From King of the Hammers to the inaugural Nationals in Hazard, Kentucky,
Ultra4 USA celebrates its 2026 champions, recognizes the racing community, and looks ahead to 2027.
October 21, 2026
The checkered flag has fallen on the 2026 Ultra4 USA Championship Series, bringing an incredible season of off-road racing to a close.
Thousands of miles traveled, countless hours in the shop, late nights in the pits, and some of the toughest racing conditions imaginable have all led to this moment.
From the deserts of the West to the wooded trails of the East, our drivers and teams battled their way across the country, pushing their vehicles and themselves to the limit in pursuit of race victories and championship titles.
As we officially close the books on 2026, we want to recognize our race winners and champions, reflect on everything this season brought us, thank everyone who helped make it happen, and share what’s ahead for 2027.
A Season That Pushed Everyone to Their Limits
The year began at King of the Hammers before our regional championship racing kicked off in Moab, Utah, at the Maxxis Area BFE Beatdown. Severe weather, wet rocks, and difficult terrain provided an early test for competitors.
From there, the Branik Motorsports Badlands Brawl in Attica, Indiana, delivered muddy conditions and intense competition, while the Rock Krawler Rausch Creek Rumble challenged racers in the technical terrain of Pennsylvania.
The FR8 Factory Big Sky 200 in Montana and the All Thingz UTV Clash at Crossbar Ranch in Oklahoma served as our two Joker events, adding another challenge to the championship chase.
The Raceline Wheels Black Hills Throwdown brought Ultra4 racing back to Sturgis, South Dakota, followed by the Ultra4 Short Course World Championships at the legendary Crandon International Raceway.
September brought the Monster Energy Beech Bend Melee Presented by Holley in Bowling Green, Kentucky, before the MetalCloak Nor Cal Stampede wrapped up Western Series competition at Prairie City, California.
Every event presented a different challenge. From massive rock obstacles and steep climbs to high-speed sections, deep mud, and river crossings, our racers faced nearly every condition imaginable.
We witnessed incredible battles, major mechanical failures, remarkable recoveries, and teams working together to overcome obstacles. Some racers celebrated career-defining victories, while others fought just to reach the finish line.
Every one of those efforts contributed to an unforgettable season.
An Unforgettable Championship Finale in Hazard, Kentucky
The season concluded October 14–18 at the inaugural Ultra4 USA Nationals at Leatherwood Off-Road Park in Hazard, Kentucky.
The all-new Thunderdome delivered a championship finale unlike anything we had raced this season. Massive rocks, technical obstacles, high-speed racing, and unpredictable weather tested even the most experienced competitors.
With qualifying canceled due to weather and track conditions, drivers entered Friday’s racing based on their national points standings. The two-day moto-style format meant every finishing position mattered, as consistency became just as important as outright speed.
Beyond the racing, the City of Hazard and Perry County welcomed the Ultra4 community with incredible hospitality. From Thursday’s downtown parade and trunk-or-treat celebration to Saturday evening’s championship awards, the event brought racers, families, and the local community together.
The inaugural Nationals marked an exciting new chapter for Ultra4 USA and demonstrated what is possible when a community comes together around off-road motorsports.
Congratulations to Our 2026 Nationals Race Winners
The following drivers earned race victories at the 2026 Ultra4 USA Nationals:
- 4400 Unlimited: Paul Wolff
- 4500 Modified: Todd Miller
- 4600 Stock: Cory Day
- 4800 Legends: Jeff Martin
- 4900 UTV Stock: Kurt Mackie
- 4900 UTV Modified: Nick Anderson
- 4900 UTV Open: Dustin Robbins
- UTV Youth 1000: Peanut Fulcher
- UTV 170 Stock: Kydon Murtey
- UTV 170 Limited: Tristan Fulcher
- UTV 170 Modified: Tristan Fulcher
Each of these victories was earned against some of the toughest competition in the country, on a course that demanded everything from drivers and machines.
Celebrating Our 2026 Regional Champions
Our regional championships are a major part of what makes Ultra4 USA unique. Each region brings its own challenges, and the drivers who earn these titles demonstrate the consistency and determination required to succeed throughout a season.
Western Series Champions
- 4400 Unlimited: Bailey Cole
- 4500 Modified: Todd Miller
- 4600 Stock: John Williams
- 4800 Legends: Woody Rose
- 4900 UTV Stock: Eric Gilbert
- 4900 UTV Pro Mod: Tommy Thompson
- 4900 UTV Open: Dustin Robbins
- UTV Youth 1000: Calvin Jarvis
- UTV 170 Stock: Jaxon Fernandes
Central Series Champions
- 4400 Unlimited: Tad Dowker
- 4500 Modified: Austin Pyatt
- 4600 Stock: Cory Day
- 4800 Legends: Justin Barth
- 4900 UTV Stock: Kurt Mackie
- 4900 UTV Pro Mod: Adam Kinnett
- 4900 UTV Open: Alan Burton
- UTV Youth 1000: Kayden Gamble
- UTV 170 Modified: Brody Eustice
Eastern Series Champions
- 4400 Unlimited: Casey Gilbert
- 4600 Stock: Cory Day
- 4800 Legends: Jeff Martin
- 4900 UTV Stock: Jeremy Blackburn
- 4900 UTV Pro Mod: Phil Straatmann
- 4900 UTV Open: Dustin Robbins
- UTV Youth 1000: Peanut Fulcher
- UTV 170 Stock: Westin Kelley
Special recognition goes to Cory Day, who captured both the Eastern and Central 4600 Stock championships, and Dustin Robbins, who claimed both the Eastern and Western 4900 UTV Open championships.
