Catch up on everything from the MotoAmerica weekend at New Jersey Motorsports Park with the latest team press releases and race recaps.

 

 

 

More, from a press release issued by Yamaha:

Bobby Fong Crowned 2026 MotoAmerica Superbike Champion.

Bobby Fong earns his first Superbike Championship as Yamaha makes AMA Superbike history at the MotoAmerica season finale at New Jersey Motorsports Park.

It was a memorable MotoAmerica Superbike season finale for Bobby Fong and Yamaha at New Jersey Motorsports Park. The Attack Performance Progressive Yamaha Racing rider scored a pair of victories and navigated a wild weekend in New Jersey to secure his first MotoAmerica Superbike Championship. Strack Racing Yamaha’s Mathew Scholtz finished the season on a high note with a Race 3 victory, while Fong’s teammate JD Beach earned a pair of podiums. It all added up to a successful conclusion to the season and a record-breaking weekend for Yamaha in AMA Superbike.

There was plenty on the line heading into the finale. Fong entered the weekend 26 points back in the title fight, but with three races and 75 points up for grabs, the championship was still within reach. Then a nor’easter entered the equation, bringing high winds, heavy rain, and unpredictable track conditions. In the end, Fong did what he needed to do – win and let the rest unfold.

With the worst of the weather expected on Sunday, MotoAmerica made several changes to the race schedule. Friday’s sessions ultimately set the grids for all classes, while Superbike Race 2 was moved to Saturday and Race 3 moved up to open Sunday’s schedule. The Superbike races were also shortened from 20 to 15 laps.

 

 

Fong qualified second, with Beach and Scholtz on the second row of the grid, qualifying fourth and fifth, respectively. It was a chaotic first race of the day as rain came through in waves, making for challenging track conditions with standing water on the track. The thrice-started race had the same outcome after every start – Fong out front and taking command of the race.

Beach also got off to a great start, slotting in behind his teammate. A near high-side early in the race dropped him back to 18th, and after witnessing multiple riders crash following the restart, he shifted his focus to finishing the race and ultimately crossed the line eighth. Scholtz was also in the mix up front, grabbing the holeshot on the second restart before being passed by Fong. The South African was ultimately shuffled back to sixth, where he would finish.

Race 2 was declared wet, and although the track was drying, more rain was expected, making for another tricky scenario with rain tires on a drying track. Fong got another good start, slotting into second before taking over the lead on the opening lap, with Beach moving into second and Scholtz into third behind him.

 

 

It was another wild race, with the three Yamaha riders and championship leader Sean Dylan Kelly exchanging positions at the front. Around the halfway mark, Kelly passed Fong, but the Attack Performance Progressive Yamaha Racing rider reclaimed the lead on the following lap. Scholtz also took a turn up front with four laps remaining before Fong moved back into the lead. When the dust settled, it was Fong first across the line, Beach second, Scholtz third and Kelly fourth.

With the pair of victories, which also brought his career tally to 17, Fong gained 24 points on the championship leader heading into Sunday’s final race. Just two points separated the title contenders, setting the stage for a tense showdown in Race 3.

As forecasted, Sunday brought even more rain, with track delays and the possibility that racing could be canceled if conditions did not improve. Before 2 p.m., the rain eased, and the Superbike riders lined up for the final race of the season.

 

 

Fong once again grabbed the holeshot, with Beach and Scholtz right behind after the start. He built a gap in the challenging conditions, and on Lap 4, his title rival crashed out of the race. Fong continued to lead through the first half of the race, but with the championship on the line, he shifted his focus to riding smart and keeping it on two wheels. The Californian ultimately finished fourth to secure his first MotoAmerica Superbike crown by 11 points, ending the season with six wins and 12 podiums.

“Today in the race, I felt pretty good, and then when I saw that SDK was out, it was hard for me to keep focused because I started slowing down, missing corners, and just wasn’t riding properly,” said Fong. “I made a very long, hard race for myself. It was tough, but I’m glad I got it done.

“Man, it’s an unreal feeling. I don’t even know what to say, really. I’m so happy to get this done, especially after blowing it last year. It’s a dream come true. I really want to thank the team. I let them down big time last year. I put those guys through the wringer, and they had my back. We’re just always trying to improve every weekend, every day at the shop, and that’s what led us to this one – always trying to improve. I want to thank my teammate too. He pushed me all year long, and I couldn’t ask for a better teammate. He’s been a good buddy, and as much as we want to beat each other on track, we motivate each other to be better on the fitness side, the personal side, everything.”

 

 

Fong’s championship also marked Attack Performance Progressive Yamaha Racing’s fifth premier-class title in seven years as Yamaha’s Official Superbike Team.

Scholtz also had a strong finish to a season that marked the back-to-back Supersport Champion’s return to the Superbike class and Strack Racing Yamaha’s debut in the premier class. In Race 3, Scholtz started third and made his way into the runner-up spot on the opening lap, closing in on Fong on Lap 4. He stayed on his heels before making the pass at the halfway mark, then rode away from the competition to score his fifth win of the season by 6.5 seconds. The victory also secured third in the championship for the South African, who ended his first season aboard the Strack Racing Yamaha YZF-R1 with five wins and 11 podiums, while bringing his career Superbike win total to 10.

“We came to Jersey and obviously had a mathematical chance of fighting for the championship, but maybe that was just a little bit too far out of our grasp,” said Scholtz. “We were still fighting for third with JD, and he closed in a lot of points after the COTA round.

