This Week in Powersports Racing – the week of March 1, 2026

This week in US Powersports racing.

---

Eli Tomac Becomes Most Decorated Racer in Daytona International Speedway History with Eighth Monster Energy Supercross Victory at Iconic Venue

 It was a historic night inside The World Center of Racing for Round 8 of the 2026 Monster Energy SMX World Championship, as Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Eli Tomac cemented his place atop the all-time greatest racers at Daytona International Speedway with a record breaking eighth Monster Energy AMA Supercross Championship win at the iconic venue. The Colorado native broke a three-year tie with NASCAR legend Richard Petty, owner of seven Daytona 500 victories, to become the most decorated athlete of the speedway’s celebrated 67-year history.

The most unique setting in Monster Energy Supercross welcomed a
massive crowd to the high banks of Daytona International Speedway
for the 56th running of the Daytona Supercross.

It wasn’t an easy path to victory for Tomac, as he began the 450SMX Class Main Event in fourth, behind each of his primary competitors in the championship. Honda HRC Progressive’s Hunter Lawrence, last week’s winner and current points leader, opened the 20 Minute + 1 Lap race with the holeshot, but was quickly passed by Progressive Insurance Cycle Gear Suzuki’s Ken Roczen. Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing’s Cooper Webb, the defending series champion, slotted into third ahead of Tomac, which set the stage for a thrilling battle between the best in the class. As Roczen and Lawrence settled in out front, Tomac started his pursuit of the lead with an early pass on Webb for third. The top three continuously searched for faster lines on the ever-changing rutty, technical, sandy racetrack and sat within 1.5 seconds of one another with around 14 minutes remaining.

As the race approached the halfway point Tomac elected to make his push and took advantage of a couple sections on the track where he excelled to attack his rivals. He first made an assertive pass on Lawrence for second and on the ensuing lap railed the outside of an option lane to shoot past Roczen as they sprinted to the finish line jump. Tomac seized control of the lead with about 12:30 left on the race clock and quickly opened up a multi-second margin. Roczen held strong in second until the race closed in on the final five minutes, when Lawrence’s patience and persistence paid off and allowed the Australian to take over second. About three seconds separated Tomac from Lawrence, but the championship leader was unable to make significant inroads on his deficit as the race drew to a close.

Tomac was never challenged once he moved into the lead and carried on to take his fourth win of the season and the 57th victory of his career by 1.3 seconds over Lawrence. Roczen finished in a distant third while Webb was largely on his own en route to fourth, with Quad Lock Honda’s Joey Savatgy in fifth.

Tomac closed to within a single point of Lawrence in the championship standings, while Roczen and Webb now sit tied for third, 20 points out of the lead.

The fourth win of the season for Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Eli Tomac
made him one of the most transcendent figures in motorsports history
at Daytona with eight victories at the iconic speedway.

Eli Tomac – 1st Place – 450SMX Class

“[The wins] are all awesome, but somehow, I’ve won eight of these. I don’t want to think about how old I am. I just go out there and roost the berms like I’m at my home track [in Colorado]. I love this dirt and just love how this track develops. Of course, I had to work for it there and went through all my main competition. I just had a great time on my motorcycle and happy to make up points this weekend.”

Honda HRC Progressive’s Hunter Lawrence maintained his hold of the championship points lead with his fifth runner-up finish of the season.

Hunter Lawrence – 2nd Place – 450SMX Class

“It was a tough [Main Event] on a really tough track. I was figuring out where to compensate with the bike and it just took me too long to do that. In the end I was kind of making it work, but it was too late and Eli [Tomac] got his eighth win here. I really wanted to stop that tonight, but I couldn’t make up the difference.”

Progressive Insurance Cycle Gear Suzuki’s Ken Roczen led early on for the second week in a row and recorded his fifth podium result of the year.

Ken Roczen – 3rd Place – 450SMX Class

“I gave it my best out there and led for a bunch. I had a really good start too and in the Main Event that really counts. I was searching a little bit in the beginning, it was a tricky track and a lot faster than what we’ve seen the past few years here. Once I got passed, I knew those guys were maybe a little bit faster, so I tried to hang on and follow some lines. I was right there until the end and just got messed up by some lappers and those guys got away a little bit. I just wasn’t the best tonight, but I’m happy with a podium.”

450SMX Class Podium (left to right)
Hunter Lawrence, Eli Tomac, and Ken Roczen

The second race of the Eastern Divisional 250SMX Class Championship featured an impressive showing from Monster Energy Pro Circuit Kawasaki’s Seth Hammaker, who entered the night show banged up from a hard crash in afternoon qualifying. The Pennsylvania native was able to secure the holeshot over Honda HRC Progressive’s Jo Shimoda and established a firm grasp on the lead from the outset of the 15 Minute + 1 Lap Main Event. Behind them was Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing’s Nate Thrasher, Monster Energy Pro Circuit Kawasaki’s Drew Adams, and Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing’s Pierce Brown, the opening round winner and points leader.

As Hammaker and Shimoda asserted themselves out front, Adams continued what was turning into a breakout night with a pass for third. Behind them, Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing’s Cole Davies was making moves as the fastest rider on the track. The New Zealander made an impressive climb from ninth off the start to pass both his teammates and move into fourth. He then set his sights on Adams and successfully made the pass for third with six minutes to go. Not long after that Adams crashed out of the race, which allowed Brown to assume fourth.

With just over a minute remaining Shimoda went down in the sand section as he simultaneously looked to close in on Hammaker and fend off Davies. The defending SMX World Champion remounted quickly, but not before Davies and Brown got by for second and third. Hammaker completed a dominant wire-to-wire effort by a margin of 4.2 seconds over Davies, while Brown rounded out the podium. Shimoda was forced to settle for fourth, with Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing’s Daxton Bennick in fifth.

Hammaker’s fourth career win ended a reign of dominance for the Star Yamaha effort, which had won every 250SMX Class race of the season up to that point. The Kawasaki rider’s victory moved him into second in the Eastern Divisional standings, where he is now two points behind Brown for the lead. Shimoda dropped to third, five points back.

Monster Energy Pro Circuit Kawasaki’s Seth Hammaker dominated the Eastern Divisional 250SMX Class Main Event with a wire-to-wire performance.

