Hunter Lawrence on pod cast recalls Haiden Deegan controversial block pass at Detroit as he says deegan was just being too selfish and disrespectful
The Monster Energy Supercross Round 10 at Detroit became the focal point of media and fan scrutiny after a heated confrontation between teammates Haiden Deegan and Jordon Smith.
The episode, marked by aggressive racing and contentious block passes, drew significant attention, especially when Hunter Lawrence, the 250 East points leader, stepped in to defend the young rider Deegan during the post-race press conference.
The drama unfolded in Heat 1, where Deegan initially took the lead but soon found himself in a fierce battle with Smith.
On Lap 3, Smith executed a swift pass through the whoops section, briefly taking the lead before Deegan reasserted control with a block pass into a bowl turn. 
One particularly provocative moment came when Deegan, after a brief confrontation, seemed to intentionally wait for Smith to make a second block pass. This maneuver only fueled the controversy surrounding their on-track exchange. Smith, whose race deteriorated further with subsequent crashes, finished 20th, four laps behind the leaders.
In his post-race comments, Deegan downplayed the incident, describing it as simply “good racing” and “fun.” His focus remained on his own performance, which included a strong second-place finish in the heat and a third in the main event. Deegan’s results underscored his rapid ascent in the sport, with this race marking his second podium in just six events.
However, it was Lawrence who became a vocal advocate for Deegan amidst the controversy. During the press conference, Lawrence addressed the criticism head-on, reflecting on the nostalgia for the more rugged racing of previous decades.
He questioned the modern-day reaction to aggressive maneuvers, suggesting that the current backlash contrasted sharply with the appreciation for similarly aggressive racing of the past.
Lawrence also emphasized the split-second decision-making required in Supercross racing, defending the drivers from the media’s often harsh critique.
“We’re out there making decisions in a split millisecond,” Lawrence argued. “People have all month to pay their phone bill and they still can’t do that on time. We’re making decisions at such a fast reaction time with adrenaline. No one is perfect and we’re under a microscope out there.”
The incident at Detroit highlights the ongoing tension between the evolving nature of Supercross racing and the expectations of fans and media.
While aggressive racing tactics like block passes can be polarizing, they remain an integral part of the sport’s dynamic and competitive landscape. As the season progresses, the discourse surrounding such moments will continue to shape the narrative of the championship and the careers of the riders involved.
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