 

 

 

“Jersey has been kind to me previously, and I know that the Yamaha tends to run well here. The first two races on Saturday were really difficult for us, but we made a lot of changes and made the bike better for the third race on Sunday. We managed to bring home the win, and I’m really thankful to the team. The second half of the year has been difficult, but to end it off like that gives us a lot of confidence heading into 2027.”

As for Beach, he was shuffled back to fifth in the opening laps, but continued to fight and passed his teammate in the final laps to finish third for his eighth podium of the season. Beach finished fourth in the championship with three wins in his first full season with the team, bringing his career Superbike total to five.

“It was a tough weekend for sure with the weather,” said Beach. “We had a wet race yesterday, then a dry race with a rain tire, and then another wet race today with a lot of puddles.

 

 

“Today, we just sat around waiting, and then about 30 minutes before we were going to race, we got the call, so it was a rush to get ready. It was a crazy weekend. It’s great to finish off the year with two podiums, and cool for Bob to get the title for himself and the team. So yeah, it was a good way to finish off the year.”

It was also a record-breaking weekend for Yamaha in AMA Superbike. Fong’s 2026 MotoAmerica Superbike Championship marked Yamaha’s 15th title, the most in the 50-year history of the AMA Superbike Championship. His two wins brought Yamaha into a tie atop the all-time race win list, with Scholtz’s Race 3 victory giving the manufacturer a total of 218 wins to take sole possession of the record. Yamaha was also once again awarded the MotoAmerica Manufacturer of the Year honors after scoring the most points across all classes.

 

 

“It was an honor for me to accept the Manufacturer’s award,” said Jeff Sidlovsky, Yamaha Racing Assistant Department Manager for YMUS. “I’d like to congratulate Bobby and the Attack Performance Progressive Yamaha Racing team for winning the Superbike Championship. As Bobby said, the constant push to improve is a driving force of this team, and that’s what won the championship in the end. Bobby worked so hard this year to improve in all aspects, and it paid off. I also want to congratulate Richard (Stanboli) on another championship,  and JD on a great year with the team.

“I’d also like to congratulate Mathew Scholtz on the strength of his season back in Superbike, and Strack Racing. To finish third in Superbike in the first year as a Superbike team is quite an accomplishment

“I want to recognize Liberty St. Yamaha Racing, Yamaha BLU CRU Estenson Racing, and BPR Racing Yamaha for their accomplishments this year, as well. All of our Yamaha riders and teams contributed to the Manufacturer award, and I want to thank them and our sponsors for their support.”

 

 

 

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More, from another press release issued by Yamaha:

Hayes Scores 91st Career Victory at MotoAmerica Season Finale.

Josh Hayes adds another Supersport victory to his legendary career, Karel Hanika earns a podium in his MotoAmerica debut, and Sam Drane finishes runner-up in Talent Cup at New Jersey Motorsports Park.

There was plenty to celebrate for Yamaha BLU CRU riders at the MotoAmerica season finale at New Jersey Motorsports Park (NJMP). BPR Racing Yamaha’s Josh Hayes added another victory to his legendary career, scoring his second Supersport win of the season aboard the Yamaha YZF-R9 and his 91st career AMA road racing victory. Liberty St. Yamaha Racing’s Karel Hanika also impressed in his MotoAmerica debut, with the experienced World Championship rider earning a podium in Race 2. Strack Racing Yamaha’s Blake Davis rebounded from a Race 1 crash to finish fourth, while Yamaha BLU CRU Estenson Racing’s Sam Drane wrapped up the season with a runner-up finish in the MotoAmerica Talent Cup and a sixth-place finish aboard the Yamaha YZF-R7 in Twins Cup.

Like Superbike, the support classes had plenty to contend with as a nor’easter brought high winds, heavy rain, and constantly changing track conditions to the 2.25-mile track in Millville, New Jersey. MotoAmerica adjusted the schedule in anticipation of worsening weather on Sunday, but ultimately the second Talent Cup and Twins Cup races were canceled.

Hayes came into the weekend with a lot of confidence, as the four-time AMA Superbike Champion is no stranger to success at NJMP. And with both of his previous wins aboard the BPR Racing Yamaha YZF-R9 coming in wet conditions, the forecast appeared to play to his strengths. In Race 1, Hayes grabbed the holeshot and led from start to finish, earning his second victory of the season and 91st career AMA road racing win.

 

 

“It’s special to get two this year, both of them in wet weather, unfortunately, but I’ll take what I can get,” said Hayes. “The BPR guys did a good job for me, but the hardest part has been the pressure stacking up. I’ve had so many good races here in New Jersey, and the three wins on this R9 have all come around wet weather. Everybody’s like, ‘Oh, you got this, you got this.’

“Then I had such a good morning in practice, and it’s like, man, everything’s really starting to stack up on my shoulders, that I’m the thing that’s going to screw this up. So I’m happy that I was able to stay relaxed, ride well, finish the job, and get it done today.”

Sunday brought another challenging wet race for the Supersport field. Hayes got a good start but crashed in a puddle entering Turn 1. He rejoined the race and found himself 15th on the opening lap, but put his head down and worked his way back to 11th before another crash in Turn 1 with five laps remaining. Undeterred, he fought his way back to 11th, finishing the season fourth in the Supersport Championship with two victories and six podiums.

 

 

Filling in for the injured Dominic Doyle, Hanika made progress throughout his debut weekend in the series and with Liberty St. Yamaha Racing. Despite starting deep on the grid, the Czech rider got a good start in Race 1 and worked his way forward to finish sixth..

