SMX Playoffs Recap: Crew Stadium, Columbus, OH — September 12, 2026
Overview
The 2026 Monster Energy Supercross and Pro Motocross season reaches its peak with the SMX Playoffs. The event kicked off at Crew Stadium amid challenging weather conditions resulting in muddy track conditions that tested the riders’ skills and endurance.
Highlights
- Hunter Lawrence aimed for his first SMX title while Cole Davies sought a sweep across all formats in the series.
- Initially promising leads were complicated by mechanical issues and falls, affecting key competitors.
250SMX Moto #1 Results
| POSITION | BIKE # | RIDER | BEHIND | HOMETOWN | TEAM |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 58 | Daxton Bennick | 15 Laps | Morganton, NC | Rockstar Energy Husqvarna |
| 2 | 47 | Levi Kitchen | 18.132 | Washougal, WA | Monster Energy Pro Circuit Kawasaki |
| 3 | 34 | Ryder DiFrancesco | 44.943 | Bakersfield, CA | Rockstar Energy Husqvarna |
| (Full results available in the original text) |
Key Moments:
- Cole Davies, the holeshot winner, faced a DNF after dominating the first part of the race but suffered mechanical issues.
- Daxton Bennick capitalized and took the win with Levi Kitchen closely following.
450SMX Moto #1 Results
| POSITION | BIKE # | RIDER | BEHIND | HOMETOWN | TEAM |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 38 | Haiden Deegan | 15 Laps | Temecula, CA | Monster Energy Star Racing Yamaha |
| 2 | 94 | Ken Roczen | 17.215 | Clermont, FL | Progressive Insurance / Cycle Gear |
| 3 | 26 | Jorge Prado | 54.388 | Lugo, Spain | Red Bull KTM Factory Racing |
Key Moments:
- Haiden Deegan achieved his first premier class victory with a solid performance.
- Roczen displayed consistent riding despite a recent injury, securing a second-place finish.
250SMX Moto #2 Results
| POSITION | BIKE # | RIDER | BEHIND | HOMETOWN | TEAM |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 37 | Cole Davies | 11 Laps | Waitoki, NZ | Monster Energy Star Racing Yamaha |
| 2 | 47 | Levi Kitchen | 16.547 | Washougal, WA | Monster Energy Pro Circuit Kawasaki |
| 3 | 58 | Daxton Bennick | 25.575 | Morganton, NC | Rockstar Energy Husqvarna |
Key Moments:
- Davies rebounded brightly from his earlier misfortune, dominating the second moto.
- Kitchen’s late surge secured him a crucial second place overall in the event.
450SMX Moto #2 Results
| POSITION | BIKE # | RIDER | BEHIND | HOMETOWN | TEAM |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 38 | Haiden Deegan | 12 Laps | Temecula, CA | Monster Energy Star Racing Yamaha |
| 2 | 94 | Ken Roczen | 17.182 | Clermont, FL | Progressive Insurance / Cycle Gear |
| 3 | 2 | Cooper Webb | 35.008 | Newport, NC | Monster Energy Star Racing Yamaha |
Key Moments:
- Deegan showcased dominance, winning both motos and taking the overall victory for the day.
- Roczen continued his strong performance with another second-place finish.
Overall Event Results
250SMX
- Levi Kitchen (4 pts)
- Daxton Bennick (4 pts)
- Ryder DiFrancesco (7 pts)
450SMX
- Haiden Deegan (2 pts)
- Ken Roczen (4 pts)
- Jorge Prado (7 pts)
Standings After Round 1
- 250SMX: Levi Kitchen leads with 47 total points.
- 450SMX: Jorge Prado holds a slim lead with 42 total points.
Conclusion
This event dramatically reshaped the playoff landscape for both classes, setting the stage for intense competition in the upcoming rounds.
