Takes: Anaheim 2 By the Numbers | Chase Sexton Snaps Kawasaki’s 53-Race 450SX Skid; Haiden Deegan Ties McElrath and More

Yamaha Motor Corporation, USA, is proud to announce an extensive update to its industry-leading flagship Motocross model, the new 2026 YZ450F. Faced with the complex challenge of improving on a bike already widely considered the benchmark of the ultra-competitive 450cc four-stroke class, Yamaha engineers put significant focus into refining power delivery and handling performance to achieve a level of precision, control and tuneability that sets a new class standard: the easiest bike to ride fast. Learn more!

I knew it had been a while since a Monster Energy Kawasaki rider had stood atop the 450SX Class podium in Supercross. I did not know it had been 53 (!!!!) rounds. Now I do, and now you do. Chase Sexton ended the streak at round 3 in Anaheim, his first win since his high-profile switch to the team this past off-season. Sexton now trails Eli Tomac by 13 in the championship as the series heads to a pivotal round 4 in Houston, TX, this Saturday.

Before we shift our focus toward Houston, lets look at some stats from round 3.

*All stats below are provided by Feld Motor Sports

450 Class

Chase Sexton’s Win

  • Was the 17th of his 450SX career
  • He’s now tied with Jeff Stanton and Mark Barnett for 15th all-time
  • It was his 38th career SMX League victory (18th all-time)
  • The win breaks Kawasaki’s 53 round losing streak, the second longest losing streak in the brand’s 450SX Class history (65 from 1979-1984). 
  • Kawasaki’s last win prior to Anaheim 2 was Jason Anderson at the 2022 finale

Hunter Lawrence’s Second

  • Was the 1st time in his career he has podiumed in back-to-back rounds
  • It was his 4th career 450SX podium and 69th SMX League podium
  • He is now just 8 points behind Eli Tomac in the championship

Eli Tomac’s Third

  • Was his 105th 450SX podium
  • He is 3rd all-time on the 450SX all-time podium list
  • It was his 234th career SMX League podium. He is 1st all-time

Other

Jason Anderson’s (4th): He is now tied with Ricky Carmichael for 9th with his 97th 450SX Class top-5 finish

Joey Savatgy (6th): He is off to his best 3-round start of his 450SX Class career with 42 points and an 8th place average finish

Ken Roczen (8th): Is now tied with Heath Voss for 12th on the all-time 450SX Class starts list with 165

Justin Cooper (10th): Made his 170th SMX League start and nailed his 156th top-10 finish (36/41 in 450SX Class)

250 Class

Haiden Deegan’s Win 

  • Was the 9th of his 250SX career
  • He is now tied with Shane McElrath for 23rd all-time
  • It was his 27th SMX League win
  • It was the 51st podium of his SMX League career

Michael Mosiman’s Second

  • Was the 1st time he landed back-to-back podiums since 2022
  • It was his 12th career podium
  • A2 marked his 61st career 250SX start

Ryder DiFrancesco’s Third

  • Was his 2nd career podium
  • It came in his 15th 250SX start
  • His 1st career podium came at round 1, also in Anaheim 

Other

Cameron McAdoo (4th): Secured his 27th career top-5

Hunter Yoder (7th), Matti Jorgensen (12th) and Crockett Myers (13th) all had career-best finishes at Anaheim 2

*SMX League Statistics = 450 and 250 Class Supercross, Pro Motocross, and Playoffs

Photos: octopi.media

Written by Slaw

Just a dog trying to find my special bun.

Brandon Haas and Crockett Myers and the Return of Stories from the Frontlines | Winners Take Y’all Podcast

Austin Forkner Out For Houston Supercross Following Press Day Crash