2026 SEASON PREVIEW

The 2026 AMSOIL Championship Off-Road presented by BRUNT Workwear is set to kick off with momentum, storylines, and depth across every class, from youth divisions to the premier PRO categories. With returning champions, rising stars, new equipment, and key driver changes throughout the field, this season promises intense competition and unpredictable championship battles from the opening green flag.

The 170 SxS class continues to serve as a key developmental platform for the next generation of off-road racers, delivering tight, competitive racing and valuable seat time throughout the season. Drivers in the class consistently gain experience in racecraft, consistency, and car control, often battling door-to-door across the entire field. In 2025, Polaris swept the top three spots in the championship standings, with Miles Pakenham leading the way ahead of Jersey Kleikamp and Tucker Pakenham, as Miles edged Jersey by just nine points in a close title fight. As these young competitors continue to progress, the Combat Clean 170 SxS division remains a critical stepping stone within AMSOIL Championship Off-Road. Adding to the excitement in 2026, the Yokohama Hard Charger award will continue in the class, recognizing drivers who make the biggest moves through the field and rewarding determination and race-day performance.

The 200 SxS class delivered on its promise in its inaugural season, showcasing tight racing and a wave of emerging talent. Grayson Forseth set the standard from the outset, capturing the championship with seven wins and nine podiums, highlighted by a dominant sweep at Bark River. Axel Dreher proved to be a consistent challenger throughout the year, collecting three wins and seven podiums to secure second in the standings, while Dallas Carlson rounded out the top three with one win and eight podium finishes in a strong debut campaign. With a full season now under its belt, the Hometown Manufacturing 200 SxS division heads into 2026 with momentum and a growing field of young drivers ready to build on an already competitive foundation.

The 570 SxS class heads into the 2026 season wide open after a 2025 campaign that showcased both dominance and consistency at the front. Kody Krantz secured the championship with a complete performance that included four wins, nine podiums, and eleven top-five finishes, maintaining control of the standings throughout the year. Peyton Weisbrod stayed close behind with one win and eight podiums to finish second, while Raymond Deininger proved to be the fastest driver in the field with eight victories and nine podiums, ultimately placing third after missing early rounds. However, the landscape shifts dramatically for 2026, as the top three finishers—Krantz, Weisbrod, and Madisyn Winistorfer—along with wins leader Deininger have all moved up to other classes. Their departures leave the championship picture completely open, setting the stage for a new group of contenders to emerge in what promises to be a highly competitive and unpredictable season.

Short Course Kart once again showcased its excitement during the 2025 season, producing one of the closest championship battles across all divisions. Gabe Holtger ultimately came out on top, using a combination of three wins and eight podium finishes to edge out the competition in a season filled with momentum swings. Roman Tullberg stayed right in the fight with three wins and six podiums, while Jacobi Tullberg remained a constant threat, tallying two wins and eight podiums to secure third in a tightly contested standings battle. As the class looks ahead to 2026, movement within the ranks continues, with Jacobi Tullberg set to make his Mod Kart debut at Antigo, marking the next step in his progression up the short-course ladder.

The Holtger Bros. Mod Kart once again lived up to its reputation as a proving ground for future stars, delivering deep fields and intense competition throughout the 2025 season. Lincoln Mandsager emerged as the driver to beat, capturing five wins and ten podiums, highlighted by dominant sweeps at ERX and Dirt City on his way to the championship. Wesley Vande Voort made a strong late-season push, including a Crandon sweep, to finish second, while Brixton Wirt added a win and six podiums to secure third in a highly competitive field. Looking ahead to 2026, Mandsager returns to defend his title, while both he and Vande Voort will take the next step by making their PRO SPEC debuts. Meanwhile, Corbyn Wassenberg, who recorded six top-five finishes in 2025, continues to expand his racing resume as he prepares to make his Dirt Late Model debut this summer.

