Haiden Deegan Extends Win Streak in Epic 250SX Battle in Seattle
Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing’s Haiden Deegan heads into the break with a commanding 250SX West lead, while Max Anstie made key championship gains with a third-place finish. / Feb 16, 2026 /
There are races that people remember for a season, and others that get replayed for years. Only time will tell where the Monster Energy AMA Supercross 250SX Main Event in Seattle lands, but one thing is certain: it was a good one.
After pure domination from Monster Energy Star Racing’s Haiden Deegan at the last four rounds, Round 6 looked like more of the same. The reigning champ topped qualifying, grabbed holeshots, and won his heat race at Lumen Field. It was shaping up to be another runaway. Then Levi Kitchen, the home state hero, changed the script.
Deegan was fourth on the opening lap but wasted little time charging to the front. Around the halfway mark, Kitchen made the pass, and what followed was a cat-and-mouse game that had the Washington State crowd on its feet.
“Around halfway or so, when he got around me because there was a red cross flag and he kind of caught me, I wasn’t going to risk it,” Deegan explained. “I figured if he got around me, I’d just try and push it at the end.”
With three laps remaining, Deegan struck back. He reclaimed the lead and rode it in for his fifth consecutive victory, stretching his points advantage to 35 as the Western Divisional 250 class heads into its break.
“That was gnarly,” Deegan said. “Before this race, I told my dad and Brad (Hoffman), 'I want to battle.' I haven't battled in a long time, and as much as it is nice to get to the lead and take off, this isn’t good for me. Battles like this, learning how to have race craft like that, just teach me to be a better rider when I go to the 450. Having cake-walk races is nice, but a battle like that, that was fun.”
After a tough few rounds, Max Anstie rebounded in Seattle with a return to the podium. The British rider grabbed the holeshot in his heat race, and although he got shuffled back to fourth, he fought his way back to third. In the main event, he grabbed the holeshot again and settled into third after a few laps, maintaining a strong, steady pace on one of the most demanding tracks on the schedule. His second podium finish of the season moved him back into the runner-up spot in the 250SX West standings.
“It was a solid night, P3, and back on the box where I belong,” Anstie said. “We’ve got five weeks now to improve and come out swinging at the East/West Showdown rounds.”
Michael Mosiman showed speed early, earning his best qualifying result of the season in third. Although he did not get the start he was hoping for in his heat race, the Californian fought his way through from fourth and made the pass for second in the whoops with three laps to go. Unfortunately on the following lap, Hunter Yoder made contact with Mosiman, putting them both on the ground. The Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing rider finished sixth, and despite the gate pick, he had a decent start to the main event inside the top 10. Mosiman did what he could, finishing sixth to salvage points. He heads into the break third in the standings, just one point behind Anstie.
“It was a challenging night,” Mosiman said. “I had my best qualifying of the year and felt good going into the night program. A less-than-ideal start in the heat, but I worked my way to second before getting cleaned out. I was thankful to make the main without having to go to the LCQ, and in the main, I put myself in a decent position early, making some good moves the first few turns. I passed (Cameron) MacAdoo into fifth at the 12-minute mark, but I made a mistake, and he got me back. I’m disappointed with a sixth place on the night, but I’m proud of the effort and the fight. The team and I see what needs to be worked on, and we will be putting in the hours during the break to be even stronger during the latter half of the Supercross season.”
With six wins in six rounds and all three riders occupying the top three spots in the 250SX West Championship, it’s been a stellar start to the year for the Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing squad.
“It was another great points night,” said Wil Hahn, Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing’s 250 Team General Manager. “A great race from Haiden and a double podium with getting Max back up on the box. Mosi (Michael Mosiman) rode solid to salvage the night. I’m proud of the whole crew.”
Next weekend, the 250SX East Championship kicks off at AT&T Stadium, also Round 7 of the Monster Energy AMA Supercross Championship and the Monster Energy SMX World Championship on February 21 in Arlington, Texas.