Image: Octopi Media.

Currently third in the 250SMX standings and seven points from the red plate, Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing’s Haiden Deegan says that ‘all I can really do to win this thing is win’ the final round of the 2023 SuperMotocross World Championship (SMX).

An escalating points system increases the importance of each SMX post-season event, and with the triple points on offer at LA Coliseum, the difference in what’s awarded from first to second is nine.

“Where I am at right now, I’m just on the bubble, so all I can really do to win this thing is win, so that’s all I am going to go there to do, try to win,” Deegan explained.

Deegan opened the SMX Finals series with P3 in Charlotte, notably winning the first moto, then matched that overall result at Chicago by again finishing third, this time behind title-rivals Hunter Lawrence (Team Honda HRC) and Jo Shimoda (Monster Energy Pro Circuit Kawasaki).

“Today we just lacked speed a little bit, which happens,” Deegan added. “We’re still learning this year, but next year, that’s not acceptable. We were able to get a third today, which isn’t the ideal situation, but there are definitely a lot of highs and lows people don’t see outside of the races.

“We made work of what we were dealt with today. Now it’s every man for himself at the last round – we are one of three guys that can win it, so it’s going to be exciting.”

In what is shaping up to be a thrilling conclusion to the 250SMX season, Lawrence enters LA Coliseum with the red plate and 89 points, now leading Shimoda with 86 and Deegan on 82.