Daytona International Speedway, Daytona Beach, FL — February 26, 2026
The 85th Annual Bike Week at DAYTONA Presented by GEICO kicks off this weekend at Daytona International Speedway with the 2026 DAYTONA Supercross, part of the Monster Energy SMX World Championship.
Five-time DAYTONA Supercross Champion Ricky Carmichael has designed yet another grueling course for the 19th consecutive year, with the 2026 layout presenting some different challenges for riders that will result in more extreme riding than in years past.
“We’re extremely grateful to have the GOAT, Ricky Carmichael, design the DAYTONA Supercross course for what will be an unforgettable event in 2026,” said Frank Kelleher, Daytona International Speedway President. “It’s always exciting to see Ricky’s creativity be implemented into the course design each year as he has an incredible eye to challenge riders for this event. We can’t wait to welcome back our fans for a legendary night to kick off a full slate of Bike Week activities at the World Center of Racing.”
The 2026 course layout is going to generate nail-biting racing as riders will start by making a right-handed first corner. As the riders head towards pit lane, they’ll encounter a series of smaller jumps going towards Turn 4, the exit of the NASCAR DAYTONA track. Instead of going all the way across the frontstretch like last year, riders will encounter a stadium-style triple jump leading into a back-and-forth section. The iconic tunnel jump returns to the 2026 course design that leads into a split lane section across the start of the course. Fans can expect intense, edge of your seat racing for the dynamic DAYTONA Supercross course.
“It’s always an honor to design the DAYTONA Supercross track at such a legendary venue for all forms of racing, I’m truly proud to play a small part in it every year,” said Ricky Carmichael. “For this year’s layout, I kept several fan-favorite elements while mixing up the layout to create one of the most challenging courses the riders will face all season. The growth of this event in recent years has been incredible. As the only Supercross race in my home state of Florida this season, I can’t wait to see the fans come out in force to watch the world’s best racers compete for the most coveted trophy on the SX circuit. Winning at Daytona simply means more.”
“Looks like a classic Daytona track. My favorite thing about Daytona is how the layout breaks down for the Main Events; it has all the technical aspects that bring the whole evening together,” said Eli Tomac, seven-time DAYTONA Supercross champion. “It always looks good, with high-speed sections, technical rhythm lanes, and those motocross-style segments mixed in. It’s a really nice blend. I am ready for it and always have been.”
Last time these riders took center stage at the World Center of Racing, veteran rider Ken Roczen captured the victory in his 11th attempt for glory at DIS, with Cooper Webb and Aaron Plessinger rounding out the podium. This served as Roczen’s first career DAYTONA Supercross victory, cementing him in the history books of all the famed winners at the iconic venue.
Jeremy McGrath Named Grand Marshal for DAYTONA Supercross
Daytona International Speedway announced today that legendary Jeremy McGrath will serve as the grand marshal for the 56th running of DAYTONA Supercross.
“Jeremy’s impact on Supercross is generational and having him serve as the grand marshal will bring an energy like no other to DAYTONA Supercross,” said Frank Kelleher, President of Daytona International Speedway. “His legacy and connection to the sport and fans perfectly reflects motocross and he will set the tone for an unforgettable night at The World Center of Racing.”
McGrath is one of the most iconic and influential riders in the history of motorcycle racing. He has a long list of wins including seven AMA Supercross 250cc Championships, one 250cc AMA Motocross championship, two 125cc West championships and a record 72 premier class supercross wins.
As a true legend in the sport, he holds the second-highest record for most wins in AMA Supercross and motocross combined at 89 wins and was inducted into the Motorcycle Hall of Fame in 2003.
While he didn’t get his start in motocross until the age of 14, he has impressively coined the title “King of Supercross” to reflect his success on the dirt. His career was greatly shaped by his BMX background, which inspired his signature move, the “Nac Nac” trick.
“It’s truly an honor to be named Grand Marshal of the 56th running of the legendary Daytona Supercross,” said McGrath. “As the longest-running Supercross race in the United States, Daytona has an unmatched history. I was fortunate to win here three times during my career, and each victory stands out because Daytona is demanding, technical, and built to push every rider to their limit. There’s a certain prestige that comes with winning at Daytona — it’s where champions prove themselves. The fans, the atmosphere, and the legacy of this place make it one of the most exciting stops on the schedule. To be back at Daytona in this role is incredibly humbling, and I’m proud to be part of another chapter in its iconic history.”
The Lasco Press will be at Daytona for Round 8 of the Monster Energy AMA Supercross World Championship.
Bike Week is a ten-day motorcycle celebration kicking off on Feb. 27, and continuing through March 8, following the intense, high-speed racing of the DAYTONA 200 running from March 5-7 along with DAYTONA Short Track taking place March 5-6.
To purchase tickets or for more information on DAYTONA Supercross or Bike Week At DAYTONA Presented by GEICO, please visit www.daytonainternationalspeedway.com.
Fans can also stay connected with Daytona International Speedway via www.daytonainternationalspeedway.com, on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram, as well as the all-new NASCAR Tracks App, for the latest speedway news.
