Deegan Breaks Through for First 250 Podium in Daytona

05-03-2023

Deegan Breaks Through for First 250 Podium in Daytona

Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing’s Haiden Deegan rode to his first career 250SX podium finish at the fourth round of the Monster Energy AMA Supercross 250SX East Championship at the Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Florida. After being so close twice this season, the 17-year-old claimed third in the main event, moving up to third in the championship standings. Teammate Jordon Smith also rode strong on the unique track to finish a few seconds behind Deegan in fourth. Last weekend’s winner Nate Thrasher overcame a few mishaps in the main event to climb back from next to last to 10th.

With this being his first trip to Daytona, Deegan utilized the qualifying time to get comfortable with the track and found himself eighth overall after the two sessions. The Californian’s strong start in the opening heat race helped him stay with the front pack and finish third. When the gate dropped for the main event, Deegan grabbed a decent start and funneled into seventh after the opening lap. He moved up to fourth by the third lap and made the pass to third on the following lap. Deegan ticked off the laps and held on to claim his first career podium in only his fourth professional race.

Smith has enjoyed success at the famed Daytona Supercross, and he carried that confidence all day, starting with a solid qualifying session where he finished third. He was quick off the start in his heat race and led the first three laps before moving into second, where he would finish. In the main event, Smith found himself just behind his teammate Deegan in eighth off the start. He followed Deegan through the pack and even was able to get around him briefly before settling into fourth, where he would cross the finish line. Smith is now tied for fourth in the points standings.

Notoriously confident at speedway-style race tracks, Thrasher started the day in quick fashion as the second-fastest rider in timed qualifying. He carried that speed into the heat race, where he claimed his second heat race win of the season. With another good start in the main event, Thrasher was trying to make quick work to the front but went down in the sand section and got going again in 20th. He made up ground in the following laps but went down again and fell back to 20th. With less time than before to make up positions, Thrasher put his head down and picked off half the field by the end of the race, finishing a hard-fought 10th. Thrasher moved a few spots in the championship standings and is now sixth.

The Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing team heads to Indianapolis, Indiana, on Saturday, March 11, for Round 5 of the Monster Energy AMA Supercross 250SX East Championship and the ninth round of the SuperMotocross World Championship at Lucas Oil Stadium.

2023 Monster Energy AMA Supercross 250SX Daytona Results

2023 Monster Energy AMA Supercross 250SX East Championship Standings

Haiden Deegan

Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing

“Daytona was a good one for me. Qualifying went alright, and we ended up where we usually would be. Daytona is definitely a ‘man’s track,’ so you had to adapt to it, and it was rough. My heat race was good. I had a few passes and ended up third. Then in the main event, I didn’t get a great start, but I knew I had the speed for a podium. I put my head down and started charging, ending up in third. Jordon (Smith) and I had a couple of good battles - it was fun racing.”

Jordon Smith

Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing

“Daytona was a little bit up and down for me. We battled from a bad start in the main to finish fourth. I’m looking forward to Indianapolis!”

Nate Thrasher

Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing

“The day started off well. I was P2 in qualifying and got the heat race win. I was feeling pretty good and felt my speed was there. I got a good start in the main, but unfortunately, I went down in the sand and then was coming back through the pack and went down again. We’re going to put it behind us and come back stronger at Indy.”

Jensen Hendler

Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing 250 Team Manager

“Overall, the weekend was great. Haiden ended up with his first podium with a third-place finish, and Jordon was just off the podium in fourth. Although some unfortunate things happened to Nate in the main, he never quit and came back to finish 10th. We’re excited to get back in the stadiums next weekend. Also, it was great to see Justin get sixth, which was a career-best for him on the 450. It was a great ride on a really tough track. We’re excited to take that momentum into the outdoors with him on the 250.”