Shadows and Tricky Lines Await at Washoughal

In a sport known for its unpredictability and intensity, sometimes, a perfect story unfolds—and that’s exactly what happened last weekend at the Millville National. Jeremy Martin, a veteran in the motocross world and beloved by fans, stepped away from his professional racing career in storybook fashion, claiming the final moto win of his career in front of a hometown crowd at Spring Creek.

A Storybook Ending at Spring Creek

Jeremy Martin’s performance at Millville was something no scriptwriter could’ve crafted better—though, as Josh joked, “we all would have wanted to script it just like this.” Martin’s 3-1 scores gave him second overall, but more importantly, allowed him to stand on the top step of the podium one last time, right at home. Back-to-back holeshots, raw speed, and composure proved Martin wasn’t just showing up for a farewell lap—he came to win.

What made it all the more special was the setting. The Martin family has owned Spring Creek MX Park since 1987, and the roots run deep—Jeremy and his brother Alex grew up just steps from the Millville rollers. Jeremy’s father, John Martin, helped shape the track into what it is today. It wasn’t just a race—it was a homecoming.

Despite Jeremy riding unpaid this season, and many teams competing for big-dollar win bonuses (some paying over $50,000 for an overall), no one let up to give him an easy victory. But Martin, racing purely for the love of the sport, earned every bit of his moment in the spotlight.

Groomed for Greatness?

There was some quiet speculation among fans that the track may have been prepped more gently to give Jeremy an advantage, but in reality, Millville was prepped that way due to incoming rain. The result? Fewer ruts and a racier surface, allowing more line choices and momentum—making for better, more competitive racing. And everyone raced on the same track. Jeremy simply outperformed them all in Moto 2.

The Lawrence Brothers Continue to Dominate

In the 450 class, the Lawrence brothers continued their reign. Jett Lawrence, despite going down on the first lap of Moto 1, charged through the pack like a force of nature. Watching him make passes on top riders like Jorge Prado, Eli Tomac, and Chase Sexton with ease has become almost expected—though it’s still mind-blowing.

While Hunter Lawrence managed to hold on for the Moto 1 win, Jett rebounded in Moto 2, reclaiming dominance and extending his nearly spotless 450 record: 22 wins in 23 outdoor races.

For Eli Tomac, it was a tougher weekend. Despite extensive testing before the race, he wasn’t able to find comfort with the setup and faded backward. Meanwhile, Jett looked like he was on rails.

Comparing Across Continents: Cairoli vs. Jett

Josh also highlighted some eye-opening stats comparing Antonio Cairoli’s recent performances in MXGP to his U.S. outings. In Europe, Cairoli ran a respectable 7th and 8th at Matterley Basin, finishing within 40–50 seconds of the leaders. But in the U.S., he finished over a minute—and up to 1:43—behind Jet Lawrence.

Yes, there are differences in bikes, tires, and track familiarity. But it’s clear Jett is operating on another level right now. Whether in Europe or America, his pace is setting the benchmark.

Eyes on Washougal

Looking ahead to this weekend, the Washougal National promises a fresh challenge. Jet Lawrence holds a commanding 51-point lead over Hunter in the 450 standings, while Hayden Deegan leads Joe Shimoda by 45 points in the 250 class.

Washougal’s shadowy, tree-lined course is uniquely demanding. It offers a stark contrast to the sandier tracks like Southwick and RedBud that riders have just left behind. Levi Kitchen, who grew up just around the corner, has admitted he’s not a fan of the layout, despite the home-field advantage. But you can expect the Pacific Northwest fans to come out strong for him regardless.

Final Thoughts

From fairy tale farewells to relentless domination, motocross is delivering high drama and heart this season. Jeremy Martin’s sendoff at Millville will be remembered for years, not just for the win, but for what it symbolized: resilience, passion, and homegrown grit. Now, all eyes turn to Washougal to see who can handle the shadows—and who will rise to the top.

Watch the weekend preview: