First place 450SMX Class

“It's getting to the point where it's just close to the limit, because right now you can't really push the track at all. It can catch you really quickly if you compress the suspension too hard, and [if you] clip those ruts, especially. So, you're just trying to play it smart and run the risk versus reward [balance]. So [I was] just really trying to get a flow and keep my laps as consistent as possible.” – Jett Lawrence, following Moto 1.

Second place 450SMX Class

“It's funny, I thought I had the Holeshot, and I just blew the first turn. Jett got underneath me, and I was probably 4th or 5th behind Ken [Roczen] and just had to work my way up. Eli went down, which gave me a gift, but I felt pretty good actually. I felt like I was gelling with the track. I'm not gonna lie, it's probably one of the sketchiest tracks I've ever ridden, just with the kickers and all these weird things, and the dirt is so soft. So, I was trying to not be conservative, but try and be safe as well. Jett rode awesome. I reeled him in a little bit, but he's pretty smart, and we were gauging each other. So, good moto, and [I’ll] try and get another good start, try and hold it this time, and see what we can do.” – Chase Sexton, after the moto, when riders expected a second moto later in the day.

Third place 450SMX Class

 “I'm not sure if it was [too much] acceleration or if it was the front end that tucked there; either way I was maybe a little impatient. I moved out [to a different line] after that, I should have been using the cushion. Try to live and learn. Overall, felt really good… The back motocross section is something like I've never seen. It's fun, it's technical, but at the same time it is gnarly.” – Eli Tomac, asked about what caused his tip-over in the race.

In 250SMX Class racing, two-time SMX World Champion in the class Haiden Deegan recovered from a poor start to start the post-season with a dominating win. Monster Energy Pro Circuit Kawasaki's Seth Hammaker nabbed the holeshot and pulled a huge gap on the field. Hammaker gave up the top spot with two laps remaining but held off Monster Energy Pro Circuit Kawasaki's Levi Kitchen at the end. Due to a cross-flag penalty, Kitchen was docked one position and was awarded fourth place in the moto. Team Honda HRC Progressive's Jo Shimoda, who crashed early during a pass attempt for the lead, recovered brilliantly from outside the top ten to take the final podium spot.

First place 250SMX Class

“If they want to send us in the mud, that's cool. Either way, we're chillin’. I'm a racer, we'll figure it out. I mean, I've heard a lot of people complaining about the track today, which I think is BS because we're professional athletes and I think you got to figure it out. So, no problem with the track and if we gotta race, we gotta race, and if we don't then I'll take the dub. I'm not gonna say it was an easy dub, because it was a hard race.” – Haiden Deegan, interviewed during the weather delay.

SMX World Championship Playoff 2 will deliver more racing excitement next Saturday, September 13th, at The Dome at America’s Center in St. Louis, MO. The city has hosted 26 Monster Energy AMA Supercross events but this will be the first postseason event at the venue that is renowned by racers for its excellent dirt. The intensity ratchets up with a double points payout in St. Louis, which is followed by the triple-payout Final on Saturday, September 20th when the Championship returns to The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. When the dust settles on the season, the 450SMX Champion will receive a one-million-dollar payout, and the 250SMX World Champion will take home a $500,000 title win payout.