A Look Back...Smith and Hannah

Notice how close fans used to be able to get to the track.
Notice how close fans used to be able to get to the track.
Jordon Smith has confirmed he is departing the Monster Energy/Yamaha Star Racing team for the 2025 season. The veteran joined the team prior to the 2023 Monster Energy Supercross season and captured one win (2024 San Francisco Supercross) in his two seasons with the team.
Smith, who began his career with the now defunct GEICO Honda squad, and spent time with Troy Lee Designs prior to signing with Star Racing, is expected to move to Factory Triumph for next year.
Smith's words:
“Well what a season it was. I made it to every single race and was really happy with my riding all season.
“P-3 last night to finish off with a podium. I’m glad to finish my time with @starracingyamaha on a high note and can’t thank them enough for the opportunity they gave me. Just a few years ago I lost my factory ride and didn’t know what the future held for me. I persevered and made it back to a factory team and I’m thankful for every single person that’s a part of the team! They are like family to me now and wouldn’t be back to where I’m at without them.
“Now it’s time to enjoy a little break and recharge the batteries!”
Tomac in for Team USA’s 2024 MXoN Campaign
Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing’s Eli Tomac joins Cooper Webb and Aaron Plessinger to make another Team USA title run at this year’s Motocross of Nations
MARIETTA, Ga. – Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing is excited to announce that Eli Tomac will join Team USA and race the MX1 class at the 2024 Fédération Internationale de Motocyclisme (FIM) Motocross of Nations (MXoN). With the support from Yamaha and Star Racing, the eight-time Monster Energy AMA Supercross and Pro Motocross Champion answers the call to fill in for the injured Chase Sexton. Captain of the 2022 MXoN title-winning Team USA, Tomac joins Cooper Webb and Aaron Plessinger to battle for top honors at the Matterley Basin Circuit in Winchester, U.K., on October 4-6.
Eli Tomac – Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing
“Due to the unfortunate racing incident Chase was involved in at the final round of SMX, I was the next one in line to take his place for Team USA. Aaron, Cooper and I are ready to give it our best effort at Matterely Basin. This is very short notice for my team, but we are going to make it happen!”
Chase Sexton night at the SuperMotocross World Championship Finals in Las Vegas ended prematurely due to a significant hand injury sustained during the first moto. As the race commenced, Sexton struggled with his start and found himself in a precarious position within the pack. Unfortunately, as he exited the first rhythm lane, he collided with Justin Barcia, who landed on him, causing the injury that would ultimately sideline him for the remainder of the event.
Following the incident, Sexton attempted to ride but was unable to continue, leading team manager Ian Harrison to confirm that he would not compete in Moto 2. The severity of the injury raised immediate concerns about his participation in upcoming events, including the Motocross of Nations. Reports from those at the track indicate that there are fears Sexton may have broken his hand, which would complicate his recovery and future racing plans.
1. Jett Lawrence 2. Hunter Lawrence 3. Eli Tomac
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The KTM rider's bid for the championship ended on lap one of the first moto.
Image: Octopi Media.
Red Bull KTM’s Chase Sexton is out for the rest of the SuperMotocross World Championship final due to a hand injury sustained from being landed on in the first moto of the night.
The incident happened when Sexton attempted to roll to the inside of the rhythm section on the opening lap of the first moto, only to be landed on by Troy Lee Designs Red Bull GasGas’ Justin Barcia. Sexton came to a stop and held his hand for several moments before continuing on and pulling off the track at the tail end of the first lap.
With Sexton now out of the final moto of the night, his bid for the SMX Championship is now over and it also raises concerns over his health heading into the Motocross of Nations in two weeks.
Further updates will be made available on the condition of his hand once made available from the Red Bull KTM Factory Racing team.
Back-to-back 450SMX Titles for Jett Lawrence
Motoonline.com Post: Kellen Brauer
The Honda rider sweeps the finale to repeat as champion.
Image: Octopi Media.
With an emphatic 1-1 sweep at the Las Vegas finale, Jett Lawrence repeated as 450SMX World Champion. Lawrence would tie on points with his brother Hunter, but Jett claimed the title due to the better result at the final round.
Lawrence had to catch and pass Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing’s Eli Tomac in the first moto to take the win, and it put the pressure on his brother to perform in moto two. Hunter Lawrence needed to win with Jett getting third or worse to win the overall and secure the title. Hunter would follow Jett the whole moto but ended up P2 in the moto, the overall, and the championship.
The night was somewhat marred by Red Bull KTM’s Chase Sexton pulling out for the night after being landed on in the first moto. No information is available on the extent of Sexton’s injury at this time and further news will be posted at a later date.
Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing’s Eli Tomac rounded out the podium on the night going 2-3 just behind Hunter. Tomac was just a tick off in both motos from having the speed to win, but ultimately landed on the podium at all three rounds of SMX in his first ever go at the series.
Fourth place on the night was Red Bull KTM’s Aaron Plessinger who went 4-4 and looked back to himself after some crashes at the beginning of SMX. Rounding out the top five was Star Racing’s Cooper Webb who went 6-5.
Behind them, it was Star Racing Yamaha’s Justin Cooper in sixth, Progressive Ecstar Suzuki’s Ken Roczen in seventh, Troy Lee Designs Red Bull GasGas’ Justin Barcia in eighth, Harri Kullas in ninth, and Maddparts.com Kawasaki’s Shane McElrath in 10th.
Jett Lawrence walks away with $1,000,000 at the end of the night while Hunter Lawrence added $500,000 to his bank account. Ultimately, it was an all-Lawrence brothers night in Las Vegas