Next year’s SuperMotocross World Championship Playoff venues are still two months from being revealed, and if Daytona International Speedway president Frank Kelleher has his way, the famed stock car oval could host two major dirt bike races. If not in 2027, he will set his sight on 2028 in a continued effort to make certain that two wheels are well represented at “The World Center of Speed.”
“Whether it be the championship round or one of the three, we would love to figure out where it goes in the schedule,” Kelleher told NBC Sports at the SMX Finale in Ridgedale, Missouri. “And I think, as I’ve talked about in the past as well, I want to maintain the integrity of the course design of Supercross. If we do win an SMX round, let’s have fun with it. Let’s get more into the infield and bring some motocross vibe opportunities to the race. So we would love to continue this conversation and would love to see it come to life.”
One thing known is that in 2027, Ridgedale will host the Finale once again. In 2028 and 2029, that venue will remain on the schedule, taking one of the precious spots in the three-round series. SuperMotocross executives have bandied the idea of an international race, perhaps as part of Supercross; perhaps as part of the SMX Championship. That elevates the competition for pride of place for Daytona.
Foundational Races
Thunder Ridge Nature Area in southern Missouri is as remote as any of the Pro Motocross tracks, but given the excitement surrounding the series, it welcomed a sold out crowd at the completion of a 31-race schedule. Neither the track nor race action disappointed and the conversation surrounding the future character of SuperMotocross was elevated.
Complaints rose from riders about the first two rounds of 2026. The small footprint of the soccer stadiums in Columbus, Ohio, and Carson, California, did not allow track designers to get very creative, especially in their effort to add Pro Motocross elements to the course.
Those criticisms immediately evaporated in Missouri.
Thunder Valley evoked memories of The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, where an open area at the end of the dragstrip grandstands allowed designers to lengthen the course and heighten the jumps. Unfortunately, sight lines were difficult and often obscured by those very grandstands. Thunder Valley did not have those same constraints.
Neither does Daytona. Unused portions of the track exiting Turn 4 or entering the road course at the end of pit road can allow for added creativity. Turn 4 has the added potential for riders to go up the bank, adding elevation change to the mostly flat course design seen in the past four seasons.
Already known for its massive jumps, Frank Kelleher wants to make Daytona even bigger. Feld Entertainment / Align Media
Already known for its massive jumps, Frank Kelleher wants to make Daytona even bigger. Feld Entertainment / Align Media
Fresh Eyes
Kelleher is already imagining ways to expand the track and bring more motocross elements to play.
“Our Supercross course ends at the NASCAR Rolex 24 start finish line,” Kelleher said. “I think we would need to look at it with fresh eyes of where does the gate drop and where the course runs. Obviously we would want to utilize the grandstand seating that we have and the suite opportunities that we have, but we are definitely open to getting creative and want it to be a spectacle.”
Kelleher is committed to the idea enough that he is willing to do some preliminary work ahead of time—to ‘assume the sale.’
In some manner, SuperMotocross already owes a debt to infield courses like the one in Daytona and Atlanta Motor Speedway. These were hybrid tracks before the industry ballooned the term.
In a couple of weeks, Daytona will reveal the 20th consecutive Supercross course design by Carmichael—the sole missing piece of the Supercross’ recent track reveal—and it will be interesting to see if some SuperMotocross elements become part of the plan.
“I almost feel like it’s worthwhile for me to grab Ricky Carmichael and grab the books from Dirt Wurx and let’s just start mapping out a few creative ideas and maybe we’ll start sharing that with everyone at SMX and see if maybe we can help move things up the chessboard,” Kelleher said.
The importance of another venue on the schedule like Thunder Valley is that the series needs anchor events as well as new markets. Daytona could fill that need as the third slot in the playoffs rotates among smaller venues.
“It was special to hear [Eli] Tomac talk about how he believes this track has a lot of Daytona vibes and that he anticipates Daytona speed,” Kelleher said. “I got to the track a few hours ago and a few media members as well were like, ‘Hey, you got our vote. You got our vote if we can get it to Daytona.’ ”
