ARCH Racing Wraps Season with Top-10 Finishes at COTA.

ARCH Racing completed its 2026 MotoAmerica Mission Super Hooligan National Championship season this past weekend at Circuit of The Americas, with Jeremy McWilliams and Michael Gilbert finishing the year aboard the ARCH 2s-R.

The season finale at COTA brought some of the toughest conditions of the year, with extreme Texas heat adding to the challenge of the 20-turn circuit. Michael Gilbert returned to ARCH Racing to fill in for Corey Alexander, lining up alongside Jeremy McWilliams as both riders opened the weekend with top-10 finishes in Race 1.

McWilliams made an immediate impact in Race 1, launching from seventh on the grid and moving as high as second in the opening stages. He held with the lead group early before ultimately finishing seventh. Gilbert used the opening race to settle into the 2s-R at COTA and brought the bike home eighth, giving ARCH Racing two top-10 finishes to start the finale.

On Sunday, Gilbert produced the team’s best result of the weekend with a sixth-place finish in Race 2. McWilliams’ race ended early with a DNF, but his pace across the weekend, particularly his Race 1 start and early laps, showed the speed still available in the package.

“It was one of those weekends with a lot of ups and downs,” said McWilliams. “We came into COTA with real hope and promise, and I think we showed we had the level to compete toward the front. Race 2 wasn’t the way we wanted to finish, and I’m disappointed not to deliver the result the team deserved after all the work that went in. But there are a lot of positives to take from the weekend, and I believe better things are coming for this program. Thank you to the whole ARCH Racing team, our sponsors, and everyone who supported us this season.”

For Gilbert, COTA marked his second appearance with ARCH Racing this season after previously stepping into the team at Laguna Seca.

“It was an awesome opportunity to race the 2s-R again and help finish the season for ARCH Racing while Corey recovers,” said Gilbert. “Every time I get to ride this bike, it feels like a truly unique experience. Congrats to the entire team on a great year — I think there’s a lot to look forward to in 2027.”

The COTA round closed ARCH Racing’s second season in MotoAmerica Super Hooligan competition. The year included the team’s first-ever race win at The Ridge, multiple podium performances, and a second half of the season that tested the team through injuries, rider changes, and continued refinement of the ARCH 2s-R.

ARCH Racing thanks Jeremy McWilliams, Michael Gilbert, Corey Alexander, the entire crew, and all of the team’s partners for their support throughout the 2026 season.

About ARCH Motorcycle Racing:

ARCH Racing is the competition arm of ARCH Motorcycle, the bespoke motorcycle company co-founded by Gard Hollinger and Keanu Reeves. Competing aboard the ARCH 2s-R in MotoAmerica’s Mission Super Hooligan National Championship, the team brings ARCH’s design, engineering, and performance philosophy to the racetrack. For updates, visit archmotorcycleracing.com and follow on social media.

About HOOLIGANS: The ARCH Racing Project:

HOOLIGANS: The ARCH Racing Project is a behind-the-scenes docuseries following ARCH Motorcycle founders Gard Hollinger and Keanu Reeves as they bring the brand’s precision, craftsmanship, and performance philosophy into MotoAmerica’s Mission Super Hooligan National Championship. The full first season is now streaming on Samsung TV Plus.

More, from a press release issued by Indian:

Indian Motorcycle racing and Hayden Gillim claim 2026 King Of The Baggers Championship at Circuit of the Americas.

Gillim Makes History with Eighth Victory Aboard Vance & Hines-Built Indian Challenger, Sets New King of the Baggers Single-Season Win Record.

This past weekend at Circuit of the Americas (COTA) in Austin, Texas, Hayden Gillim and Indian Motorcycle Racing capped off their dominant run through the 2026 King of the Baggers (KOTB) season, clinching the championship and setting a new record for most wins in a single KOTB season. In his first season with the J&P Cycles/Motul /Vance & Hines Factory Indian Motorcycle Racing team, Gillim’s eight victories and two second-place finishes were enough to secure the championship with two races remaining. The 2026 title marks Indian Motorcycle’s fourth King of the Baggers championship.

“Today is monumental, not just for Hayden and the team, but for our dealers, riders and our entire company,” said Mike Kennedy, CEO of Indian Motorcycle. “We started this season with a brand-new race team that had limited time with the Indian Challenger prior to Daytona. We knew we had the superior machine, an elite race team in Vance & Hines, and a stable of incredibly talented riders, but this is racing. You still have to line up and perform. That’s exactly what we did, race after race. To secure the championship with two races remaining and break the record for most wins in a single season is a testament to every person on this team who pours their heart and soul into this program.”

When Race 1 kicked off Saturday at COTA, Troy Herfoss launched his No. 17 Indian Challenger off the line to take the early lead, while Gillim came through the first turn in fifth. By Lap 2, Gillim had methodically worked his way into third before making an aggressive move for second, taking his Indian Challenger to the inside of Harley-Davidson’s Bradley Smith and completing the pass. When Herfoss went down while leading, Gillim inherited the top spot and never looked back, holding the lead to the checkered flag. Meanwhile, teammate Rocco Landers capitalized on the chaos of the race to secure a strong third-place finish and join Gillim on the podium.

In Sunday’s Race 2, Gillim swiftly launched off the grid and moved to the front, with Herfoss right in tow. Herfoss was overtaken early by Smith, putting all eyes on the battle at the front as Gillim raced with the championship on the line. Gillim stayed cool, calm and collected out front, but faced relentless pressure from Smith and Herfoss as they attacked for the top spot.

