Haiden Deegan scores First Career Win in Arlington!

Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing’s Haiden Deegan bounced back from an unlucky opening round in Detroit to secure his first career Monster Energy AMA Supercross win last night at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. The reigning 250SMX Champion also made gains in the 250SX East title chase with his victory at Round 2, advancing him to fifth in the points standings and within reach of the leader. Daxton Bennick overcame adversity to notch a top-10 finish and maintain third in the points standings. Fellow rookie Nick Romano continued to make progress and finished 12th.

Haiden Deegan took his first career Supercross Main Event win at Arlington. (Image: Supercross Live)

After qualifying eighth, Deegan got the night show off to a flying start, grabbed the holeshot in his heat race, and ultimately crossed the line third. The Californian got another holeshot in the main event, and although he was shuffled to the runner-up spot on the opening lap, he rode patiently in the challenging conditions. In the final laps, Deegan advanced to the lead after the frontrunner crashed out of the race and rode on to score his first victory in Monster Energy AMA Supercross. The win also advanced him to fifth in the 250SX East Championship standings and within seven points of the leader.

Words: Star Racing Yamaha. Featured Image: Supercross Live

With his first supercross podium earned at the opening round in Detroit, Bennick was looking to build on that at his second pro supercross race. He qualified 11th and then, unfortunately had a couple of crashes in his heat race and finished 14th. The rookie went on to win his LCQ, and despite very little time between the LCQ and the main event, he fought his way back to a top-10 finish and salvaged points on a tough night in Texas. Bennick heads into Round 3 of the Eastern Regional 250 class, tied for third and trailing the leader by six points.

Haiden Deegan lights the candles! (Image: Star Racing Yamaha)

Romano continued to make progress and qualified 13th. The New Yorker came out swinging in the night show and grabbed the holeshot in his heat race. He led for over half the race, ultimately crossing the line second. In the main event, he got another great start in second behind his teammate Deegan but rode tight and was shuffled back. Romano tried to maintain a top-10 result but unfortunately had a tip-over in the final laps and crossed the line 12th.

The Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing team heads to Daytona Beach, Florida, on March 2 for the 54th running of Daytona Supercross and Round 8 of the SuperMotocross World Series at the legendary Daytona International Speedway. Jensen Hendler – Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing 250 Team Manager “It was a great night for the team. Haiden had a great comeback from Detroit and got his first Supercross win. It was definitely tough out there and easy to get caught out, but he rode smart, kept the pressure on, and was able to get the win. He’s now back in the title fight and is only seven points down. Nick got two great starts but just rode tight and ended up having a tip-over at the end of the race and was 12th. It was a tough night for Dax with a couple of crashes and having to go through the LCQ, but he didn’t give up and fought his way back to 10th and is still third in the championship. We’ll get back to work this week and keep fighting for that red plate.”

Haiden celebrates with his first winning Supercross trophy! (Image: Supercross Live)

Haiden Deegan – Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing #38: “It was a good day in Arlington. Qualifying wasn’t that great, and the heat race was alright. I got passed, so I was pretty mad, but I’m not really a qualifying guy. I’m more of a race guy. So we went into the main event, and I got a perfect start. I just ran my own race, trailed behind, waited for a mistake, and was able to capitalize on it. It was awesome to get that first Supercross win. I’m only seven points out of the lead now. It’s going to be a fight to the finish, and I’m not going to let these guys have the red plate easily.”

Daxton Bennick – Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing #59: “It was a tough day in Arlington. We qualified 11th and then, unfortunately had a couple of crashes in the heat race and had to go through the LCQ. That didn’t give us the best gate pick, and I was way back after the start, but we kept pushing and finished 10th. We didn’t get the result we wanted, but we’re still third in the championship. We’ll go back to work and come out swinging in Daytona.”

Nick Romano – Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing #511: “It was a way better weekend for me in my second go at it. I ripped a holeshot in the heat race, led for a while, and ended up finishing second. In the main event, I was second off the start but just rode really tight and ended up falling with a few laps to go. Overall, there were a lot of positives from Arlington, and I’m excited for Daytona.”