The 2025 SuperMotocross World Championship (SMX) Finals at Las Vegas Motor Speedway saw Jett Lawrence shine once again, with the Team Honda HRC Progressive star’s 1-2 finishes securing him a third 450SMX crown. Plus, teammate Jo Shimoda broke through for his first-career championship in 250SMX, sealing the deal by taking the overall win with a 1-2 scorecard. Both riders were available to the media after the races for this Debrief feature.

450SMX

Image: Octopi Media.

Jett, a $1 million pass. You had to earn this the whole way through the Playoffs, but that’s really what it came down to. Up until that moment when you made the pass into second, what was going through your mind?

A lot of doubt, to be honest. Hunter [Lawrence and Eli [Tomac] were riding really well. I had a good few laps of trying to catch them, then halfway through the moto, I caught them a little, then I made a mistake and lost all that ground. I honestly didn’t think I could catch them. I got four laps to go on the board and just went as hard as I could – thankfully, I put a few laps together and was able to get close. As soon as I got behind Eli I tried to pass straight away. I was able to make that stick, so I’m super happy.

What’s it like to win this title again, and then have your teammate win the 250SMX title? You guys have known each other for many years going back to the Geico Honda days.

It’s awesome. I think I was stressed in the truck like I was watching my brother out there, I was sick to my stomach and hoping he’d do good. I don’t think anyone else deserves that title as much as Jo [Shimoda], or Seth [Hammaker]. He rides at our compound as well, so I was going for both of them. But Jo rode well, he got that first holeshot and put his head down and went for it. I’m stoked though. Jo and I have been friends for a long time, so it’s cool that we’re both sitting up here. It’s been a long time coming for him, he’s put a lot of strong years together and come up just shy all those years, but this one was his.

With the SMX Playoffs in its third year now, does winning this championship mean that little bit more each year? To have three in a row now is massive.

Yeah, it’s an extra million in the bank, [laughs]. So of course that means a lot. It’s kind of nice because it’s a shorter series, it’s three race weekends, and if you do well you can get a championship bonus. It makes it exciting for the fans, cause no matter what happens, you always have two people that have a chance of winning. No matter how well you do at the first two. I love it.

We’ve gotten to see a lot of Haiden Deegan across the last three months and how he portrays himself. You’re going to get to deal with that next year. You would’ve grown up with the Chad [Reed] and James [Stewart] rivalry. What are your thoughts on a rivalry with him next year as he steps up to the 450 in 2026?

Honestly, he has a lot of other people to worry about than me. And I’ve got to worry about Hunter, Chase [Sexton] and Eli – so he’s not really on my radar. I’m focused on the guys I’m racing right now – they’re racing really well. It’s a different league in the 450 class. It’s also hard to back up the answer that Jo gave, [laughs].

So you won’t say no to a rivalry then?

It’s not much of a rivalry if we keep beating the kid.

What did you say to Hunter right when you guys pulled off the track after the finish line?

Probably something along the lines of that he rode well, and probably sorry again, [laughs].

It’s rare that a talent comes into this sport and becomes somewhat untouchable. What are you chasing? Every time you get on the track, even from last weekend to this weekend, it seems to be one-lined, but you’re able to come through the pack. Are you chasing records, or what motivates you now?

I’m chasing a ghost in front of me, really. Just trying to catch that ghost at each race.

250SMX

Image: Octopi Media.

Jo, take us through that race. I thought it’d be just one pass, but it was a series of passes – then you both went down. Take us through that from your point of view.

I think everyone knew that was going to be there. Honestly, I was just ready for it. Today, [Haiden Deegan] had better pace – all three rounds, he was fast. If I started in front or behind, I knew we were going to end up finding each other at some point, so I was just ready. I’m not about it, I understand his situation. It’s a little sketchy, but I’m glad it’s over. It was really stressful.

I heard there were some words exchanged between you and Deegan on the start gate. Can you enlighten us as to what those words were?

It was actually not bad, he said, ‘You’re never going to know what’s about to come.’ And I said, ‘I don’t speak English.’ [Laughs]

Once you got into third and you were behind Seth, did you realise that you had the championship won? Did you consider not passing him and staying behind him?

I kind of knew already, but I kind of just wanted to win. That was my goal. Like I said, I need to work on my speed a little bit more to make quicker passes and stuff. But yeah, I already knew what position I was in, but today we just wanted to try and go win the motos.

I’m not aware of your 2026 plans right now, but does winning this title confirm or change anything for your plans for next season?

Nope. Not really.

Talk about the pressure that was on you to get this championship done. Was it different from how you carried yourself in the regular season of motocross or supercross? And were you able to lean on your teammate next to you, who has quite a bit of championship experience?

For me, it’s the same kind of pressure. I know it’s only a three-race series, but in my case I just needed to – or wanted to – accomplish something, you know? I just wanted to have that number one plate. It didn’t matter what series it was – I just needed to finish it off. So to say I was able to do it, I’m really stoked on this.

You’re the first Japanese rider to win the series, and you’re also riding for Honda – a Japanese brand. What does that mean to you?

That’s a difficult question, [laughs]. Sick, yeah!