This Week in Powersports Racing – The week of May 11, 2025

This week in US Powersports racing.

“Rainey’s Ride To The Races” To Feature Wayne Rainey On Track At Laguna Seca

In the four previous editions of “Rainey’s Ride To The Races,” MotoAmerica fans have had the opportunity to spend an unforgettable day riding motorcycles with racing legends on the Monterey Peninsula and hanging out with those same racers at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca. This year the tradition continues, but with one special addition: Wayne Rainey will take to the track on which he dominated Grand Prix racing in the late 1980s and early 1990s, with the three-time 500cc World Champion set to do a few laps over the course of the weekend on a custom-built Yamaha XSR900 GP.

And a good time was had by all. Last year’s “Rainey’s Ride To The Races” participants whoop it up pre-ride. This year’s ride on the Monterey Peninsula is scheduled for July 11, the day prior to MotoAmerica racing action at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca. Photo by Tucker Scott

MotoAmerica, North America’s premier motorcycle road racing series, is excited to announce that the fifth annual “Rainey’s Ride To The Races” will take place in conjunction with the fifth round of the MotoAmerica Superbike Championship at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca.

“Rainey’s Ride To The Races” will be held on Friday, July 11, the opening day of the fifth round of the MotoAmerica Championship, and it will again benefit the Roadracing World Action Fund, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that promotes motorcycle racing safety with the facilitation of soft barrier systems at racing events.

This year’s ride includes the following legends:

Three-time World Champion Kenny Roberts
Four-time World Champion Eddie Lawson
Three-time AMA Grand National Champion and 1988 AMA Superbike Champion Bubba Shobert
Three-time World Champion Freddie Spencer
2000 World Champion Kenny Roberts Jr.
Seven-time Supercross and Motocross National Champion Rick Johnson
Three-time AMA Superbike Champion Doug Chandler

In addition to the legends listed above, this year’s festivities include three special guests: world-renowned crew chiefs Bud Aksland, Kel Carruthers, and Erv Kanemoto.

Bud Aksland was an engine builder and a tuner, and he was the first to recognize the potential of a young racer named Kenny Roberts. Aksland would soon become Roberts’ first sponsor and would remain associated with Roberts throughout his post-racing career, helping with the development of race bikes, including Roberts’ Proton V5. Aksland was also the head engine developer for Rainey’s World Championships and served as John Kocinski’s crew chief when Kocinski won three consecutive AMA 250cc titles in 1987, 1988, and 1989.

A two-time Isle of Man TT winner and 1969 250cc World Champion, Kel Carruthers dominated AMA road racing in the early 1970s before moving to a team manager/crew chief role after retiring as a racer. After several successful seasons with Kenny Roberts in AMA road racing, the duo went to Europe in 1978, where Carruthers guided Roberts to three successive 500cc World Championships. Carruthers was also Eddie Lawson’s crew chief for three of his four 500cc World titles with Yamaha.

Erv Kanemoto was the man behind Freddie Spencer’s three World Championships, including the pairing’s historic 1985 season when Spencer rode Kanemoto-tuned Hondas to two World Championships in one season with titles in both the 500cc and 250cc classes. Kanemoto joined forces with Eddie Lawson in 1989 and earned the last of his four World Championships.

“Each year, ‘Rainey’s Ride To The Races’ brings together some of the biggest legends in our sport, and it’s always a great experience for us and our fans,” Rainey said. “This year is even more special because we’ve added guests

Bud Aksland, Kel Carruthers, and Erv Kanemoto to the list of legends. Also, I will be getting back on the track at Laguna Seca and riding a few laps at the place where I had some of my greatest races. I’ve got a lot of memories there, and I’m looking forward to making a few more.”

The 100-mile ride will begin at Baja Cantina in Carmel Valley, California, and will tour the best parts of the Monterey Peninsula, including in and around the Santa Lucia Mountains, the Salinas Valley foothills, local wineries, and the stunning Steinbeck country. The ride will conclude at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca with two laps around the racetrack, lunch, and a Q&A session with the legends at the Turn 3 Paddock Suite.

The ride will be limited to 50 participants who purchase the special $700 Premium “Rainey’s Ride To The Races” Ticket, which includes the Q&A session and lunch with the legends in the climate-controlled Turn 3 Paddock Suite on Friday. While a three-day general admission ticket is included in the donation, for an additional $700, “Rainey’s Ride To The Races” ticket purchasers can upgrade to the MotoAmerica Superfan VIP Experience in the Turn 3 Paddock Suite for the entire weekend.

As always, the ride will be chaperoned by our friends at the Californian Highway Patrol.

For more information and to purchase tickets to “Rainey’s Ride To The Races,” click HERE

Harley-Davidson and MotoGP Announce New Global Racing Series Launching in 2026

Harley-Davidson and MotoGP are launching a new global racing championship featuring Harley-Davidson bagger motorcycles, debuting in 2026. The twelve-race series will race at six Grands Prix across Europe and North America, with riders battling it out on race-prepared Harley-Davidson Road Glide motorcycles in two races per round.

The machines – engineered by Harley-Davidson Factory Racing and built for head-to-head competition – weigh approximately 280 kilograms (617 pounds) and produce over 200 horsepower and 245 Nm (180 lb-ft) of raw torque, reaching speeds over 300 kilometers per hour (186 mph). Every bike will be identical, ensuring close competition. The grid is expected to comprise six to eight teams, each fielding two riders –supported by Harley-Davidson Factory Racing.

“This is a bold new step for Harley-Davidson’s global racing ambitions. Harley-Davidson has been pioneering performance on and off the road since our beginnings over 120 years ago. Most recently, we’ve showcased performance through our racing at the MotoAmerica Mission King of the Baggers series and through performance differentiated product such as our new CVO RR motorcycle and our CVO Road Glide ST. We’ve seen how performance has resonated with riders and fans, and we know that they’re keen for more,” said Jochen Zeitz, Chairman, President and CEO, Harley-Davidson. “With this new series, we’re excited to bring a new form of racing to the world stage. Not only is this a bold and new chapter for our brand, celebrating our heritage while pushing into the future, but it will add an amazing spectacle to the greatest motorcycle show in the world.”

“This collaboration with Harley-Davidson is an exciting opportunity for both parties,” said Carmelo Ezpeleta, CEO of MotoGP rights holder Dorna Sports. “We offer a truly international platform for Harley-Davidson to expand their global reach, and Harley-Davidson is perfectly placed to join us in bringing our sport to new audiences as we team up with one of the most iconic lifestyle brands in the US. This partnership has big potential for both our strategies and will deliver a real spectacle for fans, bringing a completely new flavour to the Grand Prix weekends where the series will compete.”

More details, including the calendar and how fans will be able to watch and stay up to date, will be revealed soon. Those looking to join the growing field or explore sponsorship and media opportunities can contact factoryracing@harley-davidson.com.

Dunlop riders showcased dominance by sweeping all three championships 2025 Monster Energy AMA Supercross Championship

The 2025 Monster Energy AMA Supercross Championship season reached an exhilarating conclusion in Salt Lake City, highlighting the remarkable achievements of Dunlop’s Supercross racing program. For the sixteenth consecutive year, Dunlop riders showcased dominance by sweeping all three championships and securing top podium finishes, accumulating an impressive total of 186 SX and MX Championships—an unparalleled milestone in the industry.

