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FAST FACT

3 Rounds, 3 450MX Red Plates (it’s rare)

By Brett Smith

Hunter Lawrence has been able to do something that hasn’t happened since his own father was a kid: be the third different 450MX points leader after three rounds.

In 1983, some bikes were still air cooled and twin shocks were a recent memory. Three different points leaders after three rounds of racing is rare for the premier level of motocross (we’re talking 250/450 and 500cc class racing.

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Danny "Magoo" Chandler leading Broc Glover in 1983 Photo: David Lack
Danny “Magoo” Chandler leading Broc Glover in 1983 Photo: David Lack

And it was the big bore boys who were the last to make it happen.

Hunter Lawrence has yet to win an overall but he’s the only rider to land on the podium at each of the three rounds and thus…

This is only the 3rd time in any premier “big bike” class (250/450 or 500) class where three different riders have held the red plate through the first three rounds.

In fact, the last time it happened in these classes was looooong before red plates were even a thing.

Tony Distefano on the cover of Cycle News in 1976 after taking over the 250MX points lead in Texas.
Tony Distefano on the cover of Cycle News in 1976 after taking over the 250MX points lead in Texas.
1976 250/450 Class
  • Jimmy Ellis led after Round 1 Hangtown after finishing 1-2 for 1st overall. Jim Weinert (3-1 = 2nd) and Tony DiStefano (2-3 = 3rd) was the podium.
  • Jimmy Weinert took the points lead with 1-1 for 1st overall at Fastrack Motocross Park at Round 2. Tony DiStefano finished 2nd overall (2-3) while Jimmy Ellis went 6-23 for 13th.
  • Tony DiStefano finished 1-1 for 1st overall at Round 3 and took over the red plate. Jim Weinert missed round three.
Jimmy Weinert came into 1976 round 3 with the points lead but suffered a mechanical and watched his championship hopes wilt in the Texas heat. Cycle News Archives
Jimmy Weinert came into 1976 round 3 with the points lead but suffered a mechanical and watched his championship hopes wilt in the Texas heat. Cycle News Archives

Tony DiStefano kept the red plate the remainder of the series and won the title, his second of three titles from 1975-77. Notably he was 18, 19, and 20 years old when he won those championships.

Kent Howerton leading Broc Glover in 1983. Photo: David Lack

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1983 500cc Class
Kent Howerton leading Broc Glover in 1983. Photo: David Lack
  • Danny “Magoo” Chandler won the opening round (Hangtown) but was then disqualified at round two (Saddleback) for riding backwards on the track.
  • Glover (#6) finished 12-1 at Hangtown but won Saddleback (round 2) with a 1-2 and took over the points lead.
  • At round three, Glover had another lopsided day (2-15) while Kawasaki’s Kent Howerton (#26) went 1-1 and became the third different rider in three rounds to sit atop the points.
  • The win at Gatorback was the last Pro Motocross win of Howerton’s career (he did win a moto in Lakewood, CO later that summer)
  • Howerton held the points lead until Glover’s 1-1 performance at round seven in Lake Whitney. Glover was in the midst of an eight moto win streak from rounds 6 to 9.
On the strength of three consecutive podium overalls, Hunter Lawrence leads the 450MX points standings. Photo: Garth Milan
On the strength of three consecutive podium overalls, Hunter Lawrence leads the 450MX points standings. Photo: Garth Milan
2024 250/450 Class
  • Jett Lawrence (round 1) went 1-1 for 1st overall and maintained the red plate for a 12th consecutive round.
  • Chase Sexton (round 2) went 1-1 for 1st overall and took ownership of the red plate.
  • Hunter Lawrence (round 3) went 1-2 for 2nd overall and took the series lead. He’s the only rider to finish on the podium at all three rounds.

Note there’s been 3 different red plate holders through 3 rounds 3 times in the 125/250cc class – 1986, 2011, and 2018.