressured Cooper to the checkered flag. Still, Cooper held firm for his first moto podium since RedBud, finishing behind Jett, who captured his 16th moto win of the year.
Moto 2
The second moto flipped the script as Hunter Lawrence beat his younger brother to the holeshot, with Cooper again in third. For the first half of the race, Jett pushed hard to close the gap, but Hunter found another gear, eventually stretching the lead to nearly 10 seconds. Cooper, meanwhile, faded into the clutches of Hampshire, who secured third in the late stages.
Hunter claimed his second moto win of the season in commanding fashion, but Jett’s consistent 1-2 scores gave him the overall victory. The result marked his ninth win of 2025 and his 24th career 450 triumph—firmly cementing him in fifth on the all-time wins list.
Final Standings
History was made as the Lawrence brothers became the first siblings to finish 1-2 in the 450 championship standings, with Jett on top and Hunter as runner-up. Eli Tomac rounded out the year in third overall, despite finishing eighth at Budds Creek. Cooper’s strong weekend performance earned him the top seed for the SMX Playoffs, while Jett enters as the second seed despite missing much of the Supercross season with injury.
Podium Quotes – 450 Class
Jett Lawrence (1st Overall): “It feels good to end with a win. Hunter rode really well in Moto 2, and I’m happy with how the season turned out. Another 1-2 for Honda can’t complain about that.”
Hunter Lawrence (2nd Overall): “What a great way to close out the season. I’m happy with that win, but more grateful for the people who made it happen.”
Justin Cooper (3rd Overall): “I felt strong today and it was great battling with the Lawrence brothers. I made a mistake in Moto 2, but overall it’s been a solid day.”
250 Class: Deegan Dominates for Second Straight Title
Moto 1
The first 250 moto started chaotically, with Tom Vialle grabbing the holeshot before a red flag forced a restart. On the second attempt, Vialle again took the early lead, but a crash allowed rookie Cole Davies and Drew Adams to move up front, with Deegan and Shimoda close behind.
Davies impressed by leading laps in just his first pro season, but Deegan quickly reeled him in and took control. Shimoda also carved his way through to second. The battle between the title contenders intensified, but Deegan’s pace was too much. He crossed the line nearly 10 seconds clear—only to be docked a position along with Shimoda for a red flag procedure violation. That handed Davies a surprise moto win, while Deegan and Shimoda were officially classified second and third.
Moto 2
The final 250 moto of the season delivered a proper showcase of the two title rivals. Nate Thrasher earned the holeshot, but Deegan wasted no time taking over the lead. Shimoda followed him into second, and the pair quickly pulled away before another red flag stopped the race.
On the restart, Deegan reestablished control and steadily built a comfortable gap over Shimoda. By the finish, Deegan had taken his 13th moto win of the season with authority, sealing both the overall victory (2-1) and his second straight 250 Class Championship.
Final Standings
Deegan wrapped his 250 career with 14 overall wins, tying him for eighth on the all-time list alongside legends like Blake Baggett and Jett Lawrence. Shimoda finished the year second in the standings, while Garrett Marchbanks earned third overall in what was his best-ever season.
Podium Quotes – 250 Class
Haiden Deegan (1st Overall): “I wanted to end the season with a statement, and that’s exactly what we did. Back-to-back championships feels awesome, and now I’m ready for the playoffs.”
Jo Shimoda (2nd Overall): “I feel like I’m riding better than ever, so I want to carry that into the playoffs. Congrats to Haiden on the title—he earned it.”
Levi Kitchen (3rd Overall): “It’s been a tough few weeks, but today felt like a win. We made changes that helped, and it showed with this podium.”
Closing Thoughts
The 2025 Budds Creek National Finals perfectly captured the drama and excitement of motocross at its peak. From Haiden Deegan’s emphatic second title in the 250 Class to Jett Lawrence’s ninth win and historic sibling sweep with Hunter in the 450 Class, the season ended with milestones that will be remembered for years.
As the riders now turn their focus to the SMX Playoffs, the stakes only get higher. Deegan and Cooper enter as top seeds, while Jett and Hunter Lawrence look to extend their domination on the global stage. If Budds Creek was any indication, fans are in for another unforgettable chapter in motocross history.