MX/SX Racer Wins his 2nd Overall 250 SMX World Championship

Monster Energy’s sophomore MX/SX ace Haiden Deegan (Star Racing/Yamaha) has successfully defended his 250 class SuperMotocross World Championship, fueled by Monster Energy, placing 2nd (1-2) in the SMX Playoff #3 at “The Strip” at Las Vegas Motor Speedway on Saturday – and winning the overall ahead of veteran racer Tom Vialle (KTM), 166-132.

Deegan was absolutely the hottest thing on two wheels all summer long, winning the MX Nationals’ 250 crown, and carrying that momentum into September on the three round SMX tour, winning the first two rounds (N.C. & Texas) before Saturday’s title-clinching 2nd place finish.

“It’s definitely super cool. I’m only 18, and being a three-time champ at 18 is a pretty gnarly goal knocked off the list,” said Deegan. “I definitely thought I’d be in this position… as fast as I am right now. I have a good team around me. Family. And a lot of hard work. We’re movin’.”

Only needing to finish 3rd to clinch the title, Deegan pulled the holeshot in the opening 250 main even moto and pulled away – with Pierce Brown (Gas Gas) in pursuit – to win the moto. In the second 250 main event Deegan got pinched on the start by Vialle, but played it cool – racing back to a 2nd place finish to easily secure the overall ’24 SMX World Championship.

Joining Deegan on the Vegas 250 SMX podium was his Monster Energy/Star Racing/Yamaha teammate, Jordon Smith, who went 5-3 for 3rd place.

In 450 class racing Monster Energy’s Eli Tomac (Star Racing/Yamaha) would rally back in the SMX Playoffs from missing much of the outdoor MX season (thumb injury) to place 3rd, going 2-3. More importantly, Tomac’s podium effort at Vegas would solidify an overall podium finish (3rd) in the 450 SMX World Championship with 129 points. Monster Energy’s Cooper Webb (Star Racing/Yamaha) would place 5th in the overall 450 standings, with teammate Justin Cooper in 8th and Monster Energy/Kawasaki’s Jason Anderson in 9th.

Notes & Quotes

• With the overall 250 SMX World Championship victory, Deegan pocket cool $1 million bucks ($500K for his 2023 title + $500K for the ’24 crown).
• Smith’s 3rd place run in the 250 Vegas SMX was his best finish of the SMX Playoffs.
•  Near the 250 podium was Monster Energy’s Jo Shimoda, who placed 4th (4-5). Shimoda would place 4th in the overall 250 SMX points chase, just one point back of Brown (131-130).
• In 250 qualifying at Vegas, Deegan remained perfect on the season, going six-for-six in winning both qualifiers ahead of all three main events.
• Monster Energy’s Cole Davis (Star Racing/Yamaha), Drew Adams (Kawasaki) and Caden Dudney (Kawasaki) went 1-2-3 in 250 World All-Stars qualifying at Vegas. Davies then went out and won the World All-Stars main event, successfully defending his 2023 crown.
• Monster Energy’s Webb (Star Racing/Yamaha) announced just before the Vegas SMX round that he’ll contest the Oct. 4-6 Motocross Des Nations for Team USA at Matterly Basin, UK. Webb will ride a 250 and contest the MX2 class.
• Webb replaced Monster Energy’s Chance Hymas (Honda) on Team USA. And Hymas, who’s having knee surgery this week, replaced Deegan on Team USA as Deegan is having wrist surgery this off-season.

SMX Las Vegas Results (3 of 3 rounds)

250 class                                                                                                       450 class                               

2nd - Deegan                                                                                                3rd - Tomac

3rd - Smith                                                                                                     5th - Webb

4th - Shimoda                                                                                                6th - Cooper

Monster Energy Overall Combined 2024 SMX Points

250 class                                                                                                      450 class                               

1st - Deegan, 166 points                                                                              3rd - Tomac, 129 points

4th - Shimoda, 130 points                                                                            5th - Webb, 109 points

5th - Smith, 124 points                                                                                 8th - Cooper, 81 points

6th - Kitchen, 120 points                                                                             10th -  Anderson, 75 points