This week in US Powersports racing.
Gaige Herrera Dominates en route to GETTRX Pro Stock Motorcycle All-Star Callout Win
Two-time Pro Stock Motorcycle world champion Gaige Herrera put together a dominant Saturday at Sonoma Raceway, rolling to the victory over teammate Richard Gadson in the final round of the GETTRX Pro Stock Motorcycle All-Star Callout.
The single-day bonus race took place on Saturday after two time trial runs on Friday and Herrera was on another level over three rounds on his RevZilla/Motul/Vance & Hines Suzuki, going 6.689-seconds at 202.15 mph.
Herrera won the $25,000 prize handed to the Callout winner and he was nearly untouchable in the three rounds of eliminations, making a trio of runs in the 6.60s to win the GETTRX All-Star Callout for the second time in his career. The first came in 2023 during the inaugural Callout race for Pro Stock Motorcycle.
“It felt like I was back in 2023, you know,” Herrera said. “We burned the clutch up on the first run, but after that, it was like 2023 where we had the fastest bike in the field. Previously, I had not had good luck at this racetrack, so this is a big win.
“We came here with a brand new motor, broke it in, and everything just clicked. I came to the track this morning, and I said, ‘I’m going to [JH1] win today’. That’s just the mentality you come here with and it worked out in my favor. I haven’t had that feeling in a long time and to come out here and get the win, that’s what means the most to all of us.”
In the opening round, Herrera, who had the first pick of opponents, got past Steve Johnson with an incredible run of 6.665 at 202.76. That set up a semifinal matchup with Maryland winner Angie Smith, but Herrera was again impressive, going 6.687 at 202.45 to advance to the final round.
Gadson left first with a strong .028 reaction time, but Herrera quickly tracked him down and rode off with another dominant performance en route to the victory.
“We were really quick, so I felt like I was the only one that could screw it up, but that didn’t happen. I gave away the last two finals to Richard, so I wasn’t about to give him a third,” Herrera said.
Gadson took down Chase Van Sant and Jianna Evaristo to reach the Callout final round for a second straight year.
The Pro Stock Motorcycle category returns to action at the world’s biggest drag race, the Cornwell Quality Tools NHRA U.S. Nationals, which takes place Sept. 2-7 at Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park.
GETTRX NHRA PRO STOCK MOTORCYCLE ALL-STAR CALLOUT :
ROUND ONE — Angie Smith, Buell, 6.691, 203.22 def. John Hall, 6.770, 199.43; Jianna Evaristo, Buell, 6.723, 200.08 def. Matt Smith, Buell, 6.703, 202.24; Richard Gadson, Suzuki, 6.716, 201.10 def. Chase Van Sant, Suzuki, 6.824, 197.94; Gaige Herrera, Suzuki, 6.665, 202.76 def. Steve Johnson, Suzuki, 6.802, 193.96;
SEMIFINALS — R. Gadson, 6.782, 200.71 def. J. Evaristo, 6.832, 198.90; G. Herrera, 6.687, 202.45 def. A. Smith, 6.737, 201.88;
FINAL — G. Herrera, 6.689, 202.15 def. R. Gadson, 6.795, 198.73.
JULIEN BEAUMER CLAIMS FIRST-CAREER 250MX VICTORY AT SPRING CREEK NATIONAL
Round 7 – AMA Pro Motocross Championship
Equipped with the KTM 250 SX-F FACTORY EDITION, Beaumer qualified sixth in the 250MX division at Millville after recording a 2:00.184 lap around the high-speed circuit, before avoiding a multi-rider incident on the opening lap of Moto 1 to emerge inside the top-10.
The Red Bull KTM Factory Racing rider then methodically charged through the field, erasing a six-second deficit to the leader after moving into second position, and ultimately making a last-lap pass to secure an emphatic maiden Pro Motocross moto win.
Fourth place in Moto 2 was enough for the 20-year-old to also achieve his first-ever overall outdoors, with his 1-4 results elevating him to P2 in the championship entering next weekend’s Washougal National. It’s been a remarkable turnaround after returning from a serious back injury ahead of the 250MX season.
Julien Beaumer:Laying in that hospital bed [in Charlotte last year], I thought that maybe [my career] was over. But I’m here, I got my first 250MX win and didn’t make it easy on myself – that wasn’t the prettiest second moto, but my riding is awesome and the team is amazing. We’ve been working really hard together and we finally got the win – let’s keep it rolling!”
