Monster Energy Riders Dominate 250 WSX at San Diego Supercross

Monster Energy racers stole the show in the 250 WSX main event at San Diego’s Snapdragon Stadium on Saturday with defending WSX champ Haiden Deegan (Star Racing/Yamaha) taking top honors on an all-Monster Energy podium that included runner-up Cameron McAdoo (Pro Circuit/Kawasaki) and 3^rd place finisher Michael Mosiman (Star Racing/Yamaha).

Previous week’s (Anaheim 1) winner Max Anstie (Monster Energy/Star Racing/Yamaha) would place 4^th, which put him in 2^ndplace overall in the WSX points chase behind Deegan, 43-42, after two rounds of racing. And securing the San Diego top five 250 WSX sweep for Monster Energy was Pro Circuit/Kawasaki’s Levi Kitchen, who crashed again early in the San Diego main event (as he did at Anaheim 1), but was able to rally back nicely to place 5^th on Saturday.

Heads turned and jaws dropped on Lap 6 with highly talked about racing incident between teammates Deegan and Anstie. And while not a full blown takeout, Deegan’s block pass for the lead on Anstie did put the then 250 WSX point leader on the ground.

Said Deegan: “I wanted to show it at A1, but stuff happens. Came out swinging. Sorry to Max. I didn’t really want it to go that way. I just tried to cut down so he wouldn’t cut down on me. And we came together.”

Added the diplomatic Anstie on the situation: “Nice little move there. I didn’t expect that. Perfect takedown to be honest.”

On the 450s, in trying to anticipate the start, Monster Energy/Kawasaki’s Chase Sexton barged on the start gate – and came out of the first turn in dead last position.

“It was a good moto for me,” said Sexton. “I think I had good speed for like 15 minutes of it, then I fell off (the pace) a little bit. But I had to put in a big effort coming from last to 4^th. Starting in the back… I’d like to make it easier on myself next weekend.”

Rounding out the 450 classes top ten for Monster Energy was the Star Racing/Yamaha duo of Justin Cooper and Cooper Webb, finishing in 6^th and 8^th positions, respectively.

SAN DIEGO RESULTS

 OVERALL STANDINGS (2 of 17 Rounds)

 Notes & Quotes

• “He showed a lot of poise early in the race. He didn’t push it, wasn’t forceful, until he got here for the lead.” NBC announcer Ricky Carmichael on Deegan’s pass for the lead that, somewhat lightly, took out Anstie in the high line of a bowl turn.
• “Gonna be fun to see the fireworks next weekend.” – Added Carmichael on the Deegan/Anstie get together.
• With the win over 4^th place Anstie, Deegan now carries the red No. 1 plate, signifying the 250 WSX points leader, into Round 3 of Monster Energy AMA Supercross this weekend for Anaheim 2.
• “The guy (Kitchen) has the skill and the speed to win, but it’s just been the little things that have been biting him and keeping him from winning championships and races.” – Carmichael on another early race crash by Kitchen.
• “We’re pretty close to being in a good spot to click off some wins. And, obviously, tonight I had the bike to do it.” – Sexton
• “My gun and my badge. Which, in my line of work, is a microphone and a radio.” – NBC announcer/reporter Jason Weigandt
• Also from Weigandt’s keen eye were Pro Circuit triple clamps and linkage spotted on Sexton’s KX450, showing off the longtime synergy between the Corona, Calif.-based high performance accessory company and the Kawasaki factory race program.
• Something to keep in mind… the three race leaders – Eli Tomac, Hunter Lawrence and Ken Roczen – were well up front when Sexton, in his comeback, was going a half second faster per lap. 

Up next: It’s back up the I-5 towards Anaheim this weekend for the second installment of the Anaheim Supercross, Round 3 of 2026 Monster Energy AMA Supercross, Jan. 24.