MotoPlayground
← News

race recap

HAIDEN DEEGAN GRIT-228 250MX

July 24, 2023 · Haiden Deegan

HAIDEN DEEGAN GRIT-228 250MX

HAIDEN DEEGAN | GRIT-228 | 250MX

The number 238 of Haiden Deegan would return to the West Coast believing that he could contend at the front of the field once more...and after speeding through practice to accrue third as the checkered flag waved, there were few who doubted the rookie as he shifted into gear for the moto's thereafter. As the thirty-second board would go sideways for the opening endeavor, it was Deegan who leapt from the launchpad and immediately commanded the attention of all in the field; with an incredible capturing of the hole-shot, all the while passing the green flag thereafter in the lead! From the earliest of laps, Deegan seemed to be in complete control of both the bike, and field around him; where he dictated a pace amongst this rutted (but slick) Northwestern racing surface. There was little on the track that could cause his focus to waver, where he was locked-into what was going on around him at all times, while flying atop "Horsepower Hill," and sections thereafter. Minutes would pass, and Deegan continued to maintain a gap of multiple second(s) over veteran members of the opposition; including championship rivals, Justin Cooper and Hunter Lawrence. The number 238 would flourish through the most difficult ruts on the track, continuing to maintain the utmost momentum (without demonstrating mistakes) as the track would steadily lose moisture as well. It was a process of remaining precise on the throttle as blue-grooved aspects of the track appeared, but even then, the rookie would thrive! On occasion, he would be reminded from his mechanic as to how far the competition was behind him...but there was simply nothing that could stand in the way of Deegan earning the moto victory. And after leading sixteen laps prior to taking the checkered flag, Haiden's confidence couldn't have been higher prior to beginning the second moto of the afternoon! The number 238 would occupy a fourth-place standing as the green flag was thrown to begin the second race of the day, however, he quickly advanced into third after passing Seth Hammaker. It was at that point (within the first few minutes of action) that he could sense that Honda's Hunter Lawrence was persistent in moving by him...but the courage of the rookie was immense as he sped to some of the highest velocities of the afternoon, regardless of class! Lawrence would then fall when attempting to initiate a pass on Deegan, leaving Deegan to third while he focused on Levi Kitchen who was ahead. The thorough act of steadily chipping away at Levi Kitchen would be a task that was completed on the seventh circuit...sending Haiden to second, with now only Justin Cooper to pass! He knew the veteran would be confident and hard to break in the latter half of the moto, but few could've predicted the absolute clinic of speed in which Deegan was about to showcase. Running lap-time(s) that were nearly four-seconds faster than that of his competition, the rookie would somehow manage to gain incredible amounts of time on that Justin Cooper - leading to a pass on the thirteenth lap, as he aired-out the wall-jump on the infield! Landing with authority and an overwhelming sense of adrenaline, Deegan couldn't be stopped from that moment and onward...where he pieced together the final four laps of competition with perfect execution, en route to another moto victory, and an overall sweeping of the 250cc field; pushing him to only three points, behind Hunter Lawrence for the outdoor championship!

More from GRIT