In the 450MX Class, Jorge Prado qualified fifth fastest aboard his KTM 450 SX-F FACTORY EDITION after posting a 1:57.571 lap time, however, a strong start in Moto 1 was impacted by an unfortunate off-track excursion through the first turn.
The four-time world champion responded with an impressive charge through the field, climbing to 13th by the checkered flag. A top-five start in Moto 2 allowed him to quickly move into third position, which he maintained for the remainder of the race. Prado’s 13-3 moto scores resulted in sixth overall, keeping him fourth in the 450MX standings.
Jorge Prado:Today was a hard day. First moto, I got pushed out in the first corner, and we had to work our way towards the front with so many riders to pass. Then in Moto 2, the start was a little bit better, and we were fighting hard – I’ve been sick all week, so I was pushing myself a lot as I wasn’t able to do anything during the week. RJ [Hampshire] was close in the last few corners, but I held on for P3 in that moto, which was not a bad improvement. Thank you to Red Bull KTM Factory Racing for the effort. We’ll get there.”
Four-time 450MX champion Eli Tomac made a welcome return to racing for the first time since being injured at Fox Raceway’s season-opener. Also on board the KTM 450 SX-F FACTORY EDITION, Tomac qualified seventh before recording 9-12 finishes for 11th overall, gaining important race mileage in the mid-stages of the series.
Eli Tomac: It’s good to get my first full Pro Motocross race weekend of the season under my belt. Pala didn’t go according to plan, so being able to get two solid motos done today, I’m happy. Obviously, there’s plenty of room for improvement, but I will do some testing with the team this week and be better at Washougal.”
Next Race: July 25 – Washougal, Washington
Results 450MX Class – Spring Creek National
- Hunter Lawrence (Honda)
- Haiden Deegan (Yamaha)
- Jett Lawrence (Honda)
- RJ Hampshire (Husqvarna)
- Jorge Prado (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing)
- Eli Tomac (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing)
Standings 450MX Class 2026 after 7 of 11 rounds
- Hunter Lawrence, 320 points
- Jett Lawrence, 310
- Haiden Deegan, 258
- Jorge Prado, 231
- RJ Hampshire, 221
- Aaron Plessinger, 102
- Lucas Coenen, 44
- Eli Tomac, 23
- Malcolm Stewart, 10
Results 250MX Class – Spring Creek National
- Julien Beaumer (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing)
- Chance Hymas (Honda)
- Levi Kitchen (Kawasaki)
- Daxton Bennick (Husqvarna)
- Ryder DiFrancesco (Husqvarna)
- Casey Cochran (Husqvarna)
Standings 250MX Class 2026 after 7 of 11 rounds
- Levi Kitchen, 261 points
- Julien Beaumer, 237
- Cole Davies, 236
- Ryder DiFrancesco, 194
- Casey Cochran, 122
- Sacha Coenen, 83
- Daxton Bennick, 72
Rockstar Energy Husqvarna’s RJ Hampshire finishes inside 450MX top-five at Spring Creek
250MX teammate Daxton Bennick claims a season-best seventh-place result overall
Aboard his Husqvarna FC 450 Factory Edition, Hampshire qualified fourth in Millville with a 1:57.283 lap-time, before charging to a hard-fought third-place finish in Moto 1.
The 30-year-old again featured inside the top-five during Moto 2 and remained locked in a race-long battle for P3, pushing all the way to the final corner before ultimately crossing the line in fourth – and placing P4 overall for the weekend.
As a result, Hampshire is ranked fifth in the 450MX championship standings following seven rounds, with the Washougal National next on the schedule on July 25.
“I’m happy and I’m thankful to finish in this position,”commented Hampshire.”It has been a grind recently – I reset this week, did things differently, and that’s the best that I have been by far. I had [Jorge Prado] right where I wanted him with four laps to go, and then lost a bit of time in the rollers. We were a little short [of the podium], but this is where I want to be battling, so I’m stoked on that.”
250MX teammates Bennick and Ryder DiFrancesco were both in-form on board their Husqvarna FC 250 Factory Editions at Spring Creek, with Bennick finishing fifth and DiFrancesco sixth in Moto 1.
The pair again remained close in Moto 2, with Bennick recording 10th and DiFrancesco 11th, resulting in seventh overall for Bennick and eighth for DiFrancesco. Ryder D now sits tied for fifth in the 250MX standings heading into Washougal.
“Millville was good for me,” said Bennick. “I struggled pretty badly in practice, and mentally, I was doubting myself a little bit. But I put that all behind me, went out and rode my best. I got a good start in Moto 1 and hung in there for fifth, which I was happy with. And then in the second moto, I had a big bobble on Lap 1, which cost me a lot of time, and then didn’t really find my flow until around halfway. Finishing with 5-10 results on the day, I can’t be too mad at it – it’s a big improvement and if we can keep building from here, I’ll be happy.”