Seth Hammaker – 1st Place – Eastern Divisional 250SMX Class

“It feels unreal [to win at Daytona]. I had a big crash in qualifying, and I feel like it really tests you mentally how you come back from that. I’m proud of the effort tonight and the team crushed it. It’s super cool to get a win at Daytona. It’s an unreal feeling. Really good to get this win and keep the momentum rolling.”

Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing’s Cole Davies (37) made an impressive climb from ninth to second for his first podium finish of the season.

Cole Davies – 2nd Place – Eastern Divisional 250SMX Class

“They didn’t prep the gates all day, so I didn’t get good traction out the gate and was buried off the start. It was a good comeback. I did what I could. I wanted that win, but still a good ride.”

Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing’s Pierce Brown maintained his hold of the points lead with a third-place effort.

Pierce Brown – 3rd Place – Eastern Divisional 250SMX Class

“It was a battle. Not the best start. I took a gamble with my gate, and we chose the wrong one. It happens. We battled and were there late when other riders made mistakes to salvage a third. I can’t be too mad about it. We’re in good shape [in points] and will keep doing our thing.”

Eastern Divisional 250SMX Class Podium (left to right)
Cole Davies, Seth Hammaker, and Pierce Brown

Daytona also signified the third race of SMX Next – Supercross, which featured 22 of the top A and B class prospects in amateur motocross. Two different winners stood atop the podium through the first two races and that trend continued as a third different up-and-coming racer claimed victory at Daytona. Triumph Racing’s Deacon Denno opened the 8 Minute + 1 Lap with the holeshot and led early before he gave way to Monster Energy Kawasaki Team Green’s Kade Johnson. Denno fought back to reclaim the lead after just a lap and carried on to become the third different SMX Next winner in as many races. It was the first SMX Next victory for the 17-year-old Texan as well as the first for the budding Triumph amateur program. He took the checkered flag 4.4 seconds ahead of 18-year-old Landen Gordon, who rides for Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing, while 16-year-old Vincent Wey rounded out the podium for Monster Energy Kawasaki Team Green.

Triumph Racing’s Deacon Denno became the third different prospect to emerge victorious in SMX Next – Supercross competition this season.

Deacon Denno – 1st Place – SMX Next – Supercross

“I got the start but then jumped the whoops for the first time after skimming all day and lost the lead. It was a dumb move by me, but I made the pass back. Last year here in Daytona I finished 14th. There’s a lot that’s been done since then and just proves that if you work your butt off you can be up here like I am. I knew I could do it and I put the track together. I’m so stoked.”

SMX Next – Supercross Podium (left to right)
Landen Gordon, Deacon Denno, and Vincent Wey

The Monster Energy SMX World Championship and Monster Energy AMA Supercross Championship will continue next Saturday, March 7, for the ninth race of the season from Indianapolis’ Lucas Oil Stadium, which will signify the second Triple Crown race of the 2026 season. Live broadcast coverage on Peacock will begin at 1 p.m. ET with Race Day Live, followed by the Gate Drop at 7 p.m. ET. Additionally, a domestic Spanish language broadcast is available on Pea cock while international viewers can choose from dedicated English, French, and Spanish broadcasts via SMX Video Pass (www.SMXVideoPass.com).

All 17 rounds of the 2026 Monster Energy AMA Supercross Championship and 11 rounds of the Pro Motocross Championship are on sale. Tickets for the SMX World Championship Playoff Rounds and Final are now on sale at Supermotocross.com. Saturday FanFest will take place at all postseason races, Friday FanFest and camping will be available in Columbus and Ridgedale, additional details to follow.

RED BULL KTM’S ELI TOMAC CLINCHES EIGHTH DAYTONA SUPERCROSS 450SX VICTORY

Round 8 – AMA Supercross Championship

Entering Daytona already as the winningest rider in the event’s history, Tomac carried confidence into Round 8, powering his KTM 450 SX-F FACTORY EDITION to the second-fastest qualifying time with a 1:15.020s lap on the technical, high-speed layout.

A holeshot in 450SX Heat 1 saw the 33-year-old charge to a wire-to-wire victory, remaining unchallenged at the front of the field and crossing the line with a 5.092s winning margin.

Making a top-five start in the Main Event, Tomac was immediately on the charge, surging to the front by Lap 6 with a series of decisive passes before holding strong at the head of the pack to deliver his fourth victory of the year and the 57th of his premier class career.

With his Daytona Supercross success, the two-time Supercross title-winner now sits just one point outside of the 450SX points lead with nine rounds remaining.

Eli Tomac:“Somehow I have won eight Daytona Supercrosses! I just go out there and roost the berms like I’m at my home track – I love this dirt and the way it develops. Of course, I had to work for it there tonight, I went through all my main competition and just had a great time on my motorcycle. I love spraying these sand turns, I’m so thankful to get it done with Red Bull KTM, and to make up some championship points this weekend.”

Red Bull KTM Factory Racing 450SX teammate Aaron Plessinger made an encouraging start to the round onboard his KTM 450 SX-F FACTORY EDITION, posting the eighth-fastest qualifying time before racing to a P4 finish in his Heat Race despite a fall in the early stages.

Plessinger completed the opening lap of the Main Event in position 10, before ‘The Cowboy’ delivered a determined ride, steadily working his way forward to record a season-best sixth-place result by race’s end, building upon his form as the season progresses. He is now eighth in the 450SX standings as the series approaches halfway.

Aaron Plessinger:”Daytona was okay, I just need to focus on myself and continue to improve. Sixth place is not bad, but I expect more out of myself – I know the team expects more out of me and I would like to do better. So I need to go back to work this week and also work at putting myself in better positions. I chose the wrong gate tonight and I got the best jump that I could, although with the gate that I chose, it didn’t do me any favors. I was in the top 10 after the first corner, and then just pushed and made a few passes, but I think if I were in a better position, I would have been fighting for either a podium or a smooth P5. The team is working hard for me – we’ll look at bringing some momentum into Indy next weekend.”

Four-time world champion Jorge Prado remained sidelined for Round 8, with the 25-year-old continuing rehabilitation and recovery from a right shoulder injury sustained in Seattle.

