How Jason Lawrence Threw Away His Promising Career 

Wow, AMA actually penalized someone back then. Interesting how far we have come. Now we put people on probation with absolutely no repercussions for violating it.

Such a short career. Over a decade later and we're still talking about him

If jlaw didn’t biff his career dungey wouldn’t be coming out of retirement right now.

He didn't need jail, he needed rehab.

Absolutely loved watching this kid ride. Just the pure raw talent he had.

I always talk about the JLaw vs Dungy feud with my sons, evenly matched except for their attitudes. The contrast makes for a great lesson on life choices. Great vid, had no idea JLaw got in that much trouble, hope he's doing good now.

Funny thing is... he didnt race dirty.... dude never took anyone out like they do these days.... he was a racer.....and was one of the best to watch. Also he almost ran me over at Freestone in that rental car.... it was a good time.

And here we are, many years later still talking about this kid. Love it, dude was definitely reckless but great to watch racing. Plus, gotta love the local kid able to rep NJ and get a title against Dungey.

I think part of what made him so fast was his “I don’t care” attitude. When you aren’t afraid of risk and don’t care what happens you can do some pretty amazing amazing things on a dirt bike. He obviously had crazy talent as well and it’s frustrating for those who work so hard at this sport and will never have speed like his. Haha

You can still hear whispers of his name and his talent at nj tracks

He sure was fun to watch in my opinion he should of went down as one of the all time greats but if we are still talking about him he obviously had something special and still a very accomplished rider.

Jason Lawrence is your favorite rider's favorite rider.

The rivalry with Lawrence Villipoto and Dungey were epic. Definitely made the sport way more interesting and we needed that since the Reed Carmichael Stewart rivalry was over.

Yo keep these videos up, every sport had channels like this and this one is the first moto centered channel that makes documentary type videos

Yo keep these videos up, every sport had channels like this and this one is the first moto centered channel that makes documentary type videos

Ridiculous villapoto got a slap on the wrist after using his bike as a weapon

Never understood that even though lawrence was instigating, villo struck first by loopin his bike at him, and villo gets like nothing

Something about him just screamed "Punk and Bratt".

You should talk about Austin Stroupe another talented rider that got caught up in the wrong crowd and ruined his racing career.

The kid is a cautionary tale. He's been coming up recently, but more as an example of what not to do or of wasted talent.

Pure talent with no ambition...

Crazy tho. I met him real life when I came to the states and he’s the opposite of how he acts DOPE DUDE

Great stuff @GDN Productions. I wish you could research a young man out of Texas in the late 80s and early 90s named Jack Ricks. He was soooooo good, but his career was cut short due to a spinal injury. Not sure how to find information, but if you have old Cycle News, when they were still in print, you will certainly find him in there. Especially in 1988 at the Lake Whitney GNC National when he put it to Emig in the 80 12-16 and Supermini classes. Can't remember if he beat him every moto, but I know he beat him. Glad I got to spend all the time I did with him.

When and if he ever emotionally grows up, he'll regret what he pissed away.

Add Barcia 51 to the next report. He's on his way out.

Imagine if JLAW was a focused rider. No drama just straight training an hard ass working no trouble guy. He would have 3/4 450 championships for sure. The kid was hella good all fucked up imagine if he wasn’t.

Right on jay law!!! You are a studd fa sure! The real deal in a sea of homogenized sterile lameness! Rock on brother!

Knew this video would blow up man! Great job!

I surprised we don't have more stories like this nowadays

I like to see Josh Hansen's Career

You can't fix stupid.

I was racing local east coast off road hare scramble scene and he showed up after getting bounced with some stock MX bike and won the event to just to get some prize money and bragging rights… it was an awesome 2 hour ride

The name of the guy who had his ear bitten off by J-Law was McGriddle? That’s too good to be true.

