Team Honda HRC Progressive’s Jett Lawrence kicked off the postseason with a victory at Playoff 1 of the 2025 SMX World Championship™. The two-moto format of the postseason was interrupted by lightening near the zMAX Dragway at Charlotte Motor Speedway. Both classes scored their overall results based solely on their first moto finishes due to the second motos being called because of continued lightening in the area and diminishing daylight. Jett Lawrence, the defending two-time SMX World Champion and recently-crowned 2025 AMA Pro Motocross Champion, led from start to finish in the single 20-mintue plus one lap 450SMX Class moto.
The SMX Next class, comprised of up-and-coming amateur athletes, completed their qualifying earlier in the day and were ready to compete in their one-moto format. Due to the event being called early, the young racers will now line up according to their Concord qualifying results – on Friday, September 12th in St. Louis at The Dome at America’s Center. The class will then compete on Saturday in St. Louis as planned for the SMX Next World Championship race.
zMAX Dragway at Charlotte Motor Speedway kicked off the postseason racing for the third time since the SMX World Championship was launched in 2023.
Earning second place overall at Charlotte was Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Chase Sexton; he gained 22 points toward the ultimate championship title after coming in seeded in sixth position. Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing’s Eli Tomac recovered from a late-race crash while running in second position to nab the final spot on the podium. In the 250SMX Class, Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing’s Haiden Deegan benefitted from his strong drive to win; he pushed for the moto victory, not then knowing it would pay full event points after the second motos being called.
First place 450SMX Class
“It’s getting to the point where it’s just close to the limit, because right now you can’t really push the track at all. It can catch you really quickly if you compress the suspension too hard, and [if you] clip those ruts, especially. So, you’re just trying to play it smart and run the risk versus reward [balance]. So [I was] just really trying to get a flow and keep my laps as consistent as possible.” – Jett Lawrence, following Moto 1.
Second place 450SMX Class
“It’s funny, I thought I had the Holeshot, and I just blew the first turn. Jett got underneath me, and I was probably 4th or 5th behind Ken [Roczen] and just had to work my way up. Eli went down, which gave me a gift, but I felt pretty good actually. I felt like I was gelling with the track. I’m not gonna lie, it’s probably one of the sketchiest tracks I’ve ever ridden, just with the kickers and all these weird things, and the dirt is so soft. So, I was trying to not be conservative, but try and be safe as well. Jett rode awesome. I reeled him in a little bit, but he’s pretty smart, and we were gauging each other. So, good moto, and [I’ll] try and get another good start, try and hold it this time, and see what we can do.” – Chase Sexton, after the moto, when riders expected a second moto later in the day.
Third place 450SMX Class
“I’m not sure if it was [too much] acceleration or if it was the front end that tucked there; either way I was maybe a little impatient. I moved out [to a different line] after that, I should have been using the cushion. Try to live and learn. Overall, felt really good… The back motocross section is something like I’ve never seen. It’s fun, it’s technical, but at the same time it is gnarly.” – Eli Tomac, asked about what caused his tip-over in the race.
In 250SMX Class racing, two-time SMX World Champion in the class Haiden Deegan recovered from a poor start to start the post-season with a dominating win. Monster Energy Pro Circuit Kawasaki’s Seth Hammaker nabbed the holeshot and pulled a huge gap on the field. Hammaker gave up the top spot with two laps remaining but held off Monster Energy Pro Circuit Kawasaki’s Levi Kitchen at the end. Due to a cross-flag penalty, Kitchen was docked one position and was awarded fourth place in the moto. Team Honda HRC Progressive’s Jo Shimoda, who crashed early during a pass attempt for the lead, recovered brilliantly from outside the top ten to take the final podium spot.
First place 250SMX Class
“If they want to send us in the mud, that’s cool. Either way, we’re chillin’. I’m a racer, we’ll figure it out. I mean, I’ve heard a lot of people complaining about the track today, which I think is BS because we’re professional athletes and I think you got to figure it out. So, no problem with the track and if we gotta race, we gotta race, and if we don’t then I’ll take the dub. I’m not gonna say it was an easy dub, because it was a hard race.” – Haiden Deegan, interviewed during the weather delay.
Photocredits – Align Media