Next Race: March 7 – Indianapolis, Indiana

Results 450SX Class – Daytona

1. Eli Tomac (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing)
2. Hunter Lawrence (Honda)
3. Ken Roczen (Suzuki)
4. Aaron Plessinger (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing)
5. Justin Hill (KTM)
6. Malcolm Stewart (Husqvarna)
7. Grant Harlan (KTM)

Standings 450SX Class 2026 after 8 of 17 rounds

1. Hunter Lawrence, 171 points
2. Eli Tomac, 170
3. Ken Roczen, 151
4. Aaron Plessinger, 95
5. Malcolm Stewart, 75
6. Justin Hill, 74
7. Jorge Prado, 73
8. RJ Hampshire, 38

FMF KTM FACTORY RACING’S BEN KELLEY AND GRANT DAVIS TAKE 1-2 FINISH AT WILD BOAR GNCC

KTM Offroad Update

GRAND NATIONAL CROSS COUNTRY SERIES – ROUND 2

The deep sands of the Wild Boar GNCC proved unrelenting at Round 2 of the 2026 season, with riders facing rough, whooped-out conditions throughout the race’s duration in Florida.
In fighting from the rear of the field after stalling in the first turn, defending GNCC Champion Ben Kelley made an exceptional charge through the pack onboard his KTM 450 XC-F, battling with teammate Grant Davis for the top spot before taking the win with a total time of 2:37.02s.
With two rounds complete, Kelley now leads both the XC1 Open Pro Class and Overall standings, as the GNCC Series heads to Talladega next weekend.
Ben Kelley:“I wanted to get a good start to make it easier on myself, but I stalled the bike in the first turn and luckily didn’t get hit by anyone on the way through. I fought from the back from there, but I know that this race is a long one, so I tried to work my way toward the leaders as quickly as I could without using too much energy. I got to the top three by about the halfway mark, and then kind of waited to make my move. I felt comfortable here today – it was a showdown at the end with Grant, we dropped the hammer on the last lap, and I’m stoked to come away with the win. I wanted this one badly!”
XC1 Open Pro Class newcomer and last year’s GNCC runner-up Davis showed impressive form on Sunday, charging into the race lead on Lap 2 aboard his KTM 350 XC-F FACTORY EDITION. From there, a race-long battle unfolded between him and teammate Kelley, with Davis ultimately securing the runner-up position. After two rounds, Davis now sits sixth in the GNCC standings.
Grant Davis:“I’m pumped with the result here at Wild Boar! I got off to a good start and then got into the lead on Lap 2. Ben then got by me, so I picked up the pace because he was riding really fast. I got by him in the pit on the last lap, and then smoked a tree with my hand, which hurt so badly, but I’ll take a second, as Ben was riding really well today. I’m back in the hunt now after a challenging Big Buck, and looking forward to fighting hard this season.”
Round 1 winner and 2024 GNCC Champion Johnny Girroir also showcased front-running pace at Round 2, leading during the opening lap of the Wild Boar GNCC before the ongoing effects of an illness forced a premature end to his weekend. He remains third in both the XC1 Open Pro and Overall standings after the opening two rounds.
Johnny Girroir:”I had the flu all week and tried to soldier through, but didn’t have the strength and started to make big mistakes. I plan to rest this week and be 100 percent for next round.”
FMF KTM Factory Racing’s Jason Tino impressed in his second GNCC outing with the team, running at the front of the XC2 250 Pro Class during the opening laps aboard his KTM 250 XC-F.
Unfortunately, with just four miles remaining and while holding a podium position, Tino was forced to withdraw from the race due to heat exhaustion in the brutal Florida conditions. He was credited with P7 at the conclusion of the event.
In the WXC division, FMF KTM Factory Racing’s Brandy Richards also powered to victory at the Wild Boar GNCC, navigating the high-speed terrain aboard her KTM 350 XC-F FACTORY EDITION to post a winning time of 1:54:35.
Combined with her P2 result at the season-opener, Richards now leads the WXC Class standings after two rounds.
Brandy Richards:”I had a great day in Florida. Started out with a holeshot, then rode super smooth on the first lap, trying to find the flow of the track. I had a great battle the whole race with Korie [Steede], going back and forth a lot through the lapped traffic! I had to make up a little time on the last lap, but I caught up with a few miles to go and capitalized on a mistake, gaining the lead and taking it to the finish. I’m very happy with how the race went and ready for the next one.” 
XC1 Open Pro Class Results1. Ben Kelley, FMF KTM Factory Racing2. Grant Davis, FMF KTM Factory Racing3. Cody Barnes, Beta7. Craig DeLong, Husqvarna14. Johnny Girroir, FMF KTM Factory Racing

XC2 250 Pro Class Results1. Jhak Walker, Beta2. Brody Johnson, Husqvarna3. Jack Edmondson, Triumph7. Jason Tino, FMF KTM Factory Racing
WXC Class Results1. Brandy Richards, FMF KTM Factory Racing2. Korie Steede, Husqvarna3. Danielle McDonald, Yamaha

NATIONAL GRAND PRIX CHAMPIONSHIP – ROUND 3
Round 3 of the National Grand Prix Championship (NGPC) saw FMF KTM Factory Racing’s Dante Oliveira claim his third victory from as many starts in 2026, leading all eight laps aboard his KTM 450 XC-F at Glen Helen Raceway.
Oliveira got off to a strong start at the iconic San Bernardino track, fending off early challenges as he sprinted clear of the field. The six-time NGPC Pro Class champion maintained a consistent pace throughout the race to secure his third win of the season.
With three rounds complete, Oliveira holds a perfect 90 points atop the Pro Class standings, 26 markers clear of second place, as the series now heads to Reno, Nevada, on March 20-22.
Dante Oliveira:“It was a fun day! I got a great start and put the hammer down from there. I tried to put a little charge down to get away from the guys, but they kept me honest the whole race – I had to work for it. I focused on being smooth while aggressive, and the bike was working great today, which allowed me to focus on my riding. Stoked with the podium, especially after how last year went here, and overall just really happy with how my day went.”
Pro Class Results1. Dante Oliveira, FMF KTM Factory Racing2. Dare Demartile, Beta3. Mateo Oliveira, Husqvarna

Top-five finish for Daxton Bennick in Daytona Supercross 250SX East Main Event

Bennick and his Rockstar Energy Husqvarna FC 250 Factory Edition were on pace from the outset at the famed Daytona International Speedway, negotiating a challenging race track to claim third position in 250SX East qualifying once the two sessions were completed.

The 20-year-old then launched to the holeshot for the second Heat Race of the round, finishing a hard-fought P4 and earning a direct transfer to the Main Event at the conclusion of the six-lap sprint.

