Not only will Hunter Lawrence remember his day at Texas Motor Speedway for his first premier class win and also beating Tomac, but because of his CRF450R’s unique livery for the day as well. The Honda HRC Progressive team partnered up with the Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation (PBTF) to have all four riders run unique graphics on their race bikes. According to Honda, the duo has partnered together on “a variety of projects for over 30 years.” How cool is it for Hunter to get his first win on a unique looking bike, especially one that is for a good cause? You know there are some kids out there that are thrilled to see Hunter do so well with the PBTF character on his bike. I asked him about the unique partnership in the post-race press conference.

“Yeah, exactly,” Lawrence said on it being a memorable win for multiple reasons. “This weekend, the bikes were all graphiced up. Honda’s partnered with Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation for over 30 years. So, it was cool to do that and shine light on that. And Charlie was the name of the character I was out there racing with and, maybe Charlie can stay. We had a good bit of luck today, so, yeah, he's not too bad. Try and land the voiceover job on that for their Imaginary Friends Society, I think that's what it's called. So, yeah, it was cool.”

“We got to check out the hospital and all that side of things which, not to sugar coat it, honestly, it sucks seeing all these kids from eight to 13 years old and they're diagnosed with cancer or tumors in their brain, and they don't know what's wrong, what’s going on and the parent’s distraught. So, it really is… it kind of sucks seeing that. So, we just try to do our part and it's awesome to know that Honda's been with them for over 30 years. We had no idea until this year, so, yeah, it's cool to shine light on that. Obviously supercross partners with the St. Jude [Research Hospital] and stuff. So, yeah, it's awesome. Everyone knows about charities and foundations but to actually really see it is a huge eye opener.”

Check out some close up of Hunter’s race bike as well as the other three Honda HRC Progressive team bikes as well. And below the images, read the full press release from Honda about the partnership if you missed it.

The following press release is from Honda HRC Progressive:

Team Honda HRC Progressive, Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation Team up at Fort Worth SMX

• American Honda and PBTF have partnered on a variety of projects for over 30 years
• Collaboration highlights “Imaginary Friend Society” characters who help child patients

FORT WORTH, Texas – This morning at the second round of the SuperMotocross series, Team Honda HRC Progressive revealed special looks for their race bikes and riders, as a part of the team’s collaboration this weekend with the Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation (PBTF). The only organization dedicated to meeting families’ needs along every step of their cancer journey, the PBTF has collaborated with and partnered with Honda on a variety of fundraising and awareness projects for over 30 years.

The partnership highlights the “Imaginary Friend Society,” a cast of cartoon characters inspired by the imaginations of kids themselves. Through a series of 20 animated short films, the Imaginary Friends explain a wide range of complicated cancer topics in a way that kids can understand, thereby removing some of the fear associated with treatment.

At Texas Motor Speedway this weekend, each Team Honda HRC Progressive rider is paired with a different Imaginary Friend, who is featured on that rider’s gear and Throttle Jockey bike graphics: Defending SMX Champion Jett Lawrence and “Mr. Spikes” (a Tyrannosaurus Robot who explains what to expect with medical procedures like blood transfusions); Hunter Lawrence and “Charlie” (a sharp dresser who explains that MRIs are really just a fancy way of taking photos inside your body); Chance Hymas and “Blu” (a furry azure character who shares secrets on how to reduce the fear and pain that often goes with getting shots); and Jo Shimoda and “Ninja” (a multitalented white blood cell who has kids’ backs in a number of different areas).

In addition to racing with special graphics and gear, Team Honda HRC Progressive is partnering with PBTF on several other activities this race weekend: Yesterday, a group of patient families, fundraisers and supporters attended a happy hour at Al Lamb’s Dallas Honda. This morning, the riders and several team members are visiting patients at the Infusion Center in Cook Children’s Medical Center, just down the road from the race venue. This afternoon, participants will be given a truck tour and rider meet-and-greet. And tomorrow, 12-year-old patient Travis and his family will be hosted by the team for the entire day.

“We at American Honda are big believers in the PBTF and their mission to help families of young cancer patients,” said Brandon Wilson, American Honda Manager of Racing & Advertising. “Although we’ve partnered on many projects over the years, this time it’s been fun to have PBTF literally ‘team up’ with our race squad. Our riders are extremely popular with many young fans, and we’re proud that they’re helping the Imaginary Friend Society deliver important messages to young patients.”

“For over 30 years, American Honda has partnered with PBTF in supporting their mission to assist families affected by pediatric brain tumors,” said Jeremy McGuire, American Honda Director of Customer Engagement. “For this weekend specifically, it will be extra special to have our riders representing characters on their gear and bikes from the Imaginary Friend Society, that kids both in person and watching at home can connect with. It brings immense joy to the whole Honda team to be part of this weekend’s event and share the experience with the kids and their families.”

“For more than three decades, Honda has supported PBTF’s mission, and the many families affected by pediatric brain tumors that we serve,” said Courtney Davies, Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation President and CEO. “We’re thrilled to see Team Honda HRC Progressive bring our Imaginary Friend Society to life for the SuperMotocross World Championship.”

Following the Fort Worth SMX round, the special bodywork will be autographed and auctioned off to benefit the PBTF. For information on how to bid, or to make a donation, please visit the PBTF website.