Kiwi rider Cole Davies (Star Racing Yamaha) kicked off his 2025 SuperMotocross (SMX) Playoff campaign last weekend at Charlotte Motor Speedway in Concord, returning to action after an injury-hit Pro Motocross season.
Davies had shown strong form earlier this year, finishing third in the 250SX West Supercross Championship behind Haiden Deegan and Julien Beaumer.
However, a crash at the Supercross finale left him with a broken arm and nose, forcing him to miss the bulk of the outdoor Pro Motocross season. He returned only for the final two rounds, leaving him with limited track time heading into the playoffs.
Starting Round 1 in 17th place in the SMX 250 standings, Davies arrived at Charlotte determined to make up ground.
In practice, he posted the fourth fastest lap of the 28-rider field with a 2:03.077, just two seconds off the top time set by Seth Hammaker (Pro Circuit Kawasaki). Deegan and Beaumer recorded the second and third fastest practice times.
Qualifying saw Davies improve his lap to 2:00.168, 2.909 seconds faster than his practice time, although the rest of the field also upped their pace. He qualified 9th overall, with Ty Masterpool (Pro Circuit Kawasaki) setting the fastest qualifying lap at 1:56.957.
Deegan, Levi Kitchen, Max Anstie, and Daxton Bennick rounded out the top five in qualifying.
In Moto 1, Davies made an immediate impact, climbing to fourth on the opening lap and reaching second place by lap three. He eventually settled into a battle for seventh and eighth, crossing the finish line in eighth place, 26.691 seconds off the lead, and earning 14 playoff points.
Deegan took the Moto 1 victory. Moto 2 was cancelled due to persistent lightning in the area and a tight event schedule.
“The track was wild out there in Charlotte. I felt good in Moto 1. I had myself up front, but went down while running second, which was a tough one. I was ready to go again in Moto 2, so it’s a shame the weather didn’t let that happen. The good news is I’m healthy, I know where my speed’s at, and I’m already looking forward to St. Louis.” said Davies
Davies’ eighth-place finish moves him up six positions in the standings, now sitting 11th overall in the SMX 250 Playoffs with 19 points. Deegan leads the championship with 50 points, followed by Jo Shimoda in second on 42 points and Hammaker third with 34 points.
The SMX Playoffs continue this weekend, with Round 2 set for Sunday, 14th September, at The Dome at America’s Centre in St. Louis.