The Shopardracing.com Youth SxS class turns the page to 2026 after a 2025 season that perfectly highlighted the balance between speed and consistency. Kody Krantz secured the championship with a steady campaign of two wins and nine podiums, edging out Isaac Otto, who stayed in contention all year with one win and ten podium finishes. Logan Fritzinger proved to be the fastest driver in the field with an impressive ten wins, but penalties ultimately relegated him to third in the final standings. With all three top finishers moving up to Sportsman SxS for 2026, the class sees a complete reset at the front, opening the door for a new group of contenders. Leading that next wave are Peyton Weisbrod, the runner-up in 570 SxS, and Madisyn Winistorfer, who finished third in the same division, both looking to make an immediate impact as they step into Youth SxS competition.

Experience once again rose to the top in the 1600 Light Buggy class, as Greg Stingle delivered a methodical 2025 campaign to secure his eighth career championship. With seven podiums, a win at Bark River, and twelve top-five finishes, Stingle controlled the standings from start to finish, holding off a competitive field. Jake Schilleman’s consistency earned him second with five podiums, while Connor Schulz proved to be the class’s fastest driver with nine wins and multiple sweeps, though early-season setbacks ultimately left him third in points. Heading into 2026, the landscape shifts as Schulz steps away from Light Buggy, ending a five-year stretch where he and his twin brother Colin dominated the win column. The class remains stacked with proven winners, as Stingle, Schilleman, Evan Hockers, Joe Jorgensen, Tom Perryman, and Dylan Rohloff have all stood atop the podium since 2024. Adding even more depth, Aiden Wandahsega, Eugene Reinke Jr., Jake Dischler, and Adam Heikkila each earned podium finishes in 2025 and are poised to challenge, setting up what could be one of the tightest and most competitive points battles of the 2026 season.

The 1600 Single Buggy class heads into the 2026 season after another year that showcased the importance of balancing speed with consistency. In 2025, Michael Seefeldt captured his seventh championship by delivering steady results across the board, finishing with two wins, six podiums, and ten top-ten finishes to maintain control of the standings from early in the season. Taylor Roloff mirrored that consistency with two wins and six podiums of his own to secure second, while Connor Schulz proved to be the fastest driver on track with seven wins and nine podiums, though two zero-point rounds ultimately cost him in the championship fight. Looking ahead, the competition remains deep beyond the returning frontrunners, with Donald “Hoss” Writesel building on a pair of podiums from a part-time 2025 effort, Jake Schilleman stepping up after finishing as the Light Buggy runner-up and planning to run both classes, and Collin Byer carrying momentum from his first—and so far only—career victory in the World Championship round at Crandon.

The Race-Driven Sportsman SxS division enters the 2026 season following a dominant 2025 campaign led by Code St. Peter, who set the standard with seven wins and eleven podiums, including a commanding sweep at ERX Motor Park, on his way to a 62-point championship margin. Bryce Carlson’s consistent effort—highlighted by one win and eight podiums—secured second in points, while Carson Hill added two victories and five podium finishes to complete a strong top three. However, the class will see significant turnover in 2026, as St. Peter and Hill both move up to PRO AM SxS, joined by Hudson Houle, who finished sixth in points with two wins of his own. Their departures open the door for a new wave of contenders, including a talented group of newcomers stepping up from other divisions: Isaac Otto, the 2025 Youth SxS runner-up; Logan Fritzinger, who tallied ten wins in Youth SxS; Kody Krantz, the reigning 570 SxS champion; and Raymond Deininger, who captured eight wins in the 570 SxS class.

