Haiden Deegan’s Podium Streak Continues at Budds Creek
Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing’s Haiden Deegan earns his fifth consecutive 450MX overall podium, while Cooper Webb equals his season-best result in sixth / Aug 24, 2026 /
Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing’s Haiden Deegan continued to make strides in his debut 450 Pro Motocross season at Budds Creek Motocross Park in Mechanicsville, Maryland. Once again showing the pace to run up front, the 20-year-old put together a 2-4 moto score for third overall and his fifth consecutive overall podium. Cooper Webb also took another step forward at the penultimate round of the Pro Motocross Championship. The three-time 450SX Champion put together a 6-9 score to finish sixth overall at his home outdoor national, equaling his best moto and overall results of the season.
Weather once again added another element to the day at Budds Creek. The first qualifying session ultimately set the times after a downpour hit during the second session. Deegan led the way to earn his second-fastest qualifier honors of the season, and also put on a show in the rain for the fans at the Yamaha Racing Budds Creek National.
When the gate dropped for Moto 1, Deegan got a flying start, grabbing his third holeshot of the season aboard the YZ450F and leading the opening lap. Hunter Lawrence made his way past on Lap 2, but Deegan kept the Australian within sight. After losing some time on the leader, the rookie started to close the gap again around the halfway mark as the pair set a blistering pace at the front of the field.
Both riders continued to push all the way to the checkered flag, setting their fastest laps of the moto on Lap 15 and building a sizeable gap over the rest of the field. In the end, Deegan crossed the line second for his 11th 450MX moto podium so far this season.
In Moto 2, Deegan had his work cut out for him after finding himself ninth after the start. He quickly made his way to seventh and found himself in a multi-rider battle for position. The rookie continued to push forward, moving into sixth before the halfway mark and then closing in on the riders ahead. He advanced to fifth on Lap 12 and made the pass for fourth a couple of laps later, where he would finish to secure his fifth consecutive overall podium in third. It also marked Deegan’s seventh overall podium of the season, and he continues to hold third in the championship.
“It was good,” said Deegan about the day. “I'd say the second moto was a little rough, but I qualified P1, and in the first moto I finished second. I was right on the leader the whole race, so that's a positive. In Moto 2, I got off to a decent start and kind of got pinched off a little, and then got stuck in the pace of around the fifth-place guy. It kind of messed up my flow, but it’s another podium finish. Obviously I want that moto win, and we were close in that first race. I’ve got one more outdoor to swing at it, and then it’s onto SMX. So I’ve got a lot of racing still to go before the season's over, and a lot more chances to go out there and show some more speed.”
For Webb, Budds Creek was another positive step forward at a venue that has been his home race in Pro Motocross. The North Carolina rider qualified 10th and then got a great start to Moto 1, coming through in fourth. He was shuffled back to fifth early but maintained the position through the first half of the moto. Webb continued to battle around the top five, but came under pressure from Jett Lawrence late in the moto. While fighting for position, Webb went off track and was shuffled back to sixth, equaling his best moto result of the season.
Like his teammate, Webb did not get the start he was looking for in Moto 2 and found himself 13th on the opening lap. He quickly made his way into 10th by Lap 3 and continued to fight his way forward on a track where passing was difficult. Webb advanced to ninth in the latter stages and rode on to finish there, with his 6-9 score securing sixth overall and equaling his best overall result of the season.
“It was a crazy day,” said Webb. “We had all kinds of weather. We had rain, like, tropical rain, and a mudder for practice. Then it got hot and humid, but the track was crazy. It was a good day for me, though. I went 6-9 for sixth overall. So, I tied my best again. I got a bad start in the second one, which I feel held me back, but I rode really well, though. I’m really happy with today. I feel like I made a good step and was a little closer to that group ahead of me, so I’m happy with that.
“It was awesome to race here at Budds Creek one last time. This is the track I grew up coming to as a fan and was climbing these fences as a little guy. So, it’s a special place, and a great day. Let’s enjoy our last outdoor round next weekend.”
It was a positive day overall for the Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing 450 squad, with both riders showing improved speed as the outdoor season winds down. Their teammate Justin Cooper sat out the penultimate round while recovering from an illness, with the focus on returning at 100%.
“The second qualifier was a wash, but the first qualifier was good,” said Rich Simmons, Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing’s 450 Team Manager. “I thought both guys rode really well. Haiden was P1 in qualifying, and Webb showed better speed, so that was good to see. Then Haiden got the holeshot in Moto 1, and I thought it was maybe one of the stronger motos we've seen out of both him and Webb. They both rode really well.
“In the second moto, it was just a bad start for both guys, and they didn't really move through the pack like we would’ve liked. It was a good fight for Haiden to get himself on the overall podium, and Webb was really close to fifth overall. So I’m pumped about that. I think he showed more fitness today. Overall, a good job from the team, and we’ve got one more left outdoors.”
With one round remaining before the SMX World Championship Playoffs, Webb continues to hold the runner-up spot in the combined 450SMX standings, while Deegan’s strong rookie outdoor campaign has moved him up to seventh. The Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing squad heads to Crawfordsville, Indiana, next weekend for the Pro Motocross season finale at Ironman Raceway.