The 450SX class saw a total of seven different winners, including notable competitors like Eli Tomac from Monster Energy Star Yamaha, Ken Roczen from Progressive Insurance ECSTAR Suzuki, and Aaron Plessinger from Red Bull KTM Factory Racing. Heading into the championship decider, Cooper Webb needed to secure at least a fifth-place finish to claim the title. At the season finale held in Salt Lake City, although Sexton achieved the lead and ultimately secured victory, Webb demonstrated strategic riding by finishing fourth, thus clinching his third Monster Energy AMA 450 Supercross Championship.

This season, Dunlop reaffirmed its commitment to excellence in racing by not only retaining but also expanding its roster of supported riders. In the premier 450SX class, Dunlop athletes secured positions within the top twelve, reinforcing the brand’s unwavering reputation for performance under pressure.

The 250SX East and West championships presented a dynamic landscape, with eleven different riders claiming main event victories, underscoring the fierce competition of the 250 class. The championship in the 250 West Coast division was clinched in Denver, where Haiden Deegan of Monster Energy Star Yamaha, achieved victory and solidifying his championship win at the penultimate round.

The 250 East division finale culminated in an intense showdown requiring Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Tom Vialle to finish ahead of Monster Energy Pro Circuit Kawasaki’s Seth Hammaker to stave off any points gain from Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing’s RJ Hampshire. In Salt Lake City, Deegan won the race amidst a series of intense battles. Vialle initially held the lead among the championship contenders but subsequently fell back, allowing Hampshire and Hammaker to surpass him. In a daring maneuver, Hampshire attempted a bold pass on Hammaker, resulting in both riders going down. This incident provided Vialle with the opportunity to regain his position and ultimately secure enough points to clinch his second consecutive championship.

“Achieving championships for consecutive years is an exceptional milestone that reflects the dedication of our team, the quality of our products, and our commitment to the sport,” stated Chad Geer, Director of Motorcycle Product, Marketing, and Motorsports at Dunlop. “One of the key reasons Dunlop stands as the #1 selling motorcycle tire brand in North America is our unparalleled championship record, which no other tire manufacturer can rival. This season, one of the highlights for me has been the plethora of high-quality programs we support. This truly showcases the outstanding work of our team and the performance enhancements provided by our world-class products. I would like to express our heartfelt gratitude to all the teams and riders we collaborate with; it is an honor to work alongside the best in the world in the development of our products. We appreciate your support and efforts and look forward to the upcoming MX and SMX Championships, as well as the 2026 SX season.”

“This season presented us with a diverse range of challenges. At times, it felt as though a dark rain cloud was looming over the series; however, Dunlop has once again demonstrated that we have the tires capable of securing victories in any environment,” stated Broc Glover, Sr. Manager of Off-Road Motorcycles for Dunlop. “Not only have Dunlop riders achieved their sixteenth consecutive year of winning all three titles in the Monster Energy AMA Supercross Championship, but they also secured podium sweeps at all seventeen rounds! These outstanding results reflect the strength of our brand, the quality of our products, and the dedication of the hardworking Dunlop team who represent and support us consistently. We deeply appreciate the teams and riders who have chosen to race on Dunlop tires.”

TOM VIALLE AND RED BULL KTM FACTORY RACING DEFEND 250 EAST SUPERCROSS CHAMPIONSHIP

Red Bull KTM Factory Racing rider Tom Vialle has successfully defended his 250SX East title in the 2025 AMA Supercross Championship following tonight’s title-deciding final round of the season, on a night where Chase Sexton also raced to his seventh 450SX victory of the year at Salt Lake City’s Rice-Eccles Stadium.
At 24 years of age, Vialle adds a second AMA Supercross title to his resume onboard the KTM 250 SX-F FACTORY EDITION, in addition to the pair of MX2 World Championships that he earned in 2020 and 2022. After an incredibly hard-fought season this year, Vialle demonstrated a never-give-up spirit, with his fighting mentality ultimately sealing the title.

Originally from Avignon, France, Vialle relocated to the U.S. ahead of the 2023 season, where he made a highly-anticipated American Supercross debut and gained experience in the stadium-based discipline, before charging to a maiden 250SX East Championship in 2024.

Since then, Vialle has pieced together convincing indoor and outdoor campaigns as part of the wider SuperMotocross World Championship (SMX), becoming a title contender in each series. This year’s 250SX East division championship didn’t come easily, however, as the defending champion began the opening two rounds at Tampa and Detroit outside of the podium positions.

Second-place results at the following two rounds in Daytona and Indianapolis, followed by third in Birmingham, initially earned Vialle the red plate, before the torrential rain in Foxborough resulted in a troubled 22nd-place result. P6 in Philadelphia and third on the podium at East Rutherford were then followed by a pivotal victory in Pittsburgh, putting him back in the title hunt upon regaining the points lead, with a dramatic P3 at Utah’s 250SX Showdown sealing the championship.

Vialle and the Red Bull KTM Factory Racing Team will now focus on the upcoming AMA Pro Motocross Championship, which commences at Fox Raceway in Pala, California, on Saturday, May 24th.

Tom Vialle: “I can’t believe this, to be honest! I got a good start behind Haiden [Deegan], and I was feeling good, then I started to make a couple of mistakes, and both Seth [Hammaker] and RJ [Hampshire] got me, so then I was about five seconds back. I saw them both down in the corner, and I couldn’t believe it – I thought, ‘This is crazy!’ There were still about four laps to go, and I just did it from there to clinch the title. The speed was really high this year from everyone and I lost a lot of points in the mud at Foxborough, but overall I just tried to stay steady, and that’s what paid off in the end. I came to the United States to win Supercross titles, so to have two now is insane! Two championships are hard to win, so this feels really good to achieve this with the whole Red Bull KTM Factory Racing Team.”

Also riding the KTM 250 SX-F FACTORY EDITION, 250SX West contender Julien Beaumer continued the solid momentum gained last weekend in Denver by charging to the top spot in the overall combined qualifying times, before racing to what was a well-deserved western division Heat Race win.

Upon battling at the front of the field throughout the Showdown Main Event, Beaumer would finish with a P2 score and also elevated himself to second position in the western division’s final standings. One win and a further four podiums mark a successful sophomore season for the number 23, who will look to take that form into Pro Motocross later this month.

Julien Beaumer: “I’m really happy with how my riding was in these last two rounds, it really came back around, and my biggest takeaway from this championship is just consistency. I had that mid-season slump and a couple of tough races, so for me, it’s about being consistent. Tonight I was racing hard for position there in the Main Event, and we’re happy to come away with second place.”

In 450SX, Chase Sexton powered to the fastest qualifying time equipped with the KTM 450 SX-F FACTORY EDITION in Salt Lake City, beginning his title quest in the best possible fashion on the dry, slick Rice-Eccles Stadium track surface.

An important Heat Race victory set up the number 4 strongly for the Main Event, in which Sexton made fast, decisive moves to hit the front of the pack, clearing out to a 10-second margin of victory and claiming his seventh 450SX win of the series. As a result, he was credited second position in the standings after what was an inspired season-long fight until the very end across a 17-round duration.

Sexton opened the 2025 AMA Supercross Championship by claiming his first Anaheim 1 victory, quickly followed by winning the Glendale Triple Crown. In finishing on the podium a total of 12 times and collecting an additional five wins, the 2023 450SX Champion pieced together one of his most impressive seasons to date – just two points shy of the crown in the end.

