HAIDEN DEEGAN | GRIT-217 | 250SX

HAIDEN DEEGAN | GRIT-217 | SX 250

Reiterating that his move to the professional ranks was the correct choice, Yamaha's Haiden Deegan would excel (yet again) while competing at the East/West Showdown near the NYC metropolitan area. The track would become extremely deteriorated throughout qualification (and quickly) with grooves being made throughout every facet of the track, including the whoops and transition(s) between jumps. But Deegan would portray a polished riding aptitude that was certainly beyond his years, leaping over the triple-step-on sequence (proceeding the first turn) with a gigantic quadruple feat while nearly touching the front fender with his upper body; before setting the chassis into a descending manner, and landing with precision! Subtle instances like that would be conducted for the entirety of time(d) trials, prior to heading into the heat race. It was here, where he and Jo Shimoda would compete against one another for the first place designation, but the Monster Energy Pro Circuit Kawasaki rider would slightly pull away by the second circuit. Simultaneously, the red plate holder (i.e. Hunter Lawrence) was urgently trying to get around that of Deegan, but the rookie was putting up a great fight. However before the second lap concluded, it would be Deegan who was shifted to third. From that point forward, Haiden would defend the runner-up position from his teammate (and rival) Jordon Smith...though nothing extraordinary in regard to their incident earlier this year, would occur. And as the racers of the division eventually crossed the checkered flag, it would be Deegan who was solidified in third prior to embarking on the main event. He (like every other racer in the field) would be in disbelief when the delay came on behalf of the lighting and rain; though the Californian was eager to leap back into action as the referees cued engines to eventually fire. Once shifting into gear, the number 238 was focused on sparing his vision, while staying upright and eliminating excess water to deter the motorcycles longevity. His race-craft was excellent, sliding through berms via the traction of his rear wheel, while continuously conquering the "SX" triple lap after lap...so much so that he had climbed from eleventh place, to the rear wheel of Hunter Lawrence - and the Honda rider was fifth! Nearly making a move prior to lap ten concluding, it was Deegan who was seen diving to the inside of the red-plate holder after the longest straight stretch on the track, only to wash-out by way of slightly tucking the front end! The effort was there though, and after remounting as quickly as possible, Deegan would again pass riders like Carson Mumford, en route to a notable sixth place overall as engines ceased in East Rutherford.

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