Seventh Heaven for Hunter Lawrence as SX hits Texas

Round Seven of the 2026 Monster Energy SMX World Championship brought the Monster Energy AMA Supercross Championship back to the Dallas–Fort Worth Metroplex for its annual Military Appreciation Night inside AT&T Stadium. The patriotic backdrop set the stage for one of the season’s most compelling showdowns and a long-awaited breakthrough in the 450SMX Class.

Honda HRC Progressive’s Hunter Lawrence delivered the performance of his premier class career, capturing his first 450SMX victory in his 26th start and strengthening his grip on the championship red plate. The Australian emerged from a four-rider battle featuring Cooper Webb, Ken Roczen, and Eli Tomac to become the fifth different winner in seven rounds.

The Main Event ignited immediately as Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing’s Cooper Webb and Progressive Insurance Cycle Gear Suzuki’s Ken Roczen exited the first turn side-by-side. Webb initially secured the holeshot but relinquished the lead to Roczen during a spirited opening-lap exchange.

Lawrence positioned himself in third, while Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Eli Tomac faced early adversity from 11th on the opening lap.

Roczen established control at the front, fending off Webb as the leaders began to settle. Behind them, Tomac mounted a rapid charge, slicing through the field to fourth within the first few laps and transforming the race into a four-rider contest.

A small mistake from Webb opened the door for Lawrence to move into third. Soon after, Lawrence closed onto Roczen’s rear wheel and applied sustained pressure for the lead with roughly 13 minutes remaining. The intensity tightened the top four within two seconds of one another in the 20-Minute + 1 Lap Main Event.

Roczen initially withstood the challenge, but the battle reignited inside the final six minutes. Lawrence drew alongside in the whoops only to be momentarily delayed by a lapped rider. Undeterred, he regrouped and made the decisive pass shortly thereafter.

The chaos continued behind him. Webb moved past Roczen for second, but Tomac executed an aggressive surge that carried him from fourth to second in a single sequence, forcing Webb briefly off track and allowing Roczen back by. Webb countered once more to reclaim a podium position.

Out front, Lawrence capitalized on clean track and built separation. Tomac mounted a late charge inside the final two minutes, but Lawrence responded decisively and carried the momentum to a 2.8-second victory.

The win marks Lawrence’s first premier class triumph — notably at the same venue where he earned his first 250SMX victory during the 2021 season. With the victory, he extends his championship lead to four points over Tomac. Webb sits third, 16 points back, with Roczen 18 points off the lead.