2025 Charlotte SuperMotocross Photo Gallery

2025 Charlotte SuperMotocross Recap

In a strange twist of circumstances, Jett Lawrence found out he won during an interview.

Not so much rain, but lightning shortened Round 1 of the three round SuperMotocross playoff series on Saturday at zMax Dragway in Concord, NC to a one Moto event, instead of two, as officials put a stamp on the day after a two hour delay with no end in sight for the storm to pass and diminishing daylight becoming a factor.

The stormy start likely had no bearing on the eventual outcome as the two-time SMX Champion Lawrence grabbed the Holeshot and had little trouble thereafter. Eli Tomac kept him honest for much of the race until sliding out in a turn with less than five minutes on the clock. He dropped to third which put Chase Sexton into second.

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"I don't think I've won a race overall like this but we'll take it," Lawrence said when learning of his victory during an interview. "We're just going to go and stay focused and been blessed thankfully with getting that first Moto win. We'll stay focused the next few rounds and hopefully its clean weather, fingers crossed. Obviously, next weekend its indoors so should be some awesome racing. I think the fans are going to be in for a really good SMX series. I'm looking forward to the next two rounds."

Justin Cooper, who entered the playoffs as the #1 seed endured a bad start and an early crash leaving him last but he rode his way to 11th. Hunter Lawrence finished fourth, RJ Hampshire fifth and Ken Roczen who raced just one round in Motocross in a sort of fitness test in preparation for SMX raced in third for a bit before dropping to sixth. Malcolm Stewart, the third seed, did not race because of an injury to his back sustained a day earlier.

The 250 class also featured the two-time SMX champion winning. Doughboy, as we like to call him since we can't mention him by name, started seventh and finally caught Seth Hammer for the lead after time expired with two laps left.

Jo Shimoda finished third and may have faired better if not for hitting a tuff block when he tried to pass Hammaker for the lead early in the race. He drooped to 12th as a result but worked his way back to the final podium spot. Austin Forker raced around near the front for a while in a second and third showing resolve before ultimately falling behind Shimoda and Levi Kitchen who took fourth.

Garrett Marchbanks, who entered the playoffs third seeded, crashed hard and needed help leaving the track. No word yet on his injuries or availability for the next round. Julien Beaumer did not lineup after crashing during the second qualifying session. He was transported to the hospital and underwent surgery to stabilize a burst fracture of his L3 vertebra.

P.S. For the uninitiated: Borne from, arguably, the rise of an overseas series competition, SuperMotocross or SMX, now in its third season, combines the points earned in Supercross and Motocross season giving the Top 20 riders in total points an automatic entry into the three-round SMX playoff series. The eventual champion in the 250 class gets $500,000 and the 450 class champion enjoys $1,000,000. In total, $10 million gets paid out to the racers.

Riders ranked 21-30 in total points and those who won a Supercross Main Event or a Moto in Motocross secure the opportunity to race a Last Chance Qualifier for the final two gate positions at each race. The Triple Crown Format, i.e. Olympic style scoring, used in Supercross determines the overall winner of each SMX round when racing both Motos.

Points double for Round 2 on Saturday at Dome at America's Center in St. Louis, MO.