Honda HRC Progressive is heading into 2026 with something to prove. Despite winning 16 professional AMA championships in the last seven years—including three titles in 2025—the factory Honda team is treating the upcoming season like they’ve got unfinished business. And they do.
The 17-round AMA Supercross series kicks off January 10 in Anaheim, California, followed by the 11-round AMA Pro Motocross series and the three-round SuperMotocross Playoffs. Honda’s bringing back the same killer rider lineup that’s been tearing it up for the past two years, and they’re hungry.
JETT LAWRENCE: REDEMPTION MODE ACTIVATED
Leading the charge is 22-year-old Aussie superstar Jett Lawrence, who’s already stacked 10 professional AMA crowns in his young career, including the 2025 AMA Pro Motocross and SuperMotocross titles. But there’s one glaring hole in last year’s trophy cabinet—the AMA Supercross championship that injury prevented him from defending after winning it in 2024.
That indoor title? It’s widely considered the most prestigious dirt bike racing honour in the world, and Jett wants it back. Badly.
The younger Lawrence brother will be back aboard the factory CRF450RWE, and if his outdoor form is anything to go by, the competition better be ready.
HUNTER LAWRENCE: KNOCKING ON THE DOOR
Racing alongside his little brother is Hunter Lawrence, who’s steadily climbed through the premier-class ranks to become one of the sport’s elite. Hunter’s collected four second-place overall series results since moving up to the 450 class in 2024, consistently proving he’s got the speed to win—he just needs everything to fall into place.
Together, the Lawrence brothers have led Team Australia to Motocross of Nations victories the past two years, and both are legitimate favourites to claim AMA crowns in 2026. Their chemistry, speed, and competitive fire make Honda’s 450 program arguably the most formidable in the paddock.
250 CLASS: HYMAS HEALTHY, SHIMODA SIDELINED
Honda HRC Progressive’s 250 program features Chance Hymas and Jo Shimoda, both campaigning the factory CRF250RWE.
Hymas has shown blistering speed when healthy, notching wins in both supercross and motocross over the past year. After recovering from ACL surgery performed last summer, the Idaho native is locked in for the AMA Supercross 250 West Region and ready to make noise.
Shimoda is coming off the best season of his career—posting race wins in all three AMA series and collecting the 2025 SuperMotocross 250 championship. Unfortunately, the Japanese rider suffered a back injury during the off-season, and his return date remains unknown. It’s a massive blow for Honda’s 250 program, as Shimoda was primed for another title run.
PROVEN TEAM, PROVEN PLATFORM
Honda HRC Progressive’s strength isn’t just in the riders—it’s the stability and continuity of the entire program. Brandon Wilson continues to manage American Honda’s Racing Department, with Lars Lindstrom entering his fifth year as Team Manager. Grant Hutcheson and Shane Drew remain as 450 and 250 crew chiefs respectively, while the same crew of mechanics—Christien Ducharme, Cameron Camera, Thomas Harris, and Ben Griffith—return to wrench on the factory bikes.
This consistency matters. While other teams shuffle staff and riders, Honda’s keeping the winning formula intact.
“It might sound crazy for me to say after winning three championships last season, but we feel like we’re out for redemption in 2026,” said Brandon Wilson, Manager of Racing & Advertising at American Honda. “The 2025 season saw us lose the premier-class AMA Supercross crown after winning it in 2023 and ’24, so we’re hungry for indoor success. We have a great team and an incredibly talented rider lineup, as well as race bikes that have proven to be extremely competitive. With all that and the support of our sponsors, we feel confident that we can achieve success all year long.”
Team Manager Lars Lindstrom echoed the confidence: “We’re always optimistic heading into new race seasons, but this time I feel like we have even more reason than usual to be confident. We’re one of the only teams with a proven platform coming into the season, and the same lineup of riders, who are even more comfortable than last year. I honestly can’t wait to get started.”
THE BOTTOM LINE
Honda HRC Progressive isn’t just defending titles in 2026—they’re going for blood. With Jett Lawrence hell-bent on reclaiming the AMA Supercross crown, Hunter knocking on the door of his first premier-class championship, and Hymas ready to light up the 250 West class, Honda’s got all the pieces in place.
The question isn’t if they’ll win championships in 2026—it’s how many they’ll stack.
Anaheim 1 drops January 10. Game on.
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