Pierce Brown Earns Maiden Win at 250SMX Finale Las Vegas
Pierce Brown etched his name in SuperMotocross history with a commanding performance at the 250SMX World Championship in Las Vegas, taking the overall score of 2-1 moto. The race marked not only his first overall win at this elite level but also his last outing with the Troy Lee Designs Red Bull GasGas team, a partnership that has shaped his professional career since 2021, one year after turning pro. With TLD Red Bull GasGas closing its doors, Brown’s victory was a poetic finale to a long-standing chapter in his racing journey. He took down the 2x 250SMX World Champion, Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing's Haiden Deegan, and on team's "The Last Dance," as seen on his butt patch for the final race. He spoke at the post-race press conference:
For Brown, the Las Vegas race was a moment he’d been chasing for years, finally breaking through in what he described as a "dream day." Reflecting on his win, he said, “It was kind of like a dream day. I’ve been with the team my whole career, haven’t been able to knock off a win for them, and I waited until the last race with them. It feels good, feels great.”
His hard-fought victory was particularly special given the context of the team’s closure. “This is TLD GasGas’s last race as a team. I’ve been with them my whole career, so it feels like a monkey off my back,” Brown said, expressing relief and fulfillment.
Brown credited his improved starts for his strong performance, a crucial factor he’d been working on diligently. “It’s crazy what a start could do,” he explained. “I feel like nothing’s really changed speed-wise; I’ve been putting in the work week in and week out, but it hasn’t been able to show because I’ve been starting seventh or tenth. These guys are so fast, so it’s hard to run through them.”
While the victory was a defining moment, Brown acknowledged the challenges he faced throughout the season. “It’s been a mediocre year for me,” he admitted. “I’ve been putting in the work week in, week out, but it just hasn’t really shown on the weekends because the starts haven’t been there.”
Looking back, Brown reflected on the highs and lows of the season. “There are times you get down on yourself, but that’s part of the sport. There are ups and downs in everything, even in life. You kind of just have to pick yourself up and make it happen, and that’s what we did today.”
Brown looks ahead with a renewed sense of belief and expectation with this win. “For next year, it just elevates my expectations for myself. It’s definitely going to jump-start some belief, and I can’t wait for next year.”
As Brown prepares for the next phase of his career, he recognizes the importance of this win in boosting his confidence. “It feels like a monkey off my back. I’m just through the moon right now, I’m stoked,” he said. He further added, “This is my first full season. I made every single round, and finally got it done in the last race. It feels good. For next year, it just elevates my expectations for myself.”
As the curtain falls on his time with Troy Lee Designs Red Bull GasGas, Brown’s victory in Las Vegas stands as a testament to perseverance, dedication, and the culmination of years of hard work. That "never say die" type attitude. His journey with the team may have ended, but with this win, Brown is poised for an exciting future, ready to embrace new challenges going to a different team with high confidence.