Monster Energy Pro Circuit Kawasaki’s Shimoda Finishes the Season as the Runner-Up in SuperMotocross World Championship
L.A. Coliseum Highlights:
- Shimoda finished second overall (4-4)
- Shimoda ended up just five points out of the lead, finishing second in the championship
- DiFrancesco finished 16th overall (21-12)
- Hammaker had a crash on Friday that kept him out of Saturday’s competition
Los Angeles (September 24, 2023) – Monster Energy Pro Circuit Kawasaki’s Jo Shimoda’s late-season effort paid off with a heartfelt runner-up finish in the SuperMotocross World Championship at the L.A. Coliseum. After a season that started late due to injury, Shimoda’s charge at the end of the season was notable and worthy of celebration. Teammate Ryder DiFrancesco rounded out his first full SMX season with plenty of highs to account for, but Los Angeles wasn’t as kind with a tough race, finishing 16th overall (21-12). Seth Hammaker was primed for a good weekend, but a crash in practice on Friday kept him out of competition on Saturday night.
Entering the night, the Shimoda’s eyes were on the overall championship and started the opening moto with a decent jump but was pinched off around the first turn and started eighth. He quickly moved his 50th anniversary Kawasaki KX250 toward the front, racing into fifth at the halfway mark. He used the final laps to complete one more pass to fourth, but ran out of time to catch the front runners. In the second moto, Shimoda didn’t get the start he was looking for and funneled into fourth. With some track maintenance, it limited passing as all the top racers ran the same quick speed, leaving Shimoda to settle for fourth in that moto and second overall.
“It definitely sucks to be so close and see the championship slip away by just a few points,” said Shimoda. “This was a crazy year starting out with injury and so I’m still thankful to have had the chance to compete for this championship. We really found a groove late in the year and I’ll keep working on myself over the off-season.”
DiFrancesco had an excellent opportunity to compete at his first SMX Championship and used it to gain experience throughout the last three races. He had a tough start to the night after going down twice and could only earn 21st in the first moto. The second moto was much better with a top-10 start, eventually crossing the finish line in 12th for 16th overall.
“I’m thankful for this year, to gain the experience I did,” said DiFrancesco. “There were plenty of great moments and I know I’ll be able to lean on those in the off-season. The team is passionate about doing whatever it takes to make you better and I can’t wait to keep working and have a good start to 2024.”
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250SMX Class Overall Results – SMX Playoff FINALS
- Haiden Deegan (Yamaha), 5-2
- Jo Shimoda (Kawasaki), 4-4
- RJ Hampshire (Husqvarna), 2-6
- Justin Cooper (Yamaha), 7-3
- Levi Kitchen (Yamaha), 10-1
- Jordon Smith (Yamaha), 1-10
- Pierce Brown (GasGas), 8-5
- Jalek Swoll (Husqvarna), 6-8
- Max Vohland (KTM), 9-7
- Tom Vialle (KTM), 3-13
16. Ryder DiFrancesco (Kawasaki), 21-12
250SMX Class Points FINAL Standings
- Haiden Deegan (Yamaha), 157
- Jo Shimoda (Kawasaki), 152
- RJ Hampshire (Husqvarna), 122
- Levi Kitchen (Yamaha), 114
- Jordon Smith (Yamaha), 110
- Justin Cooper (Yamaha), 101
- Max Vohland (KTM), 98
- Tom Vialle (KTM), 90
- Hunter Lawrence (Honda), 89
- Jalek Swoll (Husqvarna), 88
12. Ryder DiFrancesco (Kawasaki), 72
15. Seth Hammaker (Kawasaki), 49
Team Monster Energy Pro Circuit Kawasaki uses WRP Titanium Fasteners