Chase Sexton: “Today, I think I did everything that I could’ve done. Obviously, we came up short on the championship, which is a bummer and it’s a tough pill to swallow, but Cooper [Webb] had a great season. We were able to achieve seven race wins this year, and throughout the season I became a much more complete rider, having learned from some of my mistakes, so I’ll take that and head into the outdoors. I am proud of what we were able to achieve together with the team and am happy to beat my personal season win record with seven this year.”

Teammate Aaron Plessinger – who this week was announced to have re-signed with Red Bull KTM Factory Racing for 2026 – picked up a popular victory in the second 450SX Heat Race of the night onboard his KTM 450 SX-F FACTORY EDITION, earning ‘The Cowboy’ an ideal gate selection for the final Main Event of the year.

Another holeshot followed by a conservative ride saw Plessinger race to a sixth-place result, completing the championship in sixth overall, and delivering five podium finishes alongside a second-career victory in the Foxborough mud.

Aaron Plessinger: “Salt Lake City was a pretty good race. I struggled to find a setting that worked for me in qualifying, but by the time we got to the Heat Race, it was working awesome! I got a holeshot there and won the thing, which was good. Holeshotted again in the Main, but I saw that I was around both Coop and Chase, and panicked a bit – I doubled the whole way down a rhythm lane and lost a lot of positions, then struggled to recover from there. That was my night in Salt Lake, but it’s time to regroup and head outdoors. We’ll be going for it!”

Next Race: May 24 – Pala, California

Results 450SX Class – Salt Lake City

Chase Sexton (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing)
Malcolm Stewart (Husqvarna)
Justin Cooper (Yamaha)
Aaron Plessinger (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing)
Justin Hill (KTM)

Standings 450SX Class 2025 after 17 of 17 rounds

Cooper Webb, 365 points
Chase Sexton, 363
Justin Cooper, 281
Malcolm Stewart, 277
Aaron Plessinger, 255
Justin Hill, 194
Justin Barcia, 185

Results 250SX Showdown – Salt Lake City

Haiden Deegan (Yamaha)
Julien Beaumer (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing)
Tom Vialle (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing)

Standings 250SX East Class 2025 after 10 of 10 rounds

Tom Vialle, 180 points
Seth Hammaker, 177
RJ Hampshire, 173

Standings 250SX West Class 2025 after 10 of 10 rounds

Haiden Deegan, 221 points
Julien Beaumer, 189
Cole Davies, 171

P2 RESULT AT RIVER MONSTER HARD ENDURO KEEPS TRYSTAN HART IN THE HUNT

Defending AMA U.S. Hard Enduro Champion Trystan Hart claimed second position on the podium in Round 6 of the 2025 season at the River Monster event in West Virginia, on a weekend where FMF KTM Factory Racing teammate Dante Oliveira took victory at Round 5 of the 2025 AMA National Hare and Hound Series in Nevada, and Grant Davis collected the Pro 2 Class win at the sixth round of the U.S. Sprint Enduro Series.

U.S. HARD ENDURO SERIES – ROUND 6

Four-time U.S. Hard Enduro Champion Hart continued his championship bid at Round 6 in West Virginia, posting a consistent second-place finish on what was a challenging course complete with technical single trail and lengthy climbs.

Hart was in the thick of the action during Sunday’s race, powering his KTM 300 XC-W into P3 on the opening lap. A battle would then unfold between the top three for the remainder of the encounter, as they swapped positions throughout the race until the checkered flag.

With a second-place finish the end result, Hart remains in firm contention for the Pro Class title just five points shy of the lead as the series heads to the notoriously tough Keystone Challenge between May 24-26.

Trystan Hart: “Overall, it was a good race here in Virginia, although I just never really found my groove on what was a challenging layout. The other boys were riding really well, and I think second place was the best result I had in me today. Big thanks to the team, we’ll come back stronger for the next one!”

Pro Class Results
1. Ryder LeBlond, Husqvarna
2. Trystan Hart, FMF KTM Factory Racing
3. Will Riordan, Sherco

AMA NATIONAL HARE & HOUND SERIES – ROUND 5

Dante Oliveira recorded his second-successive victory in AMA National Hare and Hound competition, heading the field to claim victory and climb into the Pro Class points lead following five rounds.

Equipped with the KTM 450 XC-F, Oliveira stormed to the holeshot in Winnemucca, Nevada, and capitalized on track position in line with his pre-race strategy to avoid the dusty conditions from behind. His perfect podium record and back-to-back wins now have him six points ahead in the title race.

Dante Oliveira: “Today’s race was gnarly! I really focused on getting the holeshot to stay out of the dust and that’s what I did. From there I rode smooth and consistent, so we’re really stoked to take home the win this weekend.”

Pro Class Results
1. Dante Oliveira, FMF KTM Factory Racing
2. Daemon Woolslayer, Husqvarna
3. Zane Roberts, Beta

U.S. SPRINT ENDURO SERIES – ROUND 6

A Pro 2 Class victory and overall podium in Round 6 of the 2025 U.S. Sprint Enduro Series at the King of the Mountain event highlighted another competitive outing for FMF KTM Factory Racing Team Landers’ Grant Davis.

Davis topped each day of the Pro 2 Class action in West Virginia, continuing his dominant form in the category while also posting an impressive 3-3 scorecard in the Overall classification onboard his KTM 250 XC-F.

Grant Davis: “I started off making way too many mistakes, and then got it together and made up a lot of time and ended with the Pro 2 Class win across both days, so ultimately it was a successful weekend of racing.”

Pro 2 Class Results
1. Grant Davis, FMF KTM Factory Racing Team Landers
2. Toby Cleveland, Husqvarna
3. Cooper Jones, KTM

Ryder LeBlond races to River Monster Hard Enduro victory

Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing’s Ryder LeBlond claimed a hard-fought victory in Round 6 of the 2025 U.S. Hard Enduro Series at the River Monster Hard Enduro event in Glen Lyn, West Virginia, this weekend, as teammates Korie Steede and Craig DeLong raced to podium finishes in the U.S. Sprint Enduro Series at King of the Mountain.

U.S. Hard Enduro Series – Round 6

Equipped with the Husqvarna TE 300, LeBlond was up front throughout the entirety of Sunday’s race, successfully navigating what was a technical circuit featuring flowing rivers and challenging hill climbs.

Engaged in a fierce battle with Trystan Hart for the duration of the encounter, it was LeBlond who would claim the win – his second of the 2025 season – and sole possession of the championship lead as the series heads to the Keystone Challenge later this month.

“It was pretty sick to get a win today!” reflected LeBlond. “Between me, Trystan, and Will [Riordan], we were close on pace today, then on a couple of the more challenging sections, I was able to make a couple of passes. Got the job done and I’m stoked to pick up my second win of the season. There was a lot of pressure from behind, but overall we withstood it and got the win. Thanks to my team, let’s keep the ball rolling.”

Pro Class Results

1. Ryder LeBlond (Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing)

2. Trystan Hart (KTM)

3. Will Riordan (Sherco)

U.S. Sprint Enduro Series – Round 6

Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing’s Craig DeLong posted a consistent scorecard at Round 6 of the U.S Sprint Enduro Series in West Virginia, placing third overall in the Pro Class at the King of the Mountain event, while teammate Korie Steede powered her way to victory in the Pro Women’s category.

