Words and images courtesy Toyota Redlands BarX Yamaha
Round 6 of the 2026 SMX World Championship marks a significant weekend for the Western Divisional 250SMX Class of the AMA Supercross Championship, as the Seattle stop will serve as the final race of the region’s opening stretch before settling into a midseason break. The importance of the weekend, which is poised to set the tone for the final four races of the season, will be magnified by potentially challenging weather conditions and what could also be the coldest temperatures the racers will face all year. Nevertheless, the Toyota Redlands BarX Yamaha duo of Parker Ross and Lux Turner are both riding a wave of momentum coming off their best effort of the season at the previous round and confidence is high as they travel to the Pacific Northwest.
#40 Parker Ross
A third consecutive top-10 finish for Ross last weekend saw a little bit of everything from the sophomore rider. He showcased his improvements out the gate with consistently strong starts, proved he has the speed to contend at the upper end of the division every time he took to the track, and displayed an impressive ability to carve through the field and climb up the running order. Each week has been a building block for Ross and it seems he’s able to respond to virtually any situation he may find himself in. His notable progression since the start of the season has seen him become more confident in both his bike and his abilities and it’d be fitting for his upward trend to peak in Seattle with another memorable outing that sends him into the break on a high note.
Qualifying Results
Anaheim 1 // 17th place
San Diego // 15th place
Anaheim 2 // 12th place
Glendale // 6th place
Heat Race Results
Anaheim 1 // 9th place
San Diego // 6th place
Anaheim 2 // 6th place
Glendale // 8th place
Main Event Results
Anaheim 1 // 14th place
San Diego // 11th place
Anaheim 2 // 9th place
Glendale // 10th place
Triple Crown Results
Houston // 12th place Qualifying – 9th place Overall (9-8-9)
Current Western Division 250SMX Standing
9th place (-61)
#42 Dilan Schwartz
Schwartz continues his recovery from injuries sustained in a qualifying crash in Houston. While he’ll unfortunately be forced to miss out on a third night of racing, his prospects for a return to action in the near future are high. Currently, Schwartz and the team are setting their sights on the first East/West Showdown of the season in Birmingham on March 21, which would mark the first race for the West Division following the post-Seattle break.
#43 Lux Turner
Like his teammate, Turner enjoyed a well-rounded effort last weekend that ultimately resulted in season-best efforts in qualifying (eighth place), the Heat Race (third place), and the Main Event (11th place). Considering where he began the year in January to where he is now, Turner’s return to form has been nothing short of impressive. He’s weathered through an array of ups and downs in his comeback from offseason wrist injuries, but has taken everything in stride and has never lost sight of his long-term goal to race his way back into form. If his performance at the previous race was any indication, Turner is closing in on his full potential and could find himself in the thick of battle in Seattle. Another strong outing, combined with some downtime to really focus on getting back into race shape, could be a recipe for success for the second half of the season.
Qualifying Results
Anaheim 1 // 14th place
San Diego // 12th place
Anaheim 2 // 19th place
Glendale // 8th place
Heat Race Results
Anaheim 1 // 7th place
San Diego // 7th place
Anaheim 2 // 7th place
Glendale // 3rd place
Main Event Results
Anaheim 1 // 15th place
San Diego // 13th place
Anaheim 2 // 19th place
Glendale // 11th place
Triple Crown Results
Houston // 11th place Qualifying – 13th place Overall (11-10-17)
Current Western Division 250SMX Standing
13th place (-79)
#154 Leo Tucker
A welcome return to action last weekend for Tucker fittingly saw the rookie at his best yet in the Supercross discipline. Although he came less than a tenth of a second shy of qualifying for the “Fast 40” for the first time in his career, the effort provided a major boost in confidence for Tucker as he continues to adapt to the speed, technicality, and precision of stadium racing. He’s taken advantage of the opportunity this week to learn from his most recent experience, gain some more insights from his teammates, and push himself to a new level while training alongside Ross and Turner. There wouldn’t be a better way for Tucker to head into the break than to achieve a career milestone in Seattle.
“It’s been another great week with all the guys. Even though the forecast may not be ideal this weekend, we didn’t really do anything different to prepare. We just stuck to what we’ve been doing because it’s been working. We’re looking to keep the momentum rolling into Seattle and control the things we can control. Getting solid starts, keeping the bike on two wheels, and putting together consistent laps every time we’re on the track. We’ll continue to focus on ourselves and let everything else play out around us.” – Bradley Taft, Team Manager
