The narrative for Australia’s Hunter Lawrence, would be hard to predict as events began on Saturday, with muddy conditions filling the raceway for practice in Pennsylvania. The red-plate holder was ready for whatever was thrown his way though, and proceeded to engage in some of the fastest lap-times of the division while qualifying third prior to beginning the first moto. However the circuits that followed weren’t quite as splendid, especially the initial corners of moto number-one...where he would be stuck in a pile-up of sorts, behind Kawasaki’s Jo Shimoda! Nearly half of the pack would move around him at that point, but Lawrence would manage to gather an eleventh-place standing by the end of the first full lap of action. From that point onward, he would methodically work his way through the field with urgency, though calculated; picking the shortest ruts, and avoiding the trenches that were deepest with spectacular vision. He was into fourth after lap six, passing riders like Preston Kilroy and Ryder DiFrancesco, aiming for the Husqvarna tandem of RJ Hampshire and Jalek Swoll, along with championship rival Haiden Deegan. He would remain polished in the toughest areas of the track, refusing to become overwhelmed by the moment as he raced at the height of his RPM’s; which led to Lawrence passing Jalek on the thirteenth lap of action, as he saw the checkered flag appearing in the distance. Ultimately gathering third after that disastrous sequence of events in the second corner, it would be Lawrence who was ready to climb to the top for the following round of action. But, Hunter (again) would be a victim of another second turn mistake! This time, on behalf of RJ Hampshire and Jalek Swoll, though he didn’t seem to lose as many spots, based on his initial jump from the line. He was able to strive for seventh as the first full lap was finalized, and quickly moved into third by lap four after moving around Jordon Smith, Jo Shimoda, Tom Vialle, and Ryder DiFrancesco. Lawrence was riding with immaculate style amongst the crusted racetrack, where ruts had hardened and offered no forgiveness if a rider were to make a mistake or miscalculation. The number ninety-six was flourishing as he then passed Yamaha’s Levi Kitchen on lap six, prior to tracking-down his teammate Chance Hymas. His persistence would lead to a definitive pass being made with fourteen and a-half minutes remaining on the clock; where he launched to the top of one of the inbound step-ups (in the infield) amongst lap traffic, and would make the pass stick on the number 832 machine. It was then a process of staying out of trouble, while navigating amid slower riders and a deteriorating surface...which he would do. And after thriving from laps seven through fifteen, it was Lawrence who ultimately took the moto (and appeared) to be overall win — however the outcome would slightly change, post-race. Lawrence would receive a seven-point post race penalty for jumping on a “Red Cross” flag; which after discussion, still granted him with an overall win, according to the database and official announcement. However his final championship points accumulation, would be seven less than what it could have been, based on his previous total — giving him motivation, for the rounds ahead!