These regional titles represent months of preparation, thousands of miles of travel, and the determination to compete against some of the best racers in the sport.
Crowning Our 2026 Ultra4 USA National Champions
While winning an individual race is an incredible accomplishment, earning an Ultra4 USA National Championship requires an entire season of dedication and consistency.
Our championship format challenged competitors to perform at King of the Hammers, battle through regional competition and Joker events, and finish the season at Nationals.
Every lap, every finishing position, and every point mattered.
We are proud to recognize the 2026 Ultra4 USA National Champions:
- 4400 Unlimited: Tad Dowker
- 4500 Modified: Todd Miller
- 4600 Stock: Cory Day
- 4800 Legends: Jeff Martin
- 4900 UTV Stock: Kurt Mackie
- 4900 UTV Modified: Tommy Thompson
- 4900 UTV Open: Dustin Robbins
- UTV Youth 1000: Peanut Fulcher
- UTV 170 Stock: Jaxon Fernandes
- UTV 170 Limited: Tristan Fulcher
- UTV 170 Modified: Tristan Fulcher
The 2026 season delivered everything from dominant performances to championships decided by the smallest margins. Cory Day capped off an incredible six-win season with the 4600 Stock title, while Tommy Thompson claimed the 4900 Modified Championship by just three points. In our youth classes, Tristan Fulcher captured two National Championships in the same season, highlighting the talent coming up through the ranks of Ultra4 USA.
To all of our champions and everyone who battled for a title this season, congratulations on an outstanding year of competition.
Looking Ahead: The 2027 Ultra4 USA Schedule
As we celebrate the conclusion of 2026, we’re also excited to officially announce our 2027 Ultra4 USA Championship Series schedule.
The upcoming season will feature nine events across the country, including dedicated racing in our West, Central, and East regions, along with major national events that bring competitors together from across the country.
Each region will have two dedicated regional races, with King of the Hammers, the Black Hills Mid-Season National, and the season-ending Ultra4 USA Nationals completing the nine-event schedule.
2027 Ultra4 USA Championship Schedule
January 17 – February 7
King of the Hammers
Johnson Valley, California
April 9–10 | Central Region
Clash at Crossbar Ranch
Davis, Oklahoma
April 30 – May 1 | East Region
Rausch Creek Rumble
Pine Grove, Pennsylvania
May 21–22 | West Region
West Region Round 1
Location To Be Announced
June 25–26 | Mid-Season National
Black Hills National
Sturgis, South Dakota
July 30–31 | East Region
Southern Mountain Melee
Stevenson, Alabama
September 3–5 | Central Region
Crandon World Championships
Crandon, Wisconsin
September 17–18 | West Region
Nor Cal Stampede
Sacramento, California
October 14–17 | National Championship Finale
Ultra4 USA Nationals
Leatherwood, Kentucky
2027 Schedule Subject to Change. Additional event details, registration information, and championship updates will be released as they become available.
Our goal remains to provide competitive racing opportunities across the country, strengthen our regional programs, and continue building events that bring the Ultra4 community together.
We look forward to welcoming returning teams and new competitors to the starting line in 2027.
To Our Racers, Families, Sponsors, and Supporters: Thank You
Behind every race car is an incredible amount of work that most people never see.
The hours spent preparing in the shop. The late nights making repairs. The long drives across the country. The missed weekends at home. The financial commitment and sacrifices required just to make it to the starting line.
To every driver who competed with Ultra4 USA in 2026, whether you raced one event or chased a championship across the country, thank you for being part of this series.
We also want to give special recognition to Kayden Gamble and Cody Willenborg, the only two racers who attended every single Ultra4 USA race during the 2026 season. From one side of the country to the other, they showed up at every event. That level of commitment takes an incredible amount of time, travel, preparation, and support from their teams and families. Their dedication to this sport deserves recognition.
To the crews, co-drivers, mechanics, and families who make it all possible, your dedication is just as important as the accomplishments on the racecourse. And to the parents supporting our youth racers, you’re helping build the next generation of this sport.
Some of the greatest moments of the season weren’t the victories or the trophies. They were watching competitors lend parts, help with repairs, and come together to get another racer back on course. That camaraderie is what makes the Ultra4 community special.
We also want to recognize the incredible companies that supported Ultra4 USA throughout 2026.
Thank you to our sponsors and partners.
To our event staff, race officials, volunteers, safety and recovery crews, timing and scoring personnel, photographers, media teams, and livestream crews, your dedication behind the scenes is essential to making these events happen.
As we close the book on 2026, we know there are always ways to improve. We remain committed to listening to our racers, learning from each event, and continuing to build a stronger series for everyone involved.
We’re proud of what this community accomplished this season, and we’re excited about where we’re headed.
To everyone who made 2026 possible, thank you for believing in Ultra4 USA. We look forward to seeing you back at the starting line in 2027.
The Ultra4 USA Team