“Round 7 didn’t finish how I would have liked,” explained DiFrancesco. I didn’t put myself in a great position off the starts, which can cost you a lot. My riding is great and so is my fitness – I just need to put myself in better positions and we’ll be good. We’ll clean a couple of things up and come out strong for Washougal.”
Also representing Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing in the 250MX Class was Casey Cochran, who qualified seventh quickest before a first-turn incident in Moto 1 left him classified 36th. He responded in Moto 2 with a strong recovery ride to ninth, securing 15th overall for the round equipped with his Husqvarna FC 250 Factory Edition.
“I had a rough first moto,” reflected Cochran. “I felt good on the track, but two crashes weren’t ideal, and then having last gate pick for Moto 2 was tough. I fought hard for a top-10 finish in that one, so I can’t be too mad, but it’s definitely not where I want to be. We’ll keep progressing and developing next weekend.”
Next Race: July 25 – Washougal, Washington
Results 450MX Class – Spring Creek National1. Hunter Lawrence (Honda)2. Haiden Deegan (Yamaha)3. Jett Lawrence (Honda)4. RJ Hampshire (Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing)6. Jorge Prado (KTM)11. Eli Tomac (KTM)
Standings 450MX Class 2026 after 7 of 11 rounds
- Hunter Lawrence, 320 points2. Jett Lawrence, 3103. Haiden Deegan, 2584. Jorge Prado, 2315. RJ Hampshire, 22112. Aaron Plessinger, 10220. Lucas Coenen, 4429. Eli Tomac, 2337. Malcolm Stewart, 10
Results 250MX Class – Spring Creek National1. Julien Beaumer (KTM)2. Chance Hymas (Honda)3. Levi Kitchen (Kawasaki)7. Daxton Bennick (Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing)8. Ryder DiFrancesco (Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing)15. Casey Cochran (Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing)
Standings 250MX Class 2026 after 7 of 11 rounds1. Levi Kitchen, 261 points2. Julien Beaumer, 2373. Cole Davies, 2366. Ryder DiFrancesco, 19411. Casey Cochran, 12217. Sacha Coenen, 8319. Daxton Bennick, 72
LEVI KITCHEN RECLAIMS THE RED PLATE AT SPRING CREEK
Monster Energy® Pro Circuit Kawasaki rider Levi Kitchen overcame a dramatic 250 Class opening-moto crash to secure third overall (8-2) at Round 8 of the Pro Motocross Championship at Spring Creek, reclaiming the 250 Class championship points lead and the coveted red plate. Teammate Drew Adams continued to build momentum in his outdoor campaign, earning fastest qualifier for the first time in his career before delivering a season-best sixth-overall finish (7-7). In the premier class, Monster Energy® Kawasaki rider Garrett Marchbanks fought through multiple crashes to secure ninth overall (15-6), while Cornelius Tøndel added another consistent performance to his résumé with a 12th-overall finish (12-11) in his second outing aboard the KX™450SR.
Monster Energy Pro Circuit Kawasaki riders once again showcased their speed during qualifying, with both Kitchen and Adams at the top of the timesheets. Adams continued his recent momentum by setting the fastest lap of the second session, in competition for that title with Kitchen for the duration of the entire session. Adams was the only 250 rider with a lap time that dipped below the 1:58 mark, earning him the first overall fastest qualifier of his professional career, while Kitchen followed closely behind in second. The impressive 1-2 qualifying effort gave both riders prime gate selections heading into the afternoon motos and set the tone for another competitive day in the 250 Class.
In 250 Moto 1, Kitchen’s afternoon took an unfortunate turn just moments after the gate dropped when he became a victim of a first-turn pileup along with the championship contenders at the front of the pack. With nowhere to go, the No. 47 was collected in the incident and forced to remount deep in the field outside the Top 20. Rather than allowing the setback to define his day, Kitchen immediately began charging through the pack, making decisive passes lap after lap to climb from 33rd to eighth by the checkered flag and salvaging valuable championship points. Adams avoided the opening-lap chaos and quickly settled into a battle inside the Top 10. The No. 35 maintained a consistent pace throughout the moto, briefly advancing as high as sixth before ultimately crossing the finish line seventh to keep himself in contention for a strong overall finish.
