Takes: Playoff Drama Peaks as Both Titles To Be Decided in Vegas

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Through three years, the SuperMotocross Playoffs have struggled to find an identity. The first year was what I liked to call a “feeling it out” year. Team, promoters, fans, media, etc. didn’t know what to expect. 

Year two, similar. The racing was good, but the excitement wasn’t there. 

Now, as we head into the finale in year 3, we now have a clear picture of what this championship was designed to do: create a massive, winner-take-all scenario entering the final round. 

Oh, and as Levi Kitchen put it: there is a lot of money on the line.

Before we dive too far into this, keep in mind the points structure for the final round. It is not your typical 25pts, 22pts, and so on structure. First place this weekend will receive 75pts. Second 66pts. Third 54pts and so on. I’ve put the full points below:

With that being said, we have a barn burner coming up this Saturday in BOTH classes. 

In the 450 Class, Jett Lawrence holds a slim six point lead over his brother Hunter after Hunter won the overall at the second round in St. Louis and picked up six valuable points on Jett. Eli Tomac is 16 points back, and while not in a winner-take-all scenario, he is very much alive with the final round point structure. Eli would need to win in Vegas and have Jett finish outside the top three and Hunter finish third or worse. 

The 250 Class was shaken up by the Deegan/Kitchen drama, and Jo Shimoda was the benefactor. Shimoda leads Deegan by 10, with Seth Hammaker only 14 back in third. 

While the 250 Class isn’t winner-take-all (Shimoda can finish second and still win the title if Deegan wins), it will provide what the Playoffs were designed for: top riders, going for a title with a lot of money on the line. 

Get the popcorn ready.