SMX Next World All-Stars: Double Header Thrills in St. Louis
St. Louis, MO — The SMX Next World All-Stars executed a thrilling two-day double header this weekend following the cancellation of Playoff 1 in Charlotte due to inclement weather.
Friday’s Playoff 1 Main Event saw Yamaha’s Kayden Minear dominate from the start, leading every lap to secure victory. Carson Wood of Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing made a notable comeback, finishing second after starting in 14th. Tiger Wood from Phoenix Honda held second position for much of the race but ultimately slipped to third as the race concluded.
Saturday’s Final for the SMX Next Class featured a high-stakes single-race format with double points on the line. Ryder Malinoski of Muc-Off Club MX Yamaha led from the start, rebounding from a challenging previous day, where an early collision left him in last place. He finished first in a dramatic turnaround, marking a 25-1 points haul across the two events.
Minear, recovering from an eighth-place start, finished second, thereby clinching the SMX Next World All-Stars Championship. Kade Johnson, consistently fast throughout the race, secured the final podium position.
Kayden Minear, reflecting on his championship win, stated, “I felt good out there all weekend. The bike is performing unbelievably… We’ve been putting in so much effort and so much overtime, so I’m happy it pays off.”
For full insights, including the post-race press conference featuring Malinoski, Minear, and Johnson, viewers can tune in at the 22:00 mark of the coverage.
Final Standings:
- Kayden Minear (Yamaha)
- Ryder Malinoski (Muc-Off Club MX Yamaha)
- Kade Johnson (Yamaha)
The results underscore the competitive spirit and unpredictability of the SMX series, setting the stage for what promises to be an exhilarating championship season.
