Hunter and Jett Lawrence, Deegan on the 2026 High Point Pro Motocross

[0:03] Hunter, that was an excellent day, to say the very least of it. [0:07] Talk to us about maybe your feelings going into today. [0:10] Were you ready for incredible rides like that? [0:14] No, yeah, yes and no. [0:16] You always show up and try to do your best, [0:18] but we had something that we tried during the week [0:21] and came into first qualifying, [0:23] hoping it would kind of get what I was looking for, [0:26] give me what I was looking for, and it didn't. [0:28] I said, no, screw it, give me back parlor setting. [0:31] I want to go back to base. [0:32] And then that was just, that was what I was after [0:35] and gave me the feedback and connectivity and trust that I needed. [0:40] And yeah, it was good, happy with that. [0:42] So you were on parlor settings for here, is that correct? [0:46] Yeah, we just call it that because it was base, you know, [0:48] but back to base, we kind of had a few things [0:50] we were trying to achieve from base for the second and third round [0:54] and just kind of wasn't quite there. [0:57] And I just was like, no, give it back, give it back to me. [1:03] Well, clearly it worked and we'll pass this along to media for more questions. [1:07] Stan Beaver, NBC Sports. [1:11] Notwithstanding that it was your brother, [1:13] what was it like, the first one, the first moto you rode away from the field [1:17] and the second moto, you got a chance to ride away from the guy [1:21] who has been the dominant rider for the past couple of years. [1:24] How did that feel and what does that say about what you're doing this year? [1:29] Yeah, it was good. [1:32] I mean, me and Jed are two from two against each other in the first four rounds. [1:36] So it's good. [1:37] I really wanted to tie that up and kind of stop the momentum. [1:40] I feel like in Thunder Valley, my riding was good enough [1:45] and speed was good enough to win. [1:47] Didn't quite have the trust in the bike I needed [1:50] and ended up having some very uncharacteristic crashes throughout the day [1:56] that were just frustrating because I don't make those mistakes normally. [1:59] So yeah, today was a really good day. [2:03] Mike Lindsey from VitalMX. [2:05] Hunter, based on the day you had today, [2:07] just absolute dominance, great starts out front each moto. [2:12] Do you have anything you're going to work on now after this week? [2:14] You said you circle back to base. [2:16] Are you going to keep trying things? [2:17] Are you going to, we have a two-week break, [2:19] are you going to settle down and work on other things? [2:21] And then also with the performance you put on today, [2:25] is there anything you can really walk away and be like, [2:27] yeah, I could have been better here or are you very satisfied with it? [2:31] Yeah, there's always things that I feel like I could have done better [2:34] and you always review a race day and really pull it apart [2:38] from a standpoint or a point of view where the result doesn't matter [2:43] but you just look at it purely on riding laps and stuff like that [2:46] and obviously I did what I needed to do, good enough to win, right? [2:50] But yeah, there's always things we're working on. [2:53] I'll go back and just keep working, [2:55] come back the next four stretch of things. [2:58] I have another goal for those next four ones. [3:00] So yeah, just keep on working, man. [3:02] The work doesn't stop. [3:05] You're Mitch from RacerX. [3:06] You're very calculated as we know and everything like that [3:08] and it seems like you digest all the information. [3:10] I think, what, 2019 was your first 250 moto win here. [3:14] You and Jet split the motos in 22-year battle. [3:16] I guess when you come to a track that you've either done what [3:18] or haven't done what, do you have like mental notes [3:20] and do you actually write physical notes down [3:22] of things you could work on when you come back [3:24] or things that you did well? [3:25] I guess how do you, you know, every, you're always looking ahead [3:27] but do you ever look back and think, [3:28] what did I do well here at this track or this venue? [3:31] And I guess how do you manage that being in the moment [3:34] but also looking back to know what went well and what didn't? [3:37] Yes and no. [3:38] Like what I would say we probably look back