Get ready for an exciting announcement from the world of motocross: Honda HRC Progressive is set to return with a strong roster for the 2026 SMX season!
December 16, 2025, 12:55pm
Arlington, TX
Monster Energy AMA Supercross Championship
In a recent press release, Honda HRC Progressive expressed enthusiasm about continuing their successful journey into the 2026 racing calendar.
* Last year, the team achieved an impressive three professional AMA titles.
* Jett Lawrence leads the team once again, maintaining an extraordinary pace that has earned him numerous titles.
TORRANCE, Calif. – Riding high on a wave of recent triumphs, which includes clinching 16 professional AMA championships in just seven years, Honda HRC Progressive is gearing up for the 2026 racing season. The highly anticipated 17-round AMA Supercross series kicks off on January 10 in Anaheim, California, followed by the 11-round AMA Pro Motocross series and culminating with the three-round SuperMotocross Playoffs.
Returning to the track is American Honda’s official race team, retaining the robust rider lineup that has proven successful over the last two seasons. At the forefront is the remarkable Jett Lawrence, a 22-year-old Australian who boasts an impressive tally of 10 professional AMA titles, including the 2025 championships in both AMA Pro Motocross and SuperMotocross. Despite injuries preventing him from defending his AMA Supercross title in 2024, Jett is determined to reclaim this prestigious accolade, widely recognized as the pinnacle of dirt bike racing.
Competing alongside Jett on a factory CRF450RWE is his brother, Hunter Lawrence, who has steadily ascended through the ranks to become one of the sport's elite riders. Since transitioning to the 450 class in 2024, Hunter has secured four overall second-place finishes in the series. Together, the Lawrence brothers have also led Team Australia to consecutive victories at the Motocross of Nations, making them frontrunners for the AMA championships in 2026.
In the 250cc category, Honda HRC Progressive will once again feature Chance Hymas and Jo Shimoda, both piloting the factory CRF250RWE. Hymas, when healthy, has demonstrated impressive speed with multiple victories in both indoor and outdoor events. After recovering from ACL surgery last summer, he is set to compete in the AMA Supercross 250 West Region.
Shimoda is coming off the strongest season of his career, having achieved wins across all three AMA series and capturing the SuperMotocross 250 championship. However, he faced a setback with a back injury during the offseason, leaving his return date uncertain.
Consistency extends beyond the riders to the key staff as well. Brandon Wilson continues to lead the Racing Department for American Honda, while Lars Lindstrom enters his fifth year as Team Manager. They are supported by 450 and 250 crew chiefs Grant Hutcheson and Shane Drew, respectively. Additionally, Christien Ducharme and Cameron Camera are back to handle the mechanical needs of the 450 riders, Jett and Hunter Lawrence, while Thomas Harris and Ben Griffith remain in their roles as mechanics for Hymas and Shimoda in the 250 category.
Brandon Wilson, Manager of Racing & Advertising at American Honda, remarked, "It may sound a bit surprising to say this after winning three championships last season, but we feel a sense of redemption is in order for 2026. We lost the premier-class AMA Supercross title after winning it in both 2023 and 2024, so we’re eager to succeed indoors. Our team is solid, the riders are incredibly talented, and our race bikes have shown they can compete at the highest level. With all that plus our sponsors’ support, we believe we can achieve great things this year."
Lars Lindstrom, Team Manager for Honda HRC Progressive, added, "We always approach new race seasons with optimism, but this year feels particularly promising. We are one of the few teams entering the season with a proven platform and the same rider lineup, who are now even more comfortable than they were last year. I genuinely can't wait to get started!"
And here’s where it gets intriguing: with such a robust setup, will Honda HRC Progressive reclaim their dominance in 2026, or will unforeseen challenges arise? What do you think? Will the Lawrence brothers continue to shine, or will other contenders emerge to shake things up? Share your thoughts in the comments!