In 250 Moto 2, another less-than-ideal start left Kitchen with more work to do, but he once again demonstrated his championship determination that has defined his outdoor season. Charging into the Top 10 within the opening laps, Kitchen continued picking off riders one by one before moving into second late in the moto. His impressive second-place finish secured third overall and allowed him to reclaim the 250 Class championship points lead heading into his hometown race at Washougal, Washington. Teammate Adams also faced an uphill battle after beginning the moto outside the Top 15, but methodically carved his way through the field with another composed ride. Matching his Moto 1 finish with another seventh-place result, Adams secured sixth overall, marking his strongest overall finish of his Pro Motocross career.
In 450 Qualifying, Monster Energy Kawasaki continued its strong form with both riders earning Top 10 gate selections. Tøndel led the team’s effort in sixth overall, continuing to adapt quickly aboard the KX™450SR in just his second race with the team, while Marchbanks qualified eighth to continue his streak of consistent qualifying performances throughout the Pro Motocross season.
In 450 Moto 1, Marchbanks’ effort quickly turned into a recovery ride after early contact with another rider shuffled him well down the running order, before another tipover added to the challenge. Despite the adversity, the No. 36 never backed down, producing an impressive charge through the field to recover to 15th while posting some of the fastest lap times of the field. Tøndel enjoyed a solid start to the afternoon and established himself just outside the Top 10 during the opening laps. The Norwegian native maintained a steady pace throughout the demanding moto, ultimately crossing the finish line 12th to put himself in position for another consistent overall result.
In 450 Moto 2, both Monster Energy Kawasaki riders continued fighting toward the front of the pack. Tøndel capitalized on another strong start, placing himself amongst the leaders during the opening laps before finding himself battling through the challenging conditions to finish 11th, securing 12th overall. Marchbanks once again found himself working from deep in the field after a difficult start, but steadily climbed into the Top 10 with another determined charge. A late-race tipover forced him to mount yet another comeback, but the No. 36 responded by charging from outside the Top 15 back to sixth at the finish. His relentless effort secured ninth overall, extending his streak of Top-10 overall finishes, and highlighting the speed and resilience he has displayed throughout the outdoor championship. Marchbanks and Tøndel leave Spring Creek sixth and 14th in the championship standings, respectively, ready to keep the momentum rolling into Washougal, Washington.
“It was definitely a tough day. I’m just thankful to be okay after that crash. It was a pretty big one, so huge thanks to my trainers for keeping me strong and to everyone who helps keep me protected; I’m grateful to walk away from that one. Thanks to all the fans for sticking behind me and keeping me motivated on a challenging day. It feels good to leave here with the red plate and keep this momentum rolling into Washougal.”
– Levi Kitchen
“I’m really happy with the progress we made today. Qualifying P1 gave me confidence, and I felt like my speed was there all day. We still have some things to clean up, especially the starts, but coming through the pack for sixth overall feels like a solid step forward. Big thanks to the Monster Energy Pro Circuit Kawasaki team for all the work they’ve put in. I’m excited to keep building and see what we can do at Washougal.”
– Drew Adams
“Overall, it was a solid day. We had good speed all day, but a couple mistakes made things harder than they needed to be. I had to fight through the pack in both motos after crashes, but I’m happy to come away with ninth overall. The goal is to be in the Top 10 even on the difficult days, so we’ll keep building and carry that momentum into Washougal.”
– Garrett Marchbanks
“I started off with a solid qualifying in sixth place this morning. Unfortunately, I didn’t quite have what it took in the races today. A 12-11 for 12th overall was all I had. I’m looking forward to a week of good recovery and next weekend in Washougal.”
– Cornelius Tøndel
Spring Creek MX National Runs Red
The AMA Pro Motocross Championship traveled to the Land of 10,000 Lakes for round 7 at Spring Creek Motocross Park, where Honda HRC Progressive topped three of the four motos. Hunter Lawrence delivered a perfect 1-1 performance in the premier class, earning his fourth overall victory of the season and reclaiming the championship lead, while Chance Hymas earned his first 250 moto win of the year and took second overall. Meanwhile, Jett Lawrence once again showed incredible speed in the 450 class but suffered a moto-2 crash that limited him to third overall.
Hunter grabbed the moto-1 holeshot aboard his CRF450RWE and quickly opened a four-second advantage over his brother in the opening laps. With both of their main competitors having been caught up in a first-turn incident, the Lawrences were able to pull away from the field. Hunter earned the wire-to-wire victory with a comfortable margin over Jett, while third place finished another 29 seconds behind.
