How to Win with Connor Fields

It’s title time in Tulsa! 3 cups will be awarded, and there will definitely be 2 first-time champions, possibly three depending on how it all plays out. Let’s break it down and do some title math as we get ready for the greatest race on earth, the Grands! Two of the pro classes have easy math, and one is much more complex. Eight scores, plus the Grands go into a championship, and the Grands is double points. The big thing to remember here is that the R.O.C. is just a normal national score in the pro class, so there is one final score available for anyone who wants to boost their scores.  Get your calculators out, here we go. 

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WOMEN PRO

Mathematically up for the title: Molly Simpson, Lauren Reynolds, Payton Ridenour, Daleny Vaughn. 

There will be a new women’s champion this year. 

OH CANADA! This season has been all about Molly Simpson. Dominant would be the best way to describe her year. After the Rock Hill season opener, she has not been beaten in a single race where she didn’t crash, en route to an 11-win season. 

AS IT STANDS BEFORE THE ROC: 

Molly Simpson 800 points: Grands clinch scenario: 5^th place or better clinches no matter what.  

IF Payton or Lauren finish 2^nd, a 6^th is enough for Molly. She has a 5-position buffer on those 2, a 6-position buffer on Daleny. 

Lauren Reynolds  & Payton Ridenour 710 points: Molly and Lauren can both move up 20 points with a ROC win, replacing a 3^rd with a win, and cutting Molly’s position buffer to 4 positions. As it stands, they would need to win the Grands AND have Molly finish 5 positions behind them. 

Daleny Vaughn 690 points: With 2 wins on the year, Daleny has the most wins of anyone not named Molly in this title chase. She is still holding onto a 4^th in her top 8 scores, so a 2^nd or 3rd at the ROC would bump her up 10 or 20 points, to 710 or 720, putting her in the same position as Lauren and Payton. A win bumps her to 730, and a 4-position gap to Molly. 

The math on this one is simple…. IF Molly makes the main and handles business as she has this season. If she does not make the final, it is a three-horse race with a winner-take-all scenario between the other three.  

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Vet Pro

Mathematically up for the title: Jeff Upshaw, Alan Hudson, Corey Reid, Nic Long 

Like the Women Pro class, the Vet class has been a one-man show this year. Jeff Upshaw had a perfect season going until he finished second in Austin. 15 wins, one 2^nd. 

AS IT STANDS BEFORE THE ROC: 

Jeff Upshaw 800 points: A 110-point lead, a 6^th place or better at the Grands clinches. IF Corey or Alan gets 2^nd, he needs 7^th. Jeff has a 6-position buffer. 

Alan Hudson & Corey Reid 690 points: A win at the ROC can cut into Jeff’s lead, potentially bringing the buffer to a 5-position difference. If Jeff does not make the final, then it is whoever finishes higher between Alan and Corey, unless Nic Long can beat them both by three positions. 

Nic Long 620 points: The most outside shot here, Nic is 180 points back, but within that 200-point number to have a chance. So you’re saying there is a chance? Yes. Here is what needs to happen: Jeff cannot make the semis and finish 5th or 6th, as pros receive semi points, and finish three spots ahead of both Corey and Alan. SO if Jeff is out in motos, then Nic’s chances really come alive, BUT he still has to hope three people can slot in between him, Alan, and Corey. 

Barry is not up for the title this year, but could definitely play spoiler and affect the outcome of this race. 

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Men Pro

Now, this is where it gets trickier. The ROC has a massive influence on the points scale for this class, so we may have a totally different setup on Friday morning before the night show, but let’s take a look at how it currently sits as we head into Tulsa.

Mathematically up for the title: Cam Wood, Izaac Kennedy, Josh Jolly, Simon Marquart, Kamren Larsen, Drew Polk

Cam Wood 760 points:  Defending Champion Cam Wood has the clearest path to a title. He has a 100-point lead, meaning a 5th-place or better clinches. That is, if Izaac wins. If Josh wins, 6^th is all he needs. If Simon wins, he needs 7^th UNLESS Izaac gets second, in which case Izaac would win…..basically there are a ton of scenarios but to keep it simple, 5^th place or better clinches, as points currently stand. I must emphasize this point because the rest of the class can catch up significantly with a good score at the ROC. Cam will be playing defense at the ROC by trying to win and block the other riders from catching him. 

IF Cam fails to make the final at the Grands, the whole thing blows wide open. It hasn’t happened in a while, but it has happened before where the points leader fails to make the final. 1995, 2001, 2010, and 2014 come to mind. If that happens, It will not be exactly a winner take all, but pretty close. 

Izaac Kennedy 660 points: Izaac has A LOT to gain at the ROC. He has seven great scores, but his lowest score he is currently holding, is a 6^th. He needs to improve in that area to increase his chances. A win at the ROC would bump him up 50 points, to 710. That would cut Cam’s buffer by two positions, meaning if Izaac won the Grands, a 3^rd would guarantee Cam the title, but a 4^th would not. 

As it stands, Izaac needs to win and have Cam finish 6^th. Izaac can finish 2^nd if Cam finishes 7^th, as long as anyone other than Josh Jolly wins. If they both make the final, keep an eye out for fireworks. Izaac would have nothing to lose. 

Joshua Jolly 640 points: Whether he wins the fan vote or not, Josh is the rookie pro of the year. To be in this conversation and win three races in your rookie year is incredible. Josh also has a 6^th in his scores to replace, so the ROC is big for him too. His situation is similar to Izaac's in that regard. Because each position at the Grands is worth 20 points, and he is 20 points behind Izaac, he is in the same situation against Cam, just with an additional one-position buffer. 

If Cam fails to make the final, Josh is the winner, the winner-take-all against Izaac as the tiebreaker is the Grands result. 

Simon Marquart 620 points: Simon has really come on strong in the second half of the season. As it stands, He needs to win, have Cam finish 8^th or worse, have Izaac finish 3^rd or worse, and have Josh finish 4^th or worse. 

Simon does have an 8^th in his held scores, so a ROC win would bump him up 80 points, to 700, and only a 3-position buffer for Cam. The ROC is huge for Simon to give him a shot against Cam, but particularly to control his destiny if Cam does not make the final. 

Kam Larsen (610 points) & Drew Polk (600 points): While both are mathematically up for the title, they need a lot to fall their way. First off, Cam would need to fail to make the semi-finals and finish 5^th or 6^th. They need Cam to score 0 points. After that, they would need to finish 4 spots ahead of Izaac, 5 spots ahead of Josh, and 6 spots ahead of Simon. 

Both can advance their scores with a ROC result as both have a 6^th to replace. 

The Men’s pro math is tricky because it is so competitive. 6 men have a mathematical shot, and the ROC is crucial for all of them. The real winners are the fans, as anything can happen! Buckle up, get ready, and make sure you check the current points on Friday before the pro show, and enjoy the action!

2025 USA BMX National Points