MotoAmerica, North America’s premier motorcycle road racing series, is pleased to announce that young flat track racers can now earn qualifying points for the Mission Mini Cup National Finals via the Mission Foods Winter Throwdown flat track, scheduled for January 15-17 at Callahan Speedway in Callahan, Florida.
The Mission Foods Winter Throwdown is the “biggest amateur flat track race in the world,” with the AMA-sanctioned event attracting flat track racers from around the globe.
Racers who compete in any of the Throwdown’s youth classes will earn 10 championship qualifying points, giving flat track racers the opportunity to try their hand at road racing without starting with a points deficit for the Mission Foods National Finals, which will take place at Road America in Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin, August 7-9, 2026.
Flat track racing has long been a feeder system to road racing, dating back to when the AMA Grand National Championship consisted of both road racing and flat track. The idea that flat trackers made good road racers was proven when three-time AMA Grand National Champion Kenny Roberts won the first of his three straight 500cc World Championships in 1978.
The Mission Winter Throwdown has also attracted top talent from outside the flat track world, including MotoAmerica racers Brandon Paasch, Ashton Yates, JD Beach, Hayden Gillim, Tyler Scott, Bodie Paige, Julian Correa, and rising Mini Cup stars such as Gabe Datis, Josh Raymond, Cole Peterman, Mahdi Salem, Chase Jazikoff, Cooper Jazikoff, Connor Raymond, and Cruise Texter.
“History has proven that flat track racers generally make good road racers,” said MotoAmerica COO Chuck Aksland. “Leading up to last year’s Mini Cup National at Road America, we received numerous inquiries from young flat trackers interested in participating. With the Winter Throwdown now an official Mission Mini Cup Qualifier, competitors will earn 10 bonus points, putting them on a level playing field heading into the National Championship alongside all other riders from around the country. With the inclusion of riders from other disciplines having the opportunity to compete, we look forward to the continued growth of the Mission Mini Cup National Final.”
The Mission Winter Throwdown will be streamed live on FansChoice TV, giving fans worldwide a front-row seat to the action.
“This collaboration is so rad,” said Cory Texter, owner of Cory Texter Promotions, and the promoter of the Winter Throwdown. “The MotoAmerica Mini Cup National is such a special event, and now the flat track kids can earn the bonus points they need while turning laps on the dirt. It’s the perfect opportunity for any young kid who wants to try their hand against the best road racing kids in the country at Road America in August.”