The Stock Truck division heads into the 2026 season with momentum carried over from a tightly contested 2025 championship fight where consistency proved to be the deciding factor. Brian Peot emerged on top with a standout campaign that included five wins, nine podiums, and eleven top-five finishes, allowing him to take control of the standings down the stretch. Dustin Rogaczewski stayed within striking distance all season long, matching the pace with four wins and ten podiums, while Tyler Hoffman rounded out the top three with a Bark River victory and six podium finishes of his own. With all three top finishers returning for 2026, the battle at the front is expected to be just as intense. Adding another layer to the competition, the Duvall Speed Barn team—featuring Peot and Super Stock Truck contender Scott Boulanger—expands its program by bringing in Shaun Besson to campaign a second Stock Truck entry, strengthening an already formidable lineup.

Widely regarded as the deepest and most competitive division in off-road racing, PIRTEK Super Stock Truck heads into the 2026 season following another year of intense, down-to-the-wire action. In 2025, Nick Byng emerged as champion by pairing patience with precision, collecting three wins and an impressive twelve podiums to edge out a stacked field. Scott Boulanger showcased raw speed with six wins and seven podiums to finish second, while defending champion Cory Holtger leaned on consistency—two wins, six podiums, and eleven top-five finishes—to secure third. As the new season begins, familiar contenders remain in the mix, including Braden Beauchamp, who returns after three consecutive top-four finishes in the class along with two World Championships. A rising group of drivers also looks poised to break through, highlighted by Colt Wierzba, who earned three podiums in 2025 including a career-best second at Dirt City, Brad Barglind entering his third year in the class, and Matt Pyburn as another driver to watch in an already stacked field.

The Speedwerx PRO AM SxS class enters the 2026 season facing a major reset after one of the most unpredictable championship battles in AMSOIL Championship Off-Road last year. Matthew Boerschinger emerged on top in 2025 by mastering consistency in a class that saw eight different winners, using a single victory and three podium finishes to secure the title. Behind him, Lucas Houle and Bill Berger brought speed and late-season strength, but both are among several top contenders no longer in the class. In total, five of the top ten drivers in points have moved on, including Houle, Berger, Cody Jones, and Ben Heiting—all stepping up to PRO STOCK SxS—while Braden Kernz takes the year off. The turnover opens the door for a new wave of talent, led by 2025 Sportsman SxS champion Code St. Peter and runner-up Carson Hill, who both move up into PRO AM SxS looking to make an immediate impact in 2026.

The UTV Race Shop PRO AM Turbo SxS class heads into its second season in 2026 after an impressive debut year that featured one of the most competitive championship battles in AMSOIL Championship Off-Road. Rick Schroeder emerged as the inaugural champion in dominant fashion, piling up seven wins and ten podiums, including a sweep at ERX Motor Park, to secure the title. Benjamin Heiting kept the pressure on throughout the season with three wins and seven podiums, while Rory Navin’s consistent nine-podium campaign and Bark River victory locked him into third in a tightly contested fight. As the new season begins, Schroeder returns to defend his title and will be joined by Kevin Hall, who showed strong pace with four podiums despite running a partial schedule in 2025. Colin Greenfield is another driver to watch after earning a season-best second-place finish in the final round last year. Meanwhile, the class will see a notable change as Benjamin Heiting departs to focus on PRO STOCK SxS, opening the door for new challengers to emerge in 2026.

In PRO Buggy, the 2026 season begins with momentum still centered around defending champion Chaden Minder, who stormed to the 2025 AMSOIL Championship Off-Road title with a dominant second-half surge. Minder won four of the final six rounds, turning a tight points battle into a decisive championship run, capped by a clutch victory at Glen Helen Raceway where he held off Jordan Bernloehr and Billy Buth to secure the title. His late-season speed and ability to deliver under pressure established him as the benchmark heading into the new year. The competition, however, is evolving, as Chase Gerer returns with a brand new car for 2026, aiming to close the gap to the front. The class also welcomes an intriguing group of newcomers, including Beau Ambos, the 2024 1600 Buggy World Champion, and Ryan Mottinger, who finished eighth in 1600 Buggy points in 2025, adding fresh talent and depth to an already competitive field.