on [3:41] if we look back at a previous year would be, [3:44] hey, this line formed up this way [3:47] even though you don't think it's going to be faster, [3:49] it races in and ends up being the good line [3:51] or a few little bits and pieces like that. [3:54] I can't think of anything off the top of my head right now [3:56] but yeah, just that's about it honestly. [4:01] Any, every time we come to a new racetrack or, [4:04] sorry, not new racetrack but rock up, new year, [4:08] it's just a whole new day and just go out [4:11] and I know what I'm working on through the qualifiers [4:14] and where I need to be and then execute the start [4:16] and then from there the whole game plan unfolds [4:18] after the first box that needs to be ticked [4:21] which is, you know, execute your start. [4:24] With the weekend off coming up, [4:26] I know we'd normally joke with you [4:27] and ask about golfing or car meet [4:29] or something of that nature [4:30] but what is something in the upcoming off week [4:32] you would personally like to do to reset or unwind? [4:35] What kind of helps you get away [4:37] but not take your eye off the prize, [4:38] something you're looking forward to? [4:41] It's tough because, you know, [4:43] I love like a good cars and coffee [4:45] but that's normally every Saturday morning [4:47] and then on off weekends and we're not racing, [4:49] we cycle so I generally miss those [4:52] even during the season [4:53] but go for a little rip in the cars, [4:56] dinner with friends and family [4:57] and just kind of the weekend off, honestly, [4:59] just being at home but still training and stuff. [5:01] It's amazing how much the weekend off [5:04] when you don't have to travel [5:05] on a Thursday or Friday, [5:07] like it's amazing how much your body actually recovers [5:09] with those two less travel days. [5:12] Hope you enjoy that weekend off, Hunter. [5:14] That's all we have for you today. [5:15] Thank you for your time. [5:15] Thank you. [5:21] Yeah, you and your brother are now tied [5:22] for overall wins this season. [5:24] That's got to be pretty fun [5:25] to be able to do that with your brother. [5:27] Talk us through that [5:28] and then how you're looking forward [5:30] to the rest of the season. [5:31] Yeah, a little cheeky bugger [5:33] got one back on me today [5:34] but no, it's really cool. [5:37] Obviously, our brother's going back and forth [5:39] and wins is really sick, you know, [5:42] and we're looking into this off kind of weekend, [5:46] do some testing, relax a little bit, [5:48] then come back to Red Bud. [5:49] Excellent. [5:50] We'll pass along to the media. [5:52] Michael Lindsey from Biomex. [5:53] First off, Jet, you have a chair [5:55] and it was going to be, [5:56] I know the foot and ankle [5:57] are always the topic of conversation with you [6:00] but I was very curious going back [6:02] to what you said at Fox Raceway [6:03] about certain off-camber corners, [6:05] hard-packed choppy corners, [6:06] how they affect being able to place weight. [6:08] This is much more in that wheelhouse. [6:11] Did that come about today [6:13] after kind of two weeks [6:14] of talking about great progress in it? [6:16] I think it didn't hurt, [6:20] like it wasn't as painful, I would say. [6:22] I didn't really have any pain. [6:24] It was more just like the riding ability, [6:25] you know, like I can't use it that much [6:28] where I would love to be like [6:30] using both of my legs [6:31] where today I had to be a lot more on my arms, [6:34] which made it a little bit difficult. [6:36] But no, it's still getting better and better. [6:38] My movement's getting better. [6:39] It's still sore when I'm walking around [6:41] and stuff like that, [6:42] but it's trending in the right direction for sure. [6:45] And then secondly, [6:46] a little bit of the elephant in the room [6:48] from this morning, [6:49] there was basically a little bit of a back and forth [6:52] between yourself and Hayden. [6:53] Can you tell us about it [6:54] from your perspective [6:55] and kind of what went down? [6:59] Yeah, I was just, [7:00] my tire was full of mud, [7:01] so I just wanted to clean it out. [7:04] Normally it works better [7:05] with no mud in between the grooves, [7:06] so I just wanted to clean it out real quick. [7:10] Okay. [7:10] Edwin Gomez, Husky, RTV, Latin America. [7:13] Okay. [7:13] I assume