Loved J Law and still do, the dudes a real one, and Josh Hill, Hill is still my favorite rider 🤘🏼

It’s funny how people just assume what happened with Jason was the result of his attitude and poor decision making. The truth of the matter is that J-Law was doomed from the minute the industry recognized he had talent. You take a kid who has as much raw talent as anyone who ever came up through the sport like J-Law who’s had no real positive influence in his life aside from his grandfather who took him to the races then throw him into a situation where he’s expected to do so much more than show up and do what he does best with no guidance whatsoever you’re just asking for trouble. Especially when you’ve been overlooked by so many for no rhyme or reason other than the fact that you weren’t raised the same as most the kids you’ve beat week in and week out, you’re just asking for a shit storm. The real losers are those in the industry who missed out on a sure bet for a championship or two but chose to let J-Law go instead. The only ones who were ever smart enough to take advantage of the situation was YOT which paid them dividends but even they weren’t smart enough to just let things be as they may and put a little extra effort in to give the kid some guidance. That’s all the kid wanted to do was race, win, have fun, and do his own thing but that was unacceptable at the time. Can you imagine if J-Law were able to come up through the ranks today and have the freedom guys like Tomac, Roczen, Anderson, etc. have today, to just put the kid on a bike and let him go back to Jersey to train on his own terms and rip around Raceway Park and the south Jersey tracks he grew up practicing on and just let him do what works best for him? The kid would be an absolute animal on the weekends. No one could overlook that back then though. The last year J-Law raced at Loretta’s, the kid was given zero respect. The focus was on Ryan Villopotto, under the guidance of trainer Randy Lawrence, Mitch Payton, and the Pro Curcuit/Kawasaki effort, everyone just assumed the A class was all locked up and RV was the only major talent going forward. When the A class gate dropped, it was a different story. People will say Villopotto got off to terrible starts all week but he would go 2-2-2 I believe only to be absolutely annihilated by Jason Lawrence, who would win motos by as much as 30 seconds over Villopotto. In fact, the one occasion i remember the two meeting up in a moto Lawrence blew by RV like he was passing lapped traffic and I recall J-Law stating he never even saw RV all week long. I can remember the week after Loretta’s, the talk amongst everyone who went was all about how much of an upset it was and how was it even possible that a kid who showed up to the races with his grandpa with a little bit of support from Suzuki and no real program set in stone showed up and straight up blew Villopotto’s doors off? The truth of the matter was that it wasn’t really an upset, one kid had already solidified his amateur career, had a deal set in stone to ride for Mitch Payton, and was considered to be the top amateur prospect in the country. The other kid showed up to prove otherwise and earn a ride he rightfully deserved but would never get. And the rest was history.

Nothing worse than wasted talent. Some would give their left nut to be in his position. And he just threw it all away. But it's his life. He made his decisions. Guy was super talented but threw it all away being immature.

I follow him on IG and it's kinda sad, all he does is seem to post old photos and reminisce he can't let it go and move on

Totally forgot about J law. Remember hearing about him all the time when I got into riding around 2007

Heard he was going to do a couple of outdoor events in 2022. Not the first time I’ve heard of a comeback but it would be interesting to see a more mature and responsible J-Law. Either way he was very entertaining. Great video. Thx

Man i had a Yz125 just like the Troy Yamaha they rode at the same time, and he was one of my idols to watch then!...I still cant believe he threw it away all these years later!

Bro some people just gotta Fight, believe me i know all about it! and any one named (Mcgriddle) deserves to be Bitten!....Mcdonalds...LOL...LOL...

Nice video, but U need to finish the story. Where is he now? What is he up to?

This is a sweet video

Fast? ✔️ POS? ✔️ Excuses? More than the imagination can handle.

Title for the JLaw story "How to Destroy a Professional Career by being Stupid"

Great video as always. Lawrence is a shining example of the NFL saying "million dollar arm, ten cent brain." It's a shame because a rider with his talent should be out there, but he seemed hellbent on making sure he was never on the track. Stories like his are why I'm kinda happy the attitude era of Supercross is seemingly over, because immaturity cost him what was going to be a lucrative career

To put it bluntly, Jason Lawrence is a rider I'm GLAD is no longer active in this sport. He's a shining example of somebody repeatedly throwing his life down the toilet! It was clear as day that Jason Lawrence let that 2008 West SX Lites title go to his head, and his actions proved it. Jason Lawrence was an terrible addition to this sport, and it doesn't take a genius to figure out why. As far as next person goes, GDN: Travis Pastrana -- the guy who couldn't stay away from Freestyle MX after saying "Racing has been my dream"

Loved all the drama when this guy was racing.......They are all so squeaky clean nowadays.....We need a good punch up every now and then. 🤣

Everyone claims " what a waist " Lawrence screwed up more people's lives than just his own , people from good walks of life with good intentions all paid the price because of this destructive clown .

