How should Jo approach this race?

Same !! 

Let Deegan by and just follow him 

They were friends before that and are still friends.

I think the real question is: “How many “Yamahas” does Jo need to worry about?!”

🤣

According to the dangerboy none. "This isn't a team sport" 

On the gate, line up inside of Deegan, even if it means taking a sketchy rut.

Something tells me that he wouldn't just slide by in that scenario so probably not that simple. Also have to worry about getting bunched up unless they have a huge gap on the rest of the field 

im a huge deegan fan but i would love to see joe win this thing and cash in that half a million

I think Jo has only ever seen him when he’s lapping him 

What needs to happen in order for Seth to win the championship?

Ride as fast as he can from gate drop to checkers.  Anything  else is chicken  shit  and he will regret it later in life.

Jo can't take it easy.  It's triple points this week, and Hammaker is not out of contention.

Jo needs to focus on the start, lining up to the inside of Deegan if possible.

Then, race to the front, but take inside lines when possible to minimize possible take outs from anyone, including Kitchen, who has the same reasons to take him out as he did/does for Deegan $$$$.

Assuming Joe starts ahead of Deegan, if/when Deegan is about to pass Joe, Joe should let him by.

Just take the inside line and slow down a bit.

It's pretty difficult to punt someone who's taking the inside line.

He can only afford to let one of Deegan or Hammaker finish ahead of him.

If he finishes 1st or 2nd in the first moto, then he should use the same strategy in the second.

If he finishes 3rd or worse in the first moto, and Deegan/Hammaker finish ahead of him, especially if Deegan wins, then in the second moto, he'll need to just focus on winning, being smart about leaving the door open to a takeout from any rider.

Lots of money on the line as Levi stated, sooo does Levi take out Joe?

Also remember at the very first SMX Final when Joe punted Deegan, sooo does Joe punt Deegan again?

If Shimoda finishes 1st or 2nd overall, he's the champion, regardless of how anyone else finishes.

For Hammaker to win the championship:

If Hammaker wins, he needs to beat Shimoda by 2 positions.

Assuming finishing order: Hammaker, Deegan, Shimoda, the championship points would complete like this: 

78 + 75 = 153  Hammaker

92 + 60 = 152 Shimoda

82 + 66 = 148 Deegan

If Seth finishes 2nd or 3rd, he needs to simply beat Deegan, plus beat Shimoda by 3 positions.

If he finishes 4th or worse and Deegan and Shimoda are behind him, most likely someone other than these 3 are going to win the championship.

Got to love those triple points!

WFO!

Follow either Deegan or Hammaker (prolly Deegs) and finish 2-2 safely. 

Get a good start and stay away from other star riders. Aside from Haiden, the entire team has been terrible at starts this year, so should he fairly easy for him. Let Haiden by if he’s close and just cruise. 

It’s Shimoda’s night. Going to be some good times at the HRC trailer 🏁

Do you think Deegan will bunch em up if he's in first and joe's in second? 

One of my best friends does Jo’s media.  He said for Jo it’s just another race and business as usual.  

I just hope the AMA (MX Sports) keeps their hands out of the outcome.  Let them race.  Don’t let penalties affect the outcome.  

Degan laid up to keep that from happening 

As long as the AMA tells all the riders that before the race!  Thunderdome!

Nope. 

They did… and BS happened but Justice was served 🤘