The next few laps of the nine-lap race became an intense game of cat and mouse between the front three, with the gap fluctuating from close enough to throw a blanket over all three riders to several bike lengths. Their pace was unmatched as they easily pulled away from the rest of the field, throwing down blistering lap times. With four laps remaining, Smith was able to sneak to the inside of Gillim and take over the lead. In the same lap, Herfoss encountered more trouble, forcing him back into the field. Gillim initially didn’t relent, trying to counter the attack and regain the front spot, but knowing the championship was within reach, he ultimately tempered his charge and shifted his focus to finishing.

While he didn’t take the overall race win, Gillim showed his true veteran form. Coming through the final turn, Gillim raised the front end of his Indian Challenger and roared down the COTA start straight, wheeling across the finish line in true champion fashion to secure the 2026 King of the Baggers championship.

Rounding out the podium in third was two-time champion Tyler O’Hara, who put together an impressive race and breakthrough performance on the season to secure his first podium of the year.

“Coming into this season and switching brands, I knew the Indian Challenger was going to be good, but I didn’t know it’d be this good,” said Gillim. “With the Vance & Hines team behind us, I knew we’d be able to build a winning package, but this bike truly is crazy good. To have the success we’ve had is truly remarkable. I wasn’t expecting to come out and win Daytona, but to clinch the championship title a weekend early is truly unexpected. Being able to walk away with the number one plate is incredible. I have to give so much credit to the entire J&P Cycles/Motul/Vance & Hines Factory Indian Motorcycle Racing team. They pulled together an incredible program, and because of them we were able to walk away with the number one plate and break the record for most wins in a single season.”

Gillim’s championship further solidifies the partnership between Indian Motorcycle and Vance & Hines, showcasing the engineering, durability and relentless performance that have made the Indian Challenger a benchmark in King of the Baggers competition. Gillim’s 2026 title breaks the manufacturer championship tie and gives Indian Motorcycle the edge in the all-time KOTB championship count, four titles to Harley-Davidson’s three. Gillim joins Tyler O’Hara (2020, 2022) and Troy Herfoss (2024) as Indian Motorcycle KOTB Champions.

With the championship wrapped up, the battle now shifts to how the rest of the field will stack up. With one round remaining, Herfoss sits in second with 183 points, with a mere 11 points separating him from third.

Mission King Of the Baggers will conclude the 2026 MotoAmerica King of the Baggers season at New Jersey Motorsports Park September 25-27.

For information about Indian Motorcycle, visit IndianMotorcycle.com, or follow along on Facebook, X, Instagram and YouTube. For information about Vance & Hines Motorsports, visit VanceAndHinesMotorsports.com, or follow along on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube. 

 ABOUT INDIAN MOTORCYCLE®: 

Indian Motorcycle Company is America’s First Motorcycle Company®. Founded in 1901, Indian Motorcycle has won the hearts of motorcyclists around the world and earned distinction as one of America’s most legendary and iconic brands through unrivaled racing dominance, engineering prowess and countless innovations and industry firsts. Today that heritage and passion is reignited under new brand stewardship. To learn more, please visit www.indianmotorcycle.com.

ABOUT VANCE & HINES MOTORSPORTS:

With nearly five decades of championship-winning experience, Vance & Hines Motorsports delivers proven performance through precision-built components and expert engine services. From advanced cylinder head development to high-performance engine components and closed-course competition exhaust systems, every product is engineered to give a decisive edge. Most recently, Vance & Hines Motorsports has expanded its offerings with a Pro Stock Motorcycle rental program, providing qualified independent drag racers with access to competitive, race-ready machinery at the professional level.

More, from a press release issued by Altus Motorsports:

MotoAmerica: Altus Motorsports Results from Circuit of the Americas

Nassaney has a strong showing in the top 10, a difficult weekend for Mesa and Brown

(Austin, TX) — The Circuit of the Americas in Austin, Texas marked the penultimate round of the 2026 MotoAmerica Championship where riders were met with scorching hot conditions and a greasy track on Sunday.

• Supersport

Jaret Nassaney put together a strong weekend in Texas where he set faster lap times every session. Nassaney qualified P12 and put together a very strong Race 1. Nassaney was able to capitalize on his confidence in the YZF-R9 and pick his way through a three-way battle for position throughout the race. Nassaney ultimately finished in a commendable P9, achieving another top-10 position in the 2026 season.

Temperatures increased dramatically for Race 2 which caused the track to become even more greasy and traction to be limited. Nassaney wasn’t able to make as much forward progress, but he held his position throughout the race and finished P11 after a competitor was disqualified.

Jaret Nassaney: “It was a pretty good weekend for me! P9 in race one which I was happy with and P11 in Race 2. I wanted to be back fighting for a top 10 again in Race 2 but struggled with grip a lot. Everyone was crashing around me so I was happy to bring home a decent result! Happy with the weekend overall, though.”

Stefano Mesa started the weekend with solid lap times in the practice and qualifying sessions. Mesa was able to qualify P10 at the start of the fourth row of the grid. Unfortunately, a tire pressure issue affected the bike’s handling which prompted Mesa to return to the pits where he retired from the race. Race 2 also came to a quick end after Mesa was caught up in an unfortunate crash with competitors and retired after the first lap.

Adam Brownhad a challenging debut round in America and suffered multiple crashes throughout the weekend. Brown qualified P20 and both of his races unfortunately resulted in DNFs.

“This weekend was definitely a scorcher. It tested the riders and the team. It was tough to see Stefano and Adam both unable to finish both races. With all the effort that is put in to get to the races and then have the bikes ready to race, then sometimes mistakes happen. We learn from them and move forward. On the bright side my son Jaret had a great weekend and his times were the best he has ever run at COTA. We will be back better and stronger,” said team co-owner George Nassaney.

Hot conditions proved to be challenging at COTA, but the Altus team worked hard to give the riders the best support possible. The team is ready to regroup and rebuild for future races.