SMX Next A2 2026: Learning Weekend for Hunter Racing
January 28, 2026
The first SMX Next race of 2026 was Anaheim 2, and we had two of our guys in the main event—Trinnytie Batchelor (#48) and Chace Lawton (#50). I’m proud that both made the main and got through a brutal race safely. This was a learning weekend for us: new stage, tough conditions, and a lot to build on.
Anaheim 2 was Round 3 of the Monster Energy AMA Supercross Championship. The SMX Next main ran on a wet, tacky track—rain and track prep made the dirt a whole lot harder than usual, with ruts in the rhythm lane and down the first baseline. For more SMX Next and race-day context, Racer X’s live written updates and results from Anaheim 2 cover qualifying through the main (including the red-flag restart). For track and day-specific insights, Steve Matthes’ Observations From A2 is a great read.
Trinnytie Batchelor
This was Trinnytie’s first SMX Next race on a full supercross track. He’d only started riding whoops about 10 days before the event, and he was a last-minute addition—we had to scramble to get his bike from Idaho to Anaheim. Given all that, I’m really proud of how he stepped up. At 16 he’s one of the youngest guys in the class and has some of the least experience on a proper Supercross track. With that said we couldn’t be more pleased.
Trinn qualified into the main and ran all 9 laps. He started 19th and moved forward to finish 15th, with +4 net passes. His best lap was 1:08.973 and his average was 1:10.622. For a first full SX main under those circumstances, that’s a solid foundation to build on.
Chace Lawton
Chace made the main but rode with a fever and illness and didn’t feel like himself. He still put in 9 laps, started 20th, and finished 17th with +3 net passes. His best lap was 1:10.636 and his average 1:11.189. MotoPivot even gave him the “Metronome Award” for the race—0.43s lap variance—so he was remarkably consistent even when he wasn’t 100%. He’s already looking forward to rebounding at Houston (Round 4). This certainly wasn’t indicative of what Chace is capable of, we’ve seen it at the Sandbox and know he has a lot more than this.
Hunter Racing Results
| Pos | Rider | Start | Best Lap | Avg | Net Passes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 15th | Trinnytie Batchelor | 19 | 1:08.973 | 1:10.622 | +4 |
| 17th | Chace Lawton | 20 | 1:10.636 | 1:11.189 | +3 |
Kayden Minear won the SMX Next main wire-to-wire. Full lap data and the full field are on MotoPivot.
Photos
Closing
We’re proud of both guys for being out there and learning the ropes. Getting two riders through that main event safely was the priority, and we did that. Thanks to our sponsors for their continued support—we wouldn’t be able to do this without them.
Watch the SMX Next main (starts at 11:04):
Next up is Houston (Round 4). We’re looking forward to building on this weekend.
Links
- MotoPivot – SMX Next Main Event, Anaheim 2 — lap data and field (podium + our riders + top 10)
- Racer X – Live Written Updates and Results From Anaheim 2 — SMX Next qualifying and main (red-flag restart, full program)
- Racer X – Observations From A2 — track and day insights
Stay tuned for more race reports and team updates as Hunter Racing continues the 2026 SMX Next season.
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