Monster Energy’s Haiden Deegan Dominates Denver with Another 250 WSX Victory

Death. Taxes. And Monster Energy’s Haiden Deegan (Star Racing/Yamaha) dominating the 250 supercross class.

On Saturday at Denver’s Empower Field at Mile High Stadium, Deegan, who’d already clinched the 2026 Monster Energy AMA Supercross 250 Western Region (WSX) overall championship, scored his seventh victory (and arguably eighth victory) out of nine WSX races on the season in a show of complete domination in the 250 main event over 2^nd place Levi Kitchen (Monster Energy/Pro Circuit/Kawasaki) by 3.529 seconds.

The win for Deegan at the penultimate Monster Energy AMA Supercross round gave him 215 points on the season. And following a 4^th place finish at the Anaheim (Calif.) 1 opener, Deegan reeled off eight consecutive wins – though the Birmingham (Ala.) round win was taken from him when it was deemed by AMA officials that he cut a corner of the track outside the boundary markers. 

“Winning always feels good no matter what. It’s a little different to that first win of the season compared to the eighth one. But, it still hits. Especially now when there’s a nice paycheck,” said Deegan.

Coming back from injury and riding strong at Denver was Kitchen, who wrapped up 2^nd overall to Deegan in the WSX title chase. Kitchen was followed in 4^th position by Monster Energy/Star Racing/Yamaha’s Max Anstie, who solidified the all-Monster Energy 250 WSX overall podium with 148 points on the season – one better than Husqvarna’s Ryder DiFrancesco (147 points).

Also noteworthy in the Denver 250 class standings for Monster Energy was the effort by rookie racer Kayden Minear. The young Australian, racing his first ever Monster Energy AMA Supercross pro event, bounced back from two nearly catastrophic qualifying races (250 Heat 1 & LCQ) to make the main and place 5^th.

In 450 class action at Denver Monster Energy was led by Chase Sexton with a top five (5^th) finish. Joining Sexton in the top ten overall was his teammate, Garrett Marchbanks, in 7^th position.

Overall Standings (16 of 17 rounds)

Notes & Quotes

• “Rack that up for career 250 win number 14. Incredible performance. He’s up there with the greats of the sport as far as the small bikes (go).” – NBC announcer Lee Diffey as Deegan took the checkers at Denver.
• “My focus has shifted a lot just because the championship is over. I’m not really chasing that anymore… it’s just straight 450.” – Deegan on getting ready for the 450 class at the Outdoor Nationals.
• “Honestly? I gotta learn to love it. Because in the 450 class to win the championship that’s what it takes.” – Deegan on the long practice days training on the YZ450F.
• When asked why he’s still here, racing 250s after already clinching the title, Deegan replied: “I got a big ‘ole house I’m building. Need money! I gotta come collect that bonus check. That’s why I’m here.” 
• “There’s (Cameron) McAdoo, running out of real estate.” – NBC announcer Ricky Carmichael on the Monster Energy/Pro Circuit/Kawasaki rider’s crash into the Tuff Blocks on the 250 main start.
• “Incredible performance – especially after how the heat race ended and the Last Chance Qualifier. Remember he went down in that Last Chance Qualifier. So this guy’s fighting for a ride and that was a good showing for that young man.” – Carmichael on Minear.
• “On Monday I rode for the first time and it was all good. Called Mitch (Payton, Pro Circuit boss) and asked him if he wanted me to ride. He said ‘Yes,’ and I rode Tuesday and came here. Kind of expected to get a little bit gassed out there. But yeah, it was a good night I’d say.” – Kitchen
• Leaving Denver with a season low 11 points (11^th place), Monster Energy/Star Racing/Yamaha’s Cooper Webb still has a 22-point lead over Eli Tomac (KTM) for the third and final podium spot in the overall Monster Energy AMA Supercross 450 podium chase.

Up next: The 18-round 2026 Monster Energy AMA Supercross season concludes on May 9^th with the Salt Lake City Finals at Rice-Eccles Stadium.