Image: Octopi Media.

In just his fourth professional AMA Supercross Championship appearance, Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing’s Haiden Deegan scored his first 250SX East podium with P3 at Daytona and has labelled the result ‘definitely crazy’ in the early stages of his career.

Finishing second in heat two, Deegan completed the opening lap in seventh during the main event and swiftly charged his way forward to reach third place by lap four, the position where he ultimately finished the race.

“Yeah it’s definitely crazy this early, I didn’t think I would be getting on the podium this early but it’s racing and we continue to progress,” Deegan explained. “I ended up getting on the podium and now we are here, it is super exciting.”

The 17-year-old competed in the Supercross Futures at Anaheim 2 then lined up for the opening round of the 2023 250SX East Championship the following Saturday in Houston, unsure if he would compete in the entire series.

A promising maiden outing at NRG Stadium saw the YZ250F rider fourth on debut, backing that up with another P4 finish the following round at Tampa. A 15-5-4 scorecard landed him eighth overall in Arlington’s Triple Crown, with his best performance of his rookie season to date coming at the iconic Daytona Supercross.

“It’s definitely happening fast, after futures I wasn’t even sure if I was going to race,” Deegan added. “We pulled it and thought we might as well race, go and get the experience and so far it’s been going great, and yeah will just keep on learning.”

Four rounds into the 2023 250SX East Championship and Deegan is third in the standings, 25 points back from red plate-holder Hunter Lawrence (Team Honda HRC).