​Sacha Coenen put on a clinic in sand racing with a commanding victory in Moto 1 at The Wick 338 in Southwick, Massachusetts, leaving little doubt about his prowess on the tricky, loose surface. He launched off the gate with impressive speed, but an almost mishap in Turn 1 nearly derailed the charge as Cole Davies rode right up alongside him. The drama continued to unfold for Coenen in the early stages, as he clipped the edge of the track and nearly went down multiple times during the opening lap. Yet once he cleared that perilous first lap, Coenen found a smooth, relentless rhythm, pulling away to finish more than 33 seconds ahead of Levi Kitchen.
The previous week, Jo Shimoda had already set the tone in the 250 class by delivering an 11-second margin of victory over Davies—the largest in the division for 2026—so the Southwick event carried even more stakes as riders chased consistency and points. The Southwick circuit once again produced a compelling showdown, with the 250-class field fighting for every inch of dirt and every possible advantage as the clock ticked down.
In the race for third, the mid-pack battle intensified around the halfway point as DiFrancesco, Chance Hymas, and Levi Kitchen all pressed their cases. Kitchen ultimately emerged with the advantage, increasing his margin over the others as the clock wound down and the laps dwindled. DiFrancesco, who had earned a strong podium finish the previous week, reinforced that momentum by securing a third-place result in Moto 1 at Southwick.
Jo Shimoda, who had been riding with the red plate after RedBud, faced a setback at Southwick. He would have to concede the red plate once again after missing two motos in Southwick due to injury. Shimoda had secured the red plate last week at RedBud, but the unfortunate turns in Southwick—namely his absence from two motos—meant he would relinquish the lead in the standings.
In Moto action, Dan Beaver and Hymas aimed to improve on their season-best finishes. Hymas rode in the mix for most of the race, hovering around third or fourth place for the majority of the moto. With the clock counting down, he eventually relinquished the position to Julien Beaumer, who had been closing in as the moto progressed.
Davies rode into the race with momentum on his side and a strong opportunity to grab the points lead, especially after it was announced earlier in the day that Shimoda would not line up due to injuries—a fractured collarbone and a mild concussion sustained in qualification. Davies’ hopes confronted a late-speed challenge when a Lap 6 crash threatened to derail the day. He had trouble restarting his bike, costing roughly 30 seconds and dropping him to 10th place. Davies clawed his way back, ultimately finishing in seventh.
Cole Davies, who followed closely behind Coenen in the early stages, faced additional challenges when he fell from second on Lap 6. Restarting his bike proved costly, as he lost substantial time and slipped to 10th before rallying to finish in the top ten. Levi Kitchen’s day also featured a notable moment as he crashed on Lap 2, dropping to 9th, though he would rebound and carry into the final stretch with a more favorable result than the early setback suggested.
Chance Hymas, whose best finish in 2026 had been fifth, remained a strong contender throughout the race. He logged competitive laps and remained in the mix, underscoring his consistency this season, though he ultimately could not break into the podium group in Moto 1.
As the season progressed toward the latter rounds, riders continued to push for every available point, with Southwick testing their endurance, balance, and sand-handling skills to the limit. Coenen’s dominant performance in Moto 1 demonstrated his superior ability on soft, shifting surfaces, while Kitchen, DiFrancesco, and Hymas demonstrated the depth of the field as the 250 class looked ahead to the next round. Shimoda’s absence from two motos in Southwick left a notable gap in the championship narrative, highlighting how injuries can abruptly reshape the standings and alter the strategic approach riders and teams take as they navigate the rest of the season. The Southwick event, with its combination of dramatic on-track action and shifting standings, underscored the ongoing competitiveness of the 2026 season and kept fans eager for the next race.