Image: Octopi Media.

Continuing his immense form of late, Monster Energy Pro Circuit Kawasaki’s Jo Shimoda showed a blistering pace at Chicagoland, scoring a 2-2 scorecard despite bike issues while leading the second moto, insisting they were ‘nobody’s fault’.

After taking the overall win at Charlotte’s playoff one, Shimoda entered the second round of the post-season as the joint red plate-holder with Haiden Deegan (Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing).

The number 30 qualified sixth fastest and was fifth at the completion of the opening lap of the first moto. From there, Shimoda charged his way forward and made his way past title-rival Deegan before closing right in on race leader Hunter Lawrence. Ultimately a moment on the last lap put a halt to Shimoda’s push but the Kawasaki racer was still able to take the checkers a credible P2.

In moto two, Shimoda made some key passes early on to move into the lead, but was later seen looking down at his bike with an apparent issue as the laps progressed, relinquishing the lead to Lawrence with four to go. Shimoda was able to hold on to take another second-place result and with that, second overall, but it was a case of what might have been for the 250SMX contender.

“We talked about it after the race, we know the issues now, but it’s nobody’s fault,” said Shimoda. “I’m not even mad at anybody in the team or the bike, I know the team is working super-hard behind me and all I can do is just bring everything to the table. I did have to slow down, it’s a bummer, but onto next weekend.”

The 250SMX title-race is shaping up to be a thrilling one, and with triple points on offer, it’s still all to play for when the gates drop at the LA Coliseum finals. Thanks to his victory at playoff two, Lawrence now holds the red plate, three points ahead of Shimoda with Deegan third and just seven points from the lead.

“I just thought the first two races are kind of… I feel like if you can be in the top three, four maybe, you will have a chance at the end,” Shimoda added. “Whoever takes the overall at the end basically kind of takes it all. I knew it was going to be like this.”