Starting outside the top 10 in the Main Event, Bennick made a steady climb through the pack throughout the race, charging all the way to the checkered flag as he delivered a well-earned P5 finish and banked solid points toward his championship.

Bennick currently holds fifth in the standings after 3-5 Main Event scores to open the 250SX East series, as the SMX World Championship features its second Triple Crown event of 2026 next weekend in Indianapolis.

“It’s good to wrap up here in Daytona with a P5,”said Bennick.”I struggled a little bit in Q1, but I really found a flow and got some speed together for Q2 and finished up in third place. My Heat Race was good – we made some improvements in the whoops in between rounds and I think that showed tonight, but we will keep working on that. Then, for the Main Event, I pushed a little wide off the start, which made it hard on myself. I came from around 11th to fifth, so we salvaged good points on what could have been a bad night, which I am happy with.”

450SX contender Malcolm Stewart was seventh-quickest on the combined 450SX qualifying timesheets, finding a strong rhythm aboard his Husqvarna FC 450 Factory Edition in front of his home fans in Florida.

The 33-year-old then claimed a P4 result in his Heat Race after challenging for the lead during the early stages, before launching to a fast start in the Main Event to circle the opening lap among the front-runners. Stewart ultimately took 10th place at Round 8, adding another consistent score to his campaign.

“Daytona is always a fun race for me,”reflected Stewart.”Being at home is nice and yeah, tonight’s Heat Race was good – I had an opening lap that was pretty awesome, so it was cool hearing the crowd cheer for me! In the Main Event, we had a good start, but I got shuffled back a bit after a few mistakes. Daytona is the type of track where if you’re not flowing, it can bite you, and tonight we didn’t have the best flow in the Main. Overall, the positives are that we had good starts and we showed a bit of speed, but we need to improve on maintaining that pace. We’ll keep moving forward and look forward to the next round.”

Next Race: March 7 – Indianapolis, Indiana

Results 450SX Class – Daytona1. Eli Tomac (KTM)2. Hunter Lawrence (Honda)3. Ken Roczen (Suzuki)6. Aaron Plessinger (KTM)10. Malcolm Stewart (Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing)

Standings 450SX Class 2026 after 8 of 17 rounds1. Hunter Lawrence, 171 points2. Eli Tomac, 1703. Ken Roczen, 1518. Aaron Plessinger, 9511. Malcolm Stewart, 7513. Jorge Prado, 7318. RJ Hampshire, 38

Results 250SX East Class – Daytona1. Seth Hammaker (Kawasaki)2. Cole Davies (Yamaha)3. Pierce Brown (Yamaha)5. Daxton Bennick (Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing)

Standings 250SX East Class 2026 after 2 of 10 rounds1. Pierce Brown, 45 points2. Seth Hammaker, 433. Jo Shimoda, 405. Daxton Bennick, 37

Korie Steede and Mateo Oliveira deliver podium results for Rockstar Energy Husqvarna

Grand National Cross Country Series – Round 2

Round 2 of the 2026 Grand National Cross Country Series took place at Florida’s Wild Boar GNCC, a venue known for its deep, sandy terrain and high-speed layout that challenged riders throughout the race.

Following a third-place finish at the season-opener, defending WXC Class title-holder Korie Steede and her Husqvarna FC 250 Factory Edition entered Wild Boar aiming to add another strong points haul to her 2026 championship tally.

The 24-year-old battled at the front for the duration of the outing, securing second place in class with a total time of 1:54:57s and climbing to P2 in the WXC standings after two rounds.

“I got off to a second-place start and maintained a good pace with Brandy [Richards] out front all day,”said Steede.”We battled hard and I had the lead for the entire last lap, but ended up getting myself stuck with about a mile to go and ended the day in P2. I’m fired up and ready for more.”

Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing teammate Craig DeLong delivered a consistent performance at Round 2, with the former GNCC Champion powering his Husqvarna FX 350 to a P7 finish in the ultra-competitive XC1 Open Pro Class and eighth Overall.

As a result of his combined finishes to commence the new season, DeLong now sits fifth in the XC1 Open Pro Class standings, with the GNCC Series set to continue at Talladega, Alabama, for Round 3 on March 7-9.

“I had a decent start and stayed around 10th for the first half,”DeLong commented.”Started to pick up the pace and climbed up to seventh by the end. Not a great day, but with other people having issues it was a decent points day, and I’m still in the hunt.”

XC1 Open Pro Class Results1. Ben Kelley, KTM2. Grant Davis, KTM3. Cody Barnes, Beta7. Craig DeLong, Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing14. Johnny Girroir, KTM

WXC Class Results1. Brandy Richards, KTM2. Korie Steede, Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing3. Danielle McDonald, Yamaha

National Grand Prix Championship – Round 3

Also in action over the weekend, Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing’s Mateo Oliveira powered his Husqvarna FE 450 to a Pro Class podium finish in the third round of the National Grand Prix Championship (NGPC) at Glen Helen.

Oliveira showed front-running pace from the beginning of the eight-lap race, running as high as P2 through the middle stages while applying pressure to the race leader. Continuing to battle at the front, the 23-year-old eventually crossed the line in third position.

Following the opening three rounds, Oliveira currently sits third in the Pro Class standings, with Reno’s Silver State Grand Prix set to host the next round of the championship between March 20-22.

“I was all-in the whole time here in Glen Helen,”reflected Oliveira.“These other guys are just riding really good – they know when to attack, and they just have a lot of pace. I’m proud of my riding here today, all I can do really is try get that little bit better. I’m loving my Husqvarna, I have a super good package and team around me – my setup is legit this year – and I am really stoked on that. We’ll come out swinging at the next one in Reno!”

Pro Class Results1. Dante Oliveira, KTM2. Dare Demartile, Beta3. Mateo Oliveira, Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing

SUZUKI’S KEN ROCZEN PODIUMS THE LEGENDARY DAYTONA SUPERCROSS

Following Friday night rains, the skies remained clear for the 56th running of the Daytona Supercross. The event marked Round 8 of the Monster Energy AMA Supercross series and also paid points toward the SMX World Championship. The dirt composition provided the greatest challenge on a technically simple, high-speed Supercross track built into the Daytona international Speedway trioval.

