Jett Lawrence Kicks Off SMX Championship Defense with Moto 1 Victory at zMax Dragway
The opening round of the 2025 SuperMotocross World Championship at zMax Dragway delivered plenty of drama, and reigning champion Jett Lawrence wasted no time reminding everyone why he wears the crown. The Australian rider grabbed the holeshot in Moto 1 and never looked back, weathering heavy pressure from both Eli Tomac and Chase Sexton to secure the first playoff win of the season.
A Strong Start for the Defending Champion
When the gate dropped in Concord, North Carolina, Lawrence launched to the front and quickly built a two-second gap. That advantage proved crucial, as Tomac settled into second and Sexton clawed his way through the field after a shaky start.
Jett’s early pace not only kept him out front but also forced Tomac and Sexton into an uncomfortable rhythm. Pushing too hard on the challenging zMax Dragway course was risky, and Lawrence later revealed his strategy was all about balance.
“It’s kind of getting to the point that it’s close enough to the limit, because you can’t really push the track at all,” Lawrence told NBC Sports’ Will Christien. “It can catch you really quickly if you compress the suspension too hard clip those ruts especially. So I just tried to play it smart and run the risk versus reward kind of thing. Trying to get a flow and keep laps consistent.”
Sexton Battles Back
While Jett controlled the race up front, Chase Sexton was forced to fight from behind. The Honda rider admitted he thought he had the holeshot but misjudged the first corner. That mistake dropped him back behind Ken Roczen and outside the podium positions.
“I thought I had the holeshot and just blew the first turn,” Sexton explained. “Jett got underneath me and I was fourth or fifth behind Ken [Roczen]. I had to work my way up. Eli went down, which gave me a gift.”
Sexton capitalized late in the race when Tomac tipped over in the worsening track conditions, inheriting second place.
Tomac Holds On for Third
Tomac’s crash didn’t end his race, but it dashed his hopes of catching Lawrence. He remounted quickly and salvaged third, keeping himself within striking distance of the overall win heading into Moto 2.
“I’m not sure if it was acceleration or if the front tucked,” Tomac said. “Either way, I was maybe a little impatient. I moved out after that. I should have been using the cushion. Try to live and learn.”
Weather Adds to the Drama
As if the racing wasn’t intense enough, Mother Nature decided to throw a curveball. Moments after Lawrence crossed the finish line, a heavy downpour hit the track, accompanied by lightning. The weather delay meant the second motos would be contested on a much muddier and heavier surface, setting the stage for a completely different challenge.
The Rest of the Field
Hunter Lawrence, Jett’s older brother, turned in a solid ride to finish fourth, while RJ Hampshire rounded out the top five. Justin Cooper, the No. 1 seed heading into the weekend, suffered an early crash and was forced to mount a comeback. He climbed from last place to finish 11th, showing resilience but leaving himself work to do in Moto 2.
Looking Ahead
With Jett Lawrence taking the opening moto and Sexton and Tomac both close behind, the championship defense is already shaping up to be a thriller. The muddy second race promises unpredictability, and with points on the line in every moto, the drama at zMax Dragway is only just beginning.