The scenic hills of Washougal MX Park in Washington provided the backdrop for one of the most significant upsets of the 2025 Pro Motocross season on Saturday, as Chase Sexton finally found the formula to defeat the seemingly unstoppable Jett Lawrence, ending the Honda rider’s remarkable eight-race winning streak.

Defending champion Chase Sexton demonstrated why Washougal has become his personal playground, capturing his fourth victory at the venue in five years with a commanding 1-2 performance aboard his Red Bull KTM Factory Racing machine. The Illinois native’s victory was particularly impressive considering he was returning from a crash that sidelined him at the season opener.

“It feels good [to get the win]. I was pretty far off last weekend and went to work this week to be better,” Sexton said following his 14th career victory. “I knew I was really good at this track and had the ability to win here.”

In the opening moto, Sexton seized control early after slipping past both Jorge Prado and Lawrence in the opening sequence. When Lawrence made his inevitable charge to challenge for the lead at the halfway point, Sexton fended off the attack and watched as the championship leader subsequently crashed while attempting another pass, gifting Tomac second place and relegating Lawrence to a third-place finish.

The second moto told a different story, with Lawrence bouncing back from his first-moto mishap to dominate after a mid-race red flag restart. Despite Sexton’s valiant effort to close the gap, Lawrence’s 8.7-second victory in the final moto wasn’t enough to prevent the overall defeat.

For Jett Lawrence, the runner-up finish marked just the second time in his Pro Motocross career that he failed to win an overall, a testament to his incredible consistency. The Australian remained philosophical about the result at a track that has historically been challenging for him.

“Washougal ain’t my track. Chase is really good here,” Lawrence admitted. “In that first moto I just asked way too much of the motorcycle [and went down]. I really had to work hard in the second moto and the restart made it even more difficult.”

Despite the setback, Lawrence extended his championship lead to 61 points over his brother Hunter Lawrence, with three races remaining in the season.

Eli Tomac’s third-place finish marked his return to the podium after a difficult stretch, earning his 77th career Pro Motocross podium with consistent 2-3 moto scores. The Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing rider expressed satisfaction with the progress after recent struggles.

“Huge gains today compared to last week. We were within the same zip code [of the leaders],” Tomac reflected. “I wish we could have won, but I’m happy with what we’ve got to work with.”

The 250 class provided equally compelling drama, with Jo Shimoda capturing his second victory in three races via tiebreaker over championship leader Haiden Deegan. Both riders finished with identical 47 points (Shimoda 2-1, Deegan 1-2), but Shimoda’s second-moto victory gave him the overall win.

The Honda HRC Progressive rider’s victory was built on strong starts in both motos, allowing him to control the pace and manage his races effectively. In the opening moto, Shimoda shadowed Deegan before settling for second, while the second moto saw him grab the early lead and never look back, winning by over 18 seconds.

“It was a good day. This one means a lot to me,” said the Japanese rider. “As a team, we worked really hard for this. I know we’re far out of the championship, but this is awesome, and I hope we can keep doing it.”

Despite missing out on his third consecutive victory, Haiden Deegan maintained his composure and championship mindset. The Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing rider’s resilient second-place finish ensured he didn’t lose any points in the title chase, maintaining his 45-point advantage over Shimoda.

“I felt like I was riding a bull out there, it was wild,” Deegan said of his challenging day. “We finished second and didn’t lose any points, so in the big picture it was a good day.”

The day also belonged to Garrett Marchbanks, who finally broke through for his maiden Pro Motocross podium with a third-place finish. The Monster Energy Pro Circuit Kawasaki rider’s 3-4 moto scores marked the culmination of consistent improvement throughout the season.

“Every time I got close to Haiden I couldn’t finish it, so it was tough on the track today,” Marchbanks explained. “I made some mistakes and lost some energy late, but it was a good day. I’m really excited to get my first podium outdoors.”

With the 450 class title race, Jett Lawrence maintains commanding control despite the defeat, leading Hunter Lawrence by 61 points and Tomac by 94 points with three races remaining. In the 250 class, Deegan’s lead over Shimoda remains substantial at 45 points, though Shimoda’s recent form suggests the battle isn’t over.

The series now enters an extended break before the three-race championship finale, with the next round scheduled for August 9 at Indiana’s Ironman Raceway. The hiatus provides teams an opportunity to regroup and prepare for the intense title showdowns ahead.

For Sexton, the victory serves as proof that Lawrence isn’t invincible, potentially setting up an intriguing dynamic for the season’s final stretch. With momentum on his side and proven success at the remaining tracks, the defending champion remains a threat to disrupt Lawrence’s championship aspirations.

The Washougal National reminded everyone why outdoor motocross remains one of the most unpredictable and exciting forms of motorsport, where track knowledge, racecraft, and mental fortitude can overcome raw speed and championship pressure. As the series heads into its summer break, the stage is set for what promises to be a thrilling conclusion to the 2025 campaign.

Photo Credit: MX Sports Pro Racing, Inc.