Race Highlights:

• Progressive Insurance Cycle Gear ECSTAR Suzuki
  • 450 Class
    • Ken Roczen led five laps en route to a podium result and moved up into a tie for third place in the championship standings. 
• Twisted Tea Suzuki presented by Progressive Insurance
  • 450 Class
    • Colt Nichols delivered his season-best performance on what is considered the most-challenging track of the series.

Ken Roczen (94) posted the fastest time through the whoops in the Daytona Supercross main event and earned his fifth podium of the 2026 season.

Ken Roczen (94) returned to Daytona ready to repeat his 2025 win aboard his Suzuki RM-Z450 race bike. Roczen was on the charge early in his heat race, flying past other riders and setting race-best times through two track Sectors; he captured a heat race podium. When the gate dropped for the main event, Roczen emerged from the first turn in second place and within three corners had secured the lead. Roczen put down several fast sprint laps to pull a gap on the rest of the field. After leading for over seven minutes and setting the fastest time through the whoops (Sector 2), Roczen relinquished the lead but kept up pressure for the win. With less than six minutes left on the race clock of the 20-minute plus one lap event, Roczen was held up by a lapper and his second-place position was nabbed away from him. From there, Roczen put in consistent laps when the track was at its most difficult. Roczen crossed the checkered flag in third place and earned the points needed to move up into a tie for third place in the title chase.  

“I feel like more than half of the race I [rode poorly in the sand section] and left too much time on [the table] there,” said Roczen. “[The track design] was pretty basic but I did enjoy it… It’s nice to have a change of pace; having said that, the only area I didn’t like was after the mechanics’ area… It was way too fast. Those little [jumps] have really deep ruts in them and they can have big kickers; you can’t see them with 21 tear offs on so you just kind of go, you know?… I’m happy with my riding… I would have killed a couple of years ago for these podiums, and I got a podium, so I’m trying to look at it that way.”

Colt Nichols (45) delivered his season-best finish on the high-speed Daytona Supercross track.

Colt Nichols (45) was on pace from the start of the day and matched his season-best overall qualifying position. In his heat race, Nichols fought within the qualifying positions and earned a direct transfer to the main. In the main event, Nichols emerged from the first corner outside of the top fifteen. He picked off riders through the opening laps and clawed his way into the top ten. At the finish line, Nichols carded his season-best result, just shy of a top-ten spot. 

“It was a better day overall,” stated Nichols. “I ended up P-11 in the main, but felt like I didn’t ride very well, so I’m a little frustrated to be honest. But I’ll take the result, work on some stuff, try to be a little bit better this week, then come into Indy feeling stronger and hopefully log a better result.”

“It was a great night in Daytona. It’s always a good time getting on the podium at an iconic venue like Daytona,” said Dustin Pipes, Principal for the Twisted Tea/H.E.P. Motorsports/Suzuki presented by Progressive Insurance team. “As defending Daytona Champion, Ken was great dealing with the pressure all day. He led a good portion of the main and settled into a solid third place. We are still hungry for another win and will chase it again with him in Indianapolis. Colt finished less than a second out of his first top 10 of the season, which was a big step in the right direction. He’s trending more towards where he knows he belongs. It’s a tough situation with Jason missing the event, but we hope to get him back on the racetrack.”

The Supercross schedule returns to a more traditional track design and venue when the Indianapolis Supercross kicks off this Saturday March 7th. The Suzuki team members are excited to hold third place in the standings with the season midpoint event ahead inside Lucas Oil Stadium.

For the latest team updates, news, and race insights, visit SuzukiCycles.com/Racing/Motocross or pipesmotorsportsgroup.com.

Podium Finishes in Daytona for the Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing’s 250 Team

Round 2 of the Monster Energy AMA Supercross 250SX East Championship delivered another intense night of racing, with Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing showing strength at Daytona International Speedway. When the checkered flag flew, Cole Davies secured a runner-up finish, with red plate holder Pierce Brown joining him on the podium in third. In SMX Next, Landen Gordon continued his momentum with another runner-up result, marking his third consecutive podium of the season in Daytona Beach, Florida.

It was a wild opening heat race with all four Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing riders inside the top six. Davies qualified sixth and quickly went to work after the gate drop, advancing from sixth to fourth on the opening lap. After battling with Coty Shock and teammate Caden Dudney, Davies made a decisive final-lap pass on Dudney to secure third.

The main event required another charge. After a poor start left him buried in the pack, Davies pushed forward, breaking into the top five within three laps. He passed Brown on Lap 4 and set the fastest lap of the race in the process. At the halfway point, he made the move on Drew Adams to claim the podium position. The young New Zealander then closed in on second, securing the spot after the competition crashed in the final laps. The runner-up finish moves Davies to fourth in the championship standings, six points behind his teammate in the top spot.

“We wrapped up Daytona with a second place in the Main Event,” said Davies. “A decent result, but it’s not where I want to be. Qualifying sessions weren’t the best for me as I was overriding the track, but we knew what to improve on for the night show. I got a terrible start in the main and was absolutely buried, which made for a tough fight through the pack. I enjoyed the battle, but a few mistakes were costly. I really wanted the win tonight, but we’ll regroup and come out swinging for the next one.”

Coming off his debut 250SX East victory, Brown arrived in Daytona carrying momentum and the red plate. He qualified fourth and wasted no time in the heat race, charging to second on the opening lap before taking the lead and securing his first heat race win of the season by a three-second margin. In the main event, Brown rode a smart race in the demanding conditions. With a top-five start, he managed the race as mistakes unfolded ahead of him, capitalizing late to secure third. The podium marks back-to-back top-three finishes to open the season and allows Brown to maintain the championship lead heading into Indianapolis.

“It was a good night,” said Brown. “I ended up third and on the podium two weekends in a row. I struggled a little early in the main, and Cole passed me. I had to make a couple of moves to get to around fifth. Then Jo (Shimoda) made a mistake late, and I ended up getting by him, so that put me third, and I just rode it in. It was a pretty low drama main for me. I just kind of stayed where I was. I didn’t really have the pace tonight, but I can’t be mad with P3. We’ll take the positives and head to Indy. We still have the red plate, so I’m stoked.”

Nate Thrasher, who’s enjoyed a lot of success at the speedway tracks, also showed strength in Daytona. The Tennessee rider had a solid top-10 qualifying result, and then came out swinging in the heat race, grabbing the holeshot. After being passed by Brown, he continued to run a strong race to maintain the position. Thrasher got another good start to the main event in third, but dropped back to sixth in the opening laps. He kept pushing and returned to the top five, but a mistake in the final laps had him crossing the line seventh.

