Final Race of 2025 Season Set to Crown 250 Class Champion and Close SMX Regular Season
The countdown is on for one of the most anticipated weekends of the year in professional motocross. MX Sports Pro Racing, Inc. has announced the continuation of its longstanding partnership with Yamaha Motor Corporation, USA, as title sponsor of the Yamaha Racing Budds Creek National Finals.
This Saturday, August 23, the gates will drop in Southern Maryland for the final round of the SMX World Championship regular season, and the spotlight will shine on Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing’s Haiden Deegan, who is on the verge of securing his second consecutive 250 Class Championship.
Yamaha’s Legacy at Budds Creek
For the third straight year, Yamaha will hold the title sponsor role at Budds Creek, adding prestige to an event already rich in history. Event organizer Ezra Beasley expressed his excitement:
“We are thrilled to welcome Yamaha back as title sponsor of the Budds Creek National for a third consecutive season. They have been a great partner and have provided exceptional support of the event, which carries even more significance this year as the final race of the championship.”
The 2025 edition is poised to be particularly memorable. Not only will a champion be crowned, but the final race of the regular season will also determine the lineup for the SMX Playoffs, setting the stage for the next chapter in the championship.
A Storied History of Success
Yamaha’s impact on motocross is impossible to ignore. The Japanese manufacturer has been a pillar of the Pro Motocross Championship since its inception, capturing the sport’s very first 250cc title in 1972 with Gary Jones. His name now adorns the coveted trophy awarded annually to the 250 Class champion.
Throughout the late 1970s and early 1980s, Yamaha built a reputation as the team to beat, collecting nine championships across the 125cc, 250cc, and 500cc divisions. This golden era produced icons such as Broc Glover and Bob Hannah, who helped define the sport for future generations.
In the decades that followed, Yamaha continued to foster greatness, boasting titles from legends like Rick Johnson (1984), Grant Langston (2007), Dylan Ferrandis (2021), and Eli Tomac (2022) in the 450 Class, as well as Jeff Emig (1992), Jeremy Martin (2014–2015), Cooper Webb (2016), Aaron Plessinger (2018), Ferrandis (2020), and most recently, Haiden Deegan in the 250 Class.
A Decade of Resurgence
Over the past ten years, Yamaha has experienced a remarkable resurgence, largely driven by the dominance of the Star Racing organization. What began as a force in the 250 Class has since expanded into the 450 Class, making Yamaha one of the most successful manufacturers in the modern era of Pro Motocross.
Since 2015, Yamaha has secured seven Pro Motocross titles, more than any other brand during that span. With Deegan carrying a commanding 43-point lead into Budds Creek, Yamaha looks poised to add another championship to its collection.
Steve Nessl, Marketing Manager of Yamaha’s Motorsport Group, reflected on this rich tradition:
“Supporting the most prestigious series in the sport is a natural fit for Yamaha as our own legacy began with a championship during the first season in 1972. The opportunity to expand our partnership to include a title role at Budds Creek has provided an even larger platform to celebrate that legacy, and we’re excited to hopefully crown another BLU CRU champion to close out the 2025 season.”
Earlier this summer, Yamaha also celebrated its 70th anniversary at the Spring Creek National, paying homage to its motocross heritage.
Haiden Deegan’s Championship Charge
No storyline is bigger heading into Budds Creek than Haiden Deegan’s pursuit of a repeat title. The second-generation racer has been nothing short of spectacular in 2025, delivering:
Six overall victories
Twelve moto wins
Podium finishes in all but one race
His unmatched consistency has created a cushion over rival Jo Shimoda (Honda HRC Progressive), leaving Deegan in position to clinch the title with a modest result. In fact, he needs just seven points—equivalent to a 15th-place finish in the opening moto—to secure the crown. Considering his worst moto finish this season is 14th, the odds are strongly in his favor.
Jo Shimoda’s Late-Season Momentum
While Deegan holds the advantage, Jo Shimoda has been the standout performer of the second half of the season. Since RedBud, he has yet to finish off the podium and has scored three overall victories, including a career-defining 1-1 sweep at Unadilla.
Shimoda has outscored Deegan by 15 points since midseason, proving he is in peak form heading into the playoffs. Although the championship may be out of reach, Shimoda has positioned himself as a major threat for the SMX postseason battles.
What to Expect at Budds Creek
As the 28th and final round of the regular season, Budds Creek represents more than just the end of summer—it is a crossroads of history and legacy. With Yamaha extending its sponsorship, Deegan chasing back-to-back titles, and Shimoda surging into contention, the Yamaha Racing Budds Creek National Finals promises drama, celebration, and a glimpse at the sport’s next chapter.
The stage is set for a weekend that will define the 2025 motocross season, honor Yamaha’s decades-long legacy, and lock in the stars who will battle for ultimate glory in the SMX Playoffs.