The 10th round of Monster Energy AMA Supercross got off to a chaotic start last Saturday night when rookie Haiden Deegan and veteran Jordon Smith banged bars during the opening 250SX East heat race.
With just over three minutes to go, the Star Racing Yamaha teammates entered into a battle for the lead that eventually became one of the most controversial moments during the night’s event at Detroit’s Ford Field.
With Deegan leading, Smith continued to close in on the No. 238 rider as the clock wound down. The key factor in the equation was the whoops section where Smith was gaining considerable ground. He raced up the outside of Deegan and essentially overtook him by the end of the section.
However, Deegan took Smith high as they exited the whoops, pushing the No. 58 into the tuff blocks when the two riders rounded the berm. As the pair wound their way through the next three turns, they continued to exchange contact. In the third corner, Smith caught his front tire on Deegan’s rear wheel as he attempted to slide to the inside for a pass.
The veteran toppled to the ground, ending his heat race. Smith failed to transfer into the main event out of the last-chance qualifier, which dropped him from fourth to sixth in the standings. Deegan finished third in the main event, bumping him from fifth to third in the championship fight.
Jordon Smith makes laps at Ford Field in Detroit. (Star Racing Yamaha photo)
When pressed by the media about his decision in the heat race, the youngster admitted he had no regrets.
“I think [Smith’s] like fifth in points, so he’s a little out of it. But besides that, it was good. I want to win just as much as everybody else, whether it’s a heat race or a main,” Deegan said. “We’re out here racing and even though I’m the rookie, I still got to stand my ground a little bit.”
The 17-year-old has enjoyed an impressive run during his rookie 250SX campaign. In six starts, Deegan’s worst finish was eighth while his average finish is fourth.
Despite the positive performance, his run-in with Smith ignited a spark that could not be ignored. As the battle was between teammates, taking place in a heat race where points were not at stake, the aggression was arguably uncalled for. But in the post-race press conference in Detroit, series points leader Hunter Lawrence jumped to Deegan’s defense and shared his opinion on the subject.
“Everyone’s easy to point the finger. We’re out there making decisions at a split millisecond. People have all month to pay their phone bill and they still can’t do that on time,” Lawrence said. “No one’s perfect. We’re under a microscope out there.”
The Honda HRC rider also pointed out the inconsistency of fans and critics who claim there should be a return to the rough riding of the ’90s, while they often complain about the limited aggression riders are allowed to show in the modern era of the sport.
“Pick one. You say you want the gnarly block passes from 10 years ago, but then when you get it, everyone makes a big song and dance about it,” Lawrence said. “That’s my perspective.”
When Nate Thrasher, Deegan’s second Star Racing Yamaha teammate, was asked about his perspective on the heat race incident, Thrasher responded, “No comment.”
Smith was also anxious to put the night behind him.
“That was definitely not how we wanted the night to go,” Smith said. “We’re just going to put this behind us and get back to work. At the end of the day, I’m leaving here healthy, and I’ve been in a lot worse positions.”
The 250SX East championship contenders will have a two-week break to let the tempers cool as the 250SX West series reclaims the spotlight at Lumen Field in Seattle, Wash., on March 25. Deegan, Smith, Lawrence and Thrasher won’t be back on course until the series visits Atlanta Motor Speedway in Hampton, Ga., on April 15.
Then, rookies and veterans alike will have a fresh opportunity to cut into Lawrence’s point lead.
Keyword: Deegan Takes Criticism Over Run-In With Teammate