Pro Motocross Championship Set to Drop Gate on 2026 Season with Partnership from Pala Casino Spa Golf Resort

Southern California’s Entertainment Capital to Once Again Provide Title Support of Fox Raceway National

MORGANTOWN, WV – May 27, 2026 – (Motor Sports NewsWire) – Race week has arrived for the run up to the second half of the 2026 Monster Energy SMX World Championship, where 11 races and a combined 44 motos await for the 55th season of the Pro Motocross Championship, sanctioned by AMA Pro Racing. As always, the summer campaign will begin in Southern California, the proverbial home of the sport, where the sprawling expanse of Fox Raceway at Pala will provide the first test of what will be a grueling, but highly anticipated pursuit of both the Edison Dye Cup [450SMX Class] and Gary Jones Cup [250SMX Class]. Saturday’s season opener will commence in partnership with the Pala Band of Mission Indians, the owners of the track, with returning title support from neighboring Pala Casino for the second running of the Pala Casino Spa Golf Resort Fox Raceway National Presented by Fox Racing.

“American motocross is incredibly fortunate to continue to receive the unwavering support of the Pala Band of Mission Indians for our showcase event in Southern California. This region is vital to the past, present, and future of Pro Motocross and Fox Raceway has become a home for this prestigious championship,” said Tim Cotter, Director, MX Sports Pro Racing. “Our partnership with the tribe and the extended support we have received from Pala Casino the past two years has helped elevate the opening round into a must-see, must-attend event for race fans around the world. This year’s race will garner even more attention as an abundance of storylines have created arguably the most anticipated season in history.”

The vast expanse of Southern California’s Fox Raceway at Pala will kick off the second half of the 2026 Monster Energy SMX World Championship with the opening race of the Pro Motocross Championship, featuring partnership from Pala Casino Spa Golf Resort.

Headlining the summer storylines is an incredibly decorated 450SMX Class field, spearheaded by a budding rivalry pitting Honda HRC Progressive’s Jett Lawrence, the reigning series champion, against Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing’s Haiden Deegan, who will make his premier class debut following a decorated 250SMX Class career in which he won multiple titles in each discipline. Adding to the pair’s first-ever race against one another is their respective affinity for Fox Raceway, where Jett currently holds an eight-race unbeaten streak that dates back to the 2020 season and his time in the 250SMX Class, while Deegan boasts back-to-back victories at his home track where he’s logged thousands of laps, perhaps more than anyone else. Adding to the intrigue of the 450SMX Class is the ascension of Jett’s older brother and teammate, Hunter Lawrence, in addition to the proven talent of former champions like Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Eli Tomac, a four-time titleholder, Monster Energy Kawasaki’s Chase Sexton, the 2024 champion, and Troy Lee Designs Red Bull Ducati Factory Racing’s Dylan Ferrandis, who hoisted the trophy in 2021. In fact, each of the past five premier class champions will line up on the gate on Saturday afternoon. They’ll be flanked by a deeply talented field of challengers that includes multi-time FIM World Champion Jorge Prado with Red Bull KTM Factory Racing, all of whom will look to potentially join the coveted list of names etched on the Edison Dye Cup.

The dawn of a new rivalry between reigning 450SMX Class champion Jett Lawrence and defending back-to-back 250SMX Class champion Haiden Deegan has captured the spotlight for the summer campaign.

In the 250SMX Class, Deegan’s vacated title is up for grabs, and it is anyone’s guess as to which athlete will claim his first-ever AMA National Championship and add his name to the Gary Jones Cup. The three most proven racers in the division are the Honda HRC Progressive duo of Chance Hymas and Jo Shimoda, along with Monster Energy Pro Circuit Kawasaki’s Levi Kitchen, as each possess multiple victories and the kind of experience that will be necessary to break through for the title. However, the ascension of Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing’s rising star Cole Davies, combined with the vast wealth of experience of his 33-year-old teammate Max Anstie, add to the layers of uncertainty and excitement as both are expected to also factor into the championship battle. History has shown that whoever emerges with the victory at Fox Raceway will be in a prime position to carry that momentum to the title, as each of the past seven opening race winners have gone on to be crowned champion.

Haiden Deegan’s move into the premier class has opened the door for a new athlete to seize control of the 250SMX Class, which features a deep field of budding and established talent eager to break through.

