The Fay Myers Race of the Rockies Open delivered one of the most dramatic races of the 2026 MRA season, with mechanical drama before the green flag, a fierce battle for the lead, and a last-lap fight for the final podium position. When the dust settled at High Plains Raceway, Kreece Elliott #97 had not only claimed another Race of the Rockies victory, but also moved into the championship points lead.

Round 4 came during a particularly demanding weekend for the racers. Temperatures at High Plains Raceway climbed into the high 90’s, creating an additional physical challenge for competitors already facing the demands of a full weekend of racing. The weekend’s workload was made even more demanding with LegionSBK hosting 2- and 4-hour endurance races on Saturday, in conjunction with the MRA’s Sunday race schedule. For many riders, Sunday meant returning to the track already carrying the physical fatigue of Saturday’s endurance competition, making the heat and demanding MRA race schedule an even greater test of concentration and endurance.

Elliott entered Round 4 at High Plains Raceway carrying momentum from Round 3 at Pueblo Motorsports Park, where he captured the Race of the Rockies Open victory. With the championship battle tightening as the season reached its midpoint, every point was becoming increasingly important.

The drama began before the race even started.

Championship contender Mat Cunha #12 encountered a mechanical problem as he pulled into his grid position. A clutch issue caused the rear wheel to lock, forcing the race start to be delayed while Cunha’s motorcycle was lifted and removed from the racing surface. Unable to start from his original grid position, Cunha nevertheless managed to re-enter the race on Lap 2, limiting what could have been an even greater championship setback.

Once the race finally got underway, Elliott immediately made his intentions clear, taking the holeshot ahead of David Lambert #28, CJ Walker Jr. #50, and Justen Behmer #67, with the remainder of the field close behind.

Elliott quickly began working to establish a gap at the front, but Behmer was not willing to let him escape. Behmer moved past Lambert to take over second position while Walker Jr. began closing in on Lambert.

By Lap 3, Behmer had reduced Elliott’s advantage to just 1.8 seconds. The pressure continued to build, and by Lap 6 the gap between the two leaders had been cut to only half a second.

While Elliott and Behmer battled at the front, an equally intense fight was developing for third.

Walker Jr. moved past Lambert on Lap 7 to take third position, but Lambert immediately answered back. On Lap 8, Lambert reclaimed the position, setting up a final-lap showdown between the two riders.

At the front, Elliott held his nerve and kept Behmer behind him through the closing laps. Elliott crossed the finish line first to claim the Fay Myers Race of the Rockies Open victory, with Behmer finishing second.

The fight for the final podium position went all the way to the checkered flag. Walker Jr. made his final move on the last lap to reclaim third from Lambert and secure the final spot on the podium.

• Fay Myers Race of the Rockies Open — Top 3

1. Kreece Elliott #97

2. Justen Behmer #67

3. CJ Walker Jr. #50

The victory continues Elliott’s strong run through the middle portion of the 2026 season and, more importantly, moves him into the Race of the Rockies Open championship points lead. With just one round remaining, the championship is now set for a final showdown at High Plains Raceway, where Elliott will look to defend his newly acquired lead and close out the season on top.

• Takahashi Charges to Victory in Apex Autoglass Race of the Rockies Middleweight

The Apex Autoglass Race of the Rockies Middleweight provided another entertaining battle at High Plains Raceway, with an out-of-state newcomer leading the opening laps, a late charge for the win, and a determined comeback from a difficult start.

Ryan Breckenridge, competing in his first-ever MRA event, got off to a strong start by taking the holeshot into Turn 1. Breckenridge was followed closely by Phil Takahashi #807 and Tyrel Diekmann #724 as the Middleweight field settled into the opening laps.

Breckenridge quickly found himself dealing with traffic from some of the 1000cc Open-class motorcycles. While the additional horsepower of the larger machines was an advantage down High Plains Raceway’s long back straight, it also made finding a passing opportunity and making the move stick more difficult for the Middleweight leader.

The traffic allowed Takahashi to steadily close the gap to Breckenridge and begin putting pressure on the leader. Takahashi remained within striking distance as the race progressed, waiting for an opportunity to make his move.