Equipped with her Husqvarna FX 250, Steede continued her convincing form in the Pro Women’s Class, with the King of the Mountain result seeing her extend her lead atop the championship points table as a single round remains in the series.

“It was a super-gnarly weekend here, we were absolutely sending it!” recalled Steede. “I took a few spills, but also put down some heaters when I needed to, and I am super stoked on how the weekend unfolded and am ready for the final round.”

Across the two days of competition, DeLong would record 3-3 finishes in the Pro Class, netting him third overall for the round onboard his Husqvarna FX 350. As a result, he currently sits fourth in the standings, with one round remaining in Bristol, West Virginia, next month.

“It was a decent weekend for me in West Virginia,” commented DeLong. “I was steady through all the tests and finished in third place in my class, which puts us in a good position to podium the series with one round left to run.”

Pro Class Results

1. Cody Barnes (Honda)

2. Liam Draper (Yamaha)

3. Craig DeLong (Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing)

Pro Women’s Class Results

1. Korie Steede (Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing)

2. Tayla Jones (Honda)

3. Danielle McDonald (Yamaha)

P2 podium celebrations for Malcolm Stewart at Salt Lake City Supercross finale

Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing and Malcolm Stewart celebrated a well-earned second-place result at the final round of the 2025 AMA Supercross Championship in Salt Lake City tonight, with a consistently strong series resulting in him claiming P4 in the final 450SX standings. RJ Hampshire, who entered the round in title contention, placed third in the 250SX East series.

Stewart rode his Husqvarna FC 450 Factory Edition to the fifth-fastest 450SX qualifying time inside Rice-Eccles Stadium, before putting up an immense challenge for the Heat Race victory, coming up just shy of the checkered flag in second position.

Come the Main Event, Stewart would methodically climb his way into P2 on what was a dry, difficult racetrack, fending off challenges from behind to successfully capture a podium score to conclude the 2025 season.

Stewart pieced together an outstanding performance across the 17-round Supercross schedule, which included a breakout first-career premier class victory in Tampa, alongside a further two podium results in Birmingham and Utah.

After challenging for a podium in the championship toward the latter stages of the series, Mookie would conclude his season in a confidence-inspiring fourth place overall.

“Tonight was awesome,” commented Stewart. “These last few weeks at altitude have been solid for us, and when I got into second position tonight for a split second I couldn’t hear my motorcycle – these fans were so loud! It was a great race for me, we did everything that we could, and I’m just stoked to end this championship with a second-place finish. We made a lot of progress this year, because last year we were coming back from injury and I was just overthinking things. Tampa really turned things around for me with having the confidence of being able to run at the front, so all-in-all, I’m really happy and excited to go racing outdoors.”

For Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing teammate Hampshire, last year’s 250SX West Class Champion entered Salt Lake City with a chance at claiming the Eastern Division title, and began the day by posting the fifth-quickest qualifying time overall.

A fall while running P2 in his Heat Race sent Hampshire to the LCQ, where he would take the win and seal a place in the Main Event. After a hard charge from just outside the top 10, the number 24 would make his way up into title contention onboard his Husqvarna FC 250 Factory Edition.

An untimely late crash while challenging for position with five minutes remaining on the clock unfortunately put an end to RJ’s title hopes at that point, remounting to finish in sixth, which placed him third overall in the final point-standings.

“Today was a very eventful day,” reflected Hampshire. “I felt good on the bike, then the Heat Race didn’t go so well after having a big one that sent me to my first LCQ in a couple of years. That’s always stressful, so then the outside gate pick for the Main gave me an average start, but I put my head down and charged. I had a chance for the championship at the end there and I went for it, which didn’t go in my favor and it’s unfortunate to take us both down. Overall, I did everything I could, I tried, and we’ll leave here and move on – I’m looking forward to this next chapter of my career.”

Deegan Wins 250 East/West Showdown in Salt Lake City

Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing’s Haiden Deegan finished the season in style, scoring a dominant victory in the East/West Showdown at the Monster Energy AMA Supercross season finale at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City, Utah. Michael Mosiman made an impressive charge back to finish fifth, with Nate Thrasher coming back from a tip-over to cross the line 13th. Despite feeling less than 100% after a couple of crashes in qualifying, Christian Craig soldiered on to finish 11th. It was a stellar season for both 250 and 450 teams, that in addition to Deegan’s 250SX West Championship and Cooper Webb’s 450SX Championship, Yamaha Motor Corporation, U.S.A., earned the Monster Energy AMA Supercross Manufacturer’s Cup.

On the heels of securing the 250SX West Championship a weekend early, Deegan hit the ground running in Salt Lake City, topping the first session of qualifying and ultimately finishing second in the combined times. In the 250SX West Heat Race, he grabbed the holeshot and led the first half of the race, but would finish in the runner-up spot after getting passed on Lap 5. In the main event, Deegan grabbed another holeshot and set the pace up front to build a comfortable gap. The newly crowned champ rode his YZ250F to a dominant victory, crossing the line with a healthy 9.255-second lead. It was a stellar season that saw the 19-year-old earn four wins and make an impressive nine trips to the podium over the 10-round season.

Mosiman qualified 11th and was sixth after the start of the 250SX West Heat Race. The Californian kept pushing and made his way to fourth, where he would finish. In the main event, he did not get off the gate as he had hoped and found himself 11th after the opening lap. Undeterred, he put his head down and advanced to eighth by Lap 4, and then steadily made his way to sixth. In the final laps, he continued to battle for position and crossed the line fifth, ending the season seventh in the Western Regional 250 class points standings.

It was a tough start to the day for Thrasher. With a less-than-ideal gate pick after qualifying 15th, he found himself seventh on the opening lap of the 250SX East Heat Race. The Tennessee rider continued to push, making his way to fifth on Lap 3 and then to fourth in the final laps. He had a good start to the main event in fifth, which he maintained for the first five laps. As the race wore on, he was shuffled back to 10th, and then would have a tip-over after the finish line and rejoined in 14th. Thrasher went back to work and was able to make his way to 13th in the final laps, salvaging points to finish the year fourth in the 250SX East Championship. Although it was a rollercoaster season for Thrasher, he brought his career 250SX win tally to six after winning the Birmingham Supercross and made two trips to the podium.

Craig had a good start to the day at Rice-Eccles Stadium and was third in practice. Unfortunately, the Californian had a couple of crashes in 450SX qualifying and was 10th in the combined times. He had a good start to his heat race in fourth, where he rode for the first six laps, but he ultimately dropped back to sixth. Feeling less than 100% after his crashes in qualifying, Craig did what he could. In 12th after the opening lap of the 450SX Main Event, he kept pushing and advanced to 11th a couple of laps into the race, and maintained the position to the checkered flag.

Davies showed strength from the start, topping the timesheets in 250 practice and was second in the first 250SX West qualifying session. Unfortunately, the young New Zealander was sidelined from the final round after an on-track incident with another rider during that first qualifying session. He sustained a broken arm and broken nose from the crash, and underwent a successful surgery on Sunday to repair his arm. An update on his return will follow at a later date. Despite missing the final round, Davies finished third in the 250SX West Championship. It was a standout debut season, where he scored two wins and a total of four podiums, for which he was bestowed the Monster Energy AMA Supercross Rookie of the Year Award for his outstanding achievements.

The Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing team gets a weekend off before the 2025 Pro Motocross season kicks off on May 24 at Fox Raceway in Pala, California.