The second moto started with Hunter once again at the front, before Jett applied pressure and the brothers engaged in an exciting battle for the lead. They quickly separated themselves from the rest of the pack, and Jett eventually found an opening to make the pass before the halfway point. Unfortunately, the defending champ later crashed while leading and, with his handlebar lodged in his boot, he lost valuable time. After remounting in fifth, Jett maintained his position to secure third overall. Unaware that his brother had gone down, Hunter crossed the finish line to earn his eighth moto win of the season, as well as the overall victory.
In the first 250 moto, Hymas exited turn 1 in 15th position after narrowly avoiding two big crashes, but immediately began working his way forward, moving into seventh by the halfway mark. The Idaho native was in a group of riders battling over fifth, but he ultimately crossed the finish line in ninth, a result that did not reflect the strength of his performance. Hymas improved his start in moto 2, quickly positioning himself inside the top five before taking advantage of mistakes from riders ahead. He eventually moved by Julien Beaumer for second, then took over the lead from Kayden Minear. Hymas maintained his pace throughout the second half of the race and crossed the finish with an 11-second margin. Given the depth of competition in the class, Hymas’ 9-1 scorecard earned him a hard-fought second-overall result and his first podium of the year.
NOTES
- Following the previous week’s crash and shoulder injury, Jo Shimoda visited his doctor in Florida for further scans, confirming that his clavicle had been fractured beneath the plate from a previous injury. Surgery is not required (or possible, due to the plate), and the Japanese racer is expected to be sidelined for four to six weeks, with a hopeful return for the SMX Championship.
- Moon Motorsports, a Honda dealership located north of Minneapolis, staffed a pop-up booth in the Honda HRC Progressive pits at Spring Creek, engaging with fans while showcasing a 2026 CRF450RX and CRF50F.
- Between qualifying sessions, Honda HRC Progressive hosted a fan autograph session featuring all three active riders.
- AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame inductee Johnny O’Mara, who works as Hunter and Jett Lawrence’s trainer, served as Grand Marshal for the Spring Creek National.
- In 450 combined qualifying, Honda HRC Progressive racers Hunter and Jett Lawrence qualified first and third, respectively. SLR Honda riders Justin Rodbell and Matti Jorgensen were 21st and 31st, while Phoenix Racing Honda’s Angus Riordan was 24th. Valley Motorsports’ Jeremy Hand was 26th, Short Racing’s John Short was 30th, 110 Racing’s Brett Heidorn was 39th and McGinley Clinic’s Zack Williams was 40th. Lasting Impressions’ Ronnie Orres qualified 41st, Bloxom Racing’s Ashton Bloxom 42nd, Storm Lake Honda’s Deegan Hepp 52nd, Feine Tune Racing’s Gavin Tilford 53rd, Trinity Motorsports’ Mitchell Prescott 55th, Sun Powersports’ Raice Hernandez 56th, Prier Racing’s Travis Prier 58th, Honda of the Ozarks’ Brett Grennley 63rd and Ryan Diezic 65th.
- Honda HRC Progressive rider Chance Hymas finished 10th in 250 combined qualifying. Phoenix Racing Honda’s Gavin Towers and Aden Keefer were 24th and 28th, Sun Powersports’ John Douglas was in 55th and McGinley Clinic’s Kyle Czworkowski was 58th.
- Hunter recorded the fastest lap time in 450 moto 1, while Jett did likewise in the second moto.
- In addition to Spring Creek marking the fourth overall victory of Hunter’s season, it was the fifth of his premier-class career. It also moved Honda into sole ownership of Spring Creek’s premier-class overall-win record, with 10—one more than the two manufacturers who are tied for second. Other Red Riders to have won the premier class at the venue include Bob Hannah (twice), Ron Lechien, Ricky Carmichael (three times), Eli Tomac and Jett Lawrence (twice). Hunter also topped the Spring Creek 250 race in 2023.
- Hunter currently holds the top seed for the SMX Playoffs, with four rounds remaining in the AMA Pro Motocross season.
- The AMA Pro Motocross Championship continues this Saturday in Washougal, Washington, with Hunter carrying the 450 red plate and a 10-point lead over Jett—the biggest advantage either of them has enjoyed so far this year.