Hanika got another good start in Race 2 and was seventh on the opening lap. He quickly made his way through a four-rider battle for fourth, moving into the position by Lap 2. Hanika then closed the gap to the rider ahead and made the pass for third on Lap 6, where he would finish to earn his first MotoAmerica podium in just his second race aboard the Liberty St. Yamaha Racing YZF-R9.

“It was my first experience in America and in the Supersport class,” said Hanika. “For me, it was a new bike, a new team, tires, racetrack – so a lot to learn. Of course, I had some experience with the bikes, but any time you come to a new place, you have to learn quickly, especially here when you have only one free practice and qualifying.

 

 

“We did our best to prepare for both dry and wet, and every session we were improving and improving, until the end of Race 2, where we could take the podium. I had a really good start in all the races, was able to make up many positions, and my pace was good.

“I think if I could start today in a better position, not 17th, I would probably be able to fight with the top two guys for the win. But I’m still happy to take this podium, my first one here and in my second race, so I really couldn’t ask for more. Big thanks to Chuck and Greg from Liberty Yamaha Racing and all the guys who gave me this opportunity.”

It was a tough start to the weekend for Strack Racing Yamaha’s Blake Davis. After a chaotic start to Race 1 left the young Virginian back in 12th, he put his head down and worked his way to seventh by the halfway mark before unfortunately crashing out in the tricky conditions. Davis rebounded aboard his YZF-R9 in Race 2, getting a good start and running third early. He remained in the fight up front before being passed by Hanika ahead of the halfway mark and rode on to finish fourth. Davis ended the season with a top-five finish in the Supersport Championship.

 

 

Drane also ended his season on a positive note, earning a runner-up finish in the Talent Cup race and finishing sixth aboard the Yamaha BLU CRU Estenson Racing YZF-R7 in Twins Cup. With the worsening conditions on Sunday, the second race for both classes was canceled.

Despite not being 100% at the start of the season following an injury, the 15-year-old Australian finished third in both the MotoAmerica Twins Cup and Talent Cup Championships. In his debut Twins Cup season, Drane scored a victory at the season opener in Daytona and a total of four podiums. He also had a strong sophomore season in Talent Cup, earning nine podiums, including a victory at the penultimate round at COTA.

 

 

“Yeah, it was definitely a good weekend,” said Drane. “I got second in the Talent Cup and sixth on the Twin. It was my first time in the wet on the Twin, so I was struggling a little bit. I didn’t really know how much I could trust it. I was really looking forward to today. We made some big changes, and I think we were going to make a big step forward today, but unfortunately we got rained out. So I’m just looking forward to next year.”

 

 

 

 

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More, from a press release issued by Ducati: 

Beaubier and Smith Score Superbike Podiums as Ducati Sweeps 2026 MotoAmerica Supersport Championship Podium. 

• Darryn Binder caps off his season with the final race win of the year in Supersport

• Ducati Panigale V2 sweeps Supersport Championship podium 

 

Sunnyvale, Calif., — Three wet races were held at New Jersey Motorsports Park to end the 2026 Quad Lock MotoAmerica Superbike Championship, with both Cameron Beaubier and Benjamin Smith gaining podium finishes for the Warhorse HSBK Ducati FLo4Law team.

Race one saw two separate red flags and three race starts in torrential rain. Beaubier garnered a second-place finish behind winner Bobby Fong, with Smith carding a maiden MotoAmerica Superbike podium in third.

Race two wasn’t a great one for the Warhorse HSBK Ducati FLo4Law team as both Beaubier and Smith failed to finish, and with conditions not improving for Sunday’s final race, the team took the decision not to compete when championship positions were largely set before the green light.

That meant Beaubier would finish 11th on 105 points and Smith was one place behind in 12th with 97 points.

In the Supersport championship, champion-elect Darryn Binder played it safe in race one, taking fourth place behind race winner Josh Hayes. The South African righted that wrong in race two, charging to the line to defeat season-long rival Josh Herrin by a scant 0.137-seconds in an epic encounter.

The final race of the season has Binder a rookie champion on 406 points, 78 up on Herrin with Kayla Yaakov third, 157 off Binder, marking Ducati’s first ever top-three clean sweep of the MotoAmerica Supersport Championship.  Todays results also makes Yaakov the first female rider to finish inside the top three of the MotoAmerica Supersport Championship.

 

 

 

Cameron Beaubier (Warhorse HSBK Ducati FLo4Law team – #1):

“I’m just stoked to be back for these last two rounds,” Beaubier said. “My shoulder isn’t 100 percent, but it’s good enough to ride. We tested here before Road Atlanta, and to see how far the bike has come since then is pretty incredible. Huge credit to my team for working so hard and developing it all year.

“I was having a lot of fun in the dry on Friday. Then the rain came. Saturday was brutal, but I was able to get on the podium after two red flags in wild conditions. I was pretty timid because of my shoulder, so I was happy to get through it safely and get on the podium.

“In the second race, I had zero grip from the start. About eight guys passed me, and every time I tipped the bike in, the rear would come around. It felt like I had a flat tire, so I pulled into the pits. We looked at the data afterward and saw what I was talking about.

“Sunday brought more rain, and we decided to sit out race three. I’m in one piece, my bike’s in one piece, and there was a lot more to lose than gain. I knew MotoAmerica needed to get a race in to decide the championship, but the track was pretty gnarly with all the standing water. I’m happy my team is looking out for me, and we made that decision together.

“I’m really excited for next year. I’ve been super happy with how the bike has felt over these last two rounds, and it makes me really excited for 2027.”

