The legendary Hangtown Motocross Classic once again delivered unforgettable racing as Round 19 of the 2026 Monster Energy SMX World Championship unfolded at Prairie City SVRA in Rancho Cordova, California. The iconic event witnessed a return to championship-winning form from Jett Lawrence, while Levi Kitchen celebrated a long-awaited return to the top step of the podium in the 250SMX Class.
Jett Lawrence Back at His Best
After showing signs of improvement at Fox Raceway, reigning Pro Motocross and SMX World Champion Jett Lawrence proved he is rapidly returning to full strength following an offseason ankle injury.
The Honda HRC Progressive star set the tone early by posting the fastest qualifying lap and becoming the only rider to break the 1:50 barrier. He then carried that speed into both motos, securing his first holeshot of the season in Moto 1 and leading every lap on his way to a commanding victory.
Behind him, championship leader Hunter Lawrence and rookie sensation Haiden Deegan battled for second place. Hunter eventually moved past Deegan and secured second, while the Yamaha rider earned his first career 450SMX moto podium with third.
Moto 2 brought another impressive display from the Australian. After a red-flag restart, Jett quickly took control of the race and held off a determined challenge from his brother Hunter. When Hunter looked ready to attack, Jett responded with a blistering sprint that stretched the gap and sealed another convincing win.
The perfect 1-1 performance marked the 19th premier-class sweep of Jett’s career and his milestone 25th 450-class victory in just 29 starts.
“It’s good to be back up here with a 1-1,”.
said Lawrence after his dominant performance
Honda Secures a Memorable One-Two
Hunter Lawrence continued his remarkable consistency by finishing second in both motos to secure runner-up honors overall. His result helped Honda achieve its first 1-2 finish of the season while maintaining his lead in the championship standings.
Deegan continued to impress in his rookie premier-class campaign. The Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing rider finished third in both motos and captured his first overall podium in the 450SMX division just two races into his outdoor career.
450SMX Overall Results
- Jett Lawrence (Honda) – 1-1
- Hunter Lawrence (Honda) – 2-2
- Haiden Deegan (Yamaha) – 3-3
- Dylan Ferrandis (Ducati) – 4-6
- Garrett Marchbanks (Kawasaki) – 6-5
Despite Jett’s victory, Hunter remains atop the championship standings with 94 points, holding a six-point advantage over his younger brother. Deegan sits third and continues to close the gap on the established stars.
Levi Kitchen Ends Long Wait for Victory
The 250SMX division once again produced unpredictable drama, but it was Levi Kitchen who emerged victorious after an afternoon defined by consistency and smart race management.
Kitchen looked strong throughout the day despite starting outside the top ten in Moto 1. The Kawasaki rider sliced through the field and climbed to second behind teammate and championship leader Seth Hammaker.
Moto 2 delivered chaos almost immediately when a first-turn pile-up collected Hammaker and several other contenders. While Hammaker was forced into a recovery ride, Kitchen stayed clear of trouble and steadily worked his way forward from eighth place.
Although Cole Davies controlled the race from the front, Kitchen secured second place and, more importantly, enough points to claim the overall victory with a pair of runner-up finishes.
The triumph ended a 13-race winless streak dating back to the 2024 Budds Creek National and marked the fourth overall victory of Kitchen’s professional career.
“It’s been a long time since I won so it feels good. I just want to keep the momentum going,”.
Kitchen said
Hammaker Shows Championship Resilience
Despite being involved in the opening-lap crash of Moto 2, Seth Hammaker produced one of the rides of the day. The Kawasaki rider charged from deep in the field to finish ninth and salvage a podium result.
His resilience ensured he maintained the championship lead after two rounds, although his advantage has been reduced to seven points over Kitchen.
Julien Beaumer enjoyed a breakthrough weekend as well, securing his first career podium with a runner-up overall finish after posting 4-3 moto scores.
250SMX Overall Results
- Levi Kitchen (Kawasaki) – 2-2
- Julien Beaumer (KTM) – 4-3
- Seth Hammaker (Kawasaki) – 1-9
- Cole Davies (Yamaha) – 11-1
- Jo Shimoda (Honda) – 3-6
Championship Battles Intensify
With two rounds completed, both Pro Motocross championships are beginning to take shape. Jett Lawrence has announced himself as a serious title contender despite still recovering from injury, while Hunter Lawrence remains the rider everyone must chase in the 450SMX standings.
In the 250SMX division, Hammaker’s consistency and Kitchen’s return to winning form have set the stage for what promises to be a thrilling championship fight throughout the summer.
The 2026 Pro Motocross Championship now heads to Colorado’s Thunder Valley Motocross Park on June 13, where another crucial chapter in the SMX title race will unfold.