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Storylines Heading Into Anaheim 2

Snapdragon Stadium once again delivered a weekend steeped in Supercross history, momentum swings, and championship implications as Round 2 of the SMX World Championship unfolded. From Eli Tomac’s continued assault on the record books to Haiden Deegan’s razor-thin grasp on the red plate, San Diego reinforced why this venue remains one of the sport’s most telling stops.

450SX: Tomac Bucking Trends and Chasing Legends

Eli Tomac

Eli Tomac continues to redefine longevity and dominance in the 450SX Class. With his San Diego victory, Tomac earned his 55th career 450SX win and 111th SMX League victory, while also securing his first back-to-back 450SX wins since Rounds 11–12 in 2023.

The win marked his 104th career 450SX podium, moving him within just seven podiums of Jeremy McGrath, who sits second all-time at 111. Tomac is now 17 wins shy of McGrath’s all-time 450SX victory record (72)—a number that once felt untouchable.

Perhaps most impressive is how Tomac has flipped his own championship script. In both of his prior title runs (2020 and 2022), he failed to podium in the opening two rounds. In 2026, he’s done the exact opposite, winning both, and firmly establishing himself as the early title benchmark.

With history looming, Tomac now eyes something even rarer: becoming just the sixth rider ever to sweep Anaheim—and the first to do it aboard a KTM.

Hunter Lawrence

Hunter Lawrence’s upward trajectory continued with a hard-earned runner-up finish. The podium was his third career 450SX podium and 68th SMX League podium, tying Blake Baggett for 31st all-time. The result matched his career-best 450SX finish (2nd at Denver in 2024) and left him just 10 points off the red plate after two rounds.

Lawrence is proving that his transition to full-time 450SX contention is no longer about potential—it’s about timing.

Ken Roczen

Ken Roczen quietly delivered a massive milestone weekend. His San Diego podium marked his second straight podium to open the season, something he hadn’t done since 2019. Roczen now owns 165 SMX League podiums (6th all-time)and 78 career 450SX podiums (7th all-time).

The result also carried historical significance for Suzuki, as the brand has now landed on the podium in each of the first two rounds for the first time since 2015, with Roczen responsible for both appearances.

Notables

  • Chase Sexton (4th): Made his 80th 450SX start and recorded his 62nd career top-five, tying Ezra Lusk, Marvin Musquin, and Davi Millsaps for 20th all-time.
  • Joey Savatgy (5th): Earned his 8th career 450SX top-five and 60th SMX League top-five.
  • Justin Cooper (6th): Logged his 40th 450SX start and 35th top-ten, maintaining an astonishing 92% top-ten ratein SMX League competition.
  • Aaron Plessinger (7th): Claimed his 75th career 450SX top-ten, ranking 33rd all-time.
  • RJ Hampshire (12th): Made his 200th career SMX League start, his third in the 450SX Class.

250SX: Deegan, Drama, and a Tight Title Fight

Haiden Deegan

Haiden Deegan’s San Diego victory carried enormous weight. In his 75th career SMX League start, Deegan captured his 8th career 250SX win and 26th SMX League victory, while reclaiming the red plate from teammate Max Anstie by a single point.

The win also made Deegan the 53rd rider in 250SX history to reach 50 SMX League podiums, tying Adam Cianciarulo and Mike Brown. San Diego once again proved pivotal, as Deegan continued the trend of riders using A2 as a championship springboard.

Cameron McAdoo

Cameron McAdoo delivered one of the bounce-back rides of the night. After finishing last at A1, McAdoo surged to the podium—his first since Tampa in February 2025. The result tied him for 5th all-time with 24 career 250SX podiums, while marking his 54th career 250SX start.

Michael Mosiman

Michael Mosiman hit multiple milestones with his podium. In his 60th career 250 start, Mosiman earned his 11th career 250SX podium and 15th SMX League podium, while also logging his 25th career 250SX top-five, placing him inside the top-25 all-time.

Notables

  • Levi Kitchen (4th): Despite finishes of 6th and 4th, Kitchen sits just nine points off the red plate, with 16 top-fives in 26 starts.
  • Max Anstie (5th): Trails Deegan by only one point and recorded his 16th career top-five.
  • Chance Hymas (6th): Made his 25th 250SX start and 20th top-ten.
  • Max Vohland (8th): Logged his 20th top-ten and 75th SMX League start.
  • Dilan Schwartz (9th): Also reached the 75-start milestone.

Anaheim 2: Where History Meets Momentum

Angel Stadium has long been a championship compass. Since 1976, when Marty Smith won the first 450SX race at the venue, Anaheim has shaped title paths across generations.

Statistically, 65% of Anaheim 2 winners in the 450SX Class have gone on to win the championship, while 62% of A2 winners in the Western 250SX division have captured the title. From McGrath and Stewart to Villopoto and Reed, Anaheim sweeps remain among the sport’s rarest feats.

As the series moves forward, Tomac’s charge toward history and Deegan’s grip on the red plate ensure one thing is clear: San Diego didn’t just crown winners—it revealed contenders.

And in Supercross, that can make all the difference.

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