 

 

 

Benjamin Smith (Warhorse HSBK Ducati FLo4Law team – #78):

“I checked a big box this weekend that I really wanted to, getting on the podium yesterday in race one. That’s a huge step in my career in the right direction, and I’m really proud to have achieved it.

“We had a mechanical issue with the engine in race two and had to end that race early. Unfortunately, the same situation has meant the team decided to withdraw us from race three today. Obviously, as a racer, I want to be out there racing. I understand the situation and I respect the decision.

“We checked some big boxes this year—pole position and a podium in my first year on a real Superbike. So, thank you to the team, Ducati North America, and everybody else who gave me this opportunity. Let’s see what the future holds.”

 

 

 

Darryn Binder (Celtic/Economy Lube + Tire/Warhorse – #53): 

“It was a long day of waiting, but we finally managed to get out there and do race two, and I’m super happy we did,” Binder said on Sunday. “I really wanted to end the season on a good note, and I had a huge battle with Josh (Herrin) there at the end. It felt amazing to come away with the win and finish the season on such a good note. It’s like the cherry on the cake.

“I just want to thank the entire Celtic HSBK Racing team, Warhorse HSBK and Ducati. Thank you guys so much for everything. Thanks to my personal sponsors, Sport Pesa, Bell and Alpinestars. Thank you guys for everything this year. I’m looking forward to what’s to come.”

 

 

 

 

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More, from a press release issued by Suzuki Motor USA: 

Paige secures Twins Cup Championship runner-up for M4 ECSTAR Suzuki at New Jersey. 

Team Hammer closes the 2026 MotoAmerica season with 29 podium finishes despite weather-shortened action at New Jersey Motorsports Park.

Brea, CA – Suzuki Motor USA and Team Hammer closed out the 2026 MotoAmerica AMA/FIM North American Road Racing Championship season in wet and wild fashion as the series held its finale amid the nor’easter that slammed the East Coast.
 
Despite the additional challenges presented by the inclement weather at New Jersey Motorsports Park in Millville, New Jersey, the squad managed to raise Team Hammer’s 2026 total to 29 podiums, including three victories.
 

Race Highlights:

• M4 ECSTAR Suzuki

  • Twins Cup

    • Bodie Paige locked down second in the championship with another podium finish

    • Matthew Chapin rounded out a strong season in fourth

  • Superbike

    • Home track hero Brandon Paasch racked up three top-10 finishes on the weekend

  • Supersport

    • Rossi Moor showcased his Supersport potential despite the difficult conditions

• Mission M4 ECSTAR Suzuki

  • Superbike

    • Tyler Scott picked up another top-10 as he continued his SBK apprenticeship

 

M4 ECSTAR Suzuki’s fast-rising Bodie Paige locked down Twins Cup runner-up honors with his eighth podium of the season aboard the squad’s GSX-8R racebike.
 
The young Australian finished second on Saturday before Sunday’s finale was canceled due to weather. Even with one fewer opportunity to add to his totals, Paige finished the season with two wins, eight podiums, and 10 top-five finishes in 13 starts.

 

 

 

Paige said, “I had a miscue off the start, but I just kept calm, making moves and moving forward. Once I got through, the leader was a couple seconds ahead. There was no reason to throw it down the road, so I stayed comfortable and calm, and brought it home to pick up as many points as possible. The team gave me a great bike that was capable of winning. I really want to thank the entire M4 ECSTAR Suzuki team for all of their efforts and support.”

 

 

 

Twins Cup teammate Matthew Chapin, meanwhile, locked down fourth in the standings with a fourth-place finale. He ended his ‘26 campaign with a victory, five podiums, and nine top fives.
 
“We had a good weekend,” said Chapin. “We were under the old lap record in qualifying, but that was only good enough for fifth this year. We just had the one race and the conditions were difficult. We were on rain tires on a drying track. Our pace was good, and we were near the front. When it came time down to the end, I didn’t have the front-end feel to push things and go for the win, so we kept our pace and got a good result to close out the year. I think we accomplished a lot this season, and I am looking forward to what comes next.”

 

 

 

M4 ECSTAR Suzuki’s Brandon Paasch came into his home track with high hopes. Despite torrential downpours and constantly changing track conditions, Paasch managed to string together three premier-class top-10 finishes aboard the GSX-R1000R.

The New Jersey native raced his way forward in all three races. After qualifying 11th, he claimed successive finishes of tenth, sixth, and eighth to round out the 2026 campaign in a positive manner. That left him eighth in the overall standings with a fifth-place finish at Ridge Motorsports Park standing as the season highlight.
 
Paasch said, “I felt like there was a lot of good in the weekend. In the second race, we were finally able to stick with the leaders. I was in the top-five and feeling strong, but a little mechanical issue from an earlier crash kept me from improving. We still took sixth, so I was pleased with that. On Sunday, there was a lot of confusion with the weather delays and the track conditions were way worse. At one point I ran wide in the first turn but was able to keep going and get a finish. We had been looking for a breakthrough all season and I feel like we found it, but now the season is over.”

 

 

Mission M4 ECSTAR Suzuki’s Tyler Scott continued his Superbike education, once again demonstrating his caliber with a run to seventh in Race 2 on the weekend.
 
Despite the treacherous conditions, the Pennsylvanian showed the pace for two additional strong results as well, running well inside the top-10 in Race 1 before crashing in the rain, and then again falling in the wet while running seventh on the final lap of Race 3. He was ultimately credited with a DNF and 13th in those outings.
 