that you're still 80% of your ride. [7:17] You're dealing with your pain. [7:19] However, [7:19] how do you balance the biophysics [7:21] and your mental, physical limit [7:23] to maintain such a good ride [7:27] during this high point? [7:30] Yeah. [7:32] It's a bit of a balance, you know? [7:35] Like I'm trying to like, [7:37] obviously look after it [7:39] and not dab it [7:40] or let it kind of, [7:41] it's like my biggest thing [7:42] is I kind of ride a little bit [7:43] duck foot with my right foot, [7:45] so trying to balance it [7:46] with getting it in sometimes [7:47] so the ruts don't grab it [7:48] and yank it. [7:49] So it, yeah, [7:52] it's just a bit of balance [7:53] of trying to be smooth [7:54] and try and work [7:56] with the track as well. [7:57] And obviously today [7:57] I wasn't as good. [7:59] I had to, [8:00] couldn't compensate as normal, [8:01] but it was still good enough [8:03] to go 2-2. [8:05] Trey Steyer, [8:06] Trey Steyer, [8:06] Motocross. [8:07] I noticed Moto2, [8:08] I don't remember [8:09] if it was halfway through or so, [8:10] but the triple before [8:12] you went around the left-hander [8:13] and then hit the big quad, [8:14] you had a bit of [8:15] an old crap moment. [8:16] You kind of laid the bike [8:17] over to the left [8:18] and nearly threw the moto away. [8:19] Can you describe that [8:20] for people who may not [8:21] have seen that? [8:23] Yeah, well, [8:23] a good first half of the moto, [8:25] I thought my rear tire was flat [8:27] and that almost solidated it was. [8:30] It wasn't, apparently, [8:32] but I like to beg to differ [8:33] with my mechanic. [8:34] But, yeah, [8:35] I just came up [8:36] and went to go [8:37] kind of give it a little [8:40] kind of wrap at the top [8:41] and it spun, [8:43] caught the rut [8:44] and then went back [8:45] the other way [8:45] and just kind of [8:46] sent me off weird [8:46] and somehow saved it [8:48] and we were able [8:49] to get it a lot cleaner [8:50] and change my angle [8:51] so I wasn't turning up [8:52] that as much. [8:53] So, [8:54] we were able to fix it [8:55] for the rest of the last, [8:56] but, yeah, [8:56] it was a bit of a sketchy moment. [8:58] Dan Bieber, [8:59] NBC Sports. [9:00] The first race, [9:01] pretty obvious. [9:03] It took a while [9:03] to get into second, [9:04] so you managed the gap. [9:06] The second race, [9:08] Hunter was able [9:09] to pull away [9:09] from you a little bit. [9:11] Was that a little bit [9:12] of a surprise [9:12] that someone was [9:13] pulling away from you? [9:14] Or are you still [9:15] kind of managing [9:16] the weekend [9:16] now that you know [9:18] you've got an off weekend [9:19] and we're heading [9:19] into another part [9:21] of the season? [9:23] Yeah, I did. [9:24] He was just riding [9:25] really well. [9:26] Obviously, [9:26] it doesn't happen [9:26] very often [9:27] where someone [9:28] kind of pulls away, [9:29] but, yeah, [9:31] I just didn't really [9:32] gel with the track today. [9:33] You know, [9:33] I felt like in the past [9:34] I haven't really gelled [9:36] with this track well. [9:37] I've been able [9:37] to get results [9:38] out of it fairly decent, [9:38] but just didn't feel good [9:42] on the track [9:42] all day today in a way. [9:44] But, yeah, [9:46] he was riding really well. [9:47] I tried taking [9:47] some of his lines [9:48] and he still got me out, [9:49] so I'm like, [9:50] you know what, [9:50] just today's not my day [9:51] and trying to go after it, [9:53] so I just pulled in [9:55] for second [9:55] and just kind of cruised. [9:57] That's all we have [9:58] for Jet Lawrence today. [9:59] Thank you very much. [10:00] Cheers. [10:02] We'd like to welcome [10:03] Hayden Deegan up [10:04] to the press conference. [10:06] Hayden, [10:07] great job today. [10:08] You talked on the podium [10:08] about how this is progress [10:10] for you [10:10] and you were really stoked [10:11] on this ride. [10:11] Just tell us about that [10:12] and your emotions today. [10:14] Yeah, 100%. [10:15] This is an amazing day for me. [10:17] I feel like slowly [10:17] but surely [10:18] I'm closing the gap. [10:21] I feel like, [10:21] I mean, [10:22] last week I was 30 seconds [10:23] fine jetting the second moto. [10:24] This race, [10:25] I was like three seconds [10:26] fine in the second moto. [10:27] I'm getting a lot more fit. [10:29] I'm