Jensen Hendler – Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing 250 Team Manager
“What a way to end the season. Haiden had an awesome race in the East/West Shootout, grabbed the holeshot and led the whole thing. It feels great to finish the season with a win, and we’re looking to carry the momentum into the outdoor season. We’re bummed that Cole got hurt, but what a season for him as well with a couple of wins as a rookie. It’s a well-deserved Rookie of the Year award for him, and we’re excited to see what he can do in the future. It was an up-and-down year for Nate, and unfortunately he finished 13th tonight, but it was great to see him get a win this year. Mosiman had a great ride coming back to fifth, and Christian did what he could after his qualifying crashes and was just shy of a top 10. We’re looking forward to the weekend off, and then it’s on to the outdoors.”

Haiden Deegan – Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing #38 YZ250F
“Tonight was solid. I rode well in the main, and that’s where it counted. I just wanted to put in a dominant last race, and we got that done. I think we won by 10 seconds, so that was pretty cool. There was a lot of chaos behind us, but we got the holeshot and were able to take off. I’m happy with the day and the season. We got the West Championship and finished with a win tonight. I’m looking forward to the outdoors.”

Michael Mosiman – Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing #93 YZ250F
“I was really proud of how I fought in the main event in Salt Lake. I was in 11th place on the first lap and made some great passes to finish in fifth. It was awesome to carry the momentum from Denver and to continue building confidence leading into the outdoors. I’m super thankful for the team’s support throughout the year and for working with me as I progress.”

Nate Thrasher – Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing #41 YZ250F
“It was a very up-and-down season for me. I just have to be better, plain and simple. I’m ready to go have some fun outdoors.”

Christian Craig – Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing #28 YZ450F
“I felt really good starting the day off in Salt Lake, but unfortunately had two big crashes in qualifying and was pretty banged up for the night show. I did what I could and was really close to a top 10.”

Webb Crowned 2025 450SX Champion in Salt Lake City

Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing’s Cooper Webb sealed the deal on a hard-fought 450SX Championship with a fourth-place finish at the Monster Energy AMA Supercross season finale at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City, Utah. His teammate Justin Cooper concluded the season with a third-consecutive podium finish, earning the bronze medal in the premier class championship standings. Adding to the accolades, Yamaha Motor Corporation, U.S.A., won the 2025 Monster Energy AMA Supercross Manufacturers Cup.

Anticipation was high for the final race of the season that would crown a champion, with Webb coming in with a nine-point advantage. He qualified third and then grabbed the holeshot in his heat race, leading the first three laps and ultimately crossing the line second. In the main event, he got another great start and quickly moved into the lead, which he maintained for the first four laps. Webb continued to run a strong pace in the runner-up spot, but as the clock wound down, more riders joined the fight, and the red plate holder dropped back to fourth, which would secure the title. From there, Webb rode a smart race to finish in that position and claim his third 450SX Championship. It was a hard-fought title campaign that saw the North Carolina rider earn five wins and a total of 13 podiums.

Cooper also had a strong start to the day, qualifying second and finishing third in his heat race. In the main event, he got a good start in fifth and made his way to fourth on the second lap and continued to push to claim third on Lap 7. In the latter half of the race, it turned into a multi-rider fight for the podium, with Cooper shuffled back to fourth but then passing his teammate a lap later to reclaim third. He rode on to earn his third-consecutive podium finish to complete a strong sophomore season, which in addition to multiple holeshots and a pair of heat race wins, the New York rider earned four podium finishes and ended the year third in the championship.

Although unfortunately sidelined for most of the season with a broken Fibula sustained during qualifying at the Tampa Supercross, Eli Tomac showed strength at the start of the 2025 season, coming out on top in an intense battle in San Diego to score his 53rd career win. Tomac will return to action for the outdoor season and aims to add another Pro Motocross title to his resume.

The Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing team gets a weekend off before the 2025 Pro Motocross season kicks off on May 24 at Fox Raceway in Pala, California.

Rich Simmons – Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing 450 Team Manager
“I want to start off with a big congratulations to Webb on his third title! It was great for the team to have Coop clinch the championship, and Justin finish third in the points. The work our crew and riders put in for this type of success is hard to put into words, so I’m very happy for all of them to be rewarded for their efforts. What a great Supercross season for all three riders, overall. I want to thank them for that, and not forget Eli’s performance early in the season. We’re looking forward to having him back. We will enjoy the weekend off and then move our focus to motocross.”

Cooper Webb – Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing #2
“Man, what a night! To win this championship means the world to me. There were a lot of hard-fought days to get to where we are at right now, and being a three-time champion is rare territory. I’ve got to give it up to the team, my family, and everyone in my corner. I really appreciate it.”

Justin Cooper – Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing #32
“It was good to end the season third in points. That was the goal with what we were given. The last three races we podiumed, so that was pretty cool. It was just fun to be in the fight with the guys. I had a great end to the season, and now we look forward to the outdoor season and to bringing this momentum there.”

SUZUKI RIDERS CAP SEASON STRONG AT SALT LAKE CITY SUPERCROSS

Temperatures were high inside Rice-Eccles Stadium for the final round of the 2025 Monster Energy AMA Supercross season. The hottest race of the year, combined with Utah winds, made for dry conditions on a busy and technical track with obstacles that were especially peaky and steep.

Race Highlights:
Ken Roczen (94) had third-place overall in the championship nearly secured when an ankle injury forced him to miss the final two rounds. Without earning points while away, Roczen was displaced two spots in the standings at the final round. Roczen and his Suzuki RM-Z 450 still landed in fifth-place overall in the final championship points.

Colt Nichols (45) was fast from the first laps on the Salt Lake City track. As riders searched for traction on the baked dirt, Nichols delivered his season-best qualifying result. In the main, Nichols recovered from the first lap chaos to mount an impressive charge through the pack. Nichols had great speed but ran out of time in the main to match his season-best top ten finish from earlier in the season.

“It was a big season for me, I’ve never finished a full 450 season before, so that was a big goal I had coming into the year. To even be in Salt Lake, I’m stoked,” said Nichols. “I wish I could have finished a little better, but I got some more exposure for the team and myself and overall, I’m super stoked on the team. I’m really happy with everything here. It’s been a fun season, frustrating at times, but I’m stoked to be racing my dirt bike and doing it with these guys. This support team I’ve got around me is pretty damn cool. Yeah, we’ll saddle up and do it again next year!”

Kyle Chisholm (11), popular with fans and his competitors alike, gave a salute to the sport when he was invited to participate in the opening ceremonies inside Rice-Eccles Stadium. It was his final event as a full-time racer, but when the helmet went on Chisholm got right down to business. Chisholm earned his way into the main with a direct transfer from his heat race; this was Chisholm’s 184th main event start, putting him into a tie for seventh on the all-time list. When the checkered flag flew in Utah, Chisholm had nearly matched his season-best main event result.

“It was a fun, technical, and really busy track, but I had fun on it. It was definitely my style of track,” reported Chisholm. “I felt good in practice, qualified out of the heat, and in the main event I ended up 14th. Not my best, but I was happy with my riding… 17 races, there’s a lot of racing, week in and week out, so staying healthy is an important thing. And that’s a tough thing for us to do in our sport. So you try to be smart all season and pick and choose the risks that you take. [Good decisions with] risk versus reward help you stay healthy. I’m proud of that, proud of staying healthy. I ended on a pretty good note, and I had fun out there. It was a great season, and it flew by. The team’s done a great job all year and, as always, we’ve worked well together for the last three years. I’ve really just enjoyed coming to work and working with everybody… I’m going to miss it, but I’m not leaving forever, right? I plan on still doing the playoffs, maybe a couple outdoors before then, maybe World Supercross and yeah, [this is] just my last time doing the full Supercross season… I hope you guys haven’t seen the last of me, that’s not the plan anyways, and I hope to be racing again here soon.”

