SMX Playoffs: Supercross champion Ken Roczen is now in the running for the million

More than 4.2 million US dollars in prize money will be up for grabs at the upcoming SMX Playoffs, and even the rider finishing last in the 450 class will still receive a ‘pocket money’ sum of 25,000 US dollars. The play-offs are certainly worth the effort, which is why the US series is attracting more and more riders from abroad.

Where does the money come from?

The TV channel NBC broadcasts the Playoffs and is prepared to spend these sums on the spectacle. Supercross, motocross and the Playoffs enjoy enormous popularity and reach in the USA. The playoff tracks are neither pure motocross nor supercross tracks. They feature elements of both supercross and motocross. Each playoff is contested over two heats, and points are awarded for the overall result of each playoff event.

Jetzt geht es um die Million

Foto: AMA

The SMX Play-offs points system

Riders carry over a points total from their combined Supercross and Motocross results. This is a small starting bonus, but it is of only limited help in winning the championship. In the first race, the standard points are awarded: 25, 22, 20 and so on, as is customary in Supercross and Motocross. In the second playoff race, the points are doubled, and in the third they are even tripled. This favours riders who perform well under pressure and guarantees pure drama in the final.

Das Punktesystem der SMX-Playoffs

Foto: AMA

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Standings – 450

1. Hunter Lawrence (AUS), Honda, 820, 25

2. Jorge Prado (E), KTM, 590, 22

3. Cooper Webb (USA), Yamaha, 579, 20

4. Jett Lawrence (AUS), Honda, 472, 18

5. Dylan Ferrandis (F), Ducati, 444, 17

6. Garrett Marchbanks (USA), Kawasaki, 438, 16

7. Haiden Deegan (USA), Yamaha, 404, 15

8. Eli Tomac (USA), KTM, 396, 14

9. R.J. Hampshire (USA), Husqvarna, 384, 13

10. Ken Roczen (Germany), Suzuki, 349, 12

11. Justin Cooper (USA), Yamaha, 347, 11

12. Chase Sexton (USA), Kawasaki, 298, 10

SMX Standings 250

1. Cole Davies (NZL), Yamaha, 638, 25

2. Levi Kitchen (USA), Kawasaki, 541, 22

3. Ryder DiFrancesco (USA), Husqvarna, 490, 20

4. Chance Hymas (USA), Honda, 402, 18

5. Julien Beaumer (USA), KTM, 369, 17

6. Kayden Minear (AUS), Yamaha, 324, 16

7. Nate Thrasher (USA), Yamaha, 316, 15

8. Seth Hammaker (USA), Kawasaki, 314, 14

9. Carson Mumford (USA), Honda, 314, 13

10. Daxton Bennick (USA), Yamaha, 302, 12

The top favourites

Australian HRC works rider Hunter Lawrence narrowly missed out on the US Supercross Championships. In the summer, he became US Motocross Champion. Last year’s winner, Jett Lawrence, is not taking part as his foot injury has not yet fully healed. Haiden Deegan (Yamaha), Ken Roczen (Suzuki), Jorge Prado (KTM), Cooper Webb (Yamaha) and Eli Tomac (KTM) are also keen to get their hands on the million-dollar prize.

The SMX Playoffs fixtures