catching on [10:29] to what they do [10:30] and it's just a matter of time, [10:31] but it's only my fourth race [10:33] and this is pretty much [10:34] kind of going down [10:35] to a building season. [10:36] Honestly, [10:36] I've never raced a 450 [10:37] like this [10:38] against these type of guys, [10:39] so as much as I want [10:41] to go win, [10:41] it's going to take time [10:42] and you've got to be smart. [10:45] Do you feel like [10:45] your comfortability [10:47] is changing track to track [10:48] or is it just [10:49] as you adapt [10:50] to being on a 450? [10:51] Yeah, [10:52] it's strictly adapting [10:53] to a 450. [10:54] It's strictly learning [10:55] the power of it, [10:56] learning where to shift it, [10:58] learning where it steps out [10:59] here and there. [11:00] It's a heavy bike, [11:01] a lot of power. [11:02] A 250 is a lighter bike. [11:03] You kind of send [11:04] that thing a little harder [11:05] or the 450, [11:06] you got to respect it [11:07] and take a little bit of time, [11:08] but I'm getting it. [11:09] Thank you. [11:10] We'll pass along to media. [11:12] Dan Beaver, NBC Sports. [11:14] It seems to be [11:15] it's coming down to starts. [11:17] What can you do? [11:19] What do you need to do [11:20] to work on the starts? [11:21] In the second moto, [11:22] you had a good jump [11:23] but then you got [11:24] kind of pushed out [11:24] and pushed back [11:26] to fifth or sixth, [11:27] I believe. [11:28] After that, [11:29] it's just difficult [11:29] to make it to the front. [11:31] Yeah, 100%. [11:32] I feel like we're [11:32] getting better at them, [11:33] so I don't want to just [11:35] go the negative route [11:36] on them. [11:37] I mean, [11:37] I got two good jumps, [11:39] came into the first turn [11:40] and the first moto second [11:41] and just slid in the mud [11:42] a little and got buried [11:43] and then second moto, [11:44] I mean, [11:44] I feel like it's a good start. [11:45] Got a little bit buried [11:46] but I was still [11:46] around fifth, [11:47] sixth position, [11:48] so I'm getting [11:49] a little more consistent [11:50] with that. [11:50] I love a whole shot, [11:51] so obviously, [11:52] just go back to work really. [11:53] Keep trying to dial them in, [11:55] learn the power on the start. [11:56] It's a lot more power [11:56] than a 250, [11:57] so keeping that front down [11:59] is a big deal, [12:00] so all you can do [12:01] is just keep working towards it, [12:02] but we're getting better. [12:03] We're getting better. [12:05] Mike Lindsey from Vital MX. [12:06] Hayden, [12:07] what do you think so far [12:08] of the difference [12:08] of the competition, [12:09] the 450 class, [12:10] when you do get, [12:11] say, [12:12] a fifth or sixth place start? [12:13] Like today, [12:13] I think you had to get [12:14] through Aaron [12:14] and like Jorge and Emoto. [12:16] What's that difference [12:17] in pace [12:18] and the way the guys battle [12:19] compared to the 250 class? [12:21] I feel as the more [12:22] I get experience [12:23] and the better I'm getting, [12:24] I'm starting to, [12:25] it's not becoming [12:26] such a big deal. [12:28] Like it was a really big surprise [12:29] battling with those guys [12:30] on point. [12:31] Same thing with my [12:31] two virgys season. [12:32] Once I got comfortable [12:33] around them, [12:33] got comfortable passing [12:34] those guys, [12:35] it became easier for me, [12:37] and that's really [12:37] the big thing [12:38] is just getting [12:38] comfortable with those guys [12:39] and I wouldn't say [12:40] there's honestly [12:41] much different now. [12:42] If you're a fifth, [12:43] if you're third [12:44] to sixth, [12:44] seventh place, [12:45] it's, [12:46] I'd say it's pretty close [12:47] to how the 250 guys are. [12:49] It's pretty, [12:49] they're going for it. [12:50] So, [12:51] but really, [12:51] I'm just trying [12:52] to close that gap [12:52] to the front. [12:53] Do the opportunities [12:54] to quote unquote [12:55] hang it out [12:56] and really just send [12:57] a section like we've [12:58] seen you capitalize [12:59] on the 250 class [13:00] against your competition, [13:01] do those doors open [13:03] as often in the 450 class? [13:04] Are you finding them more [13:05] or is it a little bit, [13:06] again, [13:06] harder to find those moments [13:08] where you can really [13:08] execute