MX Sports Pro Racing and NBC Sports have revealed the 2018 Lucas Oil Pro Motocross Championship schedule, sanctioned by AMA Pro Racing.
The summer-long battle for one of the world's most prestigious title in off-road motorcycle racing will once again consist of 12 rounds, beginning with the Hangtown Motocross Classic, the oldest race in American motocross, on May 19.
Each stop of the championship will feature a pair of motos across the 450 Class and 250 Class, resulting in 24 grueling fights for victory in each division that will ultimately crown a pair of champions at season's end. The opening round from Hangtown, in the shadow of the California state capital of Sacramento, will celebrate its landmark 50th year in 2018 and will set the stage for a compelling summer of competition.
The championship's 11-state journey spans from the forests of the Pacific Northwest to the shores of New England. At the center of the schedule is legendary RedBud, which represents the sport's annual Independence Day tradition and was just revealed as the host venue for the 2018 FIM Motocross of Nations. The summer will come to a conclusion at American motocross' newest track, Ironman Raceway, which continues its rise in popularity amongst riders and fans alike.
"Following an incredible 2017 season that saw a pair of new champions emerge with American motocross' most esteemed title, it's anyone's guess as to who will make their presence felt in 2018," said MX Sports Pro Racing President Davey Coombs.
"We welcomed an array of new winners last season, and this new generation of riders is surely going to continue to showcase the bright future of the sport. So many of the tracks in the Lucas Oil Pro Motocross are etched in the annals of history, and they continue to thrill fans and challenge riders to the fullest. It's why winning this championship is such a milestone achievement for any racer."
The Lucas Oil Pro Motocross Championship has served as the preeminent competition in motocross since 1972, and remains arguably the most difficult championship to win in all of motorsports. Last season, Monster Energy Kawasaki's Eli Tomac broke through for his first 450 Class title, while Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing's Zach Osborne parlayed a breakout season into his first championship in the 250 Class.
2018 Lucas Oil Pro Motocross Championship Schedule
May 19 Hangtown Motocross Classic Prairie City SVRA Rancho Cordova, California
May 26 Glen Helen National Glen Helen Raceway San Bernardino, California
June 2 Thunder Valley National Thunder Valley MX Park Lakewood, Colorado
June 16 High Point National High Point Raceway Mt. Morris, Pennsylvania
June 23 Tennessee National Muddy Creek Raceway Blountville, Tennessee
June 30 Southwick National Southwick MX Park Southwick, Massachusetts
July 7 RedBud National RedBud MX Buchanan, Michigan
July 21 Spring Creek National Spring Creek MX Park Millville, Minnesota
July 28 Washougal National Washougal MX Park Washougal, Washington
Aug 11 Unadilla National Unadilla MX New Berlin, New York
Aug 18 Budds Creek National Budds Creek MX Park Mechanicsville, Maryland
Aug 25 Ironman National Ironman Raceway Crawfordsville, Indiana
