Daytona Proposed As Future SuperMotocross Playoff Host
Daytona International Speedway officials are seeking to host a round of the SuperMotocross playoffs starting in 2027 or 2028.
Updated on Oct. 13, 2026 in Motorsports
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Should iconic racing venues modify their tracks to host new motocross playoff events?
Daytona International Speedway president Frank Kelleher has proposed bringing a SuperMotocross playoff round to the Florida venue. The track aims to join the series rotation to expand the facility's legacy in two-wheeled racing.
Why it matters
Management at Daytona International Speedway wants to secure anchor events for the track to supplement rotating venues. The SuperMotocross World Championship is looking to solidify its long-term schedule as it balances various host locations.
The 2026 season featured a total of 31 races across the series. Designer Ricky Carmichael has completed 20 consecutive Supercross course designs at the speedway.
The players
Frank Kelleher
He serves as the president of Daytona International Speedway and is spearheading the effort to bring a playoff round to the facility.
Ricky Carmichael
A legendary figure in motocross, he works as a track designer and has partnered with the speedway for two decades of course development.
The details
President Frank Kelleher plans to collaborate with designer Ricky Carmichael and Dirt Wurx to develop track configurations that integrate motocross elements into the speedway. Potential layouts would utilize unused areas near Turn 4 and the facility's existing road course.
Timeline
The 2026 SuperMotocross season consisted of 31 total races.
The official SuperMotocross World Championship playoff venues for 2027 will be revealed in December 2026.
Ridgedale, Missouri, is scheduled to host the SuperMotocross Finale in 2027, 2028, and 2029.
Season Trajectory
Daytona's bid represents an attempt to become a permanent fixture in the series rotation alongside sites like Columbus and Carson. This shift would fundamentally alter the championship's geographic balance and playoff structure beginning in 2027.
A successful bid would bring high-stakes playoff racing to the region, changing the championship math for riders competing in the season-ending rounds. Fans in Florida would see the track layout altered by specialized dirt features, moving beyond traditional speedway racing.
The takeaway
Securing a major playoff round would solidify the speedway's status as a premier destination for diverse racing disciplines. Developing complex motocross courses within a speedway footprint remains a technical challenge for organizers and designers.
What happens next
The SuperMotocross World Championship is expected to announce its selected playoff venues in December 2026.
Further reading
For more information on the evolving series schedule, visit Motorsports.
Source note: This article includes information reported by NBC Sports.
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Should iconic racing venues modify their tracks to host new motocross playoff events?