Scott said, “I thought the weekend went fairly well. It was great to get more experience on the Superbike and this time it was in the toughest conditions. In the first race, we had a couple of restarts and I was moving up, but then I highsided under deceleration. In race two, I finished seventh and I thought I could see how we could improve on that as well. On Sunday, I had another deceleration highside but I was able to pick the bike up and finish. In both the crashes, I think our aggressive engine braking strategy caught me out. It’s different than what I was used to on the Supersport bike and things like that are part of the learning process.”
 
Meanwhile, despite missing the final two weekends, the recovering Richie Escalante still held on for a top-10 championship finish. The Mexican ended the year ranked tenth on the strength of a podium and five top-five finishes.
 
NJMP proved a similarly difficult proving ground for the talented Rossi Moor, who was making his MotoAmerica Supersport debut aboard the M4 ECSTAR Suzuki GSX-R750, coming in fresh from his Moto2 forays in the FIM MotoJunior World Championship.

 

 

Moor proved himself a quick learner, qualifying seventh overall in the highly competitive class. Unfortunately, he was caught out by the conditions, taking 12th in Race 1 and crashing out in Race 2.
 
“The weekend was pretty tough because of the conditions,” said Moor. “I had to learn a new bike, different tires, and I hadn’t ridden in New Jersey for like four years… and then it started raining. I felt like we made good progress on everything, but we didn’t get the results we were looking for. Saturday was okay, and we had made some improvements for Sunday. But it was so slick out there that I felt like I was going to crash in every corner. Eventually, I fell in Turn 13 and that ended it. I want to thank Team Hammer for the opportunity.”

 

 

 

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More, from a press release issued by M4 ECSTAR Suzuki:

Sonya Lloyd ends 2026 Season with her best result yet in New Jersey.

M4 ECSTAR Suzuki’s Sonya Lloyd saved her best for last, claiming a season’s best finish of seventh to close out the 2026 MotoAmerica AMA/FIM North American Road Racing Championship season at New Jersey Motorsport Park in impressive fashion.

And that seventh was hard-earned. The series was greeted by nor’easter storms, forcing the weekend’s races to be contested under extraordinarily difficult conditions – and in the case of the scheduled Twins Cup Race 2, cancelled altogether.

Lloyd opened her race from Row 6 after qualifying 16th aboard the team’s GSX-8R. Undaunted, she quickly set about picking her way forward in Saturday’s wet Race 1. The former WorldWCR contender battled her way into the top 10 by lap 4 and then gained two spots on the final lap to claim seventh.

 

 

Ultimately, the Georgian scored seven points paying finishes on the season, and underlined her continual improvement by claiming her best finish of ‘26 yet in each of her last three outings, stringing together successive finishes of 12th,10th, and seventh.

Lloyd said, “We just had the one race this weekend because Sunday was cancelled, but we had a good race on Saturday. This was the first time I have raced at New Jersey, and the team was super helpful. I didn’t qualify that great in 16th, but I was able to finish 7th and I was happy with that. I love racing in the rain, so I was hopeful we could get our best finish yet. I had a good start and I made it up to around 11th or so by the end of the first lap. From there, I had some good battles and passes throughout the race and was able to get 7th at the line.

“We had a great year. I learned a lot and the team was great. We’ve been improving our results throughout the second half of the season, and I feel we have made a lot of progress.”

 

 

About Team Hammer: 

The 2026 season marks Team Hammer’s 46th consecutive year of operating as a professional road racing team. Racebikes built and fielded by Team Hammer have won 138 AMA Pro and MotoAmerica National races, have finished on AMA Pro and MotoAmerica National podiums 411 times and have won 11 AMA Pro and MotoAmerica National Championships, as  well as two FIM South American Championships (in Superbike and Supersport). The team has also won 137 endurance races overall (including seven 24-hour races) and 13 Overall WERA National Endurance Championships with Suzuki motorcycles, and holds the U.S. record for mileage covered in a 24-hour race. The team also competed in the televised 1990s Formula USA National Championship, famously running “Methanol Monster” GSX-R1100 Superbikes fueled by methanol, and won four F-USA Championships.

 

 

About Suzuki:

Suzuki Motor USA, LLC. (SMO) distributes Motorcycles, ATVs, Scooters, Automotive Parts, Accessories, and ECSTAR Oils & Chemicals via an extensive dealer network throughout 49 states. Suzuki Motor Corporation (SMC), based in Hamamatsu, Japan, is a diversified worldwide manufacturer of Motorcycles, ATVs, Scooters, Automobiles, Outboard Motors, and related products. Founded in 1909 and incorporated in 1920, SMC has business relations with 201 countries/regions. For more information, visit www.suzuki.com.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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More, from a press release issued by Karns Performance: 

Karns / TST Industries Racing Earns First Win of the Season in Dramatic Final Weekend.

It was an emotional, up-and-down weekend for the “little team that could”—one that ended with a breakthrough victory.

The team was disappointed to lose Solly Mervis after he sustained an injury while competing in Italy. With one rider sidelined, the team still had work to do: put in a strong performance at the final race of the season.

Kevin Olmedo and Isaac Woodworth came out swinging in practice and qualifying. Kevin led the charge, with Isaac close behind. Isaac broke the track record, and Kevin followed by breaking it again. The team came in for fresh tires, hoping to go even faster—but with 10 minutes remaining, Kevin suffered a serious crash that brought out a red flag. After the session resumed, Isaac also crashed.

Despite the setbacks, the team finished qualifying with Isaac and Kevin second and third on the grid. The team soon learned that Kevin’s injuries were more serious than first expected, and he was declared unfit to continue.

