50th Annual Race of Champions

The 50th Annual Race of Champions presented by Kawasaki, an AMA featured event and Pro-Am, runs October 1 to 4 at Raceway Park in Englishtown. Racing at Englishtown dates back to 1976, and this is the half century running of its signature race. Wednesday, September 30: gates open 7 PM to 10 PM. Thursday, October 1: optional practice day, gates open 7 AM to 11 PM, open practice 10 AM to 4 PM, activities to be announced. Friday, October 2: gates open 6:30 AM to 10 PM, practice starts 8:30 AM for one round, riders meeting after practice, racing after the riders meeting. All first motos and all LCQs run Friday, and the 11th Annual Whip Contest follows racing. Saturday, October 3: all classes race their 2nd and 3rd motos except 250 and Open A. The 250 and Open classes run two 20 minute motos plus 2 laps on Sunday. After racing comes the 85cc Relay Race, pairing a rider with an 85cc rider with awards to the top three, then the 8th Annual Pit Bike Race. Sunday, October 4: the 250 and Open A featured races, plus Exhibition Fast Fifties, the 65cc Kessler Cup, the 85cc Top Gun Shootout, the Ironman Classic, and new for 2026, King of the Vets, taking the top vet racers from the three moto format to decide a crown. Past Race of Champions entries include Bob Hannah, Ricky Carmichael, James Stewart, Jeff Emig, Travis Pastrana, Ryan Villopoto, Cooper Webb and Justin Barcia.