Jett Lawrence vs Haiden Deegan. Two 250 legends. One 450 debut. Everything you need to know before Pro Motocross Round 1 at Fox Raceway.
Both riders exited the 250 class with identical win tallies. Now they meet in the premier class for the first time. The historical record is as close as it gets — but the next chapter starts Saturday.
| JETT LAWRENCE #18 | METRIC | #38 HAIDEN DEEGAN |
| Aug 7, 2003 (age 22) | Age / DOB | Jan 10, 2006 (age 20) |
| Landsborough, QLD | Hometown | Temecula, CA |
| Australian | Nationality | American |
| Honda HRC Progressive | 2026 Team | Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing |
| CRF450RWE | Machine | YZ450F |
| 2020 | Pro Debut | 2022 |
| 13 | 250 SX Wins | 13 |
| 14 | 250 MX Wins | 14 |
| 4 (2 SX + 2 MX) | 250 Championships | 4 (2 SX + 2 MX) |
| 9 | 450 SX Wins | 0 (rookie) |
| 24 | 450 MX Wins | 0 (rookie) |
| 60 | Total Career Wins | 27 |
| 3 (all 450 class) | SMX World Titles | 2 (all 250 class) |
| 22-0 moto record (2023) | Standout Season | 7 overall wins (2025 250MX) |
| 2 AMA SX (450) + 2 AMA MX (450) | 450 Titles | TBD — May 30 |
The reigning 450 Pro Motocross champion missed the entire 2026 Supercross season after ankle and foot fractures required surgery. He arrives at Fox Raceway — the same track where he launched his perfect 22-0 debut season in 2023 — without a competitive race start in months. His 9-from-10 dominance in 2025 is still the benchmark. The question is whether he arrives physically whole, or manages through discomfort to protect an early points lead while sharpness returns.
Deegan closed his 250 career with four championships, 27 wins and a second consecutive 250SX West title in 2026. He now makes his U.S. 450 debut at the very track where Lawrence wrote the defining chapter of his own debut. At 20 years old, his physical attributes — aggressive starts, high laps-led percentage, ability to win on different track types — translate to the 450 class. The unknown is bike management across a 35-minute-plus-two-lap moto at outdoor intensity. That’s a question only racing can answer.
Hunter finished second in the 2025 championship and was runner-up in six individual rounds, helping make history as part of the first sibling 1-2 in the final standings. He also scored his first-ever premier class overall win at Indiana. With Jett returning from injury, Hunter enters the season as a genuine title contender rather than a supporting act. If Jett struggles early with fitness, this could be Hunter’s clearest window yet.
Tomac won the opening round of 2026 Supercross before injury disrupted his campaign. Outdoors is where the veteran resets annually. He finished third in the 2025 standings and has forgotten more about managing a championship than most of the field has learned. A podium at Fox Raceway from Tomac should surprise nobody.
The 2024 450 Pro Motocross champion moves to a new factory Kawasaki program for 2026, establishing the team from the ground up. His Supercross season was inconsistent, but outdoor motocross has historically been where Sexton finds form. A motivated former champion on green machinery is a credible fourth contender in the title fight.
| Rd | Date | Venue | Location | State |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 30 May 2026 | Fox Raceway at Pala ▷ OPENS THIS WEEKEND | Pala | CA |
| 2 | 6 Jun 2026 | Hangtown Motocross Classic | Rancho Cordova | CA |
| 3 | 13 Jun 2026 | Thunder Valley MX Park | Lakewood | CO |
| 4 | 20 Jun 2026 | High Point Raceway | Mt. Morris | PA |
| 5 | 4 Jul 2026 | RedBud MX (4th of July) | Buchanan | MI |
| 6 | 11 Jul 2026 | The Wick 338 (Southwick) | Southwick | MA |
| 7 | 18 Jul 2026 | Spring Creek MX Park | Millville | MN |
| 8 | 25 Jul 2026 | Washougal MX Park | Washougal | WA |
| 9 | 15 Aug 2026 | Unadilla MX | New Berlin | NY |
| 10 | 22 Aug 2026 | Budds Creek MX Park | Mechanicsville | MD |
| 11 | 29 Aug 2026 | Ironman Raceway ■ FINALE | Crawfordsville | IN |
The 2026 Supercross season produced what may be its most compelling story in years. Ken Roczen — the German veteran whose career was nearly ended by a catastrophic arm injury in 2017 — finally claimed the 450SX title in his 13th premier class season, riding for Suzuki. It was the first Suzuki 450SX title in 16 years. The 250 West title went to Haiden Deegan for the second consecutive year before his move to the 450 class. Cole Davies of New Zealand took the 250 East on Monster Energy Yamaha.
Lawrence wins it, but not easily. His perfect 2023 season was a once-in-a-generation anomaly. In 2026, he returns from surgery against a 20-year-old with enormous momentum and a matching 250 C.V. Deegan will win motos early — perhaps even at Fox Raceway on Saturday. The championship will likely still be alive heading into August. But Lawrence’s proven ability to manage a full outdoor season — 9 wins from 10 rounds in 2025 — is the edge we can’t ignore. He’s been here before. Deegan hasn’t.
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