SMX Insiders Debates Deegan's Legacy, Adds Alex Vesia

Round 6 of the SMX World Championship is scheduled for Saturday, Feb. 14 at Lumen Field in Seattle. The early season has been unusually competitive — four different riders won the opening five rounds — leaving the title wide open heading into Seattle.

In 450SX, Hunter Lawrence carries the red plate into Seattle, five points ahead of Ken Roczen; Cooper Webb remains 15 points back and is still in contention. Roczen’s most recent victory was his 24th in 450SX and his 52nd SMX League win overall. He has 167 career SMX podiums, including 80 in 450SX, has recorded at least one win in seven straight seasons, and his recent success marked his fourth season-winning campaign with Suzuki. In 250SX, Haiden Deegan secured his 11th 250SX victory — his fourth straight — bringing his Yamaha wins to 29. He will try to reach 30 SMX League wins in Seattle while extending his Western Division lead.

Seattle adds historical stakes: the round will be the 51st 450SX-class and 38th 250SX-class round held in the city and the 18th time the event is run at Lumen Field. Historically, the Seattle 450 winner went on to take the season championship 15 of 50 times (30%), and the 250 Western winner did so 17 of 37 times (46%). At Lumen Field specifically, conversion rates have been lower — four of 17 450 winners (24%) and seven of 17 250 winners (41%) later captured divisional or season titles. Fans have multiple viewing options: in the United States, Race Day Live (the pre-race show) will stream at 1 p.m. ET on Peacock and the Gate Drop live race broadcast is scheduled for 7 p.m. ET on Peacock and SiriusXM. International audiences can watch Race Day Live at 6 p.m. GMT on SuperMotocross VideoPass, and the live race will stream at 12 a.m. GMT on SuperMotocross VideoPass. Ahead of the race, the SMX Insiders episode previewed the Seattle round, mixing historical comparison and current-season outlook, debating whether Haiden Deegan belongs among the all-time SMX small-bike greats, and featuring a crossover Big Interview with Dodgers pitcher Alex Vesia to broaden interest in the event.