“We have to be better,” said Thrasher. “We will take it on the chin and give it everything going into Indy.”

In just his second pro race in Monster Energy AMA Supercross, Caden Dudney continued to make improvements. He qualified fourth and had a good start to the heat race in fifth. After passing Shock and Davies, he closed in on his other teammate, Thrasher. In the final laps, he found himself under pressure from Davies and unfortunately went down on the final lap and rejoined in fifth to secure the top-five result. Then in the main event, a bad start had him at the back of the field, but he fought his way through to an 11th-place finish.

“I felt qualifying was better this weekend,” said Dudney. “I also finished better than I did last weekend, so that’s another positive. I just have to figure out the heat race, which will get me a better gate pick, and I should have a better main. A lot of positives take away from it again, and I’m going to learn from my mistakes and apply it next weekend.”

In SMX Next, the team got off to a great start with Landen Gordon and Kayden Minear qualifying 1-2. Although Gordon didn’t get the start he was hoping for in the main event, he made his way from eighth to third by Lap 4 and set the fastest time of the race the lap before. It turned into a multi-rider battle for the runner-up spot with Gordon making the pass in the final laps to finish second for his best result so far this season.

“Overall, it was a good day,” said Gordon. “In qualifying, I felt really good, and going into the main, I was really confident. I thought I picked a good gate, but I hit the bump weird and just got a little off-center off the gate. I started eighth and ended up getting all the way back up to second. By the time I got there, the leader was just too far away, but overall, I felt like I had a great night. I just need to be better.”

Minear was fourth after the start, but a crash on the second lap dropped him back to eighth. The young Australian put his head down and steadily made his way through, moving into fifth on the final lap. 

“It was a tricky day,” said Minear.  “A tricky track, and my first time in Daytona. I had a lot of fun and learned a lot. We’re going to go back to work on Tuesday and come out even better for Birmingham.”

“A great night for us all the way around and lots of podiums,” said Wil Hahn, Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing’s 250 Team General Manager. “But we want more and plan to be on the top step next week in Indy.”

Next weekend, the team heads to Indianapolis for Round 3 of the Monster Energy AMA Supercross 250SX East Championship at Lucas Oil Stadium on March 7.

Cooper Webb Finishes Fourth In Daytona

Daytona is just one round of a 17-race championship, but it carries weight. Under the lights at Daytona International Speedway, legends across two and four wheels have cemented their names in racing history. It also marked the midpoint of the 2025 Monster Energy AMA Supercross 450SX Championship — a tightly contested four-rider battle with defending champion Cooper Webb firmly in the mix.

Daytona Supercross started with a frustrating qualifying that saw Webb 10th, but the Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing team made adjustments. In the night show, Webb got a strong start in his heat race, slotting into second and holding steady under pressure to secure a runner-up finish. He got another good start to the main event, running third early before being passed by eventual race winner Eli Tomac on Lap 2. Webb maintained his pace to finish fourth, leaving Daytona fourth in the championship standings and 20 points from the lead.

“Daytona was a bit of a tough day for me,” Webb said. “We kind of chased the bike setup the majority of the day, and never got super comfortable on the track. Unfortunately, it showed in the main event. I had a great start but wasn’t able to run the pace of the leaders and ended up fourth. I’m a bit bummed as I was starting to catch Kenny (Roczen), but I couldn’t make the late race charge I was hoping for.”

Justin Cooper showed strong speed throughout the day but faced adversity in the main event. The New Yorker made an impressive charge through from 10th to third in his heat race, setting the fastest time in the final laps. Then, in the main event, he was back in 13th after the start and fought his way through to ninth. Battling for eighth, he had a crash on Lap 3 and rejoined in 21st. Undeterred, he kept fighting despite feeling beat up and made his way back to 12th.

“It was a good day, just crashing in the main turned it into a bad day,” Cooper said. “We’re beat up, so I’m gonna take it easy this week, and hopefully be ready for next weekend.”

“I thought Justin Cooper rode well throughout the day,” said Rich Simmons, Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing’s 450 Team Manager. “With Webb, we made a few adjustments to try to get him more comfortable. It’s hard to get a start down here at Daytona, but he had good starts. He just didn’t really have the pace of the guys tonight. Justin had a bad start in his heat race, but really good times. Then in the main event, he had another bad start and then a crash, which unfortunately cost him again here. We’ll just keep working and move on to Indy.”

The championship battle resumes next weekend in Indianapolis for Round 9 of the Monster Energy AMA Supercross Championship and the Monster Energy SMX World Championship at Lucas Oil Stadium on March 7.