Hunter Lawrence
“It was a good day. The first moto, I was happy with my riding. The second moto was interesting—we got off to a good start, but Jett had a really good flow and pace. I was trying to catch on and do the same lines, but I just wasn’t able to make it click like I did in the first one; sometimes it just comes a little easier than others. I actually didn’t know that Jett crashed; he was up there inching away, and all of a sudden I couldn’t see him. I didn’t have a great lap, and I was like, ‘He’s on another level this moto!’ I think it just comes down to small things making a big difference—the first moto went my way, and the second moto went his way before his crash. We’re at a very similar level, and that level is so high, so it’s just kind of, ‘Which brother is it going to be this weekend?’ We just focus on what we think we need, preparation-wise, to be as ready as possible for the weekend. We don’t work against each other during the week, trying to get an edge, because you don’t get to work on your craft as much in that kind of atmosphere.”
Jett Lawrence
“It was a rough day in the office. The first moto, I was feeling good but I just didn’t quite have it for HJ [Hunter]; I picked the smarter route and said, ‘You know what, you can have this one.’ I made some changes for the second moto, and I felt like Superman; I had good lines, and I was able to get around Hunter. I just made a small mistake in that soft section—put a little bit too much weight on the front, and it was enough to put me down. It looked like I got hit by a shotgun because the bike got the back of my knee and it collapsed me. I got very lucky, and I’m just thankful to be okay after a rough weekend. I think I just need to get back closer to my normal schedule during the week. Being familiar with your bike and being comfortable with it is a big thing, and I think that’s why I crashed a lot today. I know what I need to do to be the Jett Lawrence everyone knows, but physically I’m not able to do that right now because of my ankle. I’m just trying to do the best I can and keep building.”
Chance Hymas
“It’s definitely been a long time coming; it’s been a pretty frustrating start to the summer for me, but it’s all about being here every weekend. My results have been one spot better each weekend, and that’s just how my mindset’s been. Winning this moto doesn’t change any of that—I’m still in that rebuilding process. I was finally out front for the first time all year, and I’m like, ‘Alright, I’m winning this moto.’ It’s awesome to confirm I can still do it, I can still be that guy, and it’s nice to have that light at the end of the tunnel now. The team has honestly put no pressure on me, coming back from my injury. We’re making gains, we’re seeing the progress, and we’re seeing the old Chance come back.”
Lars Lindstrom – Team Manager
“For Chance, I think the biggest thing was getting a good start in the second moto and catching the tow of the leaders. He found some really good lines and was able to get a nice flow, which is something he and Trey Canard had discussed. Then, once he got clear track, he could do his own thing. It was a big difference for him, even after the race—he wasn’t even that tired, so that kind of shows you how the mental state plays a role in racing. I’m really happy for him. It’s not fun seeing someone that you know can race for wins not performing at their best; it makes it really hard to know how to solve the problem. The Lawrence brothers are at such a high level, and it’s incredible to watch. Hunter was amazing in the first moto, and then for the second moto, Jett looked like the Jett of old, putting his bike wherever he wanted to and just absolutely ripping. I was smiling from ear to ear watching them battle, because how lucky am I? Both my guys are running away in front of the pack. They do a really good job of treating the whole thing like brothers and family first. The most heated they’ll be is under the tent right after the race, but after that it’s just fun jabs and jokes. They both want to win, but they’re not going to do anything to jeopardize each other’s race.”
Kayden Minear Continues Strong Rookie Campaign with Fourth Overall at Spring Creek
Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing’s Kayden Minear continues to build momentum outdoors. Amid another dramatic shake-up in the 2026 Pro Motocross 250 Championship, the rookie remained one of the few constants, earning a moto podium and finishing fourth overall for the second straight weekend. In addition to equaling his best results, the Australian grabbed a pair of holeshots and led 10 laps across both motos at the Spring Creek MX Park in Millville, Minnesota.
It was also a day for personal bests of the season, with Michael Mosiman finishing second overall in Moto 1 and Nate Thrasher putting in a good ride to finish just off the podium in that same moto. The 250 class championship, meanwhile, is starting to unfold like a shaken snow globe, with each round stirring up the standings and the red plate changing hands after the dust settles. Last weekend, it was an unlucky start to the Spring Creek National for points leader Cole Davies, who saw his championship lead evaporate after a multi-rider pile-up that included a couple of his teammates.
Although he qualified 14th, Minear got a great start to the first moto. He slotted in behind his teammates, then managed to get through the big pile-up unscathed and grabbed the holeshot. Minear led the first four laps before Mosiman took over the lead, with the Australian maintaining the runner-up spot for over half the moto before ultimately finishing third.
“It’s coming around,” said Minear after the first moto. “Back-to-back podium races – you can’t ask for much more. I got a good start and obviously got clear of that crash. That was pretty gnarly. I didn’t know where to go, so I kind of just exited right. It was good fun. We’ll go back, recover, get another good start, have another good moto, and it should be a good day.”
