Honda HRC Progressive’s Jett Lawrence captured his third-successive 450SMX championship on Saturday night in Las Vegas, making a pivotal late-race pass on Eli Tomac in the second moto to earn the title. The dynamic, three-round SuperMotocross World Championship (SMX) post-season wasn’t without its drama, as Jett details his way to the top in this Check In feature.

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Jett, that was a one-million-dollar pass in the second moto. You had to earn this title all the way throughout the Playoffs, but it all came down to that pass. During the second race, what was going through your mind?

A lot of doubt, to be honest! Both Hunter [Lawrence] and Eli [Tomac] were riding really well, and I spent a good few laps trying to catch them there halfway through the moto – which I caught them a smidge, although I made one big mistake and I just lost all of that ground. At that point I…I didn’t give up, but thought ‘Dude, I don’t think I can catch them,’ but with three or four laps to go I thought, ‘Well, I’m just going to go as fast as I can, and if I crash, it’s going to hurt, if not, hopefully I can get close enough to make a pass.’ Thankfully, I put a few good laps together and closed in behind Eli, then was able to make a pass and have it stick. I’m super happy.

What’s it like to win this title again, and then have Jo Shimoda win the 250 title – who is someone you’ve known for many years, going back to Geico Honda days?

It’s awesome, honestly. I was stressed in the truck [during his race], it was like watching my brother out there. I was sick to my stomach, and I was hoping he would do well because I don’t think anyone else deserves that 250 title as much as Jo…or Seth [Hammaker], who rides at our compound as well. I was going for both of them, but Jo rode well – holeshotted the first one, put his head down and went for it. But overall, I’m super stoked. Jo and I have been friends now for a long time – since Geico days – and it’s cool that we’re both sitting up here. It’s awesome for the team, he deserves it, and I am just super happy for him. It’s been a long time coming, he’s always been there, and now it’s cool to see him close it out.

Congratulations on the third SMX series championship. Now that we’re in year three of the post-season, does winning this title mean that little bit more? Then obviously to have three in a row now is massive.

Yeah, it’s an extra million in the bank! [Laughs] Of course that means a lot. The shorter series is kind of nice – three good weekends and you can get a championship bonus, so it makes it exciting for the fans, because no matter what happens, you always have at least two people who have a chance at winning, no matter how well you do at the first two. It’s exciting and I love it.

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Jett, congratulations on a third straight title. It brings me to the question, we’ve seen a lot of Haiden Deegan throughout the last few months, and the way he portrays himself. You’re going to have to deal with that next year. Are you excited for that rivalry?

Honestly, he’s got a lot of other people to worry about than me, and I have Hunter, Chase [Sexton,] and Eli, so honestly, he’s not really on my radar. I’m focused on the guys that I am racing right now because they are riding really well, and it’s a different league in the 450s.

You won’t say no to a rivalry, though?

It ain’t much of a rivalry if you keep beating the kid, so…

What did you say to Hunter after the second moto, right after you crossed the finish line?

Probably something along the lines of, yeah, he rode well, and probably sorry again.

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A talent rarely comes into a sport and kind of becomes untouchable, so when you get on the track now, what are you chasing? Even on the track, from this weekend to last weekend, it seems to be one-lined, but you’re able to come through the pack. What motivates you now, because you know you have everyone’s number?

Uhm, I am chasing the ghost in front of me, really. Just trying to catch that ghost, and that’s what I am trying to do each race.

Any plans for the one million dollars?

Not yet. Either put some more money down on the house, buy some more property…I’m looking at a Ferrari F8 down in Atlanta, although that’s more from the outdoor championship, so we’ll wait for that bonus to kick in. That one won’t stop – it’ll go from my account straight to the dealership’s account.