As Southern California’s entertainment capital, Pala Casino Spa Golf Resort is a premier destination for gaming, hospitality, dining, and entertainment, boasting consistent recognition for quality and guest experience, as evidenced by 15 consecutive years of AAA Four Diamond Award recognition. The Las Vegas-style casino has over 2,000 slot and video machines, 78 table games, nine restaurants, two lounges, and live entertainment at both the 2,000-seat Pala Events Center and the outdoor Starlight Theater, which will host Pro Motocross’ kickoff press conference on Friday. The resort also features a luxury hotel with 507 combined rooms and suites, five pools, two hot tubs, and 14 cabanas. This year, Pala Casino Spa Golf Resort is celebrating its 25th anniversary, commemorating a quarter century of growth, resilience, and deep-rooted connection to the region.

The Fox Raceway National will receive title support from the Pala Band of Mission Indians and
Pala Casino Spa Golf Resort, Southern California’s entertainment capital.

The Pala Casino Spa Golf Resort Fox Raceway National will get underway this Saturday, May 30, with on-track action starting at 8 a.m. PT / 11 a.m. ET, followed by opening ceremonies at 12:15 p.m. PT / 3:15 p.m. ET then motos for the 450SMX Class and 250SMX Class starting at 1 p.m. PT / 4 p.m. ET. Live broadcast coverage will air exclusively on Peacock, beginning with Race Day Live at 10 a.m. PT / 1 p.m. ET. A special Pre-Race Show will air at 12:30 p.m. PT / 3:30 p.m. ET before race coverage gets underway at 1 p.m. PT / 4 p.m. ET. A special network encore presentation will air on NBC on Sunday, May 31, at 10:30 a.m. PT / 1:30 p.m. ET.

Media Contacts:
Brandon Short / MX Sports Pro Racing
[email protected]
(304) 284-0101

Sean Brennen / Feld Motor Sports
[email protected]
(703) 448-3664

About the Monster Energy SMX World Championship:

The Monster Energy SMX World Championship™ is the premier off-road motorcycle racing series in the world that combines the technical precision of stadium racing with the all-out speed and endurance of outdoor racing. Created in 2022, the Monster Energy SMX World Championship Series combines the Monster Energy AMA Supercross Championship and the AMA Pro Motocross Championship into a 28-round regular season that culminates with the season-ending SMX World Championship Playoffs.
Visit SuperMotocross.com for more information.

About Pro Motocross Championship:

The Pro Motocross Championship features the world’s fastest outdoor motocross racers, competing aboard homologated bikes from one of seven competing manufacturers on a collection of the roughest, toughest tracks on the planet. Racing takes place each Saturday afternoon, with competition divided into two classes: one for 250cc machines, and one for 450cc machines. MX Sports Pro Racing, the industry leader in off-road powersports event production, manages the Pro Motocross Championship.
For more information, visit ProMotocross.com.

About Monster Energy AMA Supercross Championship:

Monster Energy AMA Supercross is the most competitive and highest-profile off-road motorcycle racing championship on the planet. Founded in America and sanctioned by the American Motorcyclist Association (AMA) since 1974. Over 17 weeks, Supercross attracts some of the largest and most impressive crowds inside the most recognizable and prestigious stadiums in North America to race in front of nearly one million live fans and broadcast to millions more worldwide.
For more information, visit SupercrossLIVE.com.

About MX Sports Pro Racing, Inc.:

MX Sports Pro Racing, Inc., manages and produces the world’s premier motocross racing series – the Pro Motocross Championship, sanctioned by AMA Pro Racing. MX Sports Pro Racing is an industry leader in off-road powersport event production and management, its mission is to showcase the sport of professional motocross competition at events throughout the United States. Through its various racing properties, partnerships and affiliates, MX Sports Pro Racing, Inc., organizes events for thousands of action sports athletes each year and attracts millions of motorsports spectators.
Visit MXSportsProRacing.com for more information.

About Feld Motor Sports, Inc.:

Feld Motor Sports, Inc. is the worldwide leader in producing and presenting specialized arena and stadium-based motorsports entertainment. Properties include Monster Jam^®, Monster Energy AMA Supercross, and the Monster Energy SMX World Championship. Feld Motor Sports, Inc. is a subsidiary of Feld Entertainment, Inc.
Visit monsterjam.com, SupercrossLIVE.com, and feldentertainment.com for more information.

Source: SMX League

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