Motocross Rider Suspended Indefinitely

Lawrence, 21, was arrested by police in Buchanon, Mich., which hosted the sixth round of the AMA Motocross series July 5-6, after an alleged fight with another individual. Lawrence spent the night of July 4 in Berrien County Jail and released the next morning on $100 bail.

The Independence Day incident came just weeks after an incident where the Yamaha of Troy rider reportedly rolled a team mechanics rental car at the Freestone National in Wortham, Tex. on June 9. Following the incident in Wortham, AMA Racing issued a suspended $25,000 fine would have been dropped if Lawrence could stay clear of any other incidents for a year.

Mr. Lawrence is suspended indefinitely, says Ryan Holliday, director of AMA Motocross. In addition, the $25,000 fine that was issued after the June incident and suspended contingent upon the successful completion of a one-year probation will now be imposed.

The suspension comes with Lawrence sitting sixth in the AMA Motocross Lites standings. In April, Lawrence won the AMA Supercross Lites West Region Championship.

Lawrence issued a public statement before the fine was announced, apologizing for his actions.

Things are pretty much rock bottom for me right now, Lawrence states. Ive run into some problems away from the track that have affected my results and its become apparent that Ive got to address them. I am taking action to deal with these issues and to make sure such incidents like what happened this past weekend dont occur again.

Im not making any excuses. I screwed up good this past weekend and Im prepared to do what it takes to get back where I was when I won the Supercross title. Im no angel and never will be. But what I will be is responsible for my actions, take the right measures to correct things and learn from my mistakes.

In May 2007, Lawrence was fined for $7,500 and placed on a one-year probation by the AMA after a scuffle with Pro Circuit Kawasaki racer Ryan Villopoto. Villopoto received a $2,500 fine for that incident.