The second gathering of the SMX Next – Motocross Scouting Moto Combine will take place this weekend at Ironman Raceway in Indiana, coinciding with the finale of the 2026 Monster Energy SMX World Championship regular season. Twenty-five elite amateur prospects will receive coaching from AMA Hall of Famers Broc Glover and Kevin Windham, alongside international stars Michael Byrne and Gareth Swanepoel.
The SMX Next initiative combines two summer Scouting Moto Combines at RedBud MX and Ironman Raceway with five winter and spring supercross races, culminating in the SMX Next World All-Stars during the SMX World Championship Playoffs. The programme provides a defined pathway for top A and B class prospects to reach professional level competition.
“SMX Next continues to show it is one of the most successful and proven development initiatives in motorsports,” said Jim Perry, Programme Director for the Scouting Moto Combine. “Our esteemed group of Rider Coaches play an integral role in fostering the progression of these talented racers. It will be even more impactful for this weekend’s group of prospects to immerse themselves in the championship atmosphere surrounding Ironman Raceway.”
The group of invited prospects was determined through collaboration with competing manufacturers including Honda, Husqvarna, Kawasaki, KTM, Suzuki, Triumph, and Yamaha. Many athletes have achieved success at the American Motocross Majors and the recent Monster Energy AMA Amateur National Motocross Championship at Loretta Lynn’s Ranch.
Highlighting the field is this year’s Nicky Hayden AMA Motocross Horizon Award recipient Landon Gibson from Rockstar Energy Husqvarna. Gibson finished 12th in his second Pro Motocross start at Budds Creek last weekend. He’ll face Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing’s Carson Wood, who swept the motos at the RedBud Combine in July, and Monster Energy Kawasaki Team Green’s Kade Johnson, who finished third at RedBud.
Additional notable entries include newly crowned AMA National Champions Tanner Dorman (EBR Performance Yamaha) and Tristan Prueitt (Team Husqvarna Amateur Racing), who battled at Loretta Lynn’s in the 250B and Schoolboy 2 divisions. Dorman claimed the 250B title whilst Prueitt swept all motos en route to the Schoolboy 2 championship.
Friday’s Combine will feature two 25-minute-plus-one-lap motos on the dynamic Ironman layout. All 25 prospects will participate in a special 10-minute practice session on the fully prepared track Saturday morning before opening ceremonies. Participants will also receive classroom-style education sessions on health, fitness, nutrition, and media engagement from industry leaders.
The programme has already produced impressive results, with Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing’s Haiden Deegan as its most high-profile graduate. Last weekend’s 250SMX Class podium at Budds Creek featured three Scouting Moto Combine winners: Honda HRC Progressive’s Chance Hymas and the Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing duo of Cole Davies and Landen Gordon.
Photo: MX Sports Pro Racing Media