SETH HAMMAKER DOMINATES DAYTONA SUPERCROSS

Monster Energy® Pro Circuit Kawasaki rider Seth Hammaker dominated the 250SX Main Event from start to finish at the iconic Daytona International Speedway for Round 8 of the Monster Energy AMA Supercross Championship. Teammate Drew Adams was a force to be reckoned with on the day as he secured the fastest overall qualifier and the heat race win, but a racing incident in the main event forced him to retire early on the night. Monster Energy Kawasaki rider Garrett Marchbanks put on a strong performance, securing a 450SX career-best finish of seventh place. Chase Sexton missed Round 8 after sustaining lower back and hip injuries earlier in the week. Monster Energy Kawasaki Team Green™ riders Vincent Wey and Kade Johnson battled their way through the SMX Next Main Event to take home third and fourth place, respectively. The Daytona round, known for its storied history and premier racing atmosphere, provided the perfect backdrop for a special collaboration. Monster Energy Kawasaki and Monster Energy Pro Circuit Kawasaki unveiled exclusive Morgan Wallen graphics to celebrate the partnership with Kawasaki, Monster Energy, and Wallen’s upcoming Still The Problem Tour that kicks off in April. The weekend also featured Jeremy McGrath’s Holeshot King event on Friday night with an incredible line-up of Daytona legends. In addition to McGrath, Kawasaki Brand Ambassadors Adam Cianciarulo and Axell Hodges lined up on their KX™450SR machines. In a bracket elimination format, Hodges took down a cast of the world’s best motocross champions, launching holeshot after holeshot to take the Daytona Holeshot King title. Despite heavy rain overnight, the Pro Circuit team quickly sorted out the rutted and sandy track in 250SX qualifying with Hammaker setting the pace and posting the fastest time, while Adams wasn’t far behind in fourth in the first session. Hammaker started the second session back on top, but a crash in the rhythm section forced him to exit early as his bike was too damaged to continue comfortably. Meanwhile, Adams delivered a standout performance in qualifying, pacing the field by nearly one second to capture his first career 250SX fastest qualifier. The teammates would line up side by side on the far inside of the gate for Heat 2 of the night. Adams earned himself first gate pick with his strong qualifying time, and he would use it to his advantage by nearly claiming the holeshot. Only a couple turns later, he made the pass for the lead and controlled the race from the front. Hammaker came through the first turn in sixth and quickly went to work to move his way up into third. The Top 3 engaged in a tight battle as Adams held off pressure from behind and Hammaker charged to the front. After the No. 10 Kawasaki made the pass for second, he closed in on the rear fender of his teammate, battling for the lead in the closing laps. While charging to try and take the lead, Hammaker would tip over in the final turn before the finish. Able to quickly get up, he would take third in the heat race, while Adams secured his first heat race victory. As the gate dropped in the 250SX Main Event, Hammaker charged down the start straight, pushing by his competitors to claim the holeshot. Adams, close behind, came through fifth off the gate and instantly started moving to the front. Already moving into third by Lap 2, the No. 35 was putting heavy pressure on second place. Meanwhile, Hammaker was setting the pace out front, in control of his own race and the field as he started to move away. At the halfway mark, Adams would slip back to fourth place after dealing with immense pressure from surrounding competitors. With less than five minutes left in the race, Adams would crash in the whoops section, resulting in a broken thumb and being unable to finish the race. Hammaker continued to click off laps with ease, gapping the field by over four seconds. The No. 10 would control the race from start to finish to take the coveted Daytona victory. In SMX Next qualifying, both Team Green™ riders would put up strong times, placing themselves at the top of the field. Wey consistently placed inside the Top 5 in both sessions, while Johnson earned a Top 5 result in the second session. Wey would finish qualifying fourth overall, while Johnson took sixth overall, setting up both riders for strong gate picks in the main event. In the SMX Next Main Event, Johnson launched off the gate and inches away from claiming the holeshot, while Wey came across in sixth. Johnson kept pressure on the leader through the opening lap, then powered his way through the whoops section to take over the lead. Johnson fought to stay up front as the pressure from the rider behind him grew, but would tip over in a tight inside option lane turn while trying to maintain the lead. Wey worked his way through the field quickly, moving into a podium position. Johnson would remount his bike in fifth place and work his way through the pack back to the front. The teammates would take part in an intense battle, swapping positions in the final moments of the race. Wey had his eyes on a podium finish as he moved back into third place before the final lap. Johnson would rebound from his tip over to finish right behind his teammate in fourth place. In 450SX qualifying, Marchbanks set a consistent pace to start the day with ninth overall as he learned the demanding Daytona track and proved that the team’s successful test in Florida leading up to the race would pay off at the end of the night. In Heat 2, Marchbanks pulled a strong start, placing himself inside the Top 5 right away. The No. 36 Kawasaki would battle against the top competitors, swapping positions with the rider in front of him. On the final lap, Marchbanks would find himself in the mix, pressuring a two-rider battle in front of him. Unable to find a place to pass, Marchbanks would cross the line with a solid fifth-place finish, matching his best heat race finish this season. In the 450SX Main Event, Marchbanks pulled another strong start, placing himself just outside the Top 5 aboard his KX™450SR. Through the opening laps, the No. 36 found himself in tight battles while trying to hold off the pressure from a very competitive field. Marchbanks stayed consistent and in control of his race as he crossed the finish line in seventh place to take home his career-best finish in the 450SX Class.

“It felt good to get the win on a difficult track like this and get it done this early in the season. I’ve had good results here the past couple of years with podium finishes, but to now get the win feels like a dream come true. I had a rough go in the second session of qualifying. I wanted to get back up after my crash, but my bike was a bit bent up to get back out there. We went back and regrouped before the night show and were able to get it done. I’m stoked to get this win and keep the momentum rolling into Indy.”  – Seth Hammaker

“The day started off really well, I was pumped on getting fastest qualifier and backing it up with the heat race win. This was my first time racing at Daytona professionally, and it was cool to experience the whole atmosphere and hear all the fans. I was feeling really good in the main event and just got a bit out of shape in the whoops that led me to crash and injure my thumb. I’m going to get it checked out this week and really hope to be back next weekend in Indy.”  – Drew Adams

“I’m really happy with how the day turned out. I rode consistent laps all day through qualifying and the heat race, plus my starts were much better. I was happy I was able to put laps together for the whole 20 minutes in the main event and be in the mix with everyone. We put in a lot of work in Florida this week to get to this point, and I’m really appreciative of all the time the team has been putting in to get us where we belong. I’m hopeful we can build on this and continue to get better results each week.”  – Garrett Marchbanks

Hunter Lawrence secures second-place finish at iconic Daytona Supercross

Round 8 of AMA Supercross brought the series to the legendary Daytona International Speedway, where Honda HRC Progressive rider Hunter Lawrence delivered another standout performance to secure second place—his fifth runner-up result of the year—and maintain control of the 450SX championship standings. Lawrence’s teammate Jo Shimoda built on last weekend’s momentum with a strong ride that saw him battle for the 250SX East win before a fall dropped him to fourth, an impressive performance by the Japanese rider given his limited time back on the bike following injury. Both riders remain firmly in the hunts for their respective championships.

Lawrence’s day began in dominant fashion, as he topped both qualifying sessions and claimed victory in his heat race. Carrying that momentum into the main event, the Australian took his CRF450RWE to the holeshot before being passed early by Ken Roczen. An intense three-rider battle between Roczen, Lawrence and Eli Tomac followed, with all three separated by just a couple of seconds as they negotiated the rough Daytona circuit. At about the one-third mark, Tomac made a pass stick on Lawrence before the sand section and then quickly got around Roczen for the lead. With five laps remaining, Lawrence made a decisive move on Roczen to reclaim second, and he began closing the gap to the leader. Despite a relentless late charge, Lawrence crossed the line just 1.3 seconds shy of victory, collecting valuable championship points and reinforcing his title campaign. Quad Lock Honda’s Joey Savatgy matched his season-best result with a solid fifth-place finish, while his teammates Shane McElrath and Christian Craig crossed the line in eighth and 13^th, respectively.