With Isaac the team’s only remaining rider, the crew worked late into the night to repair his bike and give him the best chance to compete. Heavy overnight rain canceled the second qualifying session, leaving the team to wait for race time.

 

 

Twins Cup race 1 saw Isaac launching his Karns Performance/TST Industries Suzuki GSX-8r off the line with a big wheelie in the wet conditions, then made a pass for the lead. He led the race through the final lap, when another rider passed him illegally under yellow. Isaac held close in second and brought the bike safely to the finish. After reviewing the footage, MotoAmerica awarded Isaac and the team the victory—their first win of the season!

It was a defining moment for the team and proof of what it could accomplish through determination and teamwork.

“We’re thrilled with this win,” said Jason Karns, Team Principal. “The only thing better than this feeling would be having Solly and Kevin here to compete and share it with us. We wish them both a speedy recovery and look forward to next year.”

 

 

 

Karns / TST Industries Racing thanks all of its sponsors, large and small. The team could not do this without their support, and is proud to race with products from some of the best companies in the business: Andreani and Nitron suspension, NG Brakes rotors, Vesrah brake pads, Dymag wheels, Woodcraft controls and stands, and Mecks Autobody for bodywork and paint.

The team also extends special thanks to TST Industries for its support over the past several seasons, including triple clamps, air boxes, and many other contributions.

Karns / TST Industries Racing is grateful to every sponsor, partner, and crew member who helped make this season—and its first win—possible.

2026 Team Partners: Karns Performance, TST Industries, Meck’s Auto Body, IceBarn Racing, Bobblehead Moto, Andreani USA / Nitron Suspension, NG Brakes, Spiegler Brake Lines, Blumanstock Machine, M4 Exhaust, Blud Lubricants, Vesrah brake pads, Woodcraft Technologies, Natter Block 3D and Chef Eatz.

 

 

 

 

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More, from a press release issued by Real Steel Honda: 

Real Steel Honda Racing finishes the 2026 MotoAmerica season at a wet and disappointing NJMP round.

Hayden Gillim qualified 6^th for the Superbike grid on the 2nd row and ended up 9^th in Race 1 after a chaotic race with multiple red flags and restarts. Race 2 saw Hayden suffer a DNF and Race 3 also saw Hayden suffer a DNF due to a crash in turn 1 which caught out many competitors during this race. Hayden finished in 9^th place in the Superbike championship standings with 110 points. Andrew Lee won Race 1 for the Superbike Cup, placed 3^rd in Race 2, and finished Race 3 with a 2^nd place to be on the podium for all 3 Superbike Cup races this weekend. Andrew finished the 2026 Superbike Cup championship with 441 points and the championship.

In the Talent Cup class with only 1 race due to the conditions, Ian Fraley finished 7^th while Derek Sanchez scored 4^th place just off of the podium. Derek finished the season 5^th in points and Ian finished in 9^th place.

Real Steel Honda Racing is proudly supported by American Honda, HRC, Progressive Insurance, Pro Honda Oils. Southern Honda Powersports, Idemitsu, Last Ark: Tactics Analogue, Vesrah, K-Tech suspension, Orient Express, Dunlop, Akrapovic Exhaust Systems, Sprint Filter, Armor Bodywork, Vortex and REB Graphics.

 

 

Hayden Gillim – Rider #69 / Team Principal: ““I was really excited about going to New Jersey. Last year we finished the season on the podium. In the dry I felt good and the bike was working well. I had good pace and ended up qualifying 6th.

Then came the rain. I have struggled on the bike in the rain the last few years, but we were throwing everything at it this weekend. Race 1 I had a crash and with all the red flags I was still able to manage a top ten. Race 2 we had a little issue that kept us from finishing the race in drying conditions. By race 3 I was feeling really good on the bike and was just behind 5th and 6th on track. Unfortunately, I crashed in a puddle in turn one and ended the season there.

We will move forward to see what next year holds. Thanks to all the team, sponsors, and fans for backing us this season!”

 

 

 

Andrew Lee – Rider #14: “What a season! So grateful to of had the opportunity to race with the Real Steel Honda team. Wrapped the weekend in New Jersey in typical New Jersey fashion. Cold, windy, and wet. Not much to report as a weak result, but to walk away with the championship for our team and sponsors is amazing. Thank you to everyone who played a part in it this season.

 

 

Ian Fraley – Rider #10: “This weekend was a tough one from the very beginning. Friday started with practice being rough, including a hard crash that set the tone for the weekend. Then in Q1, we struggled a lot with the setup, and those issues ended up hurting us going into Saturday.

Saturday was a long day with a bunch of rain and wind, making the conditions even tougher. When it finally came time to race, we went with a wet front and a dry rear. The rear worked great, but the rain front was completely the wrong choice for the conditions we ended up with. There wasn’t much we could do once we were out there, but we gave it everything we had and did the best we could with what we had.

Then Sunday came, and we were ready for another chance to finish the weekend strong, but the race was canceled. Not the ending we wanted, but sometimes racing gives you more lessons than results. We fought through every day, learned a lot, and kept pushing when things weren’t going our way. I’m taking everything from this weekend and using it to come back stronger.”

