Hunter Lawrence Secures Victory in SMX Playoff Round 2
St. Louis, MO — Hunter Lawrence clinched his third win in the 450 division during the SMX Playoff Round 2 on Saturday night, adding to his earlier victories from 2024 and the Ironman National. The Australian rider, known for his reserved demeanor, remained focused post-race and emphasized his straightforward approach to competition: “I’m racing, just trying to do the best I can… just working away.”
In a show of camaraderie, Lawrence celebrated his teammate Jo Shimoda’s win earlier in the evening, playfully downplaying his brother Jett’s success: “Yeah, I don’t care about Jett’s success in the second moto, more pumped for Jo.”
The Lawrence brothers continue to dominate the circuit, often finding themselves in head-to-head battles on weekends and training together during the week. While Jett has frequently bested Hunter, the elder Lawrence remains composed, noting, “I want to beat him at his best.” His competitive spirit was evident in jest as he shared, “Last night at dinner I wanted to bash him… but we got him tonight.”
As they head into the pivotal SMX Playoff Round 3 in Las Vegas—where triple points are at stake—Hunter acknowledged the significance of the bonus money, especially as he builds a new home. The upcoming round presents a winner-takes-all scenario for the brothers, heightening the stakes in their ongoing rivalry.
The question remains: Should Hunter Lawrence secure the SMX World Championship and the accompanying million-dollar bonus, will he finally break from his typically subdued celebration style?