The 250SX East main event saw Shimoda in second at the first corner. Fending off early pressure from Drew Adams, he settled into a good rhythm in second. Maintaining a close distance to the leading Seth Hammaker, Shimoda continued to push for the win before a small mistake in the sand section resulted in a late-race tip-over. The Japanese rider remounted quickly, limiting the damage to just two positions, and he ultimately finished fourth. Also delivering a noteworthy performance was Phoenix Racing Honda’s Cullin Park, who earned a respectable eight-place result.

NOTES

• Hunter Lawrence and Jo Shimoda both took part in Friday’s media activities and riding sessions. Race Day Live commentator Justin Brayton also participated, following a couple of riders (including Hunter Lawrence) around the track on a Honda CRF450RWE and doing a track preview.
• Weatherman Adam Klotz broadcast three Fox Weather Channel segments from Daytona International Speedway early Saturday morning, including live interviews with Honda HRC Progressive Team Manager Lars Lindstrom, American Honda Assistant Manager of Racing Jeff Weiner, and American Honda Experiential Marketing Manager Colin Miller. Lindstrom also gave Klotz a tour of the team’s tech truck, showcasing bike parts and more.
• During Saturday’s broadcast, Hunter was featured in a lighthearted segment filmed at his home in Dade City, Florida, where he spent time with his two dogs and showed off their agility skills (or lack thereof), giving fans a fun glimpse of his life off the track.
• Lawrence and Shimoda engaged with fans throughout the weekend and took part in an autograph session in the NASCAR garage.
• Shimoda met with Make-A-Wish kid Kaleb and his family by the Honda HRC Progressive truck, spending time talking with them and providing signed team items.
• In a marked improvement over the previous weekend, Shimoda placed fifth in 250SX East combined qualifying. Phoenix Racing Honda riders Cullin Park, Gavin Towers and Evan Ferry qualified seventh, 16^th and 22^nd, respectively. Jeremy Hand (Valley Motorsports) qualified in 20^th, John Short IV (Short Racing) was 23^rd and Ryder Floyd (TiLube Honda) was 28^th, while Storm Lake Honda riders Izaih Clark and Luke Neese were 19^th and 42^nd, respectively. 
• In 450SX combined qualifying, Lawrence posted the fastest time in both sessions, making him the top overall qualifier for the first time this season. Quad Lock Honda riders Joey Savatgy, Shane McElrath and Christian Craig qualified in third, 12^th and 15^th, respectively. Privateer Red Rider Zack Williams (McGinley Clinic) qualified 24^th.
• In his heat race, Shimoda exited the first turn in third and used his whoop speed to overtake Seth Hammaker and finish second. Park, Clark, Short, Ferry and Towers all advanced directly to the main through their heat races, while Hand secured third in the 250SX LCQ, putting seven CRF-mounted riders in the main event.
• Lawrence was second off the start of his 450SX heat. After battling back and forth with Malcom Stewart throughout the race, he ultimately secured P1 at the finish line, marking his third heat-race win of the season. Savatgy rode impressively, finishing second, and Craig (sixth) also transferred directly to the main event. A bit earlier, McElrath secure his best heat-race result of the season, as he finished fifth.
• Following the previous week’s controversial situation with red-cross flags and lights, which affected both Honda HRC Progressive riders, the AMA updated the rules ahead of Daytona, changing the color of the warning light from red to yellow. Not included in the official communication of the change was any clarification of penalties for riders who jump on the flag or light. The AMA discussed the issue in the Daytona riders meeting, but some teams and racers were left feeling uncertain as to how to react to similar situations in the future. “I think the situation last weekend confused everyone,” Shimoda said at Daytona. “For my safety and the other riders’ safety, I think they should make it clearer. Obviously, it’s not cool to see them change the rule right after the race, and it makes me feel like it was a bit unfair for me.”
• Thanks to his consistent podium finishes, Lawrence retains the 450SX championship lead, as he holds a one-point advantage over Tomac. Shimoda is third in 250SX East, three points behind second place.
• Next up, Honda HRC Progressive heads to round 9 of AMA Supercross, this Saturday in Indianapolis.

Royal Enfield Build.Train.Race. Program Returns To MotoAmerica Championship For 2026

The Royal Enfield Build.Train.Race. program (BTR) returns to the 2026 MotoAmerica Championship with an eight-race series across four rounds, marking the sixth consecutive year for the all-female road racing series.

The four-round 2026 BTR Championship will begin at Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta (April 17-19), followed by Road America (May 29-31), The Ridge Motorsports Park (June 26-28), and it concludes at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course (July 31- Aug. 2).

The 2026 BTR season will feature a select field of 10 female riders who each build their own race-specification Royal Enfield Continental GT 650s to compete in the national championship series. The 2026 BTR season roster will have six newly selected riders and four returning riders from 2025.

Kira Knebel crosses the finish line at VIRginia International Raceway to clinch the 2025 Royal Enfield Build.Train.Race. title. Photo by Brian J. Nelson 

“The BTR program has evolved into a vital pillar of our racing identity as Royal Enfield celebrates its 125th anniversary,” said Adrian Sellers, Royal Enfield Head – Custom & Motorsport, “MotoAmerica’s global reach provides the perfect platform for BTR to thrive. The genuine passion behind the series, and the support and amplification of women in racing fits perfectly with MotoAmerica’s diverse stable of racing programs.”

Racers selected for the program will transform stock Royal Enfield Continental GT 650s into race-ready motorcycles using specially made bodywork designed by Royal Enfield, along with upgraded suspension, braking, and exhaust components. In addition, all racers receive professional-level rider coaching and will get to showcase their skills on a national stage.

“MotoAmerica is excited to welcome back the Build.Train.Race. program for the 2026 season,” said MotoAmerica COO, Chuck Aksland. “This program has become a fan favorite at the track and continues to open doors for women who may not otherwise have the chance to get on the grid.

With Freddie Spencer and his team leading the way, participants get top-notch coaching in both riding skills and the technical side of racing. Their passion and commitment have helped make the program such a success, and we are excited to see who stands out in 2026.”

The series provides a dedicated platform for emerging female racers. By utilizing equal equipment, the focus remains entirely on rider talent and development, offering the athletes a unique opportunity to compete at the national level.

For more information on the Royal Enfield Build.Train.Race. Program, visit www.buildtrainrace.com/road-racing