Congratulations Joel Hetrick on your 6x AMA Pro ATVMX Championship!

JOEL HETRICK SECURES CHAMPIONSHIP NUMBER SEVEN WITH PHOENIX RACING YAMAHA

A new challenge awaited the AMA Pro ATV Motocross Championship as the series made its first-ever visit to Baja Acres in Millington, Michigan, for round eight of the 2026 season. With an unfamiliar circuit awaiting every team, adaptability and execution quickly became the deciding factors as the racing surface evolved throughout the day. As the championship battle entered a pivotal stage, Phoenix Racing Yamaha and Joel Hetrick once again rose to the occasion, overcoming adversity while delivering another standout performance. By the end of the afternoon, the team had not only added another strong result to an already remarkable campaign but also celebrated the championship-clinching moment it had been building toward all season.

Mission Accomplished for Hetrick

All season long, Joel Hetrick had been building toward another championship, and the penultimate round of the AMA Pro ATV Motocross Championship provided the opportunity to make it official. The Phoenix Racing Yamaha rider continued the form that had defined his season by setting the fastest qualifying time, earning the first gate pick for the opening moto. When the gate dropped, Hetrick launched to another holeshot and immediately established himself at the front of the field. With clean, consistent laps, he settled into a comfortable rhythm and controlled the pace from the opening lap, answering every challenge from the riders behind while never relinquishing the lead. As the laps wound down, Hetrick remained composed and mistake-free, leading every circuit before taking the checkered flag for another convincing moto victory.

With another overall win within reach, Hetrick lined up for moto two and once again established himself among the front-runners. Running comfortably in second for much of the race, he remained patient as he stalked the leader, waiting for the right moment to make his move. As the closing laps approached, the gap began to shrink and the battle for the lead was beginning to take shape before an unfortunate technical issue on lap ten abruptly ended his afternoon. Although the setback left Hetrick fourth overall for the day, the result did little to overshadow the moment that had been building all season. As the points were finalized, Hetrick officially secured his seventh AMA Pro ATV Motocross Championship, extending his total to 393 points and building a lead of more than sixty points with one round remaining. The title marked another historic milestone for Hetrick, adding a seventh premier-class championship to an already legendary career.

"So stoked to wrap up my seventh championship! Sealing the deal with two rounds still to go feels incredible. I qualified first, grabbed the holeshot in moto one, and led every

lap. My goal was to win that first moto and lock up the championship, so it was awesome to accomplish exactly what I came here to do. Moto two started well, too. I came out in second and was battling for the lead. With about five laps to go, I made a hard charge and was closing the gap when a throttle cable issue ended my race.”

“It was disappointing because I felt strong all day, and the Phoenix Racing Yamaha crew had my quad dialed in exactly where it needed to be. It was a little bit of bad luck that kept me off the overall podium, but in the end, we won the bigger battle and brought home championship number seven. I couldn't be happier, and I'm looking forward to the final round to leave it all on the track and finish the season strong.” - Joel Hetrick

Joel Hetrick’s seventh AMA Pro ATV Motocross Championship also marks the seventh premier class title for Phoenix Racing, with both rider and organization claiming their first together in 2017. The championship is Hetrick’s fifth consecutive ATVMX title, tying Chad Wienen for the second-longest championship streak in the premier class, trailing only Gary Denton’s record of eight straight titles. The title also moves Hetrick one championship behind Denton and Wienen on the all-time premier class championship list, with both riders sitting tied at eight titles apiece. Finally, it marks the fifth ATVMX championship won aboard the Yamaha YFZ450 for both Phoenix Racing and Joel Hetrick.

Owner’s Insight

“I can never fully express how proud I am of Joel Hetrick. Year after year, he continues to prove that he has the drive, commitment, and sportsmanship to lead the ATVMX series. This championship is another reflection of that, but who he is when the helmet comes off is what truly makes him a champion. As a team, we’ve made huge strides over the past few seasons to build a program that allows Joel to be the best version of himself. I want to thank Yamaha and everyone in our corner for their continued support. We’re going to enjoy this championship, but it’s also time to focus on finishing the season strong and carrying this momentum into QXON.” — David Eller, Team Owner, Phoenix Racing

ATVMX: Round 8 - Baja Acres Results

1. Brandon Hoag - Yamaha | Moto one - 2nd / Moto two - 1st
2. Max Linquist - Yamaha | Moto one - 4th / Moto two - 2nd
3. Mason Jackson - Yamaha | Moto one - 3rd / Moto two - 3rd
4. Joel Hetrick - Yamaha | Moto one - 1st / Moto two - 10th

Points Standings - Post Round 8

1. Joel Hetrick - Yamaha | 393 points - CHAMPION
2. Brandon Hoag - Yamaha | 331 points
3. Max Linquist - Yamaha | 206 points

About Phoenix Racing

Founded in 2012, Phoenix Ra

cing is a North Carolina-based motorsports team that competes across multiple disciplines on both two and four wheels. The championship-winning team has earned titles in AMA Arenacross, ATV Motocross, GNCC, and Sprint Enduro, while continuing to expand its presence in AMA Supercross and Pro Motocross.