Motor

Haiden Deegan Stays Perfect in SMX Playoffs

Published On: 9/16/2024

Monster Energy's Motocross Racers capture 7 of top ten 250-class spots in Round 2 of 2024 SuperMotocross Playoffs in Texas.

Monster Energy’s Haiden Deegan (Star Racing/Yamaha) did it again, sweeping both 250 class motos at Round 2 of the 2024 SuperMotocross Playoffs (SMX), fueled by Monster Energy, at Texas Motor Speedway and takes a sizable 19-point lead over KTM’s veteran Tom Vialle into this Saturday’s (Sept. 21) SMX World Championship in Las Vegas.

“I think today was the most consistent day, shoot, all season,” said Deegan. “One-one in qualifying and two perfect starts – that was my goal.”

Deegan showed up for the opening moto with a Dunlop Geomax MX14 rear tire and pulled the Moto 1 holeshot over Monster Energy’s Ty Masterpool (Pro Circuit/Kawasaki) and Jo Shimoda (Honda). And while Shimoda briefly grabbed the lead back from Deegan early on in the opening lap, Deegan countered – then ran the table on the next 18 laps to win by 4.523 seconds over Shimoda.

The 250 Moto 2 was much of the same as Deegan, who went back to his normal Dunlop knobby, powered to a holeshot from a tight inside line, then rode away with his fourth-straight victory by 4.226 seconds over Vialle. Joining Deegan on the overall 250 podium at Texas was Shimoda (2-3 for 3rd), his second-straight SMX podium finish while recovering from a broken collarbone suffered racing the MX Nationals.

Said Shimoda: “I feel like the decision I make during the day is in the right direction I would say. Being a little more consistent. Overall I need a little more pace, which is what I’m struggling with right now.”

All totaled with 250 racing at Texas, Monster Energy racers took, along with Deegan’s win and Shimoda’s 3rd, seven of the top ten spots. Those racers included: 4th – Levi Kitchen (Pro Circuit/Kawasaki). 6th – Jordon Smith (Star Racing/Yamaha), 8th – Cameron McAdoo (Pro Circuit/Kawasaki), 9th – Nick Romano (Star Racing/Yamaha) and 10th – Max Anstie (Star Racing/Yamaha).

On the 450s Monster Energy/Star Racing/Yamaha teammates Eli Tomac and Cooper Webb would both make the top five in Texas with Tomac racing to 4th and Webb 5th. Monster Energy’s Jason Anderson (Kawasaki) and Dylan Ferrandis (Phoenix/Honda) would round out the top ten in 8th and 9th places, respectively.

Notes & Quotes

“He (Deegan) led ever lap for the rest of the day and was not to be denied.” – NBC announcer James Stewart on Deegan’s dominant performance in Texas.
“And if you didn’t like what you saw in the first moto, you’re definitely not going to like what you saw in the second moto with Haiden Deegan.” – NBC announcer Ricky Carmichael on Deegan’s second holeshot and wire-to-wire victory.
“Sometimes you’re just born with it.” – Stewart paraphrasing what Deegan said following his SMX win last weekend in North Carolina.
On the rugged end of things Saturday was Monster Energy/Star Racing/Yamaha’s Nate Thrasher who crashed out of the 250 Moto 1 for the second straight week.
Masterpool would crash a few laps later in the same spot as Thrasher, but was fortunate to get back up and kept going.
Added Deegan: “A track like this, if you push the limits, you’re going to hit the ground pretty quick.”
Tomac would open well in the first 450 moto, placing 2nd, but followed that up with a 5th in the second moto to keep him off the podium (following a 2nd place finish at the N.C. opening SMX Playoffs round).
“Execute my stars again and see how it can play out.” – Deegan on his plan for the Vegas Final this Saturday. Deegan needs to finish 3rd or better to clinch his second-straight SMX championship.