Deegan Conquers the Sand: Monster Energy Riders Shine at Southwick MX National
Monster Energy’s Haiden Deegan dominates the sands of Southwick with a perfect 1-1 finish, as teammates Levi Kitchen and Eli Tomac also power onto the podium.
Monster Energy/Star Racing/Yamaha’s Haiden Deegan continued his breakout season with a dominant 1-1 sweep at the Crestview Construction Southwick National, the only sand round in the AMA Pro Motocross Championship. Known for its brutal terrain, the Southwick motocross track proved no match for Deegan, who now holds four overall wins in five rounds and a commanding 58-point lead in the 250 class motocross standings.
“I really just came out and rode how I’ve been (riding). There’s nothing special about it today,” said Deegan. “I’ve been training hard, doing what I do, and I guess I was pretty good in the sand today.”
Deegan’s performance began with his first holeshot of the season in Moto 1, where he quickly pulled away from the field through the deep, unforgiving sand of what’s often called “the world’s fastest sandbox.” Behind him, Monster Energy motocross teammates Michael Mosiman and Levi Kitchen battled for position. Kitchen ultimately secured 3rd overall after overcoming mechanical issues and heat-related fatigue.
In Moto 2, Deegan once again launched out front, holding his line through a massive fishtail in the opening turn to grab another holeshot. Kitchen looked poised to challenge for the lead but was forced to ease off after suffering stomach cramps from the intense heat. He still managed a solid 4th-place finish in the moto, placing 3rd overall for the day. Mosiman followed closely in 5th, earning 4th overall.
Monster Energy’s depth in the 250 class motocross field was on full display, with Pro Circuit/Kawasaki teammates Garrett Marchbanks, Seth Hammaker, and Ty Masterpool finishing 7th, 8th, and 9th, respectively.
In 450 class motocross action, Eli Tomac continued his consistent run with a 3-3 moto performance, earning his third straight podium finish. Teammate Justin Cooper maintained his top-five streak with a 4th overall, while Jorge Prado, drawing on his MXGP sand-racing experience, delivered his best result of the season in 5th. 2025 Monster Energy AMA Supercross Champion Cooper Webb rounded out the top ten in 8th.
“It was tough out there." said Tomac. "They (Hunter & Jett Lawrence) rode really well on this track. Of course, I love this place too. I try to have as much fun as I could. But of course, Southwick is Southwick, so it’s a gnarly track to race on. I just didn’t quite have that (winning) pace today.”
For fans tracking motocross results, this round solidified Monster Energy’s dominance across both classes, with standout performances in one of the most physically demanding races on the calendar.
| Southwick MX 250 Class Results | 450 MX Class Results |
|---|---|
| 1st - Deegan (Monster/Star/Yamaha) | 3rd - Tomac (Monster/Star/Yamaha) |
| 3rd - Kitchen (Monster/PC/Kawasaki) | 4th - Cooper (Monster/Star/Yamaha_ |
| 4th - Mosiman (Monster/Star/Yamaha) | 5th - Prado (Monster/Kawasaki) |
| 7th - Marchbanks (Monster/PC/Kawasaki) | 8th - Webb (Monster/Star/Yamaha) |
| 8th - Hammaker (Monster/PC/Kawasaki) | |
| 9th - Masterpool (Monster/PC/Kawasaki) |
Overall Standings (5 of 11 rounds)
| 250 MX Class | 450 MX Class |
|---|---|
| 1st - Deegan, 244 points | 3rd - Tomac, 202 points |
| 4rd - Kitchen, 164 points | 5th - Cooper, 181 points |
| 4th - Marchbanks, 162 points | 7th - Webb, 130 points |
| 7th - Mosiman, 113 points | 9th - Prado, 115 points |
| 9th - Masterpool, 113 points | 10th - Anderson, 99 points |
Notes & Quotes
- “First holeshot of the year. And that’s not good news for anyone not named ‘Haiden.’” – NBC Sports commentator Jason Weigandt on Deegan’s opening 250 moto holeshot.
- Not only did Deegan score both moto holeshots, and lead every lap, he also dominated both qualifying sessions at the ‘Wick.
- “It’s a building year, and that’s been the plan all along.” - Mosiman
- “To be transparent, I kind of had a hard time with the heat today. And I just started chugging some fluids to get going. Then, like three laps in, I got the worst stitch in my stomach, and I was just riding all hunchback. And then I just tried to fight through it and get a podium. - Kitchen
- “Michael Mosiman. Shout out to him. Had a great ride all day long.” – NBC’s James Stewart on the Monster Energy/Star Racing/Yamaha rider.
- “I’m gonna lock in on some Fortnite this week.” – Deegan playing with NBC podium reporter Jason Thomas.
- “I’m still getting podiums, but I expect to be closer to winning.” – Tomac, currently 3rd overall in the 450 class championship points chase, on his racing through five rounds.
- “First moto I kinda flinched at the gate, kinda missed the timing there. Even the second moto start really wasn’t that great. I don’t know what happened there.” – Cooper on his Southwick starts.
Up next: “America’s Motocross Race,” the Honda RedBud National, presented by Dixxon, is set for July 5th in Buchanan, Mich. For more information on the AMA Pro Motocross Championships, link to www.promotocross.com