 

 

Derek Sanchez – Rider #23: “I came into New Jersey Motorsports Park with one goal: to leave everything on the track and finish the MotoAmerica Talent Cup season showing what we’re truly capable of. From the very first session on Friday, I felt as good on the bike as I have all year. My Real Steel Honda team gave me an unbelievable setup right out of the trailer. Having that kind of front-end confidence allowed me to attack the technical sections, trail-brake hard into the turns, and really fight in the lead group. Across every session, the bike was planted, my pace was right where it needed to be, and I felt completely in control pushing at the absolute limit. Battling up front in those races was pure fun.

 

 

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More, from a press release issued by Harley-Davidson: 

Kyle Wyman and Harley-Davidson x Dynojet Factory Race Team close 2026 King of the Baggers season with victory at New Jersey Motorsports Park. Bradley Smith Races Harley-Davidson Factory Race Team Road Glide Motorcycle to Second Place in Season Standings

MILWAUKEE – Harley-Davidson® x DynoJet Factory Race Team rider Kyle Wyman mastered wet track conditions on Sunday to win the final round of the 14-race 2026 MotoAmerica Mission Foods King of the Baggers championship aboard a race-prepared Harley-Davidson® Road Glide® motorcycle in a double-header weekend of racing at New Jersey Motorsports Park in Millville, N.J. Harley-Davidson® x DynoJet Factory Race Team rider Bradley Smith finished second in the same race on a race-prepared Harley-Davidson® Road Glide® motorcycle and secured second place in the final championship points standings.

Racers battled rain and windy conditions all weekend in New Jersey as a major nor’easter storm moved up the Atlantic coast. Rain limited the King of the Baggers field to a single qualifying session on Friday that saw Wyman qualify second and Smith third on the 12-turn, 2.25-mile New Jersey Motorsports Park road course. The weather conditions also caused the cancellation of Saturday Mission Foods Challenger bonus sprint race.

Saturday’s eight-lap main event put riders on a drying track with some wet spots, and a light sprinkle beginning to fall, forcing a choice between racing on slick or rain tires. Wyman made a late decision to change his rear tire to a slick and missed the warm-up lap, which by rule required him to start the race from pit lane. Smith started the race in fourth place and moved up to second position by lap five but fell back to fourth position at the finish. Indian Factory racer Troy Herfoss won the race, nipping his teammate Hayden Gillim by 0.035 seconds at the finish line. Wyman finished in sixth place.

The track was much wetter for Sunday’s race, with large puddles flowing across the track surface in spots. Gillim, Smith and Wyman led from the start and the trio gradually opened a gap on the rest of the field. Wyman passed Smith to take second place on lap four, passed Gillim for the lead on lap five and went on to win by 1.896 seconds over Smith, who passed Gillim on the final lap.

 

 

“This team has changed my life and changed my career. This one’s going to feel really good for a long time,” said Wyman, who won the King of the Baggers championship in 2021 and 2025 and leads the series with 27 career victories. “How can you sum up what we’ve done with this program? You just can’t. We’ve created a lot of memories and impacted a lot of people in a positive way. I wouldn’t want to do it with any other group. I want to give a huge thanks to Harley-Davidson, to all of our partners and our fans. The fans have been incredible. It’s great to give them one more win.”

 

 

Smith finished his second season with the Harley-Davidson® x DynoJet Factory Race Team with two race victories and seven additional podium results, to score 230 points and take second place in the final standings. Big Diehl x Harley-Davidson Factory Racing rider James Rispoli scored a single podium result for the season and was sixth in the season standings.

At the conclusion of the 14-round 2026 MotoAmerica Mission King of the Baggers series Gillim is series champion with 287 points. Smith is second with 230 points, followed by Herfoss with 228 points, Wyman with 169 points, SDI Racing Indian rider Tyler O’Hara with 157 points and Rispoli with 145 points.

 

Harley-Davidson® x DynoJet Factory Race Team Road Glide® motorcycles are powered by modified Screamin’ Eagle® Milwaukee-Eight® 131 Performance Crate Engines. The team’s racing motorcycles also feature upgraded suspension components, including Screamin’ Eagle/Öhlins Remote Reservoir Rear Shocks, plus competition exhaust, race tires and lightweight bodywork. The Harley-Davidson® x DynoJet Factory Race Team partner roster includes DynoJet, Rockford Fosgate®, Öhlins®, Akrapovič, STM Racing Clutch, K&N Filters, SYN3® lubricants, and Screamin’ Eagle® Performance Parts and Accessories.

 

 

MotoAmerica Mission King of the Baggers Race Results: New Jersey Motorsports Park Race 1

1. Troy Herfoss (Ind) J&P Cycles/Motul/Vance & Hines Factory Indian
2. Hayden Gillim (Ind) J&P Cycles/Motul/Vance & Hines Factory Indian
3. Tyler O’Hara (Ind) SDI Racing
4. Bradley Smith (H-D) Harley-Davidson® x Dynojet Factory Race Team
5. Max Flinders (H-D) M3/Tobacco Road Harley-Davidson
6. Kyle Wyman (H-D) Harley-Davidson® x Dynojet Factory Race Team
7. Rocco Landers (Ind) J&P Cycles/Motul/Vance & Hines Factory Indian
8. Kyle Ohnsorg (Ind) TAB Performance

 

 

MotoAmerica Mission King of the Baggers Race Results: New Jersey Motorsports Park Race 2

1. Kyle Wyman (H-D) Harley-Davidson® x Dynojet Factory Race Team
2. Bradley Smith (H-D) Harley-Davidson® x Dynojet Factory Race Team
3. Hayden Gillim (Ind) J&P Cycles/Motul/Vance & Hines Factory Indian
4. James Rispoli (H-D) Big Diehl x Harley-Davidson Factory Racing
5. Max Flinders (H-D) M3/Tobacco Road Harley-Davidson
6. Rocco Landers (Ind) J&P Cycles/Motul/Vance & Hines Factory Indian
7. Troy Herfoss (Ind) J&P Cycles/Motul/Vance & Hines Factory Indian

 

 

 

 

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More, from a press release issued by Indian Motorcycle Racing:

Indian Motorcycle Racing caps Historic 2026 King of the Baggers Season at New Jersey Motorsports Park finale with Race 1 win & Indian Challenger podium sweep. 

