Hunter Lawrence Wins SuperMotocross World Championship Finals Playoff 2 and Takes Factors Lead
Haiden Deegan Victorious in Texas in 250SMX Class
Fort Price, Texas., (September 14, 2024) Staff Honda HRC Progressive’s Hunter Lawrence took the general win at Texas Motor Speedway at SuperMotocross Playoff 2 of the SuperMotocross World Championship Finals, fueled by Monster Vitality. The 450SMX Class rookie used (1-3) moto scores within the two-moto race format to earn his first general win in 450 Class professional racing. With a double-points payout at Playoff 2, Hunter Lawrence moved into the collection factors lead with one spherical remaining and a $5.5 million greenback whole prize payout on the road.
The recently-crowned AMA Professional Motocross Champion, Crimson Bull KTM Manufacturing facility Racing’s Chase Sexton, took the runner-up spot in Texas with (4-1) moto scores and a dominating efficiency in Moto Two. Staff Honda HRC Progressive’s Jett Lawrence, the 2024 Supercross champion who returned to racing with an general win at SuperMotocross Playoff 1 only one week prior, completed third general in Texas by way of (3-2) moto scores. These prime three racers line up on the SuperMotocross World Championship subsequent weekend in a winner-take-all situation due to the triple-point payout. Within the 250SMX Class, Monster Vitality Yamaha Star Racing’s Haiden Deegan backed up his win at SuperMotocross Playoff 1 with one other (1-1) victory to increase his factors lead heading into the ultimate postseason race of the yr.
“Tremendous superior! I had just a little tremendous accident on the again [of the track], however that’s SuperMotocross. [smiles]. I’m blissful to be getting out of right here with the purple plate. It feels good to get that one. I can’t say that I’m trying ahead to driving that observe once more, so [I’m] grateful it’s completed… a large shout out to the staff and everybody that’s been part of this. We recognize you guys, and we couldn’t do it with out you, so thanks.” – Hunter Lawrence, describing a second on the ultimate lap of Moto 2 the place he ran briefly off the observe and onto the speedway infield’s grass.
“[Getting a good start and getting clear of traffic was] one of many key components. However we really made a change earlier than Moto 1 and I felt like I rode fairly effectively, [I] simply was method again. So, I bought a very good begin and was in a position simply to journey my very own laps and, yeah, felt like I did again in Professional Motocross. Good race, second general, so we’re trying good for subsequent weekend. [We’ll] simply try to construct and are available out swinging in Vegas.” – Chase Sexton
“Just a little little bit of lack of motorcycle health on that one, however the bike [settings] beat me up. Now we’re going to return and undoubtedly have a gathering. Nonetheless just a little upset about that first one however… We’re on to the final spherical. When stress will get placed on, we appear to do good, so let’s run ‘em.” – Jett Lawrence, expressing the problem of establishing the bikes for the hybrid SuperMotocross tracks of the SMX League.
The 250SMX Class offered nice racing and excessive drama throughout each Motos. Haiden Deegan broke away from the pack in every race, however there was nice battling behind him. Crimson Bull KTM Manufacturing facility Racing’s Tom Vialle got here out on prime of a tense three-racer battle for second place within the second 250SMX moto; he earned second general with (3-2) moto finishes. Staff Honda HRC Progressive ‘s Jo Shimoda adopted up a second place-finish in Moto 1 with a 3rd place in Moto 2 to seize the ultimate spot on the rostrum.
“Simply numerous arduous work and it pays off, and good household round you, too… The observe, it was gnarly. It felt like – if anybody’s from Cali, they know Lake Elsinore at 5PM, actually it’s simply baked. However general, it was a very good race, had some enjoyable. Two good begins as we speak, and that was my purpose.” – Haiden Deegan, when requested what made the distinction between his SMX Championship final yr by which he didn’t win an general victory, to profitable all 4 250SMX post-season motos to date in 2024.
“No. I’ve by no means seen a observe like as we speak. It was actually dry… The primary moto was really just a little bit sketchy. The second moto it was just a little bit higher. The observe… It was type of a combination, after all like an SMX observe, like supercross and outside [motocross}. I think it was a little bit more outdoor today…” – Tom Vialle, in the post-race press conference when asked if the SMX tracks remind him of some of the man-made tracks on the international motocross circuit.
“Less training, obviously. I want to recover a little bit because I only had a short time [back on the bike after a collarbone injury in August]. So final week I put in a very good quantity of driving and coaching, however I simply want to return to the truck now and, you understand, keep cool.” – Jo Shimoda, after his second-place end in Moto 1, when requested what he realized between Playoff 1 and Playoff 2.