In Wilwood Disc Brakes PRO STOCK SxS, the 2026 season opens with a major shakeup following Owen VanEperen’s dominant 2025 championship run in AMSOIL Championship Off-Road. VanEperen was nearly unstoppable a year ago, stringing together a seven-race win streak and finishing with ten victories and fourteen podiums, often controlling races from the front while also showcasing the ability to battle back through the field when needed. His performance at Glen Helen Raceway, including a pivotal comeback drive late in the season, sealed the title in commanding fashion. However, VanEperen will not compete full time in 2026, leaving a significant void at the top of the class and opening the door for a new championship contender to emerge. Early in the year, another storyline to watch will be CJ Greaves, who is sidelined for the first two weekends as he recovers from knee surgery, with Robert Loire stepping in as a fill-in driver to start the season.

The AMSOIL PRO SxS class enters the 2026 season with a shifting landscape following Owen VanEperen’s championship-winning 2025 campaign. Owen and Rodney Van Eperen will not compete full time, opening the door for new contenders to emerge. Among those to watch is Leland Thyes, who earned the Champ Off-Road Resilience Award in 2025 and looks to build on that momentum. The early rounds will also feature a notable substitution, as CJ Greaves continues to recover from knee surgery and will miss the first two weekends, with Robert Loire stepping in as a fill-in driver.

The PRO SPEC class heads into the 2026 season following one of the closest championship battles in AMSOIL Championship Off-Road history. In 2025, Wyatt Miller delivered a breakthrough performance, securing his first career short-course title at just 13 years old . The championship ultimately came down to the final turns at Glen Helen Raceway, where Miller’s late-season consistency proved decisive in edging out Chris Van Den Elzen by just 17 points. Van Den Elzen, a constant contender throughout the season, returns in 2026 alongside Nick Visser, both drivers debuting brand new trucks as they look to challenge for the title. Also returning is Avery Hemmer, who earned a victory in 2025 and adds even more momentum after capturing the Pro Am Women’s championship in AMSOIL Championship Snocross during the 2025–2026 season, bringing additional versatility and confidence into the new year.

The Combat Clean PRO LITE class enters the 2026 season following a commanding 2025 campaign from Johnny Holtger, who put together one of the most complete seasons in recent memory.  With his second PRO LITE championship now in hand (adding to his 2020 crown), Holtger moves on from the class to focus on PRO2 and PRO4, leaving the door open for a new title contender in 2026. Early in the season, that battle will already see adjustments, as Connor Barry is sidelined for the opener at Wheatland due to a knee injury, with Drake Mittag stepping in as a fill-in driver.

The PRO2 class heads into 2026 with a strong spotlight on reigning champion Keegan Kincaid, who captured the 2025 AMSOIL Championship Off-Road title through a season marked by resilience, momentum, and clutch performances. Kincaid racked up six wins and seven podiums, including a dramatic and widely discussed victory at Crandon International Raceway that proved pivotal in swinging the championship battle in his favor during a dominant mid-season surge. Despite entering the year as somewhat of an underdog following a limited 2024 campaign, he pieced together a full-season effort and ultimately clinched the title at the finale by a narrow margin, fending off a hard-charging Ryan Beat.  Looking ahead, Johnny Holtger returns with renewed potential, now equipped with a brand new truck built by former PRO2 champion Mike Vanden Heuvel after previously campaigning the oldest chassis in the field.

The PRO4 class enters the 2026 season with several notable storylines already taking shape. Defending contender CJ Greaves will miss the opening four rounds in Wheatland and Antigo as he recovers from off-season knee surgery, with PRO2 standout Kyle Greaves stepping in to fill the seat early in the year. Meanwhile, Mickey Thomas returns for his sophomore campaign with added momentum, debuting a brand new truck built by Chad Mittag . Digging Deeper Racing, where Paul Wolff and Justin Wills have made an investment in a brand new Greaves chassis during the offseason.