Remember, the 450 Class will be racing first today. View the full TV broadcast/streaming schedule below.

In the premier class, there is a strong chance we see Jett Lawrence claim the 450cc AMA Motocross title today. Despite the championship being essentially over—barring something catastrophic happening today—there are still lots of storylines to follow. Riders that are banged up physically (and mentally) from the first eight rounds were able to recover during the two weekends off, and we are seeing a few riders return to racing after injuries in Monster Energy AMA Supercross. Justin Barcia is making his Pro Motocross season debut after complications during his initial surgery to fix his broken collarbone. But Bam Bam is back in action today, on his GasGas MC 450F (no two-stroke this weekend, no) and is excited to get back on the gate, especially at his home race.

In the 250 Class, only three points separate leader Hunter Lawrence and Haiden Deegan. The #96 machine was rolling to start the championship but those two straight motos without points (first-turn crash in moto two at the RedBud National and bike issue that led to a DNF in moto one at the Southwick National) made this championship tighter. Plus, throw in Deegan gaining speed and putting in some solid results, too. Hunter Lawrence told us Friday the break was good for him physically as he was dealing with the rib/shoulder injury from preseason that was holding him back slightly. He is ready to go this weekend. Deegan is coming off his first ever 1-1 day (and first 1-1 for anyone in the 250 Class this year) and he said yesterday he has nothing to lose. So Deegan is ready to go this weekend. Quick note: just last year, Deegan was fresh off the amateur scene from the Monster Energy AMA Amateur National Motocross Championship at Loretta Lynn’s Ranch and was getting his pro-am points for his AMA Motocross license. This time last year Deegan was over the hill racing on the amateur track here at Unadilla MX! Not sure how many people expected this fast track from Loretta Lynn’s last year to where Deegan is this year, but no doubt he is going to send it today.

Riders are taking to the track shortly as qualifying is about to begin.

First Qualifying Sessions

450 Class

Vincent Luhovey, who is returning to racing after dealing with Lyme disease last month, topped the 450 Class group B qualifying session. In the A group, Jett Lawrence and Jason Anderson were going back and forth for the top spot on the board. At the end of the session, it was Jettson with a 2:09.109 over Chase Sexton's 2:10.222 and Anderson's 2:10.410.

250 Class

In the first 250 Class group A qualifying session of the day, it was Austin Forkner who took the top spot at the end of the session with a 2:13.475. Hunter Lawrence (2:14.917) was second, and Haiden Deegan (2:15.703) was fifth.

Second Qualifying Sessions

450 Class

Luhovey once again topped the B group session. In the A group, Chase Sexton and Jett Lawrence were going at it for the top spot. Sexton topped the session with a 2:11.465 but the #18's 2:09.109 from the first qualifying session stands as the top overall time of the day.

250 Class

I chatted with Forkner briefly after the first session and he said his fast lap from the first session did not feel wild or out of control and he actually thought the lap before would be a better time. Pulling off the track, his mechanic Tony Archer held up a #1 to Forkner—which Forkner said was much welcomed surprise. He has missed more Pro Motocross races than supercross races during his injuries so he said he will take a P1.

The Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing guys went out last, Levi Kitchen being the final rider off the starting straight. Not much different for the BluCru squad than during the week as they tracked one another throughout the session. On the board, it was Hunter Lawrence who topped the session with a 2:13.018, which topped Forkner’s 2:13.475 from the first session. Seth Hammaker also bested his Kawasaki teammates fast time from the first qualifying session. Forkner’s time stands for third overall. Haiden Deegan’s 2:15.464 from second session qualifies tenth overall.

