SMX Playoff Round 1 at zMAX Dragway | Concord | 6 Sept 2025
Team Honda HRC Progressive’s Jett Lawrence kicked off the 2025 SMX World Championship™ Playoffs with a commanding victory in the 450SMX Class at Playoff Round 1, held at zMAX Dragway in Concord, North Carolina. The postseason opener, originally scheduled as a two-moto event, was cut short due to lightning and diminishing daylight, with final results determined solely by the first moto.
Lawrence, the defending two-time SMX World Champion and 2025 AMA Pro Motocross Champion, led from start to finish in the 20-minute-plus-one-lap moto, demonstrating precision and strategic riding despite the challenging track conditions.
“It’s getting to the point where it’s just close to the limit… just really trying to get a flow and keep my laps as consistent as possible,”.
Lawrence said after the race
Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Chase Sexton finished second overall, earning 22 points toward the championship after starting sixth on the gate. Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing’s Eli Tomac, who recovered from a late-race crash while running second, rounded out the podium. Sexton described the race as one of the “sketchiest tracks” he’s ridden, praising Lawrence’s smart and consistent performance.
In the 250SMX Class, Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing’s Haiden Deegan seized the win and extended his championship points lead. Deegan overcame a poor start to dominate the moto, benefiting from a gift when Tomac went down and holding off fierce competition.
“If they want to send us in the mud, that’s cool… either way, we’re chillin’. I mean, we’re professional athletes and we’ll figure it out,”.
Deegan said during the weather delay
Other notable performances included Monster Energy Pro Circuit Kawasaki’s Seth Hammaker, who grabbed the holeshot but relinquished the lead with two laps remaining, and Team Honda HRC Progressive’s Jo Shimoda, who recovered from a crash to claim the final podium spot. Levi Kitchen, also from Pro Circuit Kawasaki, was docked a position due to a cross-flag penalty.
The SMX Next class, featuring up-and-coming amateur riders, will continue their postseason in St. Louis at The Dome at America’s Center on Friday, 12th September, with races resuming on Saturday as planned.
Despite the shortened event, the first playoff round delivered thrilling action, challenging track conditions, and a glimpse of the intensity expected for the remainder of the 2025 SMX World Championship season.