Storylines Entering Budds Creek: This Week in SMX
The 2025 Pro Motocross season is entering its final stretch, and with Budds Creek on deck, the storylines couldn’t be much bigger. Championship chases, milestone moments, and historic trends are all colliding at one of the sport’s most iconic venues. Here’s everything you need to know heading into Southern Maryland.
Jett Lawrence: Securing Greatness
At Unadilla, Jett Lawrence left no doubt about his dominance. With a flawless 1-1 sweep, he locked up his second 450 Class championship. That victory marked his eighth overall win of the season, the 23rd of his 450 Class career (fifth all-time), and his 63rd overall win across the SMX League (eighth all-time).
The numbers don’t stop there. Lawrence now ties Ryan Dungey with nine SMX League titles across multiple divisions: 250SX (2), 250MX (2), 450SX (1), 450MX (2), and 450SMX (2). That puts him just one title shy of legends Ryan Villopoto and Jeremy McGrath for second-most all-time. At only 21 years old, Jett’s trajectory is rewriting the record books in real time.
Seeing Red: Honda’s Historic Surge
Jett’s championship also adds another jewel to Honda’s crown. His win gives Honda its 23rd premier class title and 40th total Pro Motocross championship—an all-time record. Breaking it down further, Honda now boasts 17 titles in the 250 Class, 15 in the 450 Class, and 8 in the old 500cc division. That 15th 450 Class crown also puts Honda ahead of Kawasaki as the winningest manufacturer in the division’s history.
Lawrence, already the first Honda rider to win titles in every class, now has two championships each in the 250 Class and 450 Class. He’s tied with Rick Johnson for the most Pro Motocross titles ever by a Honda rider. Even more impressive, Honda is on pace for a 1-2 championship finish with Jett and Hunter Lawrence—something that has only happened three times before in team history (1986, 1991, and 2003). If Hunter holds strong in second, it would mark the first sibling 1-2 finish in the history of motocross.
Hunter Lawrence: Mr. Consistency
Hunter Lawrence has quietly been just as impressive. Another 2-2 result at Unadilla puts him within striking distance of clinching second overall in his sophomore 450 Class campaign. His numbers are remarkable: 16 podiums in 21 starts and 64 podiums in 128 SMX League races. Even more striking, he is a perfect 21-for-21 in top-five finishes since moving to the 450 Class—the only rider in history to start his career with that kind of consistency.
Notable Performances
Eli Tomac: With a third straight third-place finish, Tomac continues to show veteran strength. His 79th 450 Class podium and 228th SMX League podium came in what was also his 365th 450 Class start.
RJ Hampshire: The rookie continues to impress, locking in his first top-five championship finish after five consecutive top-five race results.
Marshall Weltin: Reached 70 career SMX League starts.
Jeremy Hand: Hit the century mark with his 100th career SMX League start.
Budds Creek: A Venue Steeped in History
Budds Creek has been a cornerstone of American motocross since the late ’80s. The first 450 Class race here took place in 1994, when Mike LaRocco (Kawasaki) swept both motos en route to his championship season. A year later, fans witnessed one of the sport’s most legendary moments when Doug Henry launched off a massive hill, resulting in a crash that turned “Henry Hill” into an iconic landmark of the track.
The 2025 event marks the 31st 450 Class race at Budds Creek. Before 1994, the track hosted 125cc and 500cc rounds, with names like Jeff Ward, Jeff Stanton, and Jean-Michel Bayle taking victories between 1989–1992.
Budds Creek is also internationally famous as the second American track ever to host the Motocross of Nations, in 2007. That year, Ricky Carmichael, Ryan Villopoto, and Tim Ferry dominated to give Team USA its third straight MXoN win. Since then, Budds Creek has stood alongside Unadilla, RedBud, and Ironman as a showcase of U.S. motocross on the world stage.
Championship Implications
History suggests that what happens at Budds Creek often shapes the championship outcome. In fact, the winner of the 450 Class here has gone on to win the title 20 times in 30 years (67%), including five of the last six seasons. While the venue has hosted season finales in the past for other classes, 2025 marks the first time Budds Creek will serve as the 450 Class finale. With titles decided, history and legacy are the real prizes left to chase.
Final Thoughts
Budds Creek brings together everything that makes motocross special—family rivalries, manufacturer bragging rights, and decades of unforgettable moments. With Jett Lawrence already a champion, Hunter looking to seal a historic sibling sweep, and legends like Eli Tomac still stacking milestones, this weekend promises to deliver both history and high drama.