race recap
HUNTER LAWRENCE GRIT-231 250MX
August 28, 2023 · Hunter Lawrence
HUNTER LAWRENCE | GRIT-231 | 250MX
Seeking to claim the championship as the AMA Pro Motocross Series would conclude, Australia's Hunter Lawrence would be solely focused on conquering the goal in which he'd pursued from the series' inception. The number ninety-six would bring an unmistakable sense of fortitude to the starting area for practice in Indiana, and proceeded to establish his presence amongst the top-ten, via sixth, on the overall leaderboard as time(d)-trials concluded. This would set the stage for moto-one, where the field stormed from their respective launchpads and into the initial right-handed bend...and Lawrence wasn't necessarily in an optimal position. The number ninety-six was buried around mid-pack, which seemed disastrous before examining the situation a bit further. His biggest rival (i.e. Justin Cooper) was stuck behind him, which seemingly omitted the need for Lawrence to advance at a "hurried" pace of sorts. But he still worked forward methodically and proceeded to pass riders with intelligence. Dodging the largest braking bumps, while staying clear of yellow flag occurrences and riders jamming together amongst the inside grooves. He would capture eleventh by lap five, while being aware that Cooper was yet to pass him...therefore after the halfway point, a few subtle looks would be taken over his shoulder after reading the pit-board as well. The countdown to the checkered flag would begin, and Lawrence rose to the occasion. Continuing to advance when the opportunity called for it, Hunter would move to as far forward as sixth before seeing Seth Hammaker crash in the final moments of the moto; and with that opportunity, Lawrence would cross the line in fifth...doing enough to earn the title of 250 Motocross Champion, via the first moto performance! Now that the championship was wrapped up, Lawrence would come into the second moto with an immense weight off of his shoulders. And within moments, it was evident that the Honda rider would race at a comfortable pace, while awaiting the SMX playoffs that were set to come. Throwing whips over the largest jumps on the track, the number ninety-six would complete the first full lap in tenth, while maintaining a steadied rate of speed amongst a track that was now beginning to change into a bit of hard-packed terrain. Racing alongside that of Daxton Bennick and Pierce Brown, Hunter seemed to be immersed in the applause of his championship performance, and rightfully so. He'd worked tremendously hard to get here, and proceeded to prove that he earned the championship through hard-work and tireless dedication. Following the totality of the nineteen-lap segment, Lawrence would earn ninth for his final moto score of the day - equating to fifth overall...but most importantly, walking away from the Ironman facility with the number one plate!