Pro Motocross Championship Returns to Action for Momentous RedBud National on America’s 250th Anniversary

Celebrated Race Headlines 5.11’s Maiden Season of Outdoor Support

MORGANTOWN, WV – June 30, 2026 – (Motor Sports NewsWire) – The Pro Motocross Championship, sanctioned by AMA Pro Racing, is set to make its return from the summer’s first break in action with one of the most anticipated races of the 2026 Monster Energy SMX World Championship. With the halfway point of the outdoor campaign looming, Michigan’s celebrated RedBud MX will add to the sport’s longstanding Independence Day tradition with the 53rd running of the 5.11 RedBud National on America’s 250th Anniversary, this Saturday, July 4th.

“The first month of the summer has been incredible, with compelling action on the racetrack witnessed by some of the largest crowds in recent memory. Now, on the heels of a welcome early break, we return for the pivotal midsummer run that will paint a clearer picture of how the championships will unfold,” said Davey Coombs, President, MX Sports Pro Racing. “You’d be hard pressed to find a better way to come out of the break than a celebration of America’s 250th Anniversary at RedBud. The always passionate fans that line the fences and hillsides will bring even more energy, creating a more raucous atmosphere. It is going to be a truly special race and a memorable first year of title support for 5.11, who have fully embraced our sport, our fans, and their partnership with the Monster Energy SMX World Championship.”

RedBud’s storied legacy around the 4th of July has served as the perfect complement to the dynamic layout of one of American motocross’ premier venues. The track challenges riders with a little bit of everything – high speeds allow riders to hang it out, big obstacles like LaRocco’s Leap send bikes soaring through the air, and some of the most technical sections in the championship keep racers on their toes. RedBud’s position at the center of the calendar has always served as a critical junction of each championship and the race’s holiday tie-in has provided one of the most passionate and enthusiastic atmospheres in the sport for the past half century. Everything that makes RedBud special is encapsulated by a simple and boisterous yell of “REDBUUUUUD!” from the fans, the riders, or anyone overcome by the event’s captivating spirit.

Michigan’s legendary RedBud MX will continue its storied Independence Day tradition with a momentous 53rd running on America’s 250th Anniversary.

Southern California-based 5.11 was born in the outdoors in 2003, with a unique name created from the most competitive decimal system used in climbing at Yosemite National Park. The brand’s specially designed apparel, footwear, and gear are built to perform when it matters most, which reflects the ethos of Challenge Possible™, a belief that challenge isn’t something you avoid, it’s something you choose. With products made to withstand the toughest conditions and a company founded on the mindset to overcome challenges, 5.11 embodies the traits that make up the spirit of the Pro Motocross Championship. Those qualities have made 5.11 the trusted choice of many in the SMX paddock, particularly the 5.11 Triumph Factory Racing team.

On the racetrack, the field of athletes come into RedBud feeling more refreshed from the off weekend, which should lead to more compelling battles for victory. In the 450SMX Class, the sibling rivalry between Honda HRC Progressive teammates Jett and Hunter Lawrence is expected to continue. They have an equal share of victories after the first month of racing and return from the break separated by just two points. While Jett has won two of the past three years at RedBud, Hunter has the momentum from arguably the most dominant performance of his career at the most recent round, where he came out on top of a head-to-head battle with his younger brother. Still lurking behind the Lawrences is Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing’s Haiden Deegan. The rookie continues to make progress just four races into his premier class career and is determined to challenge the Australian duo for wins, not just podiums. The top American in the class is no doubt going to bring some added motivation from the holiday atmosphere, at the same venue where he broke through for his first professional win three years ago. Additionally, Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Jorge Prado is poised to make it a four-rider affair. The Spaniard has shown flashes of the speed that made him a multi-time world champion and continues to put in the work during the week to become a more consistent threat at the front of the field.

Honda HRC Progressive’s Hunter Lawrence brings the momentum into RedBud on the heels of a dominant performance at the previous round.
MX Sports Pro Racing, Inc.

Fellow Honda HRC Progressive rider Jett Lawrence retains possession of the red plate and has won two of the past three seasons at RedBud.
MX Sports Pro Racing, Inc.

Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing’s Haiden Deegan continues to make strides in his ongoing efforts to close the gap between he and the Lawrences.
MX Sports Pro Racing, Inc.

Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Jorge Prado hopes to become the fourth player in the premier class.
MX Sports Pro Racing, Inc.

A wild opening month of 250SMX Class competition has produced four different winners through the first four races. As such, the early title fight is exceptionally close. While Monster Energy Pro Circuit Kawasaki’s Levi Kitchen will carry the red plate for a second race, his advantage in the standings is just a single point over Honda HRC Progressive’s Jo Shimoda and just two points over Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Julien Beaumer. Sitting seven points out of the lead is Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing’s Cole Davies, fresh off the most dominant effort of the young season that netted him a first Pro Motocross victory. While Shimoda could be considered the favorite given his two previous victories at RedBud, including last season, the unpredictability of the class thus far means it’s anyone’s guess as to who will rise to the occasion this weekend. With the championship battle in flux, RedBud presents an opportunity for a statement performance that could swing the points into someone’s favor and could very likely produce a fifth different winner in what has been a wide-open campaign thus far.

Monster Energy Pro Circuit Kawasaki’s Levi Kitchen still has possession of the red plate but heads to RedBud coming off his worst result of the young season.
MX Sports Pro Racing, Inc.

Honda HRC Progressive’s Jo Shimoda sits just a single point out of the championship lead and is the winningest active 250SMX rider at RedBud, including a victory last summer.
MX Sports Pro Racing, Inc.

While still in search of his first Pro Motocross victory, Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Julien Beaumer has enjoyed a consistent start to the summer and sits only two points out of the lead.
MX Sports Pro Racing, Inc.

Fresh off a breakthrough Pro Motocross win, Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing’s Cole Davies brings a wave of momentum into RedBud as he sits seven points out of first in the standings.
MX Sports Pro Racing, Inc.

In addition to the 450SMX and 250SMX classes, RedBud will also host the first SMX Next – Motocross gathering of the summer to kick off the weekend. On Friday, July 3, a collection of 25 elite amateur prospects will converge for an immersive day of professional level exposure. A series of classroom style educational sessions that touch on various aspects of the sport will be complemented by a pair of 25 Minute + 1 Lap motos. To top it off, the field of racers will be broken up into multiple groups to receive guidance and mentoring from one of four esteemed Rider Coaches, led by AMA Hall of Famers Broc Glover and Kevin Windham along with former racers Michael Byrne and Gareth Swanepoel.

RedBud will host the first SMX Next – Motocross gathering of the summer on Friday.
MX Sports Pro Racing, Inc.

The 5.11 RedBud National will get underway this Saturday, July 4, with on-track action starting at 5 a.m. PT / 8 a.m. ET, followed by opening ceremonies at 9:15 a.m. PT / 12:15 p.m. ET before the gate drops on motos at 10 a.m. PT / 1 p.m. ET. Comprehensive live streaming coverage from RedBud will air exclusively on Peacock, beginning with Race Day Live at 7 a.m. PT / 10 a.m. ET before coverage of the motos gets underway at 10 a.m. PT / 1 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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