It was great while it lasted that Jason Lawrence, a former professional motocross and supercross racer known for his talent and controversial persona, was making a comeback to the Moto scene. After racing the final round of GNCC at Ironman with Phoenix Honda and announcing his participation in the 2024 Arenacross Championship with the same team, the plan didn’t last too long. Perhaps JLaw couldn’t handle the pressure—media, interviews, training, etc. His career was marked by both success and controversy, showcasing a unique mix of talent and a rebellious attitude that made him a popular figure in the motocross community.
According to Matt Burkeen, who was filming at ClubMX test track, the Phoenix Honda team is preparing at that location. However, Lawrence’s absence on the track raised eyebrows. Rumors circulated that JLaw was questioned about his commitment to the team, with suggestions that he might be using them for a free ride. These inquiries reportedly angered him, prompting Lawrence to pack his bags and abruptly leave, returning to Florida.
After these rumors started circulating, JLaw stated that these accusations and rumors are false. However, at the end of the day, they seemed not far off, and they, for sure, split with Phoenix Honda. We posted both sides, and you can find out for yourself which one is true! The popular YouTube content creator Johnny Hopper has a good relationship with Jason Lawrence. He asked him to explain the situation: are these just rumors, or did JLaw really split with Phoenix Honda?
Jason Lawrence said – ” Hey so it’s only fair that I clear this up with you because it’s going to be confusing to your people how you posted that the rumors were false about me getting clipped off Phoenix. These rumors are actually facts. At the time I talked to you, I was on my way back up to North Carolina under the impression I was all good to go. scott, my manager spoke to the owner and he told me to get back up there right away, that everything was good. So I drove back up there. When i was a few hours away, I texted Heath, the team manager, and told him I would be there until Wednesday riding at 421MX at the Arenacross track that I got built and wanted to make plans to get the bike. He told me he was at the mini o’s, but I can get the bike whenever. I went to my buddy’s house where I was planning on staying, and about the same time i got there, he text me back and said that nah I can’t go get the bike and they don’t have no support for me. I stayed up there for a couple days trying to see if it could be hashed out between them and my managrr, because i was making no progress with Heath myself since I left. I rode for like 2 days on my buddy’s bike and then came home for Thanksgiving yesterday. When i was at the track riding on sunday, I was telling some people about how, in my opinion, they were doing me pretty dirty. One of the people who I was telling that to shared my opinion on this being some b*******. He said to come by his shop the following day and talk about what he could do to help me. Scott tried again on Monday to talk to Heath but the dudes racing at gatorback and really just is not entertaining the idea at all. he threatened to quit when the owner told him that he had authorized me coming back. so with no good news, I went to meet with Billy Wenk at HB Auto. We went in a conference room and when i came out, my biggest concern in life was trying to figure out what kind of dirt bike I want to get. I’m not required to be doing the arenacross series, like I would have been with Phoenix. So I’m definitely not going to be traveling out to Boise Idaho on my own dime. my new sponsor doesn’t give a f*** about a series, but hes all about riding and racing. I’m planning on doing so much different kind of riding and racing this year that I will definitely look back on this as a good thing. right now I’m just trying to look at the Phoenix Honda situation as being a huge positive and just appreciate what they did for me. if they wouldn’t have presented the opportunity to ride the GNCC, and the opportunity to come up and try their bike at Club MX for a week, I’d still be ghost. So l’m not trying to slam them dudes at all, but my personal opinion this was extremely bad business. I know of a lot of situations where people have been screwed over and burnt by teams, but it was always a financial type thing. this is the most f***** up situation I know of that has nothing to do with money. they just really wanted to take my opportunity away. By they, I mean heath. I’m going to probably make a little update video and put it on Instagram but you’re more than welcome to share this because I did lead you the wrong when I told you the rumors were false, although unintentionally.”
