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No major racing series goes to such extremes to try to ensure a cliffhanger ending than SuperMotocross. But what makes racing so great is its unpredictability, and while that sometimes means you get shocking surprises and cliffhanger finishes, it also sometimes means in the end it has the feel of inevitability, no matter how much you rig the points system.
A third of the contenders went out early. Entering the final evening of racing, the two Lawrence brothers and Red Bull KTM Factory Racing's Chase Sexton were separated by just nine points, and with SMX awarding triple points for the third round — that effort to ensure nobody will wrap up a title early — each of the three held their destiny in their own hands. An overall win would ensure a championship no matter what the other two did.
That ended for Sexton on the first lap of the first moto, however. After not getting a good start, he moved to the inside entering a turn and unknowingly pulled into the path of Justin Barcia, who was landing from a jump. Barcia landed on Sexton's right shoulder and arm, injuring his hand and damaging his KTM. In obvious pain, Sexton pulled out and did not line up for the second moto.
That left the two Lawrence brothers, then running second and third behind Eli Tomac, to dispute the championship. When Jett Lawrence got past Tomac for the win in moto one, that deflated a lot of the drama. With Hunter finishing third, that meant all Jett had to do in the second moto was finish right behind his brother. Instead, he went out and won the second moto, as well, getting the holeshot and managing a lead over his brother to the finish line. That makes it an impressive four championships in five tries since Jett moved up to the 450 class last year. It also marks a successful comeback from the thumb injury that cost him a chance to win the Pro Motocross Championship this summer.
As soon as Sexton pulled out of that first moto and Jett Lawrence passed Tomac, it seemed the script was written. Nobody was surprised by the outcome from there. In any event, it was a perfect result for Team Honda HRC and a lucrative weekend for the Lawrence family, with Jett getting the $1 million first prize and Hunter taking home $500,000. Has anyone ever gone to Vegas for the weekend and done better than that?
There was even less drama in the 250 class, as Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing's Haiden Deegan handily clinched the championship with a 1-2 finish.
The long season, with one more challenge for some
It's been a long and, for many, bruising season since the first round of Monster Energy AMA Supercross racing back in the first week of the year in Anaheim, California. Many riders will be grateful for a chance to heal and rest, after the grueling schedule that provides little time off during nine months of racing. But for a few, they're not done yet.
Up next is the Motocross of Nations. The U.S. team was supposed to consist of Sexton (MXGP class), Aaron Plessinger (Open class), and Chance Hymas (MX2 class). But Hymas had to back out when he reinjured a knee during SMX and he was replaced by veteran Cooper Webb, who will race a 250 for the first time in years. Now, it's unclear whether Sexton will be healthy and able to race at MXoN. His team said an update on his condition will be issued soon. Also, the Lawrence brothers will be at MXoN racing for the Australian team.
Motocross is arguably as punishing on athletes' bodies as any sport out there. With the Supercross season flowing nearly without interruption into the outdoor motocross season and then the intense three-round, three-week SMX playoffs for the big prize money, the racers are being pushed to their limits and sometimes battered into withdrawing. The rewards are great, for a few — just ask Jett Lawrence — but the commitment demanded is high.
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