Tomac vs Jett: Insights and Reflections on Their Epic Moto 2 Battle from SMX Playoff 1

The SMX (SuperMotocross World Championship) Playoff 1 in Charlotte delivered an electrifying 450SMX second moto, showcasing an intense battle between two of motocross’s most revered riders, Team Honda HRC Progressive's Jett Lawrence and Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing’s Eli Tomac. This showdown, which we had eagerly anticipated, lived up to its hype as the two champions went head-to-head, each bringing their unique styles and skills to the fore.

Jett's unbelievable talent as a 450SX Supercross Champion, 450MX Motocross Champion, and the reining 450SMX Champion is apparent as the next one to challenge all-time lists. The multi-time champion and legend Tomac has already written his name in the record books as one of the best ever to do it. There is a ten-year difference in age between the two, with Tomac being 31 and Jett being 21.

Both riders have recently returned from thumb injuries, with Tomac returning for the last two rounds of AMA Pro Motocross to be prepared for these final three playoff rounds. While Jett, on the other hand, and the 2024 Monster Energy AMA 450SX Supercross Champion, well…this was his first race back from his injury stint.

Jett would eventually win the duel between the two, but not without it going down to the final lap. Here is what they commented after the race during the post-race press conference about the battle between each other:

For Jett Lawrence, the race offered a special opportunity to measure himself against one of the sport's greats. "It was obviously a really cool thing... like him wanting to race Ricky Carmichael or one of those guys. You want to race the best at the time and you want to battle with them," Lawrence said, reflecting on the significance of racing against Tomac. He acknowledged Tomac's status, noting that "Eli is probably the biggest name and has the most championships for sure right now in this class."

"It was good to be behind him for a couple of laps. There are pluses and minuses to it. I saw his different flow, and yeah, it was good." Eli noted. Jett observed that Tomac’s use of a paddle tire in the sand sections gave him an edge, which Lawrence countered by focusing on the slick spots to maintain pressure.

On the other hand, Eli Tomac was confident coming into the race when we asked him about surprising himself that first moto. "From practice, no [I wasn’t surprised]... I felt really good in practice... My mindset was like you have to get the start, so as long as I knew... I could get myself in the position to be off the start, I felt like I could be in the mix today." Tomac’s strategy was clear: get out front early and manage the race from there, a tactic that served him well throughout the day.

Despite the fierce competition, both riders expressed a mutual respect for each other’s abilities. Lawrence described the experience of battling Tomac as a "bucket list" moment, adding that it was an "honor" to race against someone of Tomac’s caliber. "It was obviously a really cool thing. Racing against another great and a champion like Eli, there's no quit; there's always fighting until the checkered flag. It's always cool and definitely a bucket list kind of thing, whether I won or not. Just getting to battle with him is a real honor."

The crowd in Charlotte added to the intensity, with their overwhelming support for Tomac being palpable throughout the race. "The last couple years, man, the stadiums and the energy have been pretty awesome," Tomac remarked, acknowledging the fans’ role in driving him forward. Lawrence, too, couldn’t help but notice the roar of the crowd and the distinct difference in noise between their bikes, with Tomac’s Yamaha overpowering Lawrence’s quieter machine.

As the series progresses, the anticipation for more battles between these two giants of the sport is sure to grow. Reflecting on his dreams of racing against Tomac, Lawrence perfectly captured the sentiment: "Whether I won it or not, I think just getting a battle with him... it’s just a really cool thing and an honor." With two more playoff rounds to go, we can expect the racing between Lawrence and Tomac to only intensify, as both riders push each other to new heights in pursuit of the ultimate prize.