“2025 Supercross is done. It was a great season for us,” said Larry Brooks, Twisted Tea/H.E.P. Motorsports/Suzuki presented by Progressive Insurance Team Manager. “We had a lot of good results, we won a race, and we were on the podium the majority of the time. We lost Ken Roczen to an injury and that was kind of hard to take. But Colt and Kyle kept grinding it out trying to get results. I think Colt improved a little bit; Kyle improved also. It’s just really hard when you know that you can race for the championship and then it gets snatched away from you. But you know, we’re just gonna use it for fuel for next year, for 2026, and come out swinging even harder. We still have playoffs this year when Ken comes back, possibly for some nationals [too], and then the playoffs. I think Ken is still in a good spot in life and in racing; I think he can race for the championship, and we’re just going to keep plugging away. The motorcycle is really good, and we’ll see what happens. But this year’s over and we’re just going to plug away and try to do as good as we can for the playoffs and then [put] everything into 2026.”

The Suzuki riders and team members can look back on a successful season of excellent performances and strides in both rider performance and bike settings. The crew is more prepared than ever for the remainder of 2025 and re-tackling next season’s Supercross season.

Wilson Seventh at Salt Lake City Supercross Finale

he 2025 AMA Supercross season concluded in Salt Lake City, with the final East/West Showdown in the 250SX class, and one final gate drop for Honda HRC Progressive’s Dean Wilson aboard the factory CRF450RWE. Riders faced a dry, technical track in front of a packed stadium as they closed out the final round of the series.

In the 250SX main event, Honda HRC Progressive teammates Jo Shimoda and Chance Hymas both experienced tough starts that left them mid-pack early on. Shimoda rode smoothly and consistently throughout the race to finish eighth. Meanwhile, Hymas climbed to 12^th before a mistake sent him back to 15th. He regrouped and climbed back to 11^th, which is where he finished the race. Pheonix Racing Honda’s Cullin Park and Gavin Towers finished 15^th and 19^th, respectively.

In the 450SX main event, Quad Lock Honda Racing’s Joey Savatgy led the Red Rider effort with a fifth-place finish. Honda HRC Progressive’s Dean Wilson capped off his fill-in run with a strong seventh-place result—matching the goal he set for himself at the start of his five-race stint. Quad Lock Honda Racing’s Shane McElrath crossed the line in ninth, followed by Phoenix Racing Honda’s Dylan Ferrandis in 10^th. Valley Motorsports’ Jeremy Hand rounded out the Honda-mounted group in 15^th.

NOTES

Honda HRC Progressive’s Jo Shimoda, Chance Hymas, and Dean Wilson all participated in Friday’s Media Day activities at Salt Lake City, including scheduled media interviews and on-track riding sessions ahead of race day.
For his final round with Honda HRC Progressive, Wilson took part in opening ceremonies dressed as his popular YouTube alter ego, Grandpa Earl.
Young Powersports, a chain of Utah dealerships, supported the Salt Lake City round by setting up a pop-up activation booth in the Honda HRC Progressive pits, where they displayed a CRF110F and interacted with fans and customers. South Jordan, Utah, dealership Honda World also took part in the weekend’s activations, showcasing a CRF50F with training wheels and a Honda Talon side-by-side in the pits and engaging with attendees.
In 250SX East/West combined qualifying, Shimoda led the Red Riders with the sixth-fastest time, followed by teammate Hymas in 14^th. Phoenix Racing Honda riders Cullin Park and Gavin Towers posted the 17^th– and 23^rd-best times, respectively. Storm Lake Honda Buddy Brooks Racing’s Henry Miller and Izaih Clark qualified 24^th and 35^th, while TiLube Honda riders Ryder Floyd and Trevor Colip rounded out the Honda group in 37^th and 39^th. All advanced directly to the night’s heat races.
In 450SX combined qualifying, Quad Lock Honda Racing’s Shane McElrath and Phoenix Racing Honda’s Dylan Ferrandis posted the fifth- and sixth-fastest times, respectively. Wilson clocked in ninth, with Quad Lock Honda Racing’s Joey Savatgy 11^th. Valley Motorsports’ Jeremy Hand was 15^th, followed by Next Level Redline Oil Hammer Nutrition teammates Hunter Schlosser and Justin Rodbell in 25^th and 26^th, respectively. RSR/Fusion Motorsports’ Zack Williams secured the final Red Rider qualifying spot in 33^rd.
In 250SX heat racing, Hymas finished third in the East heat, with Park close behind in sixth. In the West heat, Shimoda was caught up in a second-turn crash but charged back to secure the final transfer spot in ninth. In the LCQ, Towers claimed his spot via a fourth-place finish.
In 450SX heat racing, Ferrandis finished fourth in heat 1. In heat 2, Wilson rode to a strong third-place result, followed by McElrath in fourth, Savatgy in fifth and Hand in seventh.
The Salt Lake City event served as the 17^th and final round of the 2025 AMA Supercross season. Honda HRC Progressive congratulates the championship-winning race teams and looks forward to facing them soon in the AMA Pro Motocross series, which kicks off in Pala, California, May 24 following a welcome weekend off. In the meantime, the squad’s race transporters will return to the American Honda campus in Torrance, California.

Cooper Webb Takes Supercross Championship, Chase Sexton Wins Salt Lake City Final – Tom Vialle Nabs Eastern Divisional Title, Haiden Deegan Dominates 250SX Showdown

Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Chase Sexton grabbed his seventh win of the season with a statement ride inside Rice-Eccles Stadium at the final round of the 2025 Monster Energy AMA Supercross Championship. Sexton elected to pull clear of the pack and dominate the race rather than employ tactics in an attempt to impact the points. Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing’s Cooper Webb took over the lead on the opening lap but eventually fell back to fourth place in a points preservation ride. Webb’s finish earned him enough points to win the 2025 Monster Energy AMA Supercross Championship and enter the short list of just seven riders who have three or more premier class Supercross titles.

Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing’s Malcolm Stewart got the crowd on its feet with a charge from a seventh-place start; Stewart reached the top three positions at the midpoint then broke through to second place in just a few laps. Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing’s Justin Cooper ran up front throughout the race and wrapped his Supercross season with his third-straight podium finish.

In the Dave Coombs Sr. 250SX East/West Showdown, Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing’s Haiden Deegan grabbed the holeshot and was never challenged for the lead; this backs up his win the week before when he wrapped up the Western Divisional 250SX Class Championship. Behind Deegan, the three-rider fight for the Eastern Divisional 250SX Class Championship was settled with a wildly dramatic battle that saw Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Tom Vialle finish in third place to earn a consecutive Eastern Divisional 250SX Class title.

