Hunter Lawrence Wins Playoff 2 and Takes Points Lead in SuperMotocross World Championship Finals, Haiden Deegan Victorious in Texas in 250SMX Class
Team Honda HRC Progressive’s Hunter Lawrence secured a commanding overall win at SuperMotocross Playoff 2, held at Texas Motor Speedway, Fort Worth, on September 14, 2024. Competing in the SuperMotocross World Championship Finals, fueled by Monster Energy, Lawrence’s (1-3) finishes earned him his first victory in the 450SMX Class pro racing. With a double-points payout at Playoff 2, he ascended to the top of the series standings, putting him in prime position for the final event of the season with a $5.5 million total prize pool on the line.
The AMA Pro Motocross champion, Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Chase Sexton, delivered a strong performance, taking second place overall with (4-1) moto finishes, including a dominant win in the second moto. His teammate, Jett Lawrence, who claimed victory in Playoff 1, finished third overall with (3-2) finishes, setting up a thrilling finale in Las Vegas where the top three racers will battle for the championship and the grand prize.
In the 250SMX Class, Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing’s Haiden Deegan continued his winning streak with another flawless (1-1) moto performance, extending his points lead as he heads into the final race of the season.
Hunter Lawrence Reflects on His Victory
“Super awesome! I had a little super accident on the back [of the track], but that’s SuperMotocross. [smiles]. I’m happy to be getting out of here with the red plate. It feels good to get that one. I can’t say that I’m looking forward to riding that track again, so [I’m] thankful it’s done… a massive shout out to the team and everyone that’s been a part of this. We appreciate you guys, and we couldn’t do it without you, so thank you,”.
Lawrence remarked, reflecting on the intense competition and his brief off-track excursion during the second moto
Chase Sexton: Gearing Up for the Final Showdown
“[Getting a good start and getting clear of traffic was] one of the key factors. But we actually made a change before Moto 1 and I felt like I rode pretty well, [I] just was way back. So, I got a good start and was able just to ride my own laps and, yeah, felt like I did back in Pro Motocross. Good race, second overall, so we’re looking good for next weekend. [We’ll] just try and build and come out swinging in Vegas,”.
said Sexton, confident in his preparations for the high-stakes championship race in Las Vegas
Jett Lawrence’s Tough Challenge on the SMX Hybrid Track
“A little bit of lack of bike fitness on that one, but the bike [settings] beat me up. Now we’re going to go back and definitely have a meeting. Still a little upset about that first one but… We’re on to the last round. When pressure gets put on, we seem to do good, so let’s run ‘em,”.
said Jett Lawrence, ready to fine-tune his bike setup for the hybrid SuperMotocross tracks and take on the final round
250SMX Class: Haiden Deegan’s Dominance Continues
The 250SMX Class races in Texas were just as intense. Haiden Deegan remained unbeatable, clinching both motos and securing his second consecutive overall win of the playoffs. Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Tom Vialle finished second overall with (3-2) finishes, while Team Honda HRC Progressive’s Jo Shimoda rounded off the podium with a (2-3) finish. Deegan’s perfect starts and unrelenting pace put him in a commanding position heading into the final race.
“Just a lot of hard work and it pays off, and good family around you, too… The track, it was gnarly. It felt like – if anyone’s from Cali, they know Lake Elsinore at 5 PM, literally it’s just baked. But overall, it was a good race, had some fun. Two perfect starts today, and that was my goal,”.
said Deegan, reflecting on his strong performance and the challenging track conditions
Supermini World All-Stars: Brody Moss Takes the Win
Between the 450SMX and 250SMX motos, the future of motocross took to the track in the Supermini World All-Stars event. GASGAS’ Brody Moss triumphed in an exciting race, finishing ahead of KTM’s Wyatt Duff, with last year’s champion, Kawasaki’s Carson Wood, recovering from a slow start to grab third place.
Looking Ahead: The Winner-Takes-All SuperMotocross World Championship
With three of the top 450SMX racers – Hunter Lawrence, Chase Sexton, and Jett Lawrence – in a tight points battle, the SuperMotocross World Championship promises to be an unforgettable finale on September 21, 2024, at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. Haiden Deegan heads into the 250SMX final as the favorite, but with $500,000 and triple points up for grabs, anything can happen.
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