Hunter Lawrence took the overall win at Texas Motor Speedway at SuperMotocross Playoff 2 of the SuperMotocross World Championship Finals.
The 450SMX Class rookie used (1-3) moto scores in the two-moto race format to earn his first overall win in 450 Class pro racing. With a double-points payout at Playoff 2, Hunter Lawrence moved into the series points lead with one round remaining and a $5.5 million dollar total prize payout on the line.
The recently-crowned AMA Pro Motocross Champion, Chase Sexton, took the runner-up spot in Texas with (4-1) moto scores and a dominating performance in Moto Two. Jett Lawrence, the 2024 Supercross champion who returned to racing with an overall win at SuperMotocross Playoff 1 just one week prior, finished third overall in Texas via (3-2) moto scores. These top three racers line up at the SuperMotocross World Championship next weekend in a winner-take-all scenario thanks to the triple-point payout. In the 250SMX Class, Haiden Deegan backed up his win at SuperMotocross Playoff 1 with another (1-1) victory to extend his points lead heading into the final postseason race of the year.
“Super awesome! I had a little super accident on the back, but that’s SuperMotocross,” Hunter Lawrence smiled. “I’m happy to be getting out of here with the red plate. It feels good to get that one. I can’t say that I’m looking forward to riding that track again, so [I’m] thankful it’s done… a massive shout out to the team and everyone who’s been a part of this. We appreciate you guys, and we couldn’t do it without you, so thank you.”
Chase Sexton was happy with the second place and admitted a change made a difference.
“[Getting a good start and getting clear of traffic was] one of the key factors,” Sexton said. “But we actually made a change before Moto 1 and I felt like I rode pretty well, [I] just was way back. So, I got a good start and was able just to ride my own laps and, yeah, felt like I did back in Pro Motocross. Good race, second overall, so we’re looking good for next weekend. [We’ll] just try and build and come out swinging in Vegas.”
Jett Lawrence expressed the challenge of setting up the motorcycles for the hybrid SuperMotocross tracks of the SMX League.
“A little bit of lack of bike fitness on that one, but the bike [settings] beat me up. Now we’re going to go back and definitely have a meeting. Still a little upset about that first one but… We’re on to the last round. When pressure gets put on, we seem to do good, so let’s run ‘em.” Jett Lawrence said.
The 250SMX Class provided great racing and high drama during both Motos. Haiden Deegan broke clear of the pack in each race, but there was great battling behind him. Tom Vialle came out on top of a tense three-racer battle for second place in the second 250SMX moto; he earned second overall with (3-2) moto finishes. Jo Shimoda followed up a second place-finish in Moto 1 with a third place in Moto 2 to grab the final spot on the podium.
“Just a lot of hard work and it pays off, and good family around you, too… The track, it was gnarly,” Deegan said. “It felt like – if anyone’s from Cali, they know Lake Elsinore at 5PM, literally it’s just baked. But overall, it was a good race, had some fun. Two perfect starts today, and that was my goal.” – Haiden Deegan, when asked what made the difference between his SMX Championship last year in which he did not win an overall victory, to winning all four 250SMX post-season motos thus far in 2024.
With three racers locked in a tight points battle, the SuperMotocross World Championship will deliver a winner-take-all race on Saturday, September 21st at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. Hunter Lawrence, Chase Sexton, and Jett Lawrence all have moto wins over the two Playoff rounds and one is set to earn the 2024 SMX title and its one million dollar-payday in Las Vegas. Haiden Deegan is in good position to take the 250SMX Class Championship, but with $500,000 on the line and a triple-points payout, anything can happen.
