BRASELTON, Ga. — The 2026 MotoAmerica Superbike Championship kicks off at Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta, marking “50 Years Of Superbike Racing.”
With six classes on the schedule, the weekend promises nonstop action across the board.
The legendary, 2.54-mile circuit in Braselton, Georgia, has been a cornerstone of American motorcycle racing since it hosted its first AMA Superbike event in 1980. Known for its technical layout featuring the blind exit from turn one, the famous “esses,” the 180+ miles-per-hour back straightaway, and the ultra-fast 80-foot plunge into Turn 12, Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta has long served as a proving ground for the world’s elite riders.
This year’s season opener is especially poetic as the series celebrates 50 years of Superbike racing at the home track of AMA Hall Of Famer Scott Russell, who joins the historic event as Grand Marshal.
The Georgia native’s storied career includes an AMA Superbike Championship, five Daytona 200 victories, a World Superbike Championship, and a lockout of the 1991 AMA Superstock season where the “Chief” won all nine races.
“We are incredibly excited to kick off the 2026 season at Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta,” said MotoAmerica President Wayne Rainey. “It’s a milestone year for our sport as we celebrate ‘50 Years Of Superbike Racing,’ and the level of competition in this year’s championship is as high as it’s ever been. We’ve seen riders switch brands and others step up into the premier class, adding even more depth to a category that already draws the top factory teams and some of the biggest names in the sport—making this year’s competition stronger than ever. To cap it all off, having AMA Hall of Famer and local legend Scott Russell join us as Grand Marshal makes this season opener truly special.”
Reigning class champion Cameron Beaubier leads the charge into the opening round after his switch to a brand-new Ducati Panigale V4 R with the Warhorse HSBK Ducati Flo4Law team. The 33-year-old Californian has six MotoAmerica Superbike Championships to his name and enters the season on a mission for his seventh Superbike crown, a title that would tie him with AMA Hall of Famer Mat Mladin for most AMA/MotoAmerica Superbike Championships of all time.
He is joined by South Carolina’s Benjamin Smith, forming a dynamic partnership and adding depth to the team’s effort.
Bobby Fong, last year’s third-place Superbike finisher, showed a return to form aboard the Attack Performance Progressive Yamaha YZF-R1. The 2019 MotoAmerica Supersport champion re-signed with the BLU CRU, bringing a renewed focus to contend for the premier class championship after narrowly missing out at the final round last season.
Fong is joined by Kentucky’s JD Beach, who moves to the tuning fork brand after winning the 2025 Superbike Cup championship. Beach narrowly missed a “perfect season” in Superbike Cup last year and brings his flat-track-inspired riding style back to a familiar place.
Rahal Ducati Moto with XPEL brings veteran racer PJ Jacobsen back to the Superbike class aboard the new Ducati Panigale V4 R after he finished second in Supersport points last year. Jacobsen’s long and accomplished career spans global competition, including racing in the World Supersport Championship and competitive stints in World Superbike and the British Superbike Championship. His depth of experience and technical insight make him a valuable part of the team’s dynamic, both as a mentor to the younger riders and a consistent podium threat.
At OrangeCat Racing, Sean Dylan Kelly is the rider to watch, charging into the season on a BMW M 1000 RR after setting the fastest laps on both days of the Dunlop Pre-Season Tire Test at Circuit of The Americas in March. Known for his fearless style and international experience, Kelly looks ready to push hard from the drop of the green flag.
Alongside him, teammate Jayson Uribe brings precision and a steady hand as he steps into Superbike full-time and aims to make his mark in the premier class.
MotoAmerica Supersport Champion Mathew Scholtz makes his return to Superbike with Strack Racing aboard a Yamaha YZF-R1. The South African is known for his smooth style and strategic approach, and he brings with him a deep familiarity of the YZF-R1, giving him an edge as he transitions back to the premier class.
With his ability to extract peak performance from the bike and sustain pace over full race distances, Scholtz positions Strack Racing for a strong Superbike season.
Mathew Scholtz and his Strack Racing Yamaha team took advantage of valuable testing time this spring, and they’re ready to come out swinging on their new Yamaha YZF-R1 Superbike effort. Photo by Brian J. Nelson.
Mission Foods M4 ECSTAR Suzuki rider Richie Escalante returns to the team aboard the GSX-R1000R. The Hidalgo, Mexico, native brings an unmatched level of grit and consistency, ensuring he will be a contender in every race and a thorn in the side of the championship favorites. Escalante is joined by multi-time Daytona 200 winner Brandon Paasch.
Hayden Gillim, from Owensboro, Kentucky, is back aboard the Real Steel Honda CBR1000RR-R Fireblade SP, bringing versatility and experience across multiple classes to the team’s Superbike effort. After scoring consistently in the points last season and continuing to refine Honda’s flagship literbike for the rigors of Superbike racing, Gillim looks to build on his momentum and keep climbing the class standings.
Cam Petersen returns to Superbike with Wrench Motorcycles aboard a Ducati Panigale V4 R, guided by the unique advantage of having his father (former 500cc Grand Prix road racer) Robbie as crew chief. After a top-five finish in the 2025 Supersport standings, Petersen brings veteran racecraft and a strategic riding style as he looks to leverage his tight-knit team dynamic to push for podiums in a fiercely competitive Superbike field.
Ashton Yates returns to Superbike with Jones Honda aboard a CBR1000RR-R Fireblade SP, bringing a blend of speed, determination, and technical precision. Yates enters 2026 aiming to translate last year’s consistency into podium finishes.
Rounding out the Superbike field is Max Flinders aboard his Thrashed Bike Racing Yamaha YZF-R1. The New Hampshire native is a gritty privateer who runs his own program.
Known for his never-quit attitude and strong connection with the fans, Flinders embodies the spirit of the privateer racer, often overcoming limited resources with sheer determination and a relentless work ethic on and off the track.
