Chase Sexton makes statement win in Round 1 of SMX playoffs, snaps Jett Lawrence’s perfect streak (see VIDEOS)

It was a great night of racing in the start of the Motocross playoffs in both 450 and 250 events

A return to the Supercross bike setup was the therapy needed for Chase Sexton as he whipped his way around to the overall win, going 1-1 in Round 1 of the SuperMotocross playoffs Saturday night at zMax Dragway in suburban Charlotte.

After a disappointing outdoor season, where an early injury kept the Supercross champion out for three rounds, Sexton had a chip on his shoulder and a point to be made.

His teammate, rookie Jett Lawrence’s run in the Pro Motocross Championship led to a perfect season and more headlines and sound bites than one should count. But after a summer of hardship, Sexton was the first rider that got to play spoiler Saturday night.

Chase Sexton celebrates his win Saturday at zMAX Dragway. Photo provided by Dan Beaver

“I definitely had a point to prove after the outdoor season that I had,” Sexton said after his victory. “I was pretty disappointed with it. I was really happy when I got back on Supercross [setup], I felt that I found where I was with Supercross this year right away. It calmed my nerves a little bit. I was able to focus on my riding and put in a few good motos with Ken [Roczen] and Tom Vialle. I had a really good last two weeks.

“My preparation was good and I was confident coming into today that I was going to be good. I know that when I’m comfortable I should be winning races. I had a big point to prove and we’re not done yet.“

Many of the interesting elements of the combined SuperMotocross track setup existed at the start of the track. The gates were split in two with half the riders being forced to make a left-hand turn and half making a right. These two groups merged at the holeshot before picking a path forward over a tunnel or through a tunnel.

In Moto, 1 Justin Barcia led Sexton into the tunnel on the first lap and the two started to separate from the field. On the second lap, Sexton found a faster line through the tunnel and took the lead at the joint.

Sexton would run his race from that point on, while the others fought for second. Dylan Ferrandis who in both motos raced a strong clean race, would be the first to follow.

Lawrence was on the other side of the gates at the drop and got off to a horrible start, which while it’s happened before, this was the first time fans saw the rookie 450 rider struggle to make up time and positions after a mistake. Lawrence was passed multiple times for the first time in Saturday's opening moto, something that shouldn’t be as novice as sounds, but the outdoor season painted the young rider as a mythical thing.

Jett Lawrence battles Jason Anderson in Saturday's SMX Round 1 of the playoffs at zMAX Dragway. Photo provided by Dan Beaver

In Moto 1, Lawrence got off track once and ended up on the ground after overriding into a corner while attempting to pass Jason Anderson. Lawrence finished in seventh position in the first moto, and with the strength of the field, his perfect streak lay in the other riders' hands.

In the second moto, Ken Roczen rocketed out to a great lead. The rider has spent the majority of the summer away from the American series and clearly wanted to remind the competition, the media, and the fans that he’s not one to bet against. He led the first half of the moto as the twin red Hondas made their way through the field on his tail. Sexton was in second at halfway and cut down Roczen’s lead with every lap.

Lawrence had another bad start but rode with more composure forcing his way through the field. While Sexton was battling Roczen, Lawrence made his way up to third.

Sexton made the pass on Roczen with six minutes remaining, and Lawrence followed with two minutes remaining. In clean air, Sexton was perfect and Lawrence had to settle for second in the moto.

It’s important to note that even if Lawrence won this moto he would’ve still found himself one position shy of the overall podium with Roczen’s 3-3 finish and Ferrandis’ 2-4.

At the start of the day Sexton was presented with his Monster Energy Supercross championship ring; at the end of the day he got a trophy to match, both that he can raise high with less weight on his shoulders and his critics silenced.

“I feel like what I did in Supercross was discounted a little bit and I feel like my riding today proved that it shouldn’t be,” Sexton said about coverage of his championship and the outdoor season, “I was confident in myself and still believe in myself. But it gets annoying after listening to the same thing over and over every weekend.”

Roczen's double podium was a statement in itself as the rider, who's expecting a new baby at any moment, says he’s riding with more joy and excited for more races to come.

“Every time lately that I've gone behind the gate, I've had some pretty good races and it goes into the bank,” Roczen said about preparing away from the track. “Obviously, I watch all the races. I think it's important to stay engaged with the sport and not drift off of it too far.”

Ferrandis’ podium finish brought the question of where he’ll be racing next year since it’s still currently unknown as he’s leaving Star Yamaha this year. When asked if he thought this race would help him find his landing spot, he deflected somewhat.

“I’m not motivated to get a contract, I'm motivated to win races,” Ferrandis said.

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Shimoda dominates second part of Round 1 in 250 event to take overall lead 

At the end of the Pro Motocross season, Jo Shimoda rode through like Kawasaki’s knight in shining armor, protecting their 41-year streak of a win in every season.

He rode into the SMX playoffs the same way.

Shimoda had a solid run in Saturday's first 250 moto of the SMX Playoffs at zMAX Dragway, finishing fourth. But it was the second moto where he absolutely dominated after taking the lead from Tom Vialle.

When he pulled off the track with his second moto victory, Shimoda had no idea he won overall.

Jeff Shimoda digs a little deeper, both literally and figuratively, en route to taking the 250 overall Saturday at zMAX Dragway. Photo provided by Dan Beaver

Shimoda -- and to a larger extent all of the Kawasaki riders -- found something in the second half of the Pro Motocross season. This was especially pleasant for Shimoda, who had an unlucky start to his outdoor campaign.

“I’m super stoked about today, Shimoda said, “You want to start your season with a good note and I’ve been struggling to do that.”

An interesting note is during the last two events, Shimoda has ridden off the track with a win just to be greeted with even greater news. This week it was him not knowing he had the overall, thinking that a fourth in Moto 1 dug him too deep to claim the overall.

At Ironman two weeks back, it was his first moto victory saved Yamaha’s streak of wins going back to 1982.

Shimoda races the season one track at a time and the tracks one section of the time, a focus that seems to work out well for the rider.

Haiden Deegan was the other 250 rider to record a win, taking Moto 1 after passing Levi Kitchen with two minutes remaining. Kitchen was dominant early but Deegan’s brand of aggressive racing late in the moto helped the rookie rider track down and pass the competition.

In the second moto, Deegan -- the younger brother of NASCAR rising star Hailie Deegan -- had a bad start at the gate, and in between him and Vaille’s KTM in the lead was what looked to be a never-ending sea of Yamaha’s.

Vialle was leading throughout the first half of the second moto after finishing third in the first. Before he was ultimately passed by Shimoda, Vialle tentatively held the overall title. If he fell back one position, it would place the two Kawasaki riders in a tie with the tie-breaker going to whoever finished better in the second moto.

Vialle protected his lead as if he knew he was protecting the overall. After two laps of attempts, Shimoda finally made the pass as he entered the sweeping hairpin across the Dragway’s starting line.

While Shimoda was close enough to pass in several sections of the track, this seemed the best opportunity to bounce.

“I try to be patient”, Shimoda explained, “The race is long. I try to find where I’m better at. If I can get closer, I can make a move.”

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The SMX Playoffs continue next week at Chicagoland with Shimoda and Sexton defending their leads. No lead is particularly safe as points double going into the weekend, every race matters more than the next.