The 19-year-old did as promised and got his second holeshot of the day aboard his YZ250F. Minear also spent more time at the front in Moto 2, leading the first six laps, but as the race wore on, he started to drop back, crossing the line sixth and finishing fourth overall. Although just shy of the podium, the Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing rider advanced to fourth in the point standings.
“Millville was a very positive day,” said Minear. “I struggled with bike setup all weekend, but I got two really good starts. I’m looking forward to Washougal.”
Thrasher continued to make progress, but it was an up-and-down day for the Tennessee rider. After qualifying 19th, he got a great start despite the gate pick and came out fourth after the chaotic start to Moto 1. He was passed by Mosiman on that opening lap and slotted in behind his teammate, with the duo each gaining a position. Thrasher then made his way to third on Lap 6, making it a Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing 1-2-3. In the latter half of the moto, he dropped back to fourth, where he would finish for his best moto result so far this season.
In Moto 2, he got another great start inside the top five in fourth. It was a heated battle on that opening lap, with Thrasher dropping back to eighth and then crashing. He rejoined at the back of the field, and with some damage to the bike, Thrasher did what he could to salvage points, finishing 17th to end the day 11th overall.
“It was a good weekend and a good first moto,” said Thrasher. “I’ve got a little bit to work on, but man, we’re getting better each weekend. The second moto, I just kind of tucked the front, and the bike was a little banged up, but I did my best. We’ll be back next weekend and look to just keep doing better, and maybe get a podium next weekend.”
For Mosiman, it was a tale of two motos as well. The Californian qualified in the top five, and after avoiding being collected in multiple crashes at the start of Moto 1, he came through in fifth. He then quickly made his way to third and, five laps in, passed his teammate Minear to claim the lead, where he rode for most of the race. It came down to a thrilling last-lap battle with Julien Beaumer, with Mosiman ultimately coming just shy of the win but earning his best moto result of the season.
Mosiman got an even better start to Moto 2, slotting into the runner-up spot. He had his sights set on claiming the lead, but unfortunately he had a big crash on Lap 3, ending his moto early and finishing 12th overall.
“There were lots of positives to take from the day,” said Mosiman. “It felt great to lead some laps. I’m very sore, but I’m going to be just fine. We worked on the bike this week, and it gave me a new confidence in my riding. I’m thankful to be in one piece for Washougal.”
It was a tough day for Davies, but the 2026 250SX East Champion kept fighting and did what he could to salvage points at the Spring Creek MX Park. He had a strong qualifying in third, but then it all went awry in that pile-up after the start of Moto 1. Undeterred, Davies rejoined at the back of the field with his title rival behind him. Davies made his way through to 15th by lap three, battled with Levi Kitchen, and then made his way to 12th on Lap 6. Unfortunately, there was damage to his bike from the crash, forcing him to withdraw from the moto.
In Moto 2, Davies got a great start in the top five despite his gate pick position and quickly made his way to fourth. A pair of crashes early in the moto dropped him back to 11th, but he fought his way back to ninth. Another fall later in the moto shuffled him back once again, with Davies finishing 13th and ending the day 16th overall. His efforts salvaged valuable points, leaving the young New Zealander third in the 250MX championship and trailing the leader by 25 points.
“It was a struggle of a day, but we’ll be back next weekend,” said Davies. “I was 24 points down before High Point, so the plan is not to back down for the next four. I know what I’m capable of. So I expect nothing less.”
Carson Wood rejoined the team in Millville to get some more seat time in the pro ranks. The Florida rider had a strong start to the day, qualifying 13th, and got a great start to Moto 1 before the crash. Wood rejoined towards the back of the field and made his way through to 23rd.
In Moto 2, Wood got another good start in seventh, and although he shuffled back to 12th on the opening lap, he made his way back into the top 10. He rode in ninth for a couple of laps before crashing on Lap 6, which ultimately dropped him back to 18th. Wood kept fighting and finished 15th, scoring 19th overall.
Caden Dudney also had a solid start to the weekend, qualifying 11th. He too, was in the mix up front in Moto 1, but unfortunately was collected in the pile-up, which ended his day early. The 16-year-old will undergo further evaluation after the weekend, with an update on his status to follow at a later date.
“I wasn’t too happy with qualifying, but for the moto, I was confident in my ability to get a start and run up front, and I did that for about one corner, and then my day was cut short,” said Dudney. “I’ll be back.”
