Takes: How Much 450 Riders Won and Lost in the SuperMotocross Playoffs

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!

Prior to the final round of the SuperMotocross Playoffs in Las Vegas, I wrote about this finally being the year that the championship provided what is what designed to do: create a massive, winner-take-all scenario entering the final round with a lot of money on the line.

Little did I know at the time we would have one of the most dramatic nights in the sport under the bright Vegas lights, but hey, sometimes you get lucky and predict such things. 

While the Playoffs are far from perfect, one thing we can’t argue about (I think?) is that they put more money in riders pockets. Without factoring in individual race wins, manufacture bonuses, gear bonuses, etc. the 450 Class paid 3 million in payouts and the 250 Class paying out 1.2 million. 

While we know Jett Lawrence took home a cool million for his third straight title, I wanted to dig a bit further and see who won and lost the most money based on where they stood in the point standings entering the playoffs. 

For example, Eli Tomac entered the Playoffs ranked 7th, which would have paid him $120,000 if he didn’t move up any positions. Instead, Tomac moved up to third in points and brought home $250,000, an increase of $130,000. 

On the other side of the coin, Malcolm Stewart entered third in points, but was injured at the first round and wasn’t able to race any of the three rounds and dropped back to 20th. That cost him nearly $250,000. 

Those are just two examples, but check out the full chart below to see how much the 450 Class won and lost over the three rounds:

450 Class SMX Won / Lost

PosRiderEnteredFinishedPayout+/-
1Jett Lawrence211 million+ $500,000
2Hunter Lawrence52$500,000+ $350,000
3Eli Tomac73$250,000+ $130,000
4Ken Roczen114$200,000+ $150,000
5Justin Cooper15$150,000– $850,000
6Cooper Webb47$135,000– $65,000
7RJ Hampshire108$120,000+ $45,000
8Chase Sexton 69$100,000– $35,000
9Joey Savatgy1410$90,000+ $57,000
10Justin Barcia911$75,000– $15,000
11Dylan Ferrandis1212$50,000Even
12Justin Hill1913$35,000+ $7,000
13Benny Bloss2414$34,000+ $34,000
14Shane McElrath615$33,000– $102,000
15Coty Schock2116$32,000+ $6,000
16Valentin Guillod1817$31,000+$1,000
17Dean WilsonOutside Top 3018$30,000+$30,000
18Marshal WeltinOutside Top 3019$29,000+$29,000
19Malcolm Stewart320$28,000– $222,000
20Harri Kullas2221$27,000+$1,000
21Mitchell Harrison2022$26,000-$1,000
22Aaron Plessinger823$25,000– $75,000

450SMX Payout

Written by Slaw

Just a dog trying to find my special bun.

Power Rankings: Team USA Dream Team

Race with Team Vurb at the 500 East – Enter Now