Eli Tomac seeks eighth Daytona Supercross victory

The "king of Daytona" aims to extend his dominance at the iconic race

Published on Feb. 27, 2026

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Eli Tomac, the most successful rider in Daytona Supercross history with seven wins, is poised to claim his eighth victory at the iconic event. The track's loose, sandy conditions have played to Tomac's strengths, and he is the heavy favorite heading into the 2026 race despite facing challenges from Mother Nature with heavy rain expected to soften the course.

Why it matters

Tomac's dominance at Daytona Supercross is unparalleled, with only two losses in his career at the venue. His success speaks to his technical prowess and ability to harness the power of his 450cc bike. A win this year would cement his status as the "king of Daytona" and potentially foreshadow success in the upcoming SuperMotocross World Championship playoffs.

The details

Tomac has won the Daytona Supercross seven times since his first victory in 2016, with his only losses coming against Justin Brayton in 2018 and Jett Lawrence in 2024. The track's loose, sandy conditions and long straightaways play to Tomac's strengths, allowing him to utilize the full power of his KTM 450 bike. Despite missing last year's event due to injury, Tomac is eager to reclaim his crown and extend his legacy at the iconic venue.

  • Tomac won his first Daytona Supercross in 2016.
  • Tomac's only losses at Daytona came against Justin Brayton in 2018 and Jett Lawrence in 2024.
  • Tomac missed the 2025 Daytona Supercross due to injury.

The players

Eli Tomac

A seven-time winner of the Daytona Supercross, Tomac is widely regarded as the "king of Daytona" and the heavy favorite to claim his eighth victory at the iconic event.

Justin Brayton

The only rider to have beaten Tomac in head-to-head competition at Daytona, Brayton scored back-to-back wins in 2018 before Tomac resumed his dominance.

Jett Lawrence

The young Australian rider broke Tomac's five-race winning streak at Daytona with a victory in 2024, the only other rider besides Brayton to defeat Tomac at the venue.

Ricky Carmichael

The NBC Sports analyst and former Supercross legend believes Tomac is the "king of Daytona" and the clear favorite to win the 2026 event.

Ken Roczen

The German rider won the 2025 Daytona Supercross in the absence of both Tomac and Lawrence.

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What they’re saying

“I don't think it's any secret that Eli Tomac is the king of Daytona Supercross. He's won this race seven times. He's done incredible on that Red Bull KTM, and he's earned that right to get the tip of the hat. He's the guy to be beat.”

— Ricky Carmichael, NBC Sports Analyst (NBC Sports)

“Yeah, it was unfortunate to miss [last year], of course; being on the couch sucks, but we're back. We're back: The track looks great, looks really, really neat and I'm excited to get on it and see what I can do.”

— Eli Tomac (NBC Sports)

“Me and this place we're one, we're one here. It's very similar to my house at home. The way just the dirt is. It's kind of loose, a little bit sandy, so I think that's a big advantage for me. It's just a unique track and it just happens to fit my style.”

— Eli Tomac (NBC Sports)

What’s next

The forecast calls for heavy rain overnight, which could soften the Daytona Supercross track and create additional challenges for the riders. However, Ricky Carmichael believes the loose, sandy conditions will still play to Eli Tomac's strengths and make him the clear favorite to claim his eighth victory at the iconic event.

The takeaway

Eli Tomac's dominance at the Daytona Supercross is unparalleled, with seven wins in his career and only two losses. His affinity for the track's unique conditions and his ability to harness the power of his 450cc bike have cemented his status as the "king of Daytona." A victory this weekend would not only extend his legacy but also potentially foreshadow success in the upcoming SuperMotocross World Championship playoffs.