Round eight of the Red Line Oil American National Enduro Championship, presented by MSR, delivered a mix of redemption and championship celebrations, as Rocky Mountain ATV/MC Red Bear Kawasaki’s Josh Toth returned to the top step of the overall podium, while FMF KTM’s Jason Tino and Rockstar Energy Husqvarna’s Korie Steede wrapped up championships with one round remaining.
Story by Tyler Shepardson | Photos by Art Pepin
Toth was the rider to beat throughout the day, taking five of six test wins on his way to his first National Enduro overall victory since suffering a broken leg last season.
“It’s been such a long road,” Toth said. “It’s bittersweet, and I had to dig deep today. It was just a true enduro.” After struggling slightly in the opening test, Toth made changes to his setup and quickly found his rhythm. From there, he took control of the race and never looked back.
“I just felt great,” Toth said. “I got the 250, the smaller bore, and it was handling-dialed. I knew I was riding really well. I kind of hit a wall at test five and just really had to dig deep to finish strong.”
AmPro Yamaha’s Liam Draper finished second overall after opening the day with the test one victory. Draper managed the remainder of the race to finish runner-up and maintain the overall championship points lead heading into the season finale.
“The track was gnarly. It was a tough enduro,” Draper said. “Happy with second. It’s actually my first second this year, so it was good, and I’m looking forward to the last round.”
Rocky Mountain ATV/MC Red Bear Kawasaki’s Steward Baylor Jr completed the overall podium despite a difficult start to his day. Baylor crashed in the opening test before ripping a footpeg off his motorcycle in test two. While attempting to continue with only one footpeg, Baylor struck a stump and injured his toes but continued racing to salvage third overall and valuable championship points.
From there, Baylor looked to teammate Toth’s riding style to adapt to the conditions.
“I saw that Josh was smoking me, so I knew from there forward it was get on your toes and try to keep that weight transferred smooth,” Baylor said. “I tried to do my best ‘Josh Toth impression.’
“He’s a hard rider to follow.”
Liqui Moly Beta’s Jhak Walker continued his late-season charge with another Pro2 victory and fifth overall.
Walker found the wet, technical course to his liking and focused on staying smooth through the rocks and roots to put himself back in the center of the box.
“Honestly, confidence,” Walker said of what’s changed for him this season. “Just knowing I can do it and going out there and doing so. Taking a step back, refining my riding and figuring out what I needed to work on has helped me a lot this year.”
Behind Walker, FMF KTM’s Jason Tino had more than a podium finish to celebrate.
Tino entered the day needing second place to clinch the 2026 Pro2 National Championship.
After finding himself fourth early in the race, Tino turned up the pace through the final three tests and delivered when it mattered most, charging to second in the final test to secure the position he needed and wrap up the title one round early.
“The back half, all I could think was send it,” Tino said. “Timmy [Weigand, his team manager] was just like, ‘Hold the throttle wide open and don’t think.’ That’s exactly what I did.”
The championship comes during Tino’s first full season of National Enduro competition.
“It means we got a National Championship under our belt and a number one plate for the team and myself,” Tino said. “It means we stayed consistent all year and rode good.”
James Jenkins rounded out the Pro2 podium after entering the final test in second. With limited time aboard a new motorcycle and coming off surgery just two weeks earlier, Jenkins was happy to come away with a podium finish.
Pro Women Rockstar Energy Husqvarna’s Korie Steede continued her perfect season, taking her eighth consecutive Pro Women victory and officially wrapping up the 2026 championship with one round remaining.
After stepping away from National Enduro racing for several years, Steede admitted she entered the season unsure of where she would stack up. Eight rounds later, she remains undefeated and has the number one plate secured.
“I was super nervous coming into this season. I just didn’t know what to expect,” Steede said. “At every race, I’ve just been trying to shift up a gear, stay smooth and have fun, and it paid off.” “This was definitely a dream come true,” she added. “It feels really good. It’s really special.”
The championship-clinching ride wasn’t without drama. Steede crashed early in test five, allowing Shelby Turner to catch her, before another difficult final test saw her lose time in the logs and rocks. Despite the setbacks, Steede did enough to find the checkered flag and secure another victory.
Rieju Factory Racing’s Rachel Gutish finished second after battling through lingering effects from a crash during ISDE training earlier in the week. Gutish focused on staying smooth and consistent throughout the technical conditions to earn another Pro Women podium.
Enduro Engineering Triumph’s Shelby Turner completed the podium after finding her speed late in the race. Turner won the final two tests of the day to charge back into third after struggling with the slippery conditions through the middle portion of the event.
With Tino and Steede officially crowned 2026 champions, attention now turns to the final round of the American National Enduro Championship, where Draper will carry the overall championship lead into one final battle for the number one plate.CN
2026 American National Enduro Round 8 Results
OVERALL (Top 10)
- Josh Toth (Kaw)
- Steward Baylor Jr (Kaw)
- Grant Baylor (Kaw)
- Jhak Walker (Bet)
- Craig DeLong (Hus)
- Ryder Lafferty (Hon)
- Evan Smith (KTM)
- Jason Tino (KTM)
- James Jenkins (Hus)
