\nSolid runner-up result in 250SX West for Chance Hymas
\nHunter Lawrence just off the podium in 450SX
<\/p>\n
Honda HRC Progressive\u2019s approach to the 2026 AMA Supercross season opener at Anaheim, California\u2019s Angel Stadium was defined by strategic patience, with the team focused on capitalizing on opportunities while minimizing unnecessary risk. That mindset paid off in the main events, as Hunter Lawrence and Chance Hymas delivered strong, measured rides to earn fourth- and second-place finishes, respectively.<\/p>\n
Lawrence got a strong second-place start in the 450SX main event, and although the race was halted by a lap-1 red flag, the restart saw him start well again, in third. He slipped back two positions early on and spent the bulk of the race trying to get around Jason Anderson. After recovering from a scary off-track excursion in a rhythm section with just a few minutes remaining, he made a pass stick and challenged the third-place rider before ultimately ending the race fourth.<\/p>\n
Hymas barely missed out on the 250SX main-event holeshot and ran second to Ryder DiFrancesco in the early going. A fierce battle for second with Cameron McAdoo and Max Anstie ensued, and although Hymas slipped to third in the middle part of the race, he ultimately finished a solid second behind Anstie.<\/p>\n
NOTES<\/p>\n
Hunter Lawrence Chance Hymas Lars Lindstrom \u2013 Team Manager
\nHunter Lawrence and Chance Hymas were featured in Friday\u2019s pre-season press conference, and afterward the Honda HRC Progressive teammates both participated in a riding session on the new track.
\nHuntington Beach Honda, a popular Southern California Powerhouse dealer, set up a pop-up activation booth in the Honda HRC Progressive pits, where they displayed a pair of CRF dirt bikes and engaged with fans and customers.
\nAlthough Jett Lawrence and Jo Shimoda are currently recovering from off-season injuries, both riders attended Anaheim 1 and participated in NBC interviews during the pre-show. Jo also took part in the autograph session with Hunter and Chance. Jett and Jo\u2019s CRF450RWE and CRF250RWE were on display as well.
\nJohn McGuinness, one of the most successful Isle of Man TT road racers ever (third on the all-time win list\u2013many of those victories coming with Honda Racing UK), paid a visit with Hunter and Chance in the Honda HRC Progressive pits.
\nA special gift from American Honda was unveiled in the A1 pits to show appreciation to the Lawrence brothers, in the form of two customized Talon 1000R sport side-by-sides, which were displayed throughout the race weekend. Fans still have the chance to vote here<\/a> for which of the two is their favorite.
\nHunter was seventh in the combined 450 times during the qualifying sessions. Other Red Riders included Quad Lock Honda Racing\u2019s Joey Savatgy (12th), Shane McElrath (13th) and Christian Craig (19th), as well as McGinley Clinic\u2019s Zack Williams (36th).
\nHymas was third-quickest in combined 250 qualifying\u2013best of the Red Riders. SLR Honda\u2019s Justin Rodbell was 19th, with Western Honda\u2019s Hunter Schlosser two spots back. SLR\u2019s Matti Jorgensen was 27th, Ty Freehill Racing\u2019s Ty Freehill was 32nd, Lasting Impressions\u2019 Ronnie Orres was 37th and Next Level\u2019s Colby Copp was 41st.
\nIn the second 450SX heat race, Hunter Lawrence made decisive passes early on, climbing from fourth to second by lap 2 and maintaining that position until the checkered flag. Also advancing was McElrath, while Savatgy made it through from heat 1.
\nThe second 250SX heat race saw Hymas nearly take the holeshot before he drifted a bit wide in turn 1 and lost some positions. He steadily worked his way forward from seventh, making a pass on Hunter Yoder for third just before time ran out. Rodbell also advanced from the same heat race.
\nAlong with the other 250 podium finishers, Chance participated in the promoter-organized new-format post-race press media availability.
\nDespite his fourth-place finish, Hunter sits third in 450SX points (four behind second), thanks to a penalty to Jorge Prado for failing a post-race sound test. Hymas is second in 250SX West points, three behind leader Max Anstie.
\nNext up for Honda HRC Progressive is AMA Supercross round 2 this Saturday in San Diego.
<\/p>\n
\u201cThat was my best A1 to date. I said to myself that I\u2019d be content with a top-five finish. I really wanted to get the win, but we\u2019re still working, chipping away. I think we\u2019re in a great spot to make progress where we want to and hopefully get that worked out. But I\u2019m okay with tonight, for sure; this is one of my worst venues if you look back over my career, so I\u2019m happy to move forward.\u201d <\/p>\n
\u201cThe first round at A1 was really good for me\u2014third overall in qualifying, third in the heat race, second in the main was really good. I wanted some consistent laps; I made a few mistakes, but we\u2019ll clean it up for next weekend.\u201d <\/p>\n
\u201cThis was for sure one of the smoothest A1s that we\u2019ve ever had as a team, and for me as the team manager. We all came in prepared, and from parking the trucks to pulling out at the end of the night, everything went to plan; I\u2019m proud of the team for that. I\u2019m also really happy with our results; we wanted to get through the first one safe and get some good points, which we accomplished. I\u2019m super stoked for Chance. It was his first race back since knee surgery, and he showed he is one of the top guys in SX, not only MX. Before the 450 race, we talked about a top-five, with a hopeful podium, so we can\u2019t be disappointed with a fourth, especially since the last two A1s have been a bit tough for Hunter! He didn\u2019t ride to his full potential, so that makes me excited for the rest of the series, since he tends to improve throughout the season.\u201d <\/p>\n