Image: Octopi Media.

An off-track excursion during 450MX moto two at Washougal proved costly for defending champion Jett Lawrence, with officials imposing a one position penalty – resulting in two less points – that saw his title deficit increase to 12 points with only three rounds remaining.

The Lawrences again proved the benchmark on Saturday, with Jett overcoming Hunter in moto one for victory. Running at the front again in race two, Jett briefly left the circuit while challenging for the lead and was later penalized for ‘gaining an advantage’, according to race direction.

Consequently, one position was added to his final moto result, relegating him from second to third, but still retaining P2 overall. Balanced alongside Hunter’s 2-1 scorecard, the elder Lawrence brother extended his series lead from 10 to 12 points heading into the two-week break.

“It was just kind of [to] get back on the track as quick as possible,” commented Lawrence. “I didn’t really gain much time, and that section’s pretty hard… not hard, fast. So, I didn’t want to come on and be going way slower and get ass-packed – probably gave a bit of gas to get on, but [the] AMA didn’t like that.

“So, it is what it is. I mean, two points less, it sucks, but we’ll take it. I’ve just got to try and make up 12 points now, which sucks, but we’re just going to try and win everything here going out. We’ll see how it goes.”

While 150 points remain available, neither Lawrence brother has finished outside the overall podium throughout the 2026 season, which further narrows Jett’s path back into title contention leading into next month’s Unadilla National.