First place 450SX Class

“A little bit too late, obviously. Cooper had an awesome season. You can’t take anything away from him. He’s such a good competitor. I knew tonight was going to be a long shot. Nine points [to make up], especially going up against a guy like him, it’s nearly impossible. I did the best I could, rode really well at the end of the season; obviously missed that one race win that I needed. But you know what, we rode really well, and can’t thank my team enough [and] the fans. And we’ll be back for outdoors and SMX. We’ve got two more championships to go after, so [we’ll] just try and build for next year, try and start off like this, and we’ll be in a good spot.” – Chase Sexton, when asked about his impressive speed in the final rounds of the season.

Second place 450SX Class

“It was awesome. Of course, huge shout out to Cooper Webb. Winning the championship three times, that’s awesome. That a big accomplishment. And for me, Salt Lake City, I don’t know why, the fans just hype me up. I knew I had to give it everything I had. I wanted to get back up on the box. Last weekend stung a little bit, so I’m like, ‘You know what, I’m giving it everything I’ve got. This is the last race, round 17, so we’re going to give it everything we’ve got.’ And huge shout out the Rockstar Husqvarna group, my mom and dad, and I know my brother’s watching in the [broadcast] booth… It’s been one heck of a season and I’m so proud and thankful that I’ve been able to get up here another time, and like I said, [the] fans are awesome… [when asked what he said to Cooper Webb after the race] We keep that confidential. We don’t forget where we came from and at the end of the day he’s done a phenomenal job, so I’m going to keep it there.” – Malcolm Stewart

Third place 450SX Class

“Yeah, of course they’ve got the championship battle going on and me and Malcolm are having our own little points battle [for third overall in the championship]. So, a lot going on out there. It’s been a great end to the season. Three podiums in a row, so it’s definitely special for me. I don’t take those for granted, and huge congrats to my teammate on the championship. It’s been an awesome two years with [Webb], learning the ropes from him and getting my 450 career started. I look up to him as a role model and he’s an awesome teammate, so it’s always fun to – this year was cool, I actually battled with him some, and not just be a distant guy in the pack. So, learning it, and it’s fun to battle with these guys up front. It’s tough, everyone’s riding really well. Malcolm was definitely finding his stride out there; he was riding awesome tonight, [I had] not much for him… Third in the championship is really special for me, and we’ll take it into outdoors now.” – Justin Cooper, when asked about the past two races competing while his teammate battled for a title.

Fourth place 450SX Class

“[This third championship] means everything. You don’t know how many nights I’ve woken up just wanting to get this again. And I never thought I’d be here again, so never give up on yourself. Never cut yourself short. I’m not maybe the best, but man, when you put your mind to something [then] you get it done. I’ve got to give it up to the Good Lord, my wife, my family. Man, they push me to be the best every day. And Yamaha for giving me another opportunity; I knew I wasn’t done after those two [championships]. It feels freakin’ awesome, man. I just couldn’t do it without everyone involved, the whole Star team… I wasn’t supposed to line up this January [due to injury] and I did and here we are. It means the world. This may never happen again so I’m going to enjoy the [heck] out of it. Thank you to all these fans, great team, teammates, everyone. It’s just a relief. Never give up on yourself, kids!” – Cooper Webb (with members of the Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing team)

The Dave Coombs Sr. 250SX East/West Showdown became an instant classic for the battle over the Eastern Divisional 250SX Class title which had three riders separated by only three points. When the gate dropped Haiden Deegan rocketed into the lead and ran away with it. Tom Vialle sat in second with the other Eastern Divisional contenders, Monster Energy Pro Circuit Kawasaki’s Seth Hammaker, in fourth, and Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing’s RJ Hampshire, in 14th. Along with Western Divisional rider Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Julien Beaumer, the four riders threw down for an epic battle that saw several position changes, aggressive passes, and a take-out move that put both Hampshire and Hammaker on the ground. That crash allowed Vialle to slip past and pull the championship back when it had appeared lost. Hammaker made a charge but could not regain the time lost to Vialle. At the checkered flag Deegan cruised to his fourth win, Beaumer took second, and Vialle took third place and secured the 250SX Eastern Divisional Championship.

First place 250SX Class

“That was wild. I just heard bikes revving behind me, [I was] like, ‘Oh my God, they’re going at it!” I’d seen Seth for a second and then he was gone, and I was like, ‘Oh, no, they got into it.’ But congrats to Tom on the Championship, that’s super cool. And dude, the crowd was going wild. That was dope. Thank you to everyone, thank you to my fans for supporting me and my whole Monster Energy Star Racing Yamaha team, love you guys.” – Haiden Deegan

Second place 250SX Class

“It was pretty wild having the three East title contenders going at it right next to me. I don’t know what to say, that was a wild one to be in the middle of, but I’m happy with my riding. My riding all day today was good, and we’re slowly getting better. I’m happy with where we’re at and I’m ready to put this fight into outdoors.” – Julien Beaumer

Third place 250SX Class

“I had a great start. My first five or six laps were actually really good. I was feeling good, and I was like, ‘Okay, this is mine.’ And [then] I started to make a few mistakes and Seth and RJ got me. They got a little gap, and my only chance was that… if something happened [to Hammaker and Hampshire], and that’s what happened tonight. I feel like that was all year, the whole Championship has been up and down, and I could capitalize tonight, and I’m really pumped.” – Tom Vialle (with members of the Red Bull KTM Factory Racing team)

Fourth place 250SX Class

“It was a great season. Came up a little short, that one’s a bummer when you get that close. That was a crazy race. Got off to a decent start and just chaos from there. Got around Tom, [I] had a little more pace than him at the beginning. And then Juju [Beaumer], [I] got round him but then he kind of ran it in on me and, you know, teammate thing. Just wasn’t really expecting it, shouldn’t have left the door open, I guess. Then RJ was coming in hot in that corner before the finish line, just took us both down. And yeah, [I] just tried to fight all the way to the end to get Tom. We got close, but second place is going to do this season. Huge shout out to everybody, my whole team. I really wanted to get this one done for them but, you know, I’ll be back… Gonna work hard for outdoors, keep this season of building going, and congrats to Tom.” – Seth Hammaker

In attendance was the Olympic gold medalist in the 2022 Beijing Olympics’ Women’s 500M speed skating, Erin Jackson. “I was here last year and had a blast and had to come back.” Then she told of her track-walk experience, which has recently become available to the public through Supercross’ VIP Experiences, “That was awesome. I got my white shoes a little bit dirty, but other than that it was super cool. The jumps are just so much bigger than they seem from up here [in the stands]. It was really cool to get to walk up and down all the different features out there. I had a great time.”

With another thrilling season of the 17-round Monster Energy AMA Supercross Championship completed, the racers now face the 11-round AMA Pro Motocross season this summer. In September, points from both the Supercross and motocross championships will be combined to seed the top 20 racers from each class into the SMX World Championship. All points will be reset to zero, then each rider will be awarded single-event points for their seeded position before entering the SMX World Championship. Riders who fall outside of the top 20 spots, but within the top 30, will have a chance to compete in the SMX Rounds via a Last Chance Qualifier at each event. To earn the title of SMX World Champion, riders will earn points through two Playoff Rounds and one SMX World Championship. Points at each Round increase; Playoff 1 (Concord, N.C. on September 6th) awards points equal a Supercross Main Event finish, Playoff 2 (St. Louis, Mo. on September 13th) doubles the points payout, and points will be triple those of a standard event at the finale in Las Vegas on September 20th.

