“It was just hard. I knew I could skim [the whoops] for a little bit but I was using a lot of energy doing that. They’re really far apart, so just wasn’t getting too much drive and Cooper wasn’t losing too much time jumping. So, I went to the jump line, made one mistake and went off the track, but other than that I felt like I was pretty solid. Coop rode a really good race. I pressured him the whole time and he didn’t make a mistake. Every time I tried to push a little bit more, I’d make a mistake. It was a tough track. You couldn’t really push too hard and there wasn’t a whole lot of separation. He rode a great race and [I’ll] come back next weekend and try to do better, but it was a tough pill to swallow losing that race. But it is what it is, and we have two more.” – Chase Sexton, when asked about his decision to switch from blitzing the whoops to jumping through the whoops.

“I felt like I was riding better tonight all around. Obviously a really good heat race for me, and I just didn’t really adapt to the track as well as I needed to. Those guys were really pushing, and they kept pushing to the end, and they’re running a great pace that I just really couldn’t figure out towards the middle there. I made a little bit of a charge toward them, and then lost track of them; I was kind of just in no man’s land in third. Third’s good for me tonight, it was a really good day for me, so we’ll take all the positives from this. Just gotta give it up to the whole team… Let’s keep this going.” – Justin Cooper

The penultimate round of the Eastern Divisional 250SX Class Championship was a breathtaking race from start to finish. Tom Vialle took the win after an intense back-and-forth battle for the lead with Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing's Nate Thrasher, who led most of the race but had to settle for second at the end. Muc-Off FXR ClubMX Yamaha's Maximus Vohland battled Vialle early for second, and held on for his career-first podium finish. Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing's RJ Hampshire took over third place in the later half of the race, but then crashed trying to work around a lapped rider. Hampshire remounted quickly to remain ahead of fifth-place finisher Monster Energy Pro Circuit Kawasaki's Seth Hammaker. Hammaker, who held the points lead before the gate dropped, had a dramatic ride after a poor start; he made contact with several riders and pulled off one amazing save to stay on two wheels in the early laps. From there he marched forward to salvage a fifth place. The division’s points now have the top three riders separated by only three points with one round remaining for the East division – the Dave Coombs Sr. 250SX Class East/West Showdown.

“Coming into this round I pretty much had to win. And I delivered tonight so that feels really good. I had a pretty big crash in practice, I hit my head pretty bad, but we bounced back. This track was tough tonight, but I had some good lines for the main event and could make the pass at the end. This one feels good, and I’m lucky to have the chance to fight for the title in Salt Lake City.” – Tom Vialle

“I was close to a win there. I could taste it, I could feel it, and [it was] just one mistake, just like last weekend, that cost me. I feel like I’ve been able to win these last two and just haven’t been able to do it. But after my Atlanta crash a couple years ago my confidence just wasn’t the same in the whoops, and I’m glad to say I’m back. I feel great and that was my strength tonight. We’ll just keep chipping away and I think we’re going to be in contention in Salt Lake to get another win there. I’ve won there before so let’s go do it again.” – Nate Thrasher (#41 in photo)

“We’ve been putting in so much work at the facility and it’s been such a long road for me. I can’t believe that I got here this soon with the [right foot] injury and everything. Having to come out and figure out a new way to ride with a hand brake. I came here in Pittsburgh to play with the hand brake – and I just want to give it up to all these fans. You guys were awesome tonight… [This is the] first career podium for me tonight and I feel a huge weight off my shoulders and I’m hungry for more.” – Max Vohland, who adapted a hand brake to his motorcycle due to an injury to his right foot that diminished some of that foot’s sensitivity.

“It took me a little bit to get going and then there was just a lapper in the line. I jumped left and I just hooked a little bit too far left and – man, it’s tough. I put myself in a good position tonight and I threw it away. But I’ll praise Him in glory, and I’ll praise Him in defeat. We’re still in this thing, I just need to win in Salt Lake.” – RJ Hampshire

“It was going to come down to that last [round] regardless, and now its just winner take all for sure. I just spun off the gate there, right when I went, on the grate, and just lost it from there. I had a sketchy first two laps, but we salvaged as good as we could. A fifth place was all we had tonight after that start. One point behind, we’ll take it to Salt Lake and see who’s crowned champion.” – Seth Hammaker

The SMX Next Class, which gives the top amateur racers a chance to compete on the world stage, wrapped up its Supercross season with winner-take-all SMX Next – Supercross AMA National Championship. Muc-Off FXR ClubMX Yamaha's Alexander Fedortsov crossed the holeshot stripe in fourth but quickly worked his way into the lead. Fedortsov had led in previous events but issues, including a flat tire while leading the Daytona Supercross, had kept him out of the winner’s circle. Fedortsov put in a strong and steady ride to capture the win when it counted most and became the 2025 SMX Next – Supercross AMA National Champion. Kawasaki Team Green’s Landen Gordon, with two wins on the season, moved steadily forward to capture second place in Pittsburgh. Kawasaki Team Green’s Enzo Temmerman, with one win in 2025, recovered from an eighth-place start to take the final spot on the podium.

“[It] feels insane. Honestly, I can’t believe I did it. I keep thinking about it, and it’s like I had a [lock on the win] every time, every time, and I keep losing, keep losing. I was like, ‘Oh my gosh, there’s something wrong with me or something… I just need to get it done.’ I had a great start, passed my teammate right away, and just checked out a little bit and had a really great race. I felt great on the track. No better place to do that, honestly. I’m so excited.” – Alexander Fedortsov