Who Will Take the Final SuperMotocross Playoff Spots?

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PLAYOFFS!?!?!?!? WE TALKING ABOUT PLAYOFFS!?!?!?

Yes, yes we are. We have reached the end of a very long Monster Energy AMA Supercross and Pro Motocross seasons, and it is about time to turn our focus to the SuperMotocross Playoffs, which kick off Sept. 6 in Charlotte.

The final round of Pro Motocross this Saturday at Budds Creek actually holds major implications in the playoff chase.

Before we dig into the scenarios this weekend, here is how the qualifying works for the SMX Playoffs:

How SMX Qualifying Works

A combined points tally is accrued through the Monster Energy Supercross and Pro Motocross seasons
The top 20 points earners in 450 and 250 will automatically qualify and be seeded into the SMX World Championship
Riders from 21st to 30th in combined points will compete in a Wild Card race for the final two positions of the 22-rider field
If a seeded, top 20 athlete is unable to compete in an event, an additional opportunity will be made available for a provisional racer to qualify through the Wild Card
Any racer outside the top 30 in combined points who also won a Supercross Main Event or Pro Motocross moto will also be eligible to compete in the Wild Card race for the 21st and 22nd position

Why This Weekend Matters

Because automatic qualifying spots are on the line. Yes, while they can still go through the LCQ every round, having a automatic spot is dare I say … priceless.

You can scroll on below for the 450 and 250 point standings heading into the weekend, but Justin Cooper (450) and Haiden Deegan (250) have the #1 seeds on lock. The real intrigue comes further down the standings and the riders fighting to NOT go through the LCQ.

450 Class Battle

The Players: Justin Hill, Mitchell Harrison, Valentin Guillod, Coty Schock

The Points: Justin Hill (194), Mitchell Harrison (182), Valentin Guillod (179), Coty Schock (171)

Most Likely to Qualify: While Justin Hill has yet to race in Pro Motocross, he still holds a direct qualifying position. That’s the good news. The bad? He could get pushed out this weekend.

If Schock scores 23 or more points, Harrison picks up 12 and Guillod grabs 15, Hill is out. If we take Unadilla results for example, where Guillod scored 23, Schock 21 and Harrison 16, Schock would be out. There are a million scenarios that could play out, so I’m just going to make my picks:

Hill, Harrison, Guillod.

250 Class Battle

The Players: Cole Davies, Dilan Schwartz, Lux Turner, Coty Schock

The Points: Cole Davies (171), Dilan Schwartz (167), Lux Turner (155), Coty Schock (144)

Most Likely to Qualify: Yes, technically Schock could race either class in the SMX Playoffs due to his 250 Supercross and 450 Pro Motocross points. Since he will race the 450 Class this weekend, let’s focus on the other three… well, two.

I think Davies is safe, despite not scoring points at Unadilla. Schwartz did bang up his ankle last weekend, but according to Racer X, he will race. Is he healthy enough to hold off Turner? I think so. So, I’m picking Davies and Schwartz.

There you have it. Check out the points below and we’ll be back next week for more playoff chatter.