Vance & Hines Motorsports-Built Indian Challenger Secures Historic 10 Race Wins, While Factory Team Sets New Record with 24 Podiums.

Fresh Off a Championship, Indian Motorcycle Racing & Vance & Hines Motorsports Set Sights on 2027 Committed to Hyden Gillim and Troy Herfoss, as Team Pursues Historic Back-to-Back Championships

Golden Valley, MN — Indian Motorcycle Racing closed out a historic 2026 Mission King of the Baggers (KOTB) season this weekend at New Jersey Motorsports Park, putting an exclamation point on the team’s first season with Vance & Hines Motorsports and once again showcasing the Indian Challenger as far and away the most-dominant machine in the class. After clinching the championship with Hayden Gillim at Circuit of the Americas two weeks ago, the J&P Cycles / Motul / Vance & Hines Motorsports Factory Indian Motorcycle Racing team carried its momentum into the season finale, capturing its 10th overall win and completing an Indian Challenger podium sweep in Race 1, while adding another podium finish for good measure in Race 2.

When it was all said and done, the team delivered an unparalleled season of record-breaking success, including an individual record eight wins for Gillim, within the team’s 10 overall victories, and a record-setting 24 overall podium positions over the series’ 14 races.

“When you consider that we entered Daytona back in March with only a single testing session under our belt, it’s pretty amazing to think about what we were able to accomplish,” said Mike Kennedy, CEO of Indian Motorcycle. “When you break it all down, this season is the ultimate testament to the superior performance of the Indian Challenger and the broader PowerPlus platform, and to the collaborative power of Indian Motorcycle and Vance & Hines Motorsports. And in that respect, the amazing outcome this season comes as no surprise.”

 

The dominant 2026 season only sets the stage for the next chapter, with the team committing to 2026 Champion Gillim and 2024 champion Troy Herfoss for 2027. Together, the two riders will lead the program as it looks to build on this record-setting year by being the first team to win back-to-back KOTB championships.

“This season was incredible, and we’re proud of everything this team accomplished, but our work doesn’t stop here,” said Kennedy. “We’re already focused on what comes next, with a clear goal of becoming the first manufacturer to win back-to-back King of the Baggers championships. Hayden and Troy are going to be a major part of that plan. They’ve proven what they can do on the Indian Challenger, and with Vance & Hines Motorsports continuing to develop this program, we believe we have the people, the team and the machine to keep pushing this class. This season set a new benchmark for bagger racing, and now the focus immediately shifts to 2027.”

 

 

From the opening round at Daytona International Speedway to the season finale at New Jersey Motorsports Park, Indian Motorcycle Factory Racing delivered the most dominant campaign in King of the Baggers history. The factory team, armed with the Vance & Hines Motorsports-built Indian Challenger, captured 10 of the season’s 14 race victories, including a six-race win streak that established a new manufacturer record. Gillim’s eight victories set a new single-season record for wins by a rider, while the factory team placed at least one Indian Challenger on the podium in every race and set a new KOTB record with 24 total podiums. The team also secured six of the seven pole positions and established five new track records at Road Atlanta, Road America, Mid-Ohio, Circuit of the Americas and New Jersey.

The results marked a historic first season for the new partnership with Vance & Hines Motorsports, which came together ahead of the 2026 season to bring a proven performance platform and decades of race development expertise together under one program. At the heart of the effort was the Indian Challenger, powered by the liquid-cooled PowerPlus 112 engine, giving the team a strong foundation to develop and refine a purpose-built race package throughout the season. The collaboration quickly translated from the drawing board to the racetrack, with the team quickly and consistently establishing its dominance.

 

 

In New Jersey, Herfoss closed out the season with a statement in Race 1, charging from the back of the pack to take his second victory of the season, followed by Gillim in second and Tyler O’Hara in third to complete the Indian Challenger podium sweep. In Race 2, 2026 Champion Gillim added another podium to his season, bringing his No. 69 home in third to close out the 2026 campaign.

“King of the Baggers represents the largest class of motorcycles sold in the United States, and this season has invigorated excitement and enthusiasm for American V-Twin riders all around the globe,” said Kennedy. “At the end of the day, it’s the average rider who benefits most from the competition between Indian Motorcycle and Harley-Davidson. We’re extremely proud of our success this season but certainly expect the team from Milwaukee to be ready to fight for that No. 1 plate come Daytona 2027.”

Gillim’s championship marked Indian Motorcycle’s fourth King of the Baggers title, joining O’Hara (2020,2022) and Herfoss (2024) as Indian Motorcycle champions. After securing the championship with two races remaining, Gillim closed out his first season with the Indian Motorcycle Factory team having rewritten the single-season wins record with eight victories, highlighting the team’s record-setting campaign.

With the 2026 season now in the books, the team’s focus already turns to 2027. With Gillim and Herfoss returning to the lineup, the program will enter the next season with its championship-winning rider pairing intact and its sights set on another run at the King of the Baggers title.

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 racers with access to competitive, race-ready machinery at the professional level.