Team Honda HRC Progressive rider Hunter Lawrence cleared an important milestone this weekend at Fort Worth’s Texas Motor Speedway, taking the first victory of his young premier-class career via 1-3 moto scores.

The Australian’s timing was impeccable, as the win came at SuperMotocross World Championship Playoff 2, which paid double points, putting him in first place in the title chase, with only the Final remaining. Meanwhile, younger brother and defending champion Jett Lawrence ended the day third overall via a 3-2 moto tally.

Hunter Lawrence snared the 450 moto 1 holeshot aboard his CRF450RWE, with Jett four positions back. By the end of lap 1, Jett was up to second, close on the heels of his brother and teammate. A mistake by Hunter just before the 8-minute mark allowed Jett into the lead, but a mistake by Jett a couple of laps later let both Hunter and Eli Tomac by. That kicked off an exciting battle for second between Jett and Tomac around the slippery track, and the moto ended with Hunter, Tomac and Jett in close formation.

While moto 2 once again saw a CRF rider take the holeshot, it was Phoenix Racing Honda’s Dylan Ferrandis, while both Lawrence brothers were out of the top 10, setting up a race marked by hard work in the withering heat. Hunter and Jett were up to fourth and fifth at the 15-minute mark, and then Jett got by for fourth a couple of minutes later. Jett and Hunter soon advanced to second and third, respectively, and that’s where they would finish, with Hunter earning the overall win (despite a last-lap off-track excursion) and Jett taking third.

Honda’s perfect overall-win streak in the SMX series’ premier class remained intact at Fort Worth. In the series’ young life, Honda CRF450RWE riders have been victorious at all five rounds, with three wins going to Jett Lawrence. Chase Sexton took one victory last year (when he was with Honda), and Hunter Lawrence now has one win.

Including AMA Supercross and SuperMotocross, Honda has the most premier-class wins in the Dallas Fort Worth Metroplex area, with Hunter’s win pushing the tally to 12. Premier-class Red Riders to win include Johnny O’Mara, David Bailey, Rick Johnson (twice), Jean-Michel Bayle, Jeremy McGrath (twice), Doug Henry, Ezra Lusk, Kevin Windham (twice), Ricky Carmichael, Trey Canard and now Hunter Lawrence.

Following the Fort Worth round (which paid double points), the 450 title chase is very close heading into the finals next weekend. Hunter holds the lead with 90 points and will run the red plate in Las Vegas, with Chase Sexton at 89 and defending champion Jett Lawrence at 81. With triple points being paid at the finale, Las Vegas is very likely to be a winner-take-all situation.

Hunter Lawrence: “It was an awesome day in Texas. We made the best of a really tough, grueling racetrack. I’m super stoked to get this win for myself and the team; it’s the ultimate thank-you to everyone involved. I’m looking forward to leaving it all out there in Vegas. Let’s go, baby!”

Jett Lawrence: “It was a bit of a rollercoaster day. I felt good in the first moto, but I made a little mistake and ended up stalling. Unfortunately, I couldn’t fight back to second and had to settle for third. I didn’t get a great start in the final moto and clawed back to second, but that first-moto mistake really didn’t help. I’m looking forward to a winner-take-all last round; I’m ready to give it my all and let the chips fall where they may.”