“It was somewhat of a rough day, but this is what makes you stronger,” said Wil Hahn, Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing’s 250 Team General Manager. “It was great to see Kayden and Mosi on the podium, and it was also a good ride from Nate in that first moto. So definitely some positives to take away from the weekend. We’ll be back next week and battle.”
Next up is the Washougal National at Washougal MX Park on July 25, marking Round 8 of Pro Motocross and Round 25 of the SuperMotocross World Championship
Haiden Deegan Scores Career-Best Runner-Up Overall in Millville
It was a wild day of racing at the Spring Creek National, with Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing’s Haiden Deegan once again showing his ability to fight back from adversity. The 20-year-old turned a first-turn crash into one of the rides of the day, charging through the field to gain 36 positions in Moto 1. That set the rookie up for a good position for the overall result, where he sealed the deal on his first runner-up overall finish (4-2) aboard the YZ450F.
Deegan showed speed from the start at the Spring Creek MX Park in Millville, Minnesota, topping the timesheets in the first session and qualifying second in the combined times. Then it all went awry after the first gate drop. Deegan got a good start but crashed in the first turn, rejoining at the back of the field. The six-time 250 class champion put his head down and broke into the top 10 with six laps to go, setting his fastest lap of the moto on Lap 14, where he gained three positions. He then closed a four-second gap to Tony Cairoli, passing him with two laps to go, and after battling with Justin Barcia, made the pass on the final lap to finish fourth.
In Moto 2, it was a better start with Deegan in sixth. He made a couple of passes in the opening laps, and he set about closing the gap to third, claiming that final podium spot on Lap 6. The rookie continued to ride a strong pace, but the frontrunners had already opened up a sizeable gap. In the latter half of the moto, the leader crashed, with Deegan advancing to the runner-up spot, where he rode to the checkered flag, equaling his best moto result in the class and earning his best overall result in second.
“Yeah, today was pretty solid,” said Deegan. “I got off to a good qualifying session, then in Moto 1, I crashed in the first turn. My first turns are a little bit of bad luck right now, but we’re going to get that one figured out. In the second moto, I got a decent start, made my way up to third, and then got into second place, and got second overall. It was my first second overall in the 450 class. There’s only one place further you can go, and that’s first, so we’ll just keep on working.”
The day started out well for his teammate, Cooper Webb, with the North Carolina rider qualifying ninth. He then got a good start to the first moto in fourth and ran inside the top five for the first four laps before dropping back to sixth. Webb battled there for most of the moto, but ultimately crossed the line eighth. In Moto 2, the three-time 450SX Champion got another great start in third, but shuffled back to seventh in the opening laps. He worked his way back to sixth and maintained the position before unfortunately crashing on Lap 11. Webb rejoined in eighth but started to lose more ground with a flat front tire and had to come into the mechanics’ area to change the wheel. Unwilling to quit, Webb went back out to salvage some points and came back from 32nd to 25th, ending the day 15th overall.
“It was a bummer ending to the day at Millville,” said Webb. “I qualified ninth today, which was solid. In Moto 1, I got a good start but struggled a bit. I was fighting the bike and wasn’t super comfy, but we made a change for Moto 2, which was much better. I got a great start and was feeling good, running sixth. And with about five laps to go, I got a flat front tire, landed on a jump, and crashed. I thought it was flat, but I tried going another lap, and it was indeed flat. I came into the mechanics’ area to do a wheel swap to collect some points, but I was just too far back and too late in the race to make up many positions. So I’m pretty bummed to end it that way. It would’ve likely been an 8-6 for, I believe, sixth overall, but it happens. We’ll just keep on keeping on.”
“It was a decent day here,” said Rich Simmons, Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing’s 450 Team Manager. “Qualifying was good. It was just an unfortunate incident for Haiden in the first turn. He was up front and went down, but it was a big effort from him to come back to fourth, which gave him an opportunity to get on the overall podium. He had a better start to Moto 2 in sixth, but that gap to the front guys was too big by the time he got into third.
“Webb was in a great spot for the overall, and then, unfortunately, he went down and ended up having a front tire go flat. So it was out of his control, but that’s just part of racing. I think overall, it was a good day. The team did a good job and just kept improving the bike throughout the day. We’ll just keep working and move on to Washington.”
On the heels of his first runner-up overall in the premier class, Deegan continues to build on an impressive rookie 450MX campaign, sitting third in the standings, while Webb holds second in the SMX 450 combined points. Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing now prepares for the Washougal National at Washougal MX Park on July 25, the final round before the summer break and Round 8 of Pro Motocross and Round 25 of the SuperMotocross World Championship.
