TROY LEE DESIGNS/RED BULL/GASGAS FACTORY RACING’S PIERCE BROWN WINS LAS VEGAS SMX FINAL.
CLIMBS TO THIRD POSITION IN FINAL 250 SUPERMOTOCROSS WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP STANDINGS.
Troy Lee Designs/Red Bull/GASGAS Factory Racing and Pierce Brown saved their best for the last round at the SuperMotocross World Championship (SMX) Final in Las Vegas, as PB delivered a breakout victory to earn third position in the 250SMX standings overall.
After qualifying in seventh position this afternoon at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, Brown was immediately in contention during the night show after convincingly charging to second place in 250SMX Moto 1 onboard his GASGAS MC 250F Factory Edition.
Pierce fought his way through from P5 to the lead in the second moto of the evening and once he got there on Lap 7, took control of the race for a commanding 6.891s win. His combined 2-1 scorecard sealed him the overall, also elevating him to P3 in the 250SMX World Championship.
Pierce Brown:„Wow, what a night! All I can say is that I’m speechless. First career win is just surreal, I’m so stoked to do it for the team and here in Las Vegas this weekend to finish off the season together.“
250SMX teammate Ryder DiFrancesco impressed in qualifying third on combined times, before pushing forward to P7 in the first outing. Moto 2 saw him take the checkered flag in 16th, which placed him 11th overall for the SMX Final and he was also credited P11 in the series.
Ryder DiFrancesco:„This was a good weekend for me. Qualifying was good and so was the first moto, but it was just the last moto that wasn’t the way we wanted to end it. This year was a good building year, so I am looking forward to seeing what we can do next season!“
Las Vegas was another step in the right direction for Troy Lee Designs/Red Bull/GASGAS Factory Racing 450SMX entry Justin Barcia, equipped with the GASGAS MC 450F Factory Edition and making his second SMX start of the post-season.
Bam Bam proved consistent on the high-speed, hybrid-type track, recording a ninth-place result in the first race and then going one better for P8 in Moto 2 to round out the year. Barcia’s results at the finale also saw him climb to ninth in the championship.
Justin Barcia:„Vegas, not where we wanted to be, but I’m glad we were better than the week before. It was a shame I had that crash in Charlotte, because it was a challenging season, and I appreciate my whole crew for putting in 100% behind me and am super-proud of this team. It was really cool to see Pierce get the win tonight also! I’m excited for a healthy off-season and will see everybody at Anaheim.“
Results 450SMX Class – SMX Final
1. Jett Lawrence (AUS), Honda
2. Hunter Lawrence (AUS), Honda
3. Eli Tomac (USA), Yamaha
4. Aaron Plessinger (USA), KTM
8. Justin Barcia (USA), Troy Lee Designs/Red Bull/GASGAS Factory Racing
22. Malcolm Stewart (USA), Husqvarna
23. Christian Craig (USA), Husqvarna
24. Chase Sexton (USA), KTM
Standings 450SMX Class 2024 after 3 of 3 rounds
1. Jett Lawrence, 156 points
2. Hunter Lawrence, 156
3. Eli Tomac, 129
4. Aaron Plessinger, 116
7. Chase Sexton, 89
9. Justin Barcia, 75
17. Malcolm Stewart, 48
20. Christian Craig, 34
Results 250SMX Class – SMX Final
1. Pierce Brown (USA), Troy Lee Designs/Red Bull/GASGAS Factory Racing
2. Haiden Deegan (USA), Yamaha
3. Jordon Smith (USA), Yamaha
5. Tom Vialle (FRA), KTM
9. Julien Beaumer (USA), KTM
11. Ryder DiFrancesco (USA), Troy Lee Designs/Red Bull/GASGAS Factory Racing
Standings 250SMX Class 2024 after 3 of 3 rounds
1. Haiden Deegan, 166 points
2. Tom Vialle, 132
3. Pierce Brown, 131
7. Julien Beaumer, 108
11. Ryder DiFrancesco, 72
16. RJ Hampshire, 36
28. Casey Cochran, 4
Text/Bild: GasGas