The 2026 season opener in Blythe delivered exactly what fans have come to expect from desert racing: rough conditions, tight battles, and momentum swings that kept outcomes uncertain until the very end. With the Pro section already showing significant wear during the MC races earlier in the weekend, the ATV Pro and Pro-Am fields were met with a demanding track that rewarded precision, consistency, and smart race management.

The Pro ATV race wasted no time creating drama. Travis Damon’s race took an early hit on the opening lap with a hard get-off that reshuffled the front of the field almost immediately. That incident allowed Max Lindquist to take control of the lead early, and he quickly settled into a strong rhythm, laying down consistent laps and building a small buffer over the rest of the field. As the race developed, Lindquist continued to click off steady lap times while Damon worked his way back through the pack. Damon’s pace improved as the race went on, and by the middle portion of the race, he began cutting into Lindquist’s lead with faster laps through the roughening Pro section. The contrast in strategy became clear: Lindquist focused on minimizing mistakes and keeping lines clean, while Damon pushed hard to make up lost time. That pressure eventually paid off, as Damon tracked Lindquist down and made the pass to move into the lead. For several laps, Damon looked poised to complete a remarkable recovery, maintaining strong lap times despite the physical toll of the track. However, Lindquist stayed within striking distance, refusing to let the gap grow.

The deciding moment came on the final lap. With both riders navigating heavily deteriorated sections of the course, Lindquist found an opportunity, executed a clean pass, and retook the lead in the closing moments of the race. He crossed the line first to claim his first Pro ATV victory of the 2026 season. Damon secured second after an impressive comeback ride, while Beau Baron maintained a consistent pace throughout the race to lock down third place. Baron’s ability to avoid major mistakes and keep lap times steady as conditions worsened proved crucial in holding onto a podium position.

The Pro-Am race delivered its own share of intensity, with the top three trading momentum throughout the event. Eduardo Rojas established himself early as the rider to beat, running near the front from the opening laps and posting consistent times as others began to struggle with the track. Rojas’ clean execution through the Pro section allowed him to maintain control of the race as conditions deteriorated. Behind him, Daven Desilva applied pressure throughout the middle stages, matching Rojas’ pace on several laps and keeping the gap manageable. Desilva’s strongest runs came during the mid-race stretch, where he briefly closed the distance and forced Rojas to stay sharp. However, Rojas responded with a series of composed laps, reasserting control and opening a slight gap heading into the final portion of the race. Torey Matajcich rounded out the podium after a steady and disciplined ride. While he didn’t challenge for the lead outright, Matajcich remained consistent and capitalized as other riders made mistakes in the rougher sections. His lap times stayed remarkably even late in the race, allowing him to solidify third place and secure a well-earned podium finish. Rojas went on to take the Pro-Am win, with Desilva finishing second and Matajcich completing the top three after a strong showing over the full race distance.

The Women’s Pro ATV race took place on Saturday and saw Torey Matajcich deliver a statement performance to open the 2026 season. Matajcich set the tone early, quickly establishing the lead and maintaining control with smooth, consistent laps throughout the race. Her pace never wavered, and she managed the race with confidence, showing she is fully prepared to recapture her championship title. Layne Fryar settled into second place after a strong start, maintaining steady lap times and keeping pressure on Matajcich throughout the race. Bailey Baron rounded out the podium in third, delivering a solid ride and maintaining consistency across the race distance. Matajcich capped off an impressive weekend by also landing on the Pro-Am podium, underscoring her versatility and momentum heading into the remainder of the season.