Subbed great breakdown! Always wondered about what all the incidents included

Dude might’ve been the most naturally talented person to ever ride a bike. Shame he tossed it away.

Kid was a beast. Wouldve been amazing if he wasnt a clown most of the time.

Man Johnny Marley did the same crap with the same team

Jason was an amazing rider. Wish he could have made something of it. Too bad.

I mean I remember him a tad different.. ya he was wicked fast but he definitely had the bam bam style race strategy most of the time .. lol it wasn’t hard to tell who he really wanted beat and when he felt he had to be in front of someone .. that all said it’s horrible nobody sat him down and just said tone the shit down .. he just sounds like a kid making sick cash having fun well that’s what racing used to be and Jlaw was jus having fun pure and simple .. but I believe he partied a little too hard or too much or at the wrong moments and probably make some kinda dumb decisions while drunk .. like that’s such a unheard of thing .. the ama took it personally, they could’ve handled shit way different but the fact of the matter is he represented everything they didn’t like and at the same time rv represented everything they did like so they just punished him like he was nothing to the sport .. kinda like the fim did to JS7.. ama killed jlaw and fim killed JS7 and tickle

Grew up racing him in the 80 class. Remember him beating all of the 250A riders on his 80 like it was nothing. Was truly a sight to see.

I remember watching that train wreck. Too bad for him.

Love these videos my guy. Keep it up!!

He’s going to be regretting his decisions for the rest of his life.

He made poor decisions, that's exactly how he wasted his high dollar career

Here is a good research project. How many young riders lost it all due to drug abuse after an injury. I can think of a few.

I was under the impression from prior sources that the AMA delivered him a lifetime ban? -That just seems too absurd to be true imo. Would have LOVED to see this guy have at it with Barcia

I thought this was a long lost Aussie

Someone spent a lot of money and time with him in order to achieve success. Thats how it works in MX. He squandered his blessings.

He earned everything he had, including jail time and suspensions.

Damn so sad to see him waste that highly sought after talent

subbed... really good work man.

I remember ALL this stuff but I never heard about the ear biting episode... crazy

I do not approve of his behavior, antics, and decisions, but for whatever reason I like the guy. He was always pure entertainment when being interviewed, and the guy could RIDE. I hope this recent GNCC thing could lead to a little commitment and dedication on his part, and turn into something.

2:30 bro, what are you talking about? That was Jlaw that jumped off his bike. Unless you think Jlaw was #1 on a Kawasaki and not Yamaha number 338... LMFFFAAAOOO 😂🤦‍♂️👍

Austin Stroupe is an interesting story too..

I swear he gets talked about more then Stewart or RC, he was a pain in the ass but made it up on the bike. It’s a shame that he didn’t hire a better agent that actually taken the time to get him well mentally and not just want money from him. I go onto his Instagram once and a while and he seems washed up riding a 10 year old suzuki still shredding. If he made a return I think he would be a top 10 rider from the first race alone after not training for a long time but doubt that would happen as it seems he barley got into the redbull event a few months ago

Troy Yamaha? It was Yamaha of Troy

Doesnt he still ride and do local races ? Thought i heard something about that a while back.

You should do Hansen next

I always felt that tough competition was good for the sport. And I never liked the “Stay away from Ryan Rule.” It didn’t seem fair to everyone but the Ryan’s.

The Villipoto incident at Hangtown is BS ! Villipoto should have got the Bigger Penalty ! He Threw his Bike at J Law…I Don’t really think J Law Threw his Career away in a way,he said in an Interview that he was “Over It” , if He had a Background of Money then it’s No Big Deal that he Quit…I raced for about 10 years & I got Tired of the BS in MX…it’s Still one of my Favorite Sports Ever,but there’s ALOT of BS in this Sport ! especially when your an Amateur Working your way Up..(unless of course your Parents got FAT $$$)it’s Really a Struggle Especially if your doing it on your Own…like I Did…for Me though,I Loved racing SO Much that I Literally Could Not Quit !! I was Addicted to it,Nothing in my Life Mattered as Much as Racing…I Don’t know what was going through his Head during his Career or what Other Struggles he had,sometimes Other Outside influences can Pull you away from this Sport,he was a Total Badass , I think Partying had something to do with it tho…He’s Still & Always will be one of my Favorite riders

JLaw... The beast from the east!!! Always love him. I think he personified the dgaf attitude that has long since vanished from MX. JLaw we still love and miss you budd.