First Motos

450 Class

The gates dropped on the first 450 Class moto and it was Jett Lawrence leading the field out of the first few turns as a handful of riders went down. Jason Anderson, Romain Pape, Ty Masterpoool, Justin Barcia, and several more were all collected together on the first lap. Barcia did a handful of laps and eventually pulled off as Andeson charged up inside the top ten. Out front, the #18 led Garrett Marchbanks, Adam Cianciarulo, Chase Sexton, and Dylan Ferrandis. Sexton made his way to second and went after Jett. I believe the two made slight contact at the bottom of the track, which stalled up Sexton monetarily. A few laps later, Sexton charged back up to the rear of Jettson, but then the #23 went down in a turn, handing second place to Ferrandis. The #18 went on to claim the race win, his 17th straight moto win as Ferrandis came through second and Sexton third. 

250 Class

As the 250 Class blasted off the starting grates it was Yamaha-mounted Levi Kitchen leading the field. Behind Kitchen was Seth Hammaker, who fought for the lead early, but made a small bobble and returned to P2. Hunter Lawrence and Haiden Deegan were outside the top five early. Preston Kilroy was inside the top ten I believe but dropped a few spots after a crash. Max Vohland got into third, Hunter Lawrence fourth, and then Deegan fifth. Deegan dropped Cooper and charged on. 

Austin Forkner went down, losing his front number plate and dropping back to 34th place. Top four started to tightening up as Vohland and Hunter Lawrence both went at Hammaker for second place. Kitchen continued to lead Vohland then Lawrence then Hammaker then Deegan. But then Hammaker down hard in the same spot Sexton fell in the first 450 Class moto. He got back up slowly, check everything and kept going. Hunter Lawrence got up to the rear wheel of Kitchen. As the two cat-and-moused back and forth, about half a second to two seconds separating the two. Shimoda made his way into third place. In the late stages of the race, Deegan, whose bike sounded off midway through the racre, had a bike issue that led to a DNF. Out front, Kitchen held on to take the race win over the #96 Honda HRC rider by 3.211 seconds. 

Second Motos

450 Class

If Jett Lawrence would win the second moto and receive full points, he would officially clinch the title.

The gates dropped on the second moto, and it was Jett Lawrence who had the holeshot! Chase Sexton, Adam Cianciarulo, Jason Anderson, and Harri Kullas rounded out the top five early. Anderson got around AC, then Ferrandis got around AC, as Plessinger went after Kullas. Jay Wilson had Fredrik Noren and Ty Masterpool all over him.

Anderson and Ferrandis made contact, bumping #14 off the track momentarily and the #21 to the ground. Anderson got up and had AC all over him. Masterpool and Noren both got around Wilson.

Anderson got around AC, as did Plessinger as the duo moved into fourth and fifth, respectively. Jettson would go on to take the win by 9.209 seconds over Chase Sexton.

Jett's win allowed him to officially clinch the title.

250 Class

We had a few moments worth of a break due to lightning in the area. Following a brief pause, the riders fired up their bike and it was go time once again.

The gates dropped on the 250 Class, and it was Stilez Robertson leading a Yamaha trio around the second corner! However, half a lap into the race, we saw a red flag. Initial word was RJ Hampshire went down, although we are not sure what exactly happened just yet.

Hampshire was able to get up, which was great news. A soft neck brace was placed around his neck as he got up under his own power and was able to get onto the Alpinestars medical cart under his own power.

Once the gates dropped again on the full restart, it was Ryder DiFrancesco leading the field early. Justin Cooper got into the lead as moto one winner Levi Kitchen and championship leader Hunter Lawrence were battling for fourth place behind Cooper, DiFrancesco, and  Jo Shimoda.

Hunter Lawrence charged up to second place, getting around Shimoda and DiFrancesco.

Cooper held on for the race win over Hunter Lawrence, as the #96 barely held off a charging Shimoda on the last lap.

Cooper took the moto win, but Hunter Lawrence claimed the overall win. Hunter Lawrence’s 2-2 finishes topped Kitchen’s 1-4 finishes (second overall), and Cooper’s 5-1 finishes (third overall). Shimoda finished third in the second moto, going 3-3 for fourth overall.