Dramatic season opener for AMA 250SX East division
By Team TMX on 23rd Feb 26
Round seven of the 2026 Monster Energy SMX World Championship brought the Monster Energy AMA Supercross Championship back to the Dallas–Fort Worth Metroplex for its annual Military Appreciation Night inside AT&T Stadium.
The much-anticipated opener of the Eastern Divisional 250SX Class Championship delivered immediate drama. Honda HRC Progressive’s Jo Shimoda grabbed the holeshot in his first race appearance since undergoing surgery in November to repair two fractured and displaced vertebrae in his neck and upper back. The reigning 250SMX World Champion was followed early by Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing’s Pierce Brown and Rockstar Energy Husqvarna’s Daxton Bennick.
Meanwhile, title favourite Cole Davies endured a nightmare start. The Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing rider fell in the first turn and collected multiple contenders, emerging outside the top 20 before beginning an aggressive recovery ride.
Out front, Shimoda quickly established control, building a lead of more than three seconds and settling into a strong rhythm through the opening laps. However, a pivotal and unexpected sequence reshaped the race. As Shimoda approached the finish line, red medical lights were displayed on the circuit, requiring riders to roll all obstacles until cleared. Shimoda complied and rolled through to begin the next lap.
Behind him, both Brown and Bennick navigated the same section at full race pace, with no apparent warning lights displayed in their line of sight. The situation allowed Brown to erase the deficit instantly and seize the lead.
Shimoda resumed full pace in second and mounted an immediate counterattack. For the remainder of the 15-minute plus one-lap main event, he stalked Brown relentlessly. Although the Honda rider appeared faster in sections, he was unable to position himself for a decisive pass. With less than a minute remaining, Shimoda made one final attempt, diving to the inside of Brown in a bold move for the lead. The effort stalled on exit, allowing Brown to respond and stretch the margin in the closing corners.
Brown took the chequered flag 2.4 seconds clear of Shimoda, with Bennick completing the podium in third.
Monster Energy Pro Circuit Kawasaki’s Seth Hammaker, also caught in the first-turn incident, recovered to fourth, while Davies salvaged an impressive fifth after charging through the field.
For Brown, the victory marked his first Supercross win in 33 career starts. The result carried added significance: one year earlier, he crashed out of the lead at the 2025 Eastern Divisional opener and sustained a fractured vertebra that ruled him out for the remainder of the season.
The win places Brown at the top of the Eastern Divisional standings with a three-point advantage over Shimoda and a five-point cushion over Bennick. It also marks the first time in his career that he will carry the red plate.
