Image: Octopi Media.

The in-form Lawrence brothers are primed for the first 250SX East/West Showdown of the season, each holding a comfortable points lead in their respective regions ahead of what is shaping up to be an anticipated battle between the pair.

For 250SX East leader Lawrence, he holds a 45-point advantage and has the opportunity to capture his first Supercross title this Saturday, if he can leave East Rutherford with a points advantage great than 52.

The Team Honda HRC rider has tasted 250SX Showdown success previously, winning last season in Atlanta, and is looking forward to entering the first such event this season with a healthy championship buffer.

“Both of us want to win, but at the same time I think it is kind of cool because we both have a pretty healthy points lead, that we can’t really, obviously touch-wood and within reason, mess it up,” Hunter Lawrence said.

“I think I’m 45 points and Jett is 26, so it’s a good position to be in I think, everyone can kind of let their hair down and go put on a good show and have some fun racing.”

Following Atlanta last Saturday, the number 96 has won six out of the seven 250SX East races contested this year, while younger brother Jett has been victorious in five from six 2023 250SX West rounds, his latest success coming at the region’s most recent outing at Glendale’s Triple Crown.

While Hunter’s closest challenger in terms of the 250SX East championship is Haiden Deegan (Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing), Jett’s points lead is 26 ahead of RJ Hampshire (Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing) with the chance to achieve his first 250SX Showdown victory this Saturday.

“We both have a fairly healthy points lead, like Hunter said, so I think it is kind of really going out there and racing like any other race really,” Jett Lawrence explained. “I don’t think we are going to do anything stupid to where we are going to try and take each other out or risking ourself, but I mean if we are 1-2 and I’m in second and the pass is there, I’m going to take it, and vice-versa.

“We are not going to do anything crazy stupid out of our way. Our main goal is to obviously be 1-2 at the end of the day. So it’s just whoever is feeling it that day really. At this point, we don’t know. Just have to wait really [laughs].”