Young Flat Track Racers Can Earn Mini Cup National Finals Qualifying Points Via The Winter Throwdown

Race In The Winter Throwdown Flat Track In Florida And Earn Qualifying Points For The MotoAmerica Mini Cup National Final at Road America

MotoAmerica, North America’s premier motorcycle road racing series, is pleased to announce that young flat track racers can now earn qualifying points for the Mission Mini Cup National Finals via the Mission Foods Winter Throwdown flat track, scheduled for January 15-17 at Callahan Speedway in Callahan, Florida.

Racers who compete in the Mission Foods Winter Throwdown flat track will earn 10 championship qualifying points for the Mission Mini Cup National Finals.

The Mission Foods Winter Throwdown is the “biggest amateur flat track race in the world” with the AMA-sanctioned event attracting flat track racers from around the globe.

Racers who compete in any of the Throwdown’s youth classes will earn 10 championship qualifying points, giving flat track racers the opportunity to try their hand at road racing without starting with a points deficit for the Mission Mini Cup National Finals, which will take place at Road America in Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin, August 7-9, 2026.

Flat track racing has long been a feeder system to road racing, dating back to when the AMA Grand National Championship consisted of both road racing and flat track. The idea that flat trackers made good road racers was proven when three-time AMA Grand National Champion Kenny Roberts won the first of his three straight 500cc World Championships in 1978.

The Mission Winter Throwdown has also attracted top talent from outside the flat track world, including MotoAmerica racers Brandon Paasch, Ashton Yates, JD Beach, Hayden Gillim, Tyler Scott, Bodie Paige, Julian Correa, and rising Mini Cup stars such as Gabe Datis, Josh Raymond, Cole Peterman, Mahdi Salem, Chase Jazikoff, Cooper Jazikoff, Connor Raymond, and Cruise Texter.

“History has proven that flat track racers generally make good road racers,” said MotoAmerica COO Chuck Aksland. “Leading up to last year’s Mini Cup National at Road America, we received numerous inquiries from young flat trackers interested in participating. With the Winter Throwdown now an official Mission Mini Cup Qualifier, competitors will earn 10 bonus points, putting them on a level playing field heading into the National Championship alongside all other riders from around the country. With the inclusion of riders from other disciplines having the opportunity to compete, we look forward to the continued growth of the Mission Mini Cup National Final.”

The Mission Winter Throwdown will be streamed live on FansChoice TV, giving fans worldwide a front-row seat to the action.

“This collab is so rad,” said Cory Texter, owner of Cory Texter Promotions, the promoter of the Winter Throwdown. “The MotoAmerica Mini Cup National is such a special event, and now the flat track kids can earn the bonus points they need while turning laps on the dirt. It’s the perfect opportunity for any young kid who wants to try their hand against the best road racing kids in the country at Road America in August.”

For more information on the Winter Throwdown, visit https://corytexterpromotions.com/winter-throwdown/

For more information for the MotoAmerica Mini Cup series or club participation in the series, please contact [email protected]

About MotoAmerica Mini Cup

MotoAmerica’s Mini Cup is where racers, beginning as young as six, hone their road-racing skills in what is the first step in the process that can lead to MotoAmerica’s Talent Cup and beyond. The Talent Cup can lead to other classes in the MotoAmerica Championship or perhaps, for a select few, there may be the opportunity to race internationally. Mini Cup races are held across the country and come with plenty of incentives. Riders who score enough points can qualify for the Mission Mini Cup National Final, which is held annually at Road America in Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin. Racers also compete with the hopes of being chosen for the Dunlop Elite Rider Program, earning contingency payouts from motorcycle manufacturers, and getting free entries to the following season’s MotoAmerica Talent Cup. To top it off, AMA National #1 plates are awarded to champions, and those champions also get custom pendants from Thom Duma Fine Jewelers. For more information, please visit www.motoamerica.com/mini-cup/ and follow MotoAmerica on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Twitter, and YouTube. To watch all things MotoAmerica, subscribe to MotoAmerica’s live streaming and video on demand service, MotoAmerica Live+, which also streams the Mission Mini Cup National Final action live.