Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing’s Haiden Deegan made championship gains with a third-place finish at the first Monster Energy AMA Supercross 250 East-West Showdown of the season in Indianapolis, Indiana. The back-to-back 250SMX Champion’s efforts have him heading into the break with a 12-point lead in the 250SX West Championship. Rookie Cole Davies put in another impressive charge back to score a fifth-place finish in the tricky conditions at the Lucas Oil Stadium. Max Anstie salvaged points in his 250SX East title fight, securing a seventh-place finish. Daxton Bennick and Nate Thrasher finished 11th and 14th, respectively, with Michael Mosiman crossing the line 15th after a late race crash.
Deegan, who topped the timesheets for both 250 divisions in practice and qualifying, got off to a flying start in the 250SX West Heat Race, grabbing the holeshot and securing a wire-to-wire victory. However, during the East-West Showdown Main Event, a less-than-ideal start left him sixth after the first lap. Undeterred, he made his way to third just four laps in and worked to reel in the competition, but an error had him going off track. Deegan quickly recovered and kept it on two wheels, holding onto third to score his fifth podium of the season and expand his championship lead to 12 points.
Davies had a strong qualifying as well, getting the second gate pick for the 250SX West Heat Race. In fourth after the first lap, the young New Zealander threw down a strong pace in the tricky conditions, claiming second with four laps remaining and holding off advances to finish in the runner-up spot. Davies got another good start to the main event and was riding in fourth before unfortunately, having a tip-over in the sand section on the second lap. The rookie rejoined towards the back of the field and launched an impressive comeback to fifth, maintaining third in the 250SX West Championship standings.
Anstie had a strong start to the day in Indianapolis. The 250SX East red plate holder qualified for the second gate pick in his 250 divisional heat race and then got a good start to grab the holeshot. Anstie continued to ride a strong pace and kept cool under pressure, earning a hard-fought heat race victory. Unfortunately, in the main event, he did not get off the gate as he had hoped and was ninth after the opening lap. The British rider kept pushing and secured a seventh-place finish to salvage some points on a tough night at the Lucas Oil Stadium, staying within one point of the top spot in the 250SX East Championship.
After qualifying for the ninth gate pick in the 250SX East Heat Race, Bennick had a good start in sixth after the first lap and kept pushing to earn a top-five finish. Unfortunately, he did not get the start he was hoping for in the main event and was 12th after the first lap. Bennick continued to battle, quickly making his way to eighth. Although he was later shuffled to 14th, the 19-year-old continued to fight and crossed the line 11th.
Feeling less than 100% with his finger injury, Thrasher continued to work throughout the day and secured the 10th gate pick for the 250SX East Heat Race. The Tennessee rider had a great start and was fifth after the first lap, ultimately crossing the line sixth behind Bennick. In the main event, he was 15th after the first lap and did what he could to finish 14th.
In qualifying, Mosiman secured the seventh gate pick for the 250SX West Heat Race, and from there, got a great start and slotted into second. He continued to run a strong pace but ultimately finished third to round out a stellar 1-2-3 finish for the team. In the main event, he found himself 11th and continued to battle, making his way to 10th. Unfortunately, with around five laps to go, Mosiman had a crash in the whoops and rejoined in 15th, where he would ultimately finish.
The Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing team returns to action in two weeks’ time for Round 5 of the Monster Energy AMA Supercross 250SX East Championship at the Protective Stadium in Birmingham, Alabama, on March 22. On the following weekend, racing resumes for the Western Divisional 250 class with Round 7 on March 29 at the Lumen Field in Seattle, Washington.
Jensen Hendler – Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing 250 Team Manager
“It was another up-and-down day for us at Indy. This track can be really tough, and the East-West Shootout adds a whole other level to it. We had a pretty good qualifying. Haiden was fast all day, and then in the heat races, we went 1-2-3 on the West Coast, with Haiden winning that one. On the East Coast, Max had a great ride and fought hard for the win. Unfortunately, it wasn’t the main event we were looking for, but looking at the big picture, it was a good night overall. Haiden had a great night for points with another podium finish and leaves with a 12-point lead. Max was able to salvage some points and leaves one point behind the leader. We’re looking forward to the break and will come back swinging in Birmingham.”
Haiden Deegan – Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing #38
“Yeah, today was good. I qualified 1-1, which was perfect for me, and then won the heat race with a pretty good lead, which was cool. In the main event, I got to third place pretty quickly. I was reeling in those guys at the front and then made a pretty crucial mistake where I ended up going over the berm and into the net. From there, I just had to be smart and ride it in for third because the guy that’s second in points on my coast was pretty far back. I just wanted to make some good points, and we did that tonight.”
Cole Davies – Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing #100
“Man, it could have been a really good night for me. I ended up going down early in the main event and was way back, but I reset and made my way through the pack the best I could and came back from 17th to fifth. I’m really happy with my riding tonight, but I need to limit the mistakes. I rode one time at The Farm since Arlington because I was super sick the last couple of weeks, so all in all, it was still a really good night for me, but I’m always wanting more. I’m looking forward to Seattle.”
Max Anstie – Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing #31
“I won my heat race but did not have a great main in Indy. I’m happy to have a two-week break before the next round and will come back stronger in Alabama.”
Daxton Bennick – Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing #34
“It was a tough night in Indy. I’m excited for the break to keep building and be better in Birmingham.”
Nate Thrasher – Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing #41
“It was a tough night for me in Indy. I struggled all day. We’re going to try and get healthy in the next two weeks and come out swinging in Alabama.”
Michael Mosiman – Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing #93
“We’re going to put Indianapolis behind us. It was not the East-West Shootout I was hoping for. I had a good heat race and wish I could’ve replicated a similar start for the main event, but I have a lot to take away from this race and a lot to learn from. Sometimes things go sideways, but that’s a part of racing. I’m still building, and tonight’s experience is going to help that cause.”