Thousands of fans watching during the 40th Unadilla National Pro Motocross Championship in New Berlin. (Submitted photo)

NEW BERLIN – Championship races tightened and fortunes changed in a hurry on Saturday at the Unadilla MX.

Heading into the 40th Unadilla National, more than 100 drivers across the 450 and 250 classes looked to climb the rankings in the ninth round of the AMA Pro Motocross Championship. Driver Jett Lawrence trailed his brother Hunter in the 450 class while Cole Davies looked to overcome Levi Kitchen in the 250 class.

The Unadilla MX produced dramatic swings in both the 450 and 250 classes, with Jett Lawrence reclaiming the 450 points lead and Cole Davies moving within a single point of the 250 lead.

Lawrence captured the 450 overall with a 2-1 moto finish, while Davies took the 250 overall with a 2-1 performance as the championship heads into its final two rounds.

For Jett Lawrence, the victory was about more than another trophy. It put the red plate back in his hands.

Lawrence entered the weekend trailing his brother and fellow competitor, Hunter Lawrence, by 12 points in the 450 championship. Hunter appeared poised to strengthen that advantage after winning the opening moto, with Jett finishing second.

The second moto, however, changed everything.

Hunter again started near the front and battled with Jett and Jorge Prado early. Jett eventually moved into control, while Prado followed into second. Hunter’s race came to a sudden end when he crashed while descending one of Unadilla’s major hills. He was unable to continue and was credited with 39th in the moto.

Jett went on to win the second moto and the overall.

His 47 points on the day moved him to 402 for the season, while Hunter dropped to second in the standings at 392. With two rounds and four motos remaining, Jett holds a 10-point advantage over his brother.

Jorge Prado put together one of his strongest showings of the season, finishing 3-2 for second overall. Haiden Deegan was third overall after going 4-3, giving the rookie his fourth consecutive podium finish. Garrett Marchbanks and R.J. Hampshire rounded out the top five.

Hunter’s misfortune also produced one of the most unusual scorecards of the afternoon. His 1-39 results left him eighth overall despite winning the first moto.

The 250 class provided its own championship drama.

Levi Kitchen entered Unadilla with the points lead and delivered a strong opening moto, taking the win ahead of Davies. But Kitchen’s afternoon unraveled almost immediately in Moto 2 when he was pushed widen at the start and went off the track.

He was buried around 37th early in the race.

Davies took advantage, moving to the front and eventually winning the moto. Kitchen mounted an impressive comeback, charging through the field to finish sixth.

Davies’ 2-1 results gave him the overall victory with 47 points. Kitchen’s 1-6 score was good for second overall, while Chance Hymas finished third with a 4-2 score.

Despite the difficult second moto, Kitchen managed to retain the championship lead.

Kitchen now has 334 points, while Davies sits at 333. Julien Beaumer is third at 290, followed by Ryder DiFrancesco at 275 and Hymas at 270.

Turner dominates women’s field

The Women’s Motocross Championship provided another championship storyline at Unadilla, with defending champion Lachlan Turner returning to the top of the podium.

Turner dominated both motos, going 1-1 to claim the overall victory and extend her championship lead over Charli Cannon. The Unadilla round marked the beginning of the final three-round stretch of the six-round WMX championship.

Turner’s first moto victory came after she worked her way through the field from a seventh-place start. She quickly moved into the lead and pulled away from the rest of the field, eventually winning by more than 15 seconds over Cannon.

Cannon finished second despite a late crash, while Jordan Jarvis held on for third. Mayla Herrick, who had started the moto near the front, finished fourth.

Turner again had to work her way forward in the second moto. Taylah McCutcheon grabbed the holeshot, but Turner moved into second and eventually took control of the race.

Cannon also charged through the field, eventually moving into second and putting pressure on Turner. The defending champion held on, however, finishing 1.5 seconds ahead of Cannon to complete the 1-1 sweep.

Cannon finished second overall with a 2-2 score, while Herrick earned third overall after going 4-3. Turner’s victory also strengthened her position atop the championship standings. She now leads Cannon by 12 points with two rounds and four motos remaining.

The Pro Motocross Championship continues at Budds Creek before concluding with the season finale at Ironman, with the remaining motos carrying enormous weight for riders chasing the titles. The WMX championship will also continue at Budds Creek before concluding at Ironman.

Unadilla National: Overall Results

450:

1) Jett Lawrence (2-1), 2) Jorge Prado (3-2), 3. Haiden Deegan (4-3), 4. Garrett Marcbanks (5-4), 5. R.J. Hampshire (6-8).

250: 1. Cole Davies (2-1), 2. Levi Kitchen (1-6), 3. Chance Hymas (4-2), 4. Carson Mumford (3-4), 5. Ryder DiFrancesco (5-3).

WMX: 1. Lachlan Turner (1-1), 2. Charli Cannon (2-2), 3. Mayla Herrick (4-3), 4. Jordan Jarvis (3-4), 5. Taylah McCutcheon (6-6)