The seventh round of the 2026 Monster Energy SMX World Championship signified the annual visit of the Monster Energy AMA Supercross Championship to the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex for Military Appreciation Night inside AT&T Stadium.
Words and Images by Feld Motorsports
A captivating night of racing produced a pair of first-time winners, as 450SMX Class points leader Hunter Lawrence finally seized control of the spotlight with an impressive breakthrough victory for Honda HRC Progressive. The Australian outlasted each of his championship rivals to assert his hold of the red plate.
The 450SMX Class Main Event started with the Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing machine of Cooper Webb and the Progressive Insurance Cycle Gear Suzuki of Ken Roczen side-by-side exiting the first turn, as Webb was able to edge out Roczen for the holeshot only to give up the lead to the German as they fought for position on the opening lap. Lawrence slotted behind them into third, while Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Eli Tomac started outside the top 10 in 11th place. Roczen was able to keep Webb at bay and grabbed hold of the race lead. Soon the lead trio settled in while Tomac made an incredible charge up to fourth within the first couple laps to set the stage for a thrilling fight for victory. As Webb pursued Roczen he made a small bobble, which allowed Lawrence to pass for third. Shortly thereafter, Lawrence surged onto Roczen’s rear fender and applied pressure for the lead with about 13 minutes to go, which allowed the top four to move within two seconds of one another. Roczen withstood the attack and the top four once again settled in through the middle of the 20 Minute + 1 Lap race.
WATCH MORE: 2026 ARLINGTON SUPERCROSS – HIGHLIGHTS
As the race approached its final six minutes the action picked up once more as Lawrence mounted another attack and got alongside Roczen in the whoops, only to be halted by a slower rider. Lawrence didn’t relent and made a pass stick moments later. Webb then got by Roczen for second, only to have Tomac surge by both Roczen and Webb to move from fourth to second. Webb was forced off the track in the process, which allowed Roczen to reclaim third. However, Webb made another pass to regain podium position.
Lawrence opened up a healthy lead with his pass on Roczen and was forced to deal with a brief push from Tomac with two minutes to go. Lawrence responded and carried on to a long-awaited victory by 2.8 seconds over Tomac, with Webb in third and Roczen fourth.
Lawrence’s win came in his 26th premier class start, inside the same venue of his first 250SMX Class victory during the 2021 season. He became the season’s fifth different winner in seven races and moved out to a four-point lead over Tomac. Webb is third, 16 points out of the lead, with Roczen fourth, 18 points back.
Hunter Lawrence – 1st Place – 450SMX Class
“It’s cool, but we’ve got a lot of racing left. I’m happy to tick that little box. It’s a huge thank you to my team and everyone that’s around me. We’ve got an amazing group and that’s really the most valuable thing in my program. It takes a whole village to move mountains.
“Even when you get a sixth place it’s really tough, but man how cool it was racing against all those boys. Me and Kenny [Roczen] had some awesome back-and-forth, Coop [Webb] was right there, Eli [Tomac] was right there. It’s pretty cool racing with the sport’s legends. Awesome.”
Eli Tomac – 2nd Place – 450SMX Class
“[The first lap] absolutely saved my race. I was happy to make some moves there and just happened to find openings that allowed me to pass two or three guys at a time. Somehow by Lap 2 or 3 I could see the front of the race and knew I was okay. What a difficult track tonight. I fought to the end as much as I could. Second was all we had tonight.”
Cooper Webb – 3rd Place – 450SMX Class
“It was a fun race, for sure, but I’m honestly a little bummed. I was pretty nice and should have been more aggressive with [Roczen] and maybe gotten the pass [for the lead] earlier. It was a sick race with all of us four bunched up there. I tried to make the pass on [Roczen for second] and Eli [Tomac] ended up getting me and ran me off the track, then Kenny got back by me. I kind of lost the tow of [the leaders]. I’m bummed at myself. I saw a few openings I should have taken and I didn’t. I was too patient tonight. Overall, we’ll take it.”
The Monster Energy SMX World Championship and Monster Energy AMA Supercross Championship will continue next Saturday, February 28, for the eighth race of the season from legendary Daytona International Speedway and the 56th running of the Daytona Supercross in Florida.
Results
Standings
450 Standings Arlington
