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Well, that was quick….
Hunter Lawrence and Cole Davies are probably still drying off from their champagne celebrations at Ironman, and somehow we’re already back racing this Saturday for Round 1 of the three-round SMX World Championship Playoffs.
If you’re a new reader—or a new fan—and have absolutely no idea what the Playoffs are or how they work, go read this. I will not be repeating any of the words from the article I just linked. I need pageviews. Go read that, come back here, then refresh both pages again and again and again. #Bonus
Anyhow, as I do prior to the start of every new championship, I will be listing 5 Things I Think I Think. Loyal Slaw readers will point out “but, Sir Slaw, you did 10 Things for Pro Motocross?” One, don’t be a rat and 2) Pro Motocross is 11 rounds, SMX Playoffs are three. They get half the things.
Now, on to my Grammy-award winning article…
I Think I Think Hunter Lawrence Is a Shoe-in For the Title
Starting bold, I know. I’m sure I’ll end up on some Haiden Deegan fan page hit list for this, but I have to be honest to all five of my loyal readers and give the cold hard facts. #CapitalJ
Hunter was the fastest guy outdoors–I don’t want to get into all the aftermath of that. I’m sure there are 10000 podcasts out there with their tinfoil hats that you can go listen to–and could have won this exact SMX title the past two years. With Jett out, Kenny coming off a layoff, Deegan getting his feet wet indoors on the 450, I just find it hard to think it will be anyone but Hunter.
I Think I Think Cole Davies Makes History
In the very short span of the Playoffs, no rider has won all three titles–Supercross, Pro Motocross and SMX World Championship–in the same season. Not Hunter. Not Jett. Not Haiden. Not Tomac. Not Webb. Not Kenny. Nobody.
And now, a kid who just turned 19 has a chance to become the first. Cole Davies entered 2026 with exactly zero professional championships to his name. He’ll enter the SMX Playoffs with two. First came the 250SX East Region title, where Davies established himself as the guy to beat during a dominant sophomore Supercross campaign. Then came outdoors, where he backed it up by clinching the 250 title at Ironman on his 19th birthday. Oh, and that came in his first full season of Pro Motocross.
Cole faces a much harder challenge than Hunter. Kitchen, Shimoda, Beaumer, Hymas and more could all win this title. But… they won’t. I think we all forget how dominate Davies was in Supercross. Six wins, only one finish off the podium (the opener) in 10 rounds, and he walked to the title. He won’t walk to the title in the Playoffs, but he’ll jog to it. Lead Slaw Lock of the Week.
I Think I Think Ken Roczen Will Be Just Fine
Ken Roczen is living his best life right now. He won his first Supercross title, enjoyed the summer chilling with his family instead of grinding out 22 motos in the heat, and spent last weekend in Crandon, Wisconsin, racing in the Pro 2 Class at the Polaris World Championships at Crandon International Raceway–a week before the Playoffs!!
Kenny is like that semi-retired divorced dad in your group that plays golf most days, watches as much football as he wants while eating as many wings and downing as many beers as he so pleases. #Goals
Anyhow, do I think Kenny is hitting his peak entering the Playoffs? No, I do not. Could be wrong on that, but, whatever, it don’t matter. Kenny is a vet. He’s the football player that skips mini-camp and comes out and throws for 400 yards the first week. When you’ve done this as long as Kenny, you just know how to ride and prepare yourself.
I DO think that Kenny is facing too big of a hole to win the title, but he’ll probably finish third in the championship and collect some damn good money for his efforts.
I Think I Think Prado Will Be Better Than People Expect
I think people forget how much improved Prado was in Supercross this year. After a disastrous first year with Kawi, Prado was much, much better in 2026. He was setting fast laps, crushing whoops and enters second in points with 22 to Hunter’s 25. No whoops will hurt Prado, but don’t be surprised to see him win a race.
I Think I Think Cooper Webb Has Too Much Going on To Win The Title
I am usually never on to count out Cooper Webb for anything, but man, I am having a hard time thinking he will win this title. Cooper has never been super successful in off-season events. From the Playoffs to Paris to everything in between, he just isn’t the same Cooper we seeing tracking dudes down like a rabid dog late in a race during Supercross. With his upcoming team switch, his upcoming bike switch, and preparing for the Motocross of Nations, I think I think Webb won’t care all that much about this title. He enters third in points, but I think he leaves outside the top five.