Peacock will stream every moto of the AMA Pro Motocross season as well as each SMX World Championship event live and on-demand. Select motocross races will also be available on NBC and USA Network. Every SMX World Championship event will be available live on Peacock as well as on Telemundo Deportes’ Facebook and YouTube channels in both English and Spanish broadcasts. International live coverage can be found outside of the US through the SuperMotocross Video Pass (supermotocross.tv) with live coverage of each round in English, Spanish and French. Live audio coverage can be heard for each race on NBC Sports Audio on SiriusXM Channel 85. Select SMX World Championship rounds will also be available on NBC and USA Network.

Tickets are already on sale now for the AMA Pro Motocross season as well as all three SMX World Championship events. For tickets, event information, race results, and more please go to supermotocross.com.

Budding Rivals Cooper Webb and Chase Sexton Lead Replenished Field of Talent into Pro Motocross Championship

The 2025 SuperMorocross (SMX) World Championship regular season has reached its pivotal halfway point, as a highly competitive and incredibly challenging Monster Energy AMA Supercross Championship thrilled crowd-filled stadiums across the country for 17 rounds of action. In the end, Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing’s Cooper Webb emerged from a captivating battle with Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Chase Sexton for Webb’s third career 450SX Class title, placing him amongst Supercross’ all-time greats. In the 250 Class, a pair of familiar foes prevailed with the regional crowns, as Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing’s Haiden Deegan captured an elusive first championship in the discipline with the West Region title, while Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Tom Vialle successfully defended his East Region Championship after a wild and unpredictable title fight. Each of these racers will now position themselves at the top of an elite group of contenders for the impending 54th season of the Pro Motocross Championship, sanctioned by AMA Pro Racing, where 11 rounds and a combined 44 motos will put the 450 Class and 250 Class fields to the ultimate test at the sport’s most storied venues, waking the sleeping giants of American motocross from their winter hibernation. The prizes that await at season’s end are the most prestigious trophies in the sport, the coveted Edison Dye Cup (450 Class) and Gary Jones Cup (250 Class).

“Once again, the hype of Monster Energy Supercross lived up to its billing with another incredible season of competition that saw new rivalries emerge and a level of unpredictability that can only be seen inside America’s most well-known stadiums. With a combined total of 19 different race winners, from seven different manufacturers, there is a reason why hundreds of thousands of fans come through the turnstiles each year and millions around the world are watching from home. Supercross has never been better,” said Davey Coombs, President, MX Sports Pro Racing. “We want to congratulate our partners at Feld Motor Sports for another memorable campaign that charted new territory for the sport. We’re ready to carry the torch into the summer, where the momentum of a thrilling winter and spring in the stadiums will head outside the vast landscapes of the Pro Motocross Championship’s 11 legendary venues and the toughest test in motorsports.”

Headlining the anticipation of the Pro Motocross Championship season is a replenished lineup of 450 Class talent and the anticipated return of a bevy of title contenders. An unusually high rate of attrition during the Supercross season saw many of the sport’s biggest names bow out due to injury, but each are rested, recovered, and ready to make a run for the Edison Dye Cup. Leading this group is a pair of former champions in Team Honda HRC Progressive’s Jett Lawrence, who will return from a torn ACL, and Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing’s Eli Tomac, who has recovered from a broken fibula. Also included is last year’s 450 Class runner-up Hunter Lawrence, with the Team Honda HRC Progressive rider fully healed from cracks in his humerus and surgery on a partially torn labrum. Another rider back from surgery is Monster Energy Kawasaki rider and back-to-back MXGP World Champion Jorge Prado, who saw his rookie Supercross season cut short just three races in and is the latest international superstar to bring his talents to U.S. soil. Rounding out the group of comeback contenders is fellow Monster Energy Kawasaki rider Jason Anderson, who sat out the final seven Supercross races, and Rockstar Energy GASGAS Factory Racing’s Justin Barcia, who chose to sit out the final three Supercross rounds to heal up from a knee injury.

The 250 Class will also welcome back a crop of top talent to the field. Perhaps most notably is the Monster Energy Pro Circuit Kawasaki duo of Levi Kitchen and Ty Masterpool, who each captured victories last summer and will be ready to return from a prolonged recovery from their respective injuries. Joining them is the Rockstar Energy GASGAS Factory Racing pairing of Ryder DiFrancesco and Casey Cochran, along with Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing’s Max Anstie and Triumph Factory Racing’s Stilez Robertson.

“The most unfortunate aspect of our sport is injury and sometimes the attrition rate is higher than expected,” added Coombs. “While it was certainly heartbreaking for the likes of the Lawrence brothers, Eli Tomac, and Jorge Prado to miss out on their title aspirations in Supercross, we’re excited to know they’re all fully healthy and ready to once again line up on the starting gate. It’ll be to the direct benefit of the parity of the action on the racetrack and, most importantly, to the benefit of the thousands of fans who will line the fence lines during the Pro Motocross Championship. The impending return of all the sidelined athletes will make for an awesome reset and has built anticipation for the opening round higher than we’ve seen in some time.”

While the aforementioned names will certainly be focal points as the summer gets underway, another standout group of racers are coming off stellar Supercross campaigns that should see them contend from the opening gate drop of the Pro Motocross Championship. Both Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Aaron Plessinger and Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing’s Malcolm Stewart earned wins this past winter, while Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing Yamaha’s Justin Cooper closed out the season with a string of consistency that saw him finish third in the final 450SX Class standings. The class will also welcome its newest addition in Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing’s RJ Hampshire, who will make his anticipated move up after a successful career in the smaller displacement.

In the 250 Class, breakout seasons by Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Julien Beaumer and Monster Energy Pro Circuit Kawasaki’s Seth Hammaker should see them become regular fixtures at the front of the field, while winning racers like Team Honda HRC Progressive’s Chance Hymas and Jo Shimoda will look for a return to top form. A surge of veteran experience will also heighten the level of competition in the division with the likes of Monster Energy Pro Circuit Kawasaki’s Garrett Marchbanks, Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing’s Michael Mosiman, Triumph Factory Racing’s Jordon Smith, and Muc-Off/FXR/ClubMX Yamaha’s Max Vohland. The late addition of Danish racer Mikkel Haarup to the Triumph Factory Racing stable will also bring another established international talent stateside.

“On paper, the amount of talent set to line up across both the 450 Class and 250 Class would suggest we’re in store for one of the most competitive seasons in the 53-year history of this prestigious championship,” concluded Coombs. “However, we all know nothing is for certain until the first gate drops at Fox Raceway over Memorial Day weekend. Who will emerge triumphant and make the first big statement of the summer? It’s anyone’s guess and that’s what makes the transition from Supercross to Pro Motocross such an exciting time. The second half of the SMX regular season is going to be incredible.”

The 2025 Pro Motocross Championship, sanctioned by AMA Pro Racing, will continue the SMX World Championship regular season with 11 rounds of captivating summer competition from the most famous racetracks in America, with many boasting legacies that span upwards of five decades. The season will get underway over the Memorial Day holiday weekend, on Saturday, May 24, from Southern California’s Fox Raceway, and will traverse the country, across every time zone, before concluding in the shadow of Washington D.C. from Southern Maryland’s Budds Creek Motocross Park on August 23.

Tickets are now available for all 11 rounds and can be purchased by visiting www.ProMotocross.com.

For information about the Pro Motocross Championship sanctioned by AMA Pro Racing please visit ProMotocross.com and be sure to follow all of the Pro Motocross social media channels for exclusive content and additional information on the latest news:

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