​The Pro Motocross Series heads to Southwick, Massachusetts, this week for Round 23 of the 2026 season, hosting the SuperMotocross World Championship at The Wick 338. This marks the sixth round of the outdoor campaign, and the riders will tackle the sandiest track they face all year, perhaps testing even the strongest nerves and greatest endurance. Hunter Lawrence’s 2026 form has made this season the most hotly contested outdoor battle since his brother Jett Lawrence stepped up to the premier class in 2023. Lawrence claimed his third overall victory of the season last weekend at RedBud MX Park, grabbing the advantages and taking the red plate into Round 23.
Jett Lawrence’s road to sustained performance this season has been complicated by a lingering foot injury that first came into focus after last week’s tough conditions on the deteriorating Michigan track. He experienced two crashes in RedBud’s Moto 2, and though he did not stand on the podium, he’s aiming to rebound this week in Southwick, a venue that has historically treated him well. Lawrence has never lost in Southwick overall competition, boasting an undefeated record of overall wins there and a 250-class victory in 2022. Though he remains some distance from matching Ricky Carmichael’s record of eight overall victories in eight Southwick starts, Jett has shown consistency, losing only one moto in six starts this season, suggesting he’s capable of rising to the occasion if his injury proves manageable.
Hunter Lawrence’s latest overall victory continued Honda’s remarkable milestone—its 200th win—and it was his second consecutive overall triumph. This result also places Jett in unfamiliar territory: he has never endured three consecutive overall losses in the 450 Motocross era. The 2025 campaign saw him stumble at Washougal and Ironman before rallying at Unadilla, and the 2026 schedule could test his ability to rebound once more if Southwick demands a strong finish.
This week, Hunter and Jett won’t be the only top contenders on the track. Lucas Coenen and his brother Sacha are back in America for their second Pro Motocross race of the year, adding depth to the battle for the podium. Lucas finished runner-up to Jett in both motos at Thunder Valley and is widely regarded as one of the sport’s most skilled sand riders. Haiden Deegan has signaled that the gap to the Lawrence brothers may be narrowing; he’s posted the fastest times in two of the last four qualifying sessions and set five of the fastest nine laps across the High Point meeting’s final stages. If he can launch well from the start and maintain the full 30 minutes plus one lap, Deegan could continue his march toward a 2025 Southwick breakthrough—potentially turning a strong qualifying into his first 450-class moto win at Southwick.
On the team side, there is concern surrounding Aaron Plessinger. KTM confirmed that he would be unavailable for Southwick after his recent injury, with sources indicating he is hopeful to return as soon as possible, but precise timing remains undetermined. That absence opens the door for others to elevate their game, supporting a more open, highly competitive race weekend.
As the field settles for Southwick, Cole Davies continues to emerge as a major storyline in 2026. Davies became the first rider this season to win multiple races, posting a 1-1 performance at High Point and a 1-2 finish at RedBud. His consistent performance has him edging closer to the red plate, while Jo Shimoda, who has claimed the red plate after another strong showing, remains within striking distance as Davies accelerates his pace. Davies has swept three of the last four motos, illustrating his capacity to surge at the crucial moments—an element that could reshape the season’s outcome as the circuit continues to push forward.
In sum, Round 23 at Southwick promises a pivotal weekend for the 2026 outdoor championship. The sand at The Wick 338 will test every rider’s condition and technique, inviting dramatic battles across the classes. With Jett’s health in focus, Hunter’s title defense, and new challengers stepping into the spotlight, this round could redefine the momentum for the balance of the season. Fans should expect aggressive charging from the field, strategic starts that could define outcomes, and a landscape in which every rider knows a single misstep can erase weeks of progress.