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SMX Playoff Projections

By Fowlers Facts

UPDATED THRU ROUND 10 BUDDS CREEK!

Folks, it’s do or die time for making the inaugural SMX Playoffs. Two motos and 50 points are on the line this weekend in Indiana at the final round of Pro Motocross. Here’s what you need to know for each class.

Look, if you had one shot or one opportunity,
to seize everything you ever wanted in one moment, would you capture it or just let it slip?

Eminem

450 PLAYOFF UPDATE

16 racers have mathematically clinched a spot in the SMX Playoffs.

Chase Sexton, Aaron Plessinger, Cooper Webb, Adam Cianciarulo, Jett Lawrence, Dylan Ferrandis, Jason Anderson, Ken Roczen, Eli Tomac, Justin Barcia, Freddie Noren, Grant Harlan, Ty Masterpool, Garrett Marchbanks, Kyle Chisholm, and Justin Hill

There are 5 racers to watch…

1) Jett Lawrence (currently 4th) is just 8 points behind Adam Cianciarulo (3rd). Jett can gain +2 valuable seeding points by passing Adam in the SMX standings.

2) Dylan Ferrandis (currently 6th) is just 16 points behind the idle Cooper Webb. He needs to finish 13th in each moto to pass Webb and gain +1 additional seeding point.

3) Justin Barcia (currently 10th) is 31 points behind Eli Tomac and 32 behind Ken Roczen. If he can get two top 5 finishes this weekend and score 33 points or more, he’ll move into 8th and gain an additional +2 seeding points.

4) Kyle Chisholm (currently 16th) is 9 points behind Justin Hill. If he can finish 16th or better each moto, he’ll pass Justin and gain +1 additional seeding point.

5) Jose Butron is currently 22nd and another 13 points would earn him a spot in all 3 playoff races. That said, he’s not expected to compete in the SMX Playoffs. This has BIG implications for Josh Hill who currently sits 20th! If Jose doesn’t bump Josh out of the top 20, Josh will have an automatic spot on the gate in all 3 rounds. If Jose bumps him to 21st, Josh has to race all 3 LCQ’s!

Additionally, I expect there’s going to be 3 alternate spots open to replace the injured Eli Tomac, Christian Craig, and Lorenzo Locurcio. There are likely another 3 alternate spots open as Romain Pape is not expected to race SMX (unconfirmed), Benny Bloss is under contract with Beta and won’t line-up, and Joey Savatgy has WSX commitments.

This will open the door for Josh Cartwright, Jerry Robin, Jeremy Hand, Harri Kullas, Lucas Marsalisi, Ryan Surratt, Jace Kessler and/or Bryce Shelly. With one round remaining, these final Pro Motocross points have big playoff implications.

Important Note: Racers will have to notify the AMA/Feld/MX Sports if they intend to race in the playoffs the week after the final Pro Motocross round. If racers opt-out, other racers will be invited starting with the 31st racer and on. No alternate racers will be bumped into top 20, but instead will have an opportunity to qualify for the motos via an LCQ each round.

There’s likely to be more changes among (injuries or other commitments) top 30 riders who don’t/can’t line up for the SMX Playoff races. Check back here to learn more about who’s in/out.

Note Curr Rank and Curr Points is through Budds Creek and Proj Rank and Proj Points are based on our end of season Pro Motocross forecasts