Eli Tomac Retires After 2026 SMX Playoffs
Motocross legend Eli Tomac will retire following the 2026 Monster Energy SMX World Championship playoffs, ending a career that included eight major championships.
Eli Tomac is retiring from professional off-road motorcycle racing. The Colorado racer will end his career after the 2026 Monster Energy SMX World Championship playoffs, according to a report from Roadracing World.
Tomac's decision concludes a run that began with a historic professional debut win at the 2010 Hangtown Motocross Classic. He secured the overall victory by winning the second moto that weekend. He finished second in his first full-time Supercross season the following year.
Championship Pedigree
Tomac's career is defined by sustained excellence and multiple championships. He won his first 250cc Divisional Supercross title in 2012 and followed it with the 250cc Pro Motocross championship in 2013. His dominance continued in the premier class.
Tomac captured six 450cc championships across Supercross and Pro Motocross. His first came in 2017, and he added titles in each of the next three seasons. In 2022, he achieved a rare sweep, winning both the 450cc Supercross and Pro Motocross championships in the same year.
| Championship | Year |
|---|---|
| 250cc Divisional Supercross | 2012 |
| 250cc Pro Motocross | 2013 |
| 450cc Pro Motocross | 2017 |
| 450cc Pro Motocross | 2018 |
| 450cc Pro Motocross | 2019 |
| 450cc Supercross | 2020 |
| 450cc Supercross | 2022 |
| 450cc Pro Motocross | 2022 |
Record-Breaking Legacy
Tomac leaves the sport with a place among its statistical giants. He sits second on the all-time 450cc Supercross wins list with 57 victories, behind only Jeremy McGrath's 72. In 450cc Pro Motocross, his 32 wins rank fourth all-time.
He leads the SMX League in career podium finishes with 240, surpassing Ricky Carmichael's 215. His 2022 success earned him an ESPN ESPY Award for Best Athlete in Men's Action Sports. That same year, he captained Team USA to its first Motocross of Nations victory in 11 years.
No track is more associated with Tomac than Daytona International Speedway. He holds a record eight victories there, winning his first in 2016 and six of the next seven races. He added an eighth win in 2026.
The Final Season and Farewell
Tomac remained a title contender until the end. He was third in the 2026 SMX standings after Nashville, just 15 points behind leader Hunter Lawrence. A crash during qualification in Cleveland caused a hip injury that sidelined him for multiple rounds.
He returned to conclude his Pro Motocross career with a top-five finish at the 2026 Ironman Raceway finale. Davey Coombs, President of MX Sports Pro Racing, reflected on Tomac's longevity. He noted Tomac won the first professional race he ever entered and began his final season with a win at the 2026 Anaheim Supercross opener.
Fans have three final chances to see Tomac race. The SMX playoffs begin on September 12 in Columbus, Ohio. They continue on September 19 in Los Angeles and conclude with the SMX World Championship Final on September 26 in Ridgedale, Missouri.
More Than a Racer
Industry figures highlighted Tomac's character. Dave Prater, Vice President of Supercross for Feld Motor Sports, praised his authenticity, saying he let his riding speak louder than words ever could.
Away from the track, Tomac was deeply involved in charity work. Through donations of customized gear and bike graphics, he helped raise greater than six-figure sums for St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. He regularly gave his time to promotional sessions for the Love Moto Stop Cancer initiative.
Tomac's career was nearly derailed by injury in 2015. After winning the first three motos of the Pro Motocross season, he crashed heavily at Thunder Valley, injuring both shoulders. The injuries required surgery and ended his season. He retires with his family, including his wife Jessica and their four children, celebrating a monumental career.
