Industry Seating Podcast Ep 216: SMX Las Vegas Finale – Summary

Host: Jason Thomas
Date: September 24, 2025

Overview

This episode provides a comprehensive breakdown of the dramatic SMX Las Vegas Finale, focusing on the 250 class chaos involving Hayden Deegan and Joe Shimoda, reflects on rider character and sportsmanship, discusses rider futures (including Tom Vialle’s move to MXGP), and delivers season-ending Power Rankings for the premier 450 riders. Jason gives candid analysis, balances criticism with respect, and brings his usual unfiltered industry insight.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Las Vegas 250 Class Showdown (02:20–31:00)

• Entertainment Factor

  • Jason opens with excitement about the event's drama, acknowledging both sides of the Deegan debate, but insists no one could deny the action was "wildly entertaining."
  • Quote: “There’s no way in hell that you weren’t entertained, that’s for damn sure.” (03:20)

• Joe Shimoda: The Rightful Champion

  • Highlights Shimoda’s respectful, humble nature, and cultural background.
  • Emphasizes Shimoda’s approach as uniquely sportsmanlike and easy to root for.
  • Quote: “He is so nice and so respectful... I just don’t know how you could be anything but a Joe Shimoda fan.” (05:45)

• Hayden Deegan: Crossing the Line

  • Thomas admires Deegan’s riding craft and inner confidence but is critical of his on-track conduct in Vegas.
  • Describes how Deegan’s tactics escalated from aggressive racing to crossing the line of sportsmanship in the second moto.
  • Sequence:
    • Deegan’s plan was to win, but after failing to get the start and dealing with drama with Ryder D., desperation set in.
    • Deegan then actively targeted Shimoda, hitting him multiple times before finally knocking him down.
    • Jason suggests revenge from previous events (notably St. Louis/Kitchen incident) fueled Deegan’s approach.
  • Quote: “He basically just went batshit crazy. And I apologize for the poor language, but I don’t know a better way to say it.” (20:55)
  • On the acceptability: “Hayden was way over the line. Not acceptable behavior, in my opinion. That was not racing. That was not good sportsmanship... in that moment, that particular instance, he simply got it wrong.” (27:35)

• Aftermath & Reflection

  • Joe benefited, ironically, when Deegan knocked him down—by Deegan injuring himself, he removed himself as a threat.
  • Jason predicts Deegan may regret the behavior with time and maturity.

2. Motocross des Nations and Deegan’s Injury (31:00–37:00)

• Deegan underwent surgery (clavicle) and may or may not be fit for Team USA at Motocross des Nations (MXdN).
• Thomas is conflicted: admires Deegan’s grit but prefers a healthy Justin Cooper for team pragmatism.
  • Quote: “Racing with a collarbone that’s been surgically healed 12 days before is not a good setup for this race.” (34:00)

3. Other 250 Class Highlights (37:00–44:00)

• Seth Hammaker
  • Praises Hammaker’s maturity, sportsmanship, and attitude.
  • Happy to see him earn a big payday for second overall.
• Levi Kitchen
  • A disappointing year despite wins/podiums; missing element was consistently good starts.
• Tom Vialle
  • Outlines Vialle’s move back to Europe for a lucrative contract with Factory Honda MXGP (€750k/year).
  • Makes a case for Vialle’s sound decision regarding career security and financial stability.

4. Sponsor Recognitions (44:00–53:45)

• Sponsors include Guts Racing, Works Connection, TL Speedshop, Race-Rentals.com, Unmatched Supplements, Grandstone Boots, Firepower Parts, and Fly Racing.
• Detailed personal endorsements for each (ad skip encouraged for summary readers).

5. Power Rankings: Top 10 Premier (450) Riders (53:45–1:17:10)

#10 Justin Barcia (53:55)

• Recognizes Barcia’s decade-long presence and improvement in sportsmanship.
• Quote: “He’s cleaned up his racing a lot... I applaud concerted efforts to improve yourself, and I see that in Justin Barcia.” (56:10)

#9 Malcolm Stewart (57:30)

• Noted for earning first-ever win and finishing third in series points before injury.

#8 Ken Roczen (58:20)

• Limited results due to skipping outdoor rounds; fluctuates between 7th and 8th in Jason’s rankings.

#7 RJ Hampshire (59:10)

• Praised for breakout summer and competing against top names.

#6 Justin Cooper (1:00:30)

• Solid season but disappointing playoffs after a hot start; speculation about his role at MXdN.

#5 Cooper Webb (1:04:00)

• Webb’s championship stock is high post-title, though he approached playoffs less intensely.
• Quote: “He knows they can’t ever take that away from him now. And I think he rests a little easier because of that.” (1:05:08)

#4 Chase Sexton (1:07:00)

• Another year, another finale injury; relationship with KTM described as strained.
• Forecasts Sexton will be off the KTM roster and likely skip MXdN.

#3 Eli Tomac (1:10:25)

• Strong finish for age 32; emphasizes difficulty of aging in sport.
• Quote: “To see Eli Tomac at his age still performing is super commendable. I have nothing but applause to give him for that aspect.” (1:11:13)

#2 Hunter Lawrence (1:12:50)

• Jason admits underestimating Hunter’s rise—now possibly the world’s second-best.
• Quote: “Congratulations, Hunter Lawrence, I was wrong, you were right, and your unwillingness to give up has won out in the end.” (1:13:35)

#1 Jett Lawrence (1:14:35)

• Lauded for mental strength, bouncing back under immense pressure.
• Emotional win over brother Hunter produced one of the year’s rawest moments.
• Quote: “Jet Lawrence does it. He makes it happen, plain and simple.” (1:14:45)
• Reflects on family dynamic: “His brother’s his freaking hero... Every step of the way, Hunter has been Jet’s hero, period, full stop.” (1:15:35)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Deegan/Chaos:
  “I think the anger from St. Louis started to kind of get fired back up and the adrenaline kicked in and he basically just went batshit crazy.” (20:55)

• On Power Rankings/Barcia:
  “He’s cleaned up his racing a lot. Does he do it perfectly now? No... But go back seven or eight years ago where the guy was a freaking menace...” (56:10)

• On Hunter Lawrence’s Journey:
  “I don’t know if I’d have laughed at you, but I would have just said I disagree. If you said he was ever going to become what he is right now—and congratulations to him, because he’s earned it every step of this.” (1:13:08)

• On the Lawrence Family:
  “His brother’s his freaking hero... I can’t imagine the inner agony that he was going through knowing, like, I really believe this deep down...” (1:15:35)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Intro/Sponsor Acknowledgments: 00:00–02:20
• Las Vegas 250 Class Breakdown: 02:20–31:00
• Deegan’s MXdN Prospects / Injury: 31:00–37:00
• Other 250 Riders (Hammaker, Kitchen, Vialle): 37:00–44:00
• Sponsor Segment: 44:00–53:45
• Power Rankings (Top 10 – 450s): 53:45–1:17:10

Tone & Language

Jason Thomas is direct, insightful, and candid. He leverages personal experience and professional relationships in his analysis but remains respectful, especially when critiquing riders for their on- or off-track actions. There’s a consistent theme of balancing admiration for riders’ skills with expectations of sportsmanship and professionalism.

Final Word:
“Thank you all for listening. Thanks for being a part of this thing... I really enjoy doing it and we will keep it going. See you.” (1:19:15)

For New Listeners:

If you missed the Las Vegas finale, Jason’s analysis offers everything you need to know—from the fireworks in the 250 class and contentious Deegan/Shimoda moment, to behind-the-scenes injury updates, off-season moves, and a thoughtful send-off into the next era of supercross and motocross storylines.