That opportunity came on Lap 7.

Takahashi made his move on Breckenridge and successfully took over the lead, putting himself in position to control the closing stages of the race.

Meanwhile, further back in the field, Orkun Krand #9 was mounting an impressive comeback. Krand’s race got off to a difficult start when he collided with another rider on the launch after a stalled motorcycle created trouble at the beginning of the race. Forced to fight his way forward, Krand steadily worked his way back into contention.

Krand would eventually catch Josh Radcliffe #342 and made his way around him, moving into position for the final podium spot. As the race entered its closing laps, Krand turned up the pace, putting down some of his fastest laps of the race when it mattered most.

Takahashi held on to take the checkered flag and claim the Apex Autoglass Race of the Rockies Middleweight victory. Breckenridge secured an impressive second-place finish in his first MRA appearance, while Krand completed his comeback with a third-place finish.

• Apex Autoglass Race of the Rockies Middleweight — Top 3

1. Phil Takahashi #807

2. Ryan Breckenridge #347

3. Orkun Krand #9

The result gave Takahashi a hard-earned victory after patiently working through traffic and waiting for his opportunity to take the lead. Breckenridge’s second-place finish made an immediate impression in his first MRA appearance, while Krand’s recovery from the opening-lap incident to reach the podium was one of the race’s standout performances.

• Ewan Remains Undefeated in Rider Justice Amateur Open

The Rider Justice Amateur Open continued to be dominated by Tony Ewan #125, who entered Round 4 at High Plains Raceway looking to extend his perfect 2026 season.

Ewan had already established himself as the rider to beat in the Amateur Open championship. He opened the season with a victory at High Plains Raceway in Round 1, followed it with another win at Pueblo Motorsports Park in Round 2, and remained undefeated after taking the checkered flag again at Round 3. Through the first three rounds, Ewan had been nearly untouchable, leading every lap of the Round 2 race and continuing his winning streak at Pueblo.

When the lights went out for Round 4, Ewan wasted no time adding another victory to his record.

Ewan #125 took the holeshot into Turn 1, followed by Walt Vogl #117 and Dan Parker #314, with the rest of the field close behind.

Ewan immediately asserted control of the race, opening a significant gap during the first lap. Rather than allowing the field to close in, Ewan continued to build his advantage throughout the race, putting himself in a commanding position early.

Behind the leader, the battle for the remaining podium positions began to take shape. On Lap 2, Parker made his move on Vogl, moving into second position.

One lap later, Jamison Ziesch made his own move on Vogl, taking over third position and completing the podium lineup.

From there, Ewan continued to stretch his advantage at the front. Despite the heat and physical demands of a long race weekend that also included LegionSBK’s 2- and 4-hour endurance races on Saturday, Ewan remained in complete control and carried his lead all the way to the checkered flag.

Ewan claimed his fourth consecutive Rider Justice Amateur Open victory of the 2026 season, remaining undefeated through four rounds. Parker finished second, with Ziesch completing the podium in third.

• Rider Justice Amateur Open — Top 3

1. Tony Ewan #125

2. Dan Parker #314

3. Jamison Ziesch

Ewan’s fourth consecutive victory further solidifies his position at the front of the Amateur Open championship heading into the final round. After winning every Amateur Open race of the 2026 season so far, Ewan now has one final opportunity to complete a perfect championship season

• Looking Ahead to the Championship Finale

With Round 4 in the books, the 2026 Motorcycle Roadracing Association season is down to its final round. The championship battles across the MRA’s premier classes will be decided at High Plains Raceway on September 6, 2026, for Round 5.

For the season finale, MRA racers will take on the West Course, a two-mile configuration of High Plains Raceway that will provide a new challenge as riders fight for the final championship points of the season.

After a season filled with close racing, championship battles, new competitors, dramatic comebacks, and hard-fought victories, the final round promises to bring the 2026 MRA season to a thrilling conclusion. With championships still on the line, the season will come down to one final race day at High Plains Raceway on September 6.