Supercross Round #4 Recap | Houston | Jan 31, 2026
Cooper Webb Claims First Win of 2026 After Wild Triple Crown as Haiden Deegan Sweeps 250SMX
The 2026 Monster Energy SMX World Championship left California for the first time this season as Round 4 of the Monster Energy AMA Supercross Championship landed inside the domed NRG Stadium in Houston, Texas. The opening Triple Crown event of the year delivered chaos, strategy, and resilience—culminating in a breakthrough victory for defending 450SMX Champion Cooper Webb and a flawless performance from Haiden Deegan in the Western Divisional 250SMX Class.
Triple Crown of the Monster Energy AMA Supercoss Championship.
Webb Rewards Consistency in Unpredictable Triple Crown
The Triple Crown format once again proved unforgiving, with three different winners across the trio of 450SMX sprint races. Despite that unpredictability, it was Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing’s Cooper Webb who emerged on top overall, using consistency and late-race execution to secure his first victory of the season and the 31st win of his career.
Race 1 belonged to Progressive Insurance Cycle Gear Suzuki’s Ken Roczen, who grabbed the holeshot and never looked back, taking a controlled wire-to-wire win over Chase Sexton and Eli Tomac. Webb opened the night with a solid fourth-place finish, while Hunter Lawrence’s podium hopes were derailed by a late mistake that dropped him to seventh.
450SMX Class victory but now has three straight runner-up finishes.
Race 2 shifted the momentum. Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Jorge Prado jumped out front with the holeshot and led most of the race before Lawrence made a decisive late pass to take the win. Webb charged through the field to finish second, keeping himself firmly in contention. Meanwhile, championship leader Tomac suffered a costly crash while running sixth and salvaged a 13th-place result.
With points tight heading into Race 3, the final sprint delivered maximum drama. Tomac claimed the holeshot and rebounded from earlier adversity to take the race win, but the real battle unfolded behind him. Webb overcame an early off-track moment, fought through traffic, and made a crucial late pass for third—just enough to clinch the overall victory.
Hunter Lawrence, Cooper Webb, and Ken Roczen
Webb’s 4-2-3 finishes earned him nine total points, sealing his sixth career Triple Crown win. Hunter Lawrence narrowly missed his first career victory with 7-1-2 finishes, while Roczen completed the overall podium with 1-5-4 results. Tomac’s Race 3 win limited the damage, but he finished fourth overall and saw his championship lead trimmed to just four points.
Cooper Webb:
“It’s been a really tough month mentally, physically, emotionally. To come in here and make this happen means so much. It’s a breath of fresh air and a boost of confidence.”
Deegan Perfect in Houston Triple Crown
While the 450SMX Class delivered unpredictability, the Western Divisional 250SMX Class was a masterclass from Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing’s Haiden Deegan. The defending champion swept all three races to earn his third consecutive victory and further solidify his grip on the championship.
Deegan controlled Race 1 from the holeshot, cruising to a comfortable win over Levi Kitchen and Cameron McAdoo. Race 2 required more patience, as Deegan methodically worked past McAdoo and Kitchen to secure his second victory of the night.
Race 3 brought Deegan his toughest challenge. After battling Kitchen early, Deegan fought through traffic, passed teammate Max Anstie for second, and eventually took the lead from holeshot winner Max Vohland. Once out front, Deegan sealed the sweep, crossing the line 1.3 seconds ahead of Anstie.
Kitchen delivered a breakthrough performance with his first podium of the season, finishing second overall, while McAdoo rounded out the podium for the second time in three races. Deegan now holds a commanding championship lead, 19 points ahead of Anstie.
Levi Kitchen, Haiden Deegan, and Cameron McAdoo
Haiden Deegan:
“Aggressive is pretty much my middle name. I’m just trying to get into the lead and win races.”
SMX Next Shines Under the Houston Lights
The night also featured another exciting SMX Next – Supercross showcase. Texas native Caden Dudney thrilled the home crowd, charging to his first SMX Next victory after a determined ride. Dudney edged out fellow Texan Deacon Denno in a memorable 1–2 finish, while Landen Gordon completed the podium.
SMX Next – Supercross victory in front of a hometown crowd.
Deacon Denno, Caden Dudney and Landen Gordon
Championship Picture Tightens
Houston delivered one of the most entertaining rounds of the young season. Webb’s return to the top has reignited the 450SMX title fight, while Deegan’s dominance continues to set the benchmark in the 250SMX West. As the championship heads deeper into its stadium run, momentum is shifting—and the pressure is rising.
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