not just a pass [13:10] but a big move [13:11] and really gap somebody? [13:13] Yeah, [13:13] I feel those top guys, [13:16] the top three, [13:17] they're a lot more consistent. [13:18] So, [13:19] that's been my big thing [13:20] is being consistent [13:21] through the whole race, [13:22] not blowing yourself out, [13:23] not making mistakes [13:25] and I feel like I did [13:26] a whole lot better [13:26] at that this week, [13:27] being consistent [13:28] throughout the race [13:29] and finding the right times [13:30] to go for it. [13:32] It's just a matter of time. [13:33] And then, [13:34] last thing, [13:35] elephant in the room, [13:36] practice first qualifying [13:37] and second qualifying [13:38] this morning, [13:39] yourself and Jet [13:39] made a little bit [13:40] of a highlight reel moment [13:41] for the fans. [13:42] I know a lot of people [13:43] are stoked to see it [13:44] start to bubble up [13:45] a little bit [13:45] but take us through [13:46] from your perspective. [13:48] Yeah, [13:48] I mean, [13:48] I don't know, [13:49] dude, [13:49] I just don't buy them, [13:50] I ask if it's okay [13:51] and I get flipped off, [13:52] you know, [13:52] whatever. [13:54] No, [13:55] I'm sure if they knew [13:56] what I said, [13:56] I'd probably get fined [13:57] but, [13:58] no, [13:58] I was playing. [13:59] It was good. [14:00] I love banter. [14:00] Gets me fired up. [14:01] I mean, [14:01] you guys can see [14:02] that I was going [14:03] for today. [14:04] Gives me something [14:05] to chase [14:05] and obviously, [14:07] Jets, [14:07] the guy, [14:08] I don't know [14:09] how much longer [14:09] he can use [14:10] the ankle excuse. [14:11] Like, [14:11] bro, [14:11] he's going 1-1 [14:12] the last two weekends [14:12] and I feel like [14:13] it's kind of, [14:14] honestly, [14:14] I think he can fall [14:15] back on now. [14:16] So, [14:16] I think he's good [14:17] to go, [14:18] honestly. [14:18] He's riding good. [14:19] Hunter's riding good [14:20] and I think [14:22] it's just a matter [14:22] of time [14:23] before I can run [14:23] with those guys. [14:25] Kellen Brower [14:26] with Salt Motor Live. [14:27] You mentioned [14:27] the adaptation [14:28] of like learning [14:29] where to shift [14:29] the 450 [14:30] and do certain [14:30] things like that. [14:31] Is there even [14:31] a little bit [14:32] of an adaptation [14:32] to you're riding [14:34] the roughest track [14:35] of the day [14:35] except for Thunder Valley, [14:37] you guys have gone [14:37] last, [14:38] obviously. [14:39] So, [14:39] the last moto [14:40] of the day [14:40] is the roughest [14:41] you've seen tracks [14:42] really ever [14:42] except when [14:43] 250s would go last. [14:44] Is there a little bit [14:44] of adaptation [14:45] to learning that too? [14:46] Yeah, [14:46] 100%. [14:47] I mean, [14:47] I feel like [14:48] it's taken me [14:48] four rounds [14:49] to kind of catch [14:49] on to that second moto. [14:52] Learning to find [14:53] smoother lines [14:54] where going slower [14:56] in is going [14:57] to help you [14:57] in those second motos [14:58] to be able [14:59] to line up a good exit [15:00] and it's obviously [15:01] taking me a little time [15:02] to figure that out [15:03] but I feel like [15:04] it's coming around quick. [15:05] I'm learning it fast [15:06] and it's something [15:08] I've got to go [15:08] to practice track too [15:09] and work on as well. [15:11] And along those [15:12] same lines, [15:13] some of your fastest laps [15:15] were at the end [15:15] of the day [15:16] where the track [15:16] was the roughest. [15:17] How do you explain that? [15:19] Yeah, [15:19] it feels amazing. [15:20] Gosh, [15:21] it's getting better quick, [15:23] right? [15:23] So, [15:24] I feel like last week [15:26] in Colorado, [15:27] I was a little tired [15:28] and now this week [15:30] I'm not tired at all. [15:31] It's crazy how quickly [15:32] I can make gains [15:33] and I feel like [15:35] I've always been good [15:35] at that. [15:36] Just being there [15:36] each week [15:37] and building myself [15:38] and I feel like [15:39] I've built myself up [15:40] pretty well now [15:40] and just keep on doing it. [15:41] That's what I want to do. [15:43] Obviously, [15:43] we've got Redbud up [15:44] and Southwigs [15:44] so kind of figure out [15:46] how those tracks are [15:47] and keep on learning.