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The 2026 MotoAmerica Superbike Championship marks a significant milestone as the 50th season of the United States’ top production-based motorcycle road racing class. Under the continuing stewardship of promoter Wayne Rainey and the KRAVE group, the series opens at Road Atlanta and closes at New Jersey motorsports park. The governing body published the calendar on September 18, 2026, and the season’s opening weekend is set for April 17–19, with the finale concluding on September 25–27 and the championship decider falling on September 27. Defending champion Cameron Beaubier returns after securing his sixth title in the prior campaign.
Fans will notice a few calendar shifts and format tweaks. Road Atlanta resumes the opening slot it last held in 2026, while Virginia International Raceway inherits the tripleheader layout that was staged at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca the previous year. The full slate includes nine rounds across iconic venues: Road Atlanta (April 17–19), barber motorsports Park (May 15–17), Road America (May 29–31), The Ridge Motorsports Park (June 26–28), Laguna Seca (July 10–12), Mid-Ohio (July 31–Aug 2), Virginia International Raceway (Aug 14–16), Circuit of the Americas (Sept 11–13) and New Jersey Motorsports Park (Sept 25–27).
Entry list and team structure
The published entry list shows a mix of established squads and newly configured operations. OrangeCat Racing steps into the season as an official BMW partner, fielding two entries: Jayson Uribe (No. 36) and Sean Dylan Kelly (No. 40). The merged Warhorse HSBK Ducati Flo4Law team brings a two-bike effort with championship hunter Cameron Beaubier (No. 6) joined by Benjamin Smith (No. 78). Wrench Motorcycles returns with Cameron Peterson (No. 198), while M4 ECSTAR Suzuki lists Richie Escalante (No. 54) and Brandon Paasch. Yamaha’s factory-affiliated attack comes as Attack Performance Progressive Yamaha Racing with Bobby Fong (No. 50) and J. D. Beach (No. 95). Smaller operations include BPR Racing with Deion Campbell (No. 194) and Strack Racing fielding Mathew Scholtz (No. 11).
What changed off the grid
Several organizational moves and rider transfers redefined the grid during the off-season. The high-profile union of Warhorse HSBK Racing Ducati and FLO4LAW/SBU Racing produced the consolidated Warhorse HSBK Ducati Flo4Law squad and added a second Ducati entry. OrangeCat Racing‘s elevation to an official BMW program and its expansion to two bikes marks a notable manufacturer-backed commitment. After a one-year absence, Wrench Motorcycles brings experience back to the paddock, and Strack Racing debuts in the Superbike class with Yamaha machinery.
Notable rider moves
In rider movement, the defending champion Cameron Beaubier switched from Tytlers Cycle Racing to the newly formed Warhorse HSBK Ducati Flo4Law team to ride alongside Benjamin Smith. Sean Dylan Kelly moved from the Vision Wheel M4 ECSTAR Suzuki project to OrangeCat Racing, while J. D. Beach returned to Attack Performance Progressive Yamaha Racing after a stint elsewhere. Several riders shifted between classes: Josh Herrin stepped down to the Supersport series with Rahal Ducati Moto, Cameron Peterson moved up from Supersport to join Wrench Motorcycles, and former back-to-back Supersport champion Mathew Scholtz re-entered Superbike aboard the new Strack Racing entry. Brandon Paasch‘s return to M4 ECSTAR Suzuki filled the seat vacated by Sean Dylan Kelly.
Storylines to follow during the season
This season offers narrative threads that matter on track and in the pits. Cameron Beaubier‘s attempt to defend a sixth championship will collide with fresh manufacturer backing, team mergers and several riders returning from other classes — all factors that may reshape competitive balance. The switch of the season opener back to Road Atlanta and the relocation of a tripleheader weekend to Virginia International Raceway change rhythm and strategy for riders and crews. Look for strategic tire choices, qualifying tactics for pole position, and how teams manage the demands of triple-race weekends when assessing title momentum.
Key rounds and competitive implications
Rounds with multiple races — such as the tripleheader at Virginia International Raceway and the triple rounds scheduled at New Jersey Motorsports Park — will be pivotal for championship swings because they create concentrated scoring opportunities over a single venue. Tracks like Road America and Circuit of the Americas present different technical challenges, so adaptability and consistency will be central to a successful campaign. Whether manufacturer support, team cohesion after mergers, or rider form defines the season, the 2026 MotoAmerica Superbike Championship promises to be a closely watched milestone year.