ARLINGTON, Texas – Monster Energy Star Racing announced Eli Tomac will extend his contract and race the full Lucas Oil Pro Motocross season and the inaugural SuperMotocross (SMX) championship.
In 2022, Tomac swept both dirt motorcycle championships, wrapping up his Supercross title with one race remaining on the schedule and by surviving a fierce battle with Chase Sexton in the outdoor series. He now has an opportunity to claim three titles in a season with the new three-round playoffs to end the year.
“At the beginning of the season, I truly thought this was going to be a farewell tour, but I’ve been having too much fun racing my motorcycle,” Tomac said in a press release. “I have been enjoying every minute along the way with the team, so I’m excited to announce that I will be racing the entire SMX series.”
Tomac started the season strong with back-to-back wins in the season opener in Anaheim, California and San Diego. Despite serious challenges in Anaheim 2 and Tampa, he has held onto the red plate signifying his points lead through the first six rounds. He enters this weekend’s Supercross round in Arlington seven points ahead of Sexton and Cooper Webb.
“We’re thrilled to have Eli on board for the entire SMX season,” said Jeremy Coker, Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing Team Manager. “It’s been a great start to 2023, and he has been riding phenomenally. We look to keep that momentum going for the rest of the year and defend the 450 titles in both supercross and motocross, and take the title in this first SuperMotocross World Championship.”
Tomac entered the 2023 season with four Motocross (2022, 2019, 2018 and 2017) and two Supercross (2022, 2020) titles. He was the runner-up in Motocross in 2016 and 2021. In 2015, 2017 and 2019, Tomac finished second in Supercross. In fact, he has not been outside the top three in points in either series since 2017.
Tomac opened the season by breaking out of a tie with Chad Reed for fourth on the Supercross wins list with 44. Last week in Oakland, Tomac won his 48th round and tied Ricky Carmichael for third. He is now just two away from catching James Stewart.