I still can’t get over Villapoto launching his bike at JLaw and JLaw getting fined 7500$ and put on probation while Villapoto gets a measly 2500$ fine?! Like what? Just goes to show how much the AMA plays favorites.

How about cutting the bales at Daytona and never getting penalized. He also stated that he DID have plans to race motocross. On a GasGas. Gypsy Tales put it out there. More than likely a publicity stunt by JLaw.

yeah....i loved his style when he was racing We need a new Jlaw.... but a light Jlaw

I first met Lawrence at Julian’s house. I didn’t know who he was and I asked Julian who is a punk was sitting on his couch because I thought it was just some neighborhood kid lol. Jason and I spent several years playing MX versus ATV together. The week before the Daytona Supercross we were living on the video game. Probably 18 hours a day we were smoking marijuana and who knows what else. We were both having a very good time and then late at night. Jason says holy shit. I gotta go bro. And I asked him. Where are you trying to get to this late? he says bro I got to catch my flight and get to Daytona for tomorrow’s races! I laughed and said what you’re racing tomorrow? How are you going to race tomorrow you haven’t even read and you’ve been smoking weed playing video games! He says I don’t know bro I’ll figure it out. I’ll catch you on Monday. I go to sleep wake up do some chores the next day sit down for the Supercross and watch him whole shot and leave the entire race while the commentators are talking about how he has become more serious than focused in his training routine. Lmao To have watched what he accomplished, and personally being witness to how his entire week leading up to it was was one of the most amazing things I’ve ever seen, and probably will ever see in my lifetime Really happy I got to be a fly on the wall during that time

Oh, what a delightful character the Moto community just couldn't resist embracing! 🙄 He truly excelled at being an entitled and oh-so-responsible brat, with an impressive ability to show absolutely zero regard for anyone else around him. 👏🏻😒

Aggravated Assult with a Vehicle. It is defined as when one individual knowingly, recklessly, or intentionally causes serious bodily harm to another or uses a dangerous weapon/instrument to assault another. This law considers motorcycles as deadly weapons/instruments. Anyone that uses a motorcycle to commit an assault against another person will likely face the enhanced felony charge of vehicular aggravated assault. Why didn’t Villipoto get arrested? He’s the one who crossed the line when he committed a felony?? IDK how you justify this behavior in any capacity??? J.Law was the victim here. This video is the evidence.

Villopoto should’ve gotten fined just the same or more than Lawrence. Complete bullshit. The AMA needs to be completely re worked

If JLaw was encouraged and backed unconditionally, and had the best legal representation money could buy, just think of all the great content we’d have right now!

The biggest loss is the money he would have made. Toe the line for 3 to 5 years and never have to work again. Dont spose kids think about that when they are racing.

He just announced he will be racing a national on a gasgas 450 this year.

Villo ejected his bike at Lawrence's head pretty FU KD UP I would have got villo later for that and he prob wouldn't have races ever again

Nothing worse than wasted talent. I always hated that kid though. Then once he was gone, Justin Barcia became the biggest ass on the track.

That white and black bike was sick!

Anyone ever think he was hurting in the inside and needed a friend to talk to .

Lawrence, Hill, Hansen, and Anderson. Thought they were all probably pot heads and punks. Only Anderson reached his potential.

This is why companies supporting kids now is so reeled in. The days of throwing them money with no structure in contracts are done. Guys like this ruined it for the current generation of riders

How he threw away his career… He bit off somebody’s ear a bunch of people defend him, but I’ve never seen anybody defend that action

No problem with the AMA governing on track issues but stuff that happens off the track is an issue for a team to deal with.

Do a video on Austin Stroupe!

Well I hate to say it but drama within a sport builds the sport. I like seeing racers hate each other and want to beat the hell out of each other but this generation Z is all about giving hugs and shit. The sport needs a strong bitter rivalry that last for years

I was at Jville during that race he never did anything during qualifying or the main they just wanted him gone

That kid wouldn't last 30 seconds with a real fighter lol. He's just a punk!