Blog
by Tyler Johnson

Championship Breakdown: Texas Winter Series at Freestone

The Texas Winter Series concluded its 27th season last weekend at Freestone County Raceway, returning to the venue where it all began for the championship finale. With 37 titles still undecided entering the final round, competition remained strong across nearly every class. Saturday’s schedule was completed despite threatening weather, with heavier rain arriving only after racing had wrapped up.

Sunday morning began with a brief delay to practice, but once the bikes hit the track, conditions were dialed in and the day progressed without issue. With the weather no longer a factor, attention shifted fully to racing.

Let’s get into this week’s race report.

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85cc 9-12

It had all the makings of an epic showdown — Wyatt Kurosky and Shannon Tarnow separated by only two points in the 85cc 9-12 class going into the final round of the season.

A group of young riders racing on dirt bikes in a motocross event, kicking up dust on a dirt track. The riders are wearing colorful protective gear and helmets.

In moto one, the championship leaders established control early. Tarnow claimed the hole shot, with Kurosky running second and Ichiro Miwa in third. Perry Stockwell and Bryson Bowles completed the top five during the opening laps.

A motocross rider performing a jump on a dirt bike, surrounded by bare trees.
One of our favorite riders to watch, Perry Stockwell, went 4-3 for third overall on the day. He capped off the season finishing fourth in the series points.

By the second lap, Kurosky began applying pressure, setting the fastest lap of the race with a 1:55.482. Despite the charge, Tarnow maintained his composure and responded with consistent pace.

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Tarnow would ultimately take the win by a margin of just over two seconds. Kurosky secured second, and Miwa finished close behind in third.

A motocross rider in blue gear performs a jump on a dirt bike, with trees in the background.

With one moto remaining in the season, Kurosky held a narrow one-point advantage in the championship standings. Tarnow, coming off a moto one win, entered the final race with momentum, and rose to the occasion, pulling away from the field and securing the victory by almost twenty seconds.

A motocross rider in mid-air performing a jump on a green motorcycle, with a person waving a checkered flag in the foreground.

Kurosky should be recognized for pushing the championship fight to the final race of the year.

A motocross rider in black gear performing a jump over a dirt ramp, with a sign above that reads 'POWER WALL'. Another rider is visible in the background.

The P-Dubs

With the P-Dub championship already secured, the champ, Ryder Davis, looked ready to cruise through the final round. He took victory in Moto 1, but Moto 2 had a small twist. He and Austin Bowman got tangled off the start and stayed connected just long enough to give everyone a heart attack.

A young motocross rider wearing colorful gear and a helmet stands beside two small dirt bikes on a dirt track. One bike is tipped over while the rider appears focused on the other.

Bowman needed a moment to regroup after the fall, and for a second, it wasn’t clear if he’d be able to continue. But he dug deep, remounted his bike, and powered through to complete every lap.

A young child wearing a helmet and motocross gear sits on a small blue dirt bike, while an adult assists and prepares them for riding.

Davis went on to win the second moto, and after locking in three championships this season — Micro 4–6 Shaft Drive, Micro 1 Jr., and Mini-E Jr. 4–6 — rumor has it he celebrated by spraying his parents with champagne.

A young rider in bright yellow racing gear navigates a dirt motocross track on a small motorcycle.
A young child wearing a helmet and protective gear rides a small dirt bike on a motocross track, showcasing determination and skill.
Tate Robinson grabbed fifth in the first moto. In the second moto, he shot out front early and kept pace with Williams throughout the race. With 5-3 moto scores on the day, Robinson secured third overall and a spot on the podium.

We’d like to recognize two riders in this class who committed to every weekend, crossed the finish line in every race, and showed relentless determination and grit throughout the entire season, earning them second and third overall in the series.

Emmalynn Arroyo

A young child in vibrant motocross gear jumps off a dirt ramp on a small motorcycle, with an American flag in the background.

Emmalynn Arroyo showed nothing but growth all season long. She began the year near the back of the pack in the opening rounds, but midway through the season, everything clicked. She powered her way to a 3-3 finish at Cycle Ranch and followed it up with 4-4 moto scores in the finale last weekend at Freestone, securing second overall in the championship.

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Her success may also be fueled by inspiration from her older brother, John Luke Arroyo, who captured the Micro 2 Sr. championship this season.

River Williams

River Williams ended the year exactly how you’d want to — confident and competitive. At Freestone, she nailed both starts, led briefly, and delivered 2-2 finishes on the day. We overheard a family member shout, “This is flipping awesome!” and honestly, it was. Third in points, but riding like someone ready for even more. Great job this weekend, River.

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Brady Hall 65cc 7-11 / 10-11 Champion

A motocross racer jumps over a sand mound during a competition, wearing protective gear and a colorful racing suit.

They say you have to be in it to win it, and Brady Hall embodied that mindset in both 65cc divisions. While he only claimed two overall victories throughout the season between the two classes, Hall made his mark through consistency.

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He collected valuable points whenever the gate dropped. By showing up and delivering steady results each round, Hall secured both 7-11 and 10-11 championships and cemented his place in Texas Winter Series history.

Lex Clark Woman’s 25+ Champion

The Women’s 25+ class has been the one to watch all season, and the final round delivered a championship battle you couldn’t have scripted any better. They entered the last round separated by just two points, with Clark holding a slim advantage. The pressure was high, and both riders knew that winning was the only option.

A motocross rider in mid-air on a dirt bike over a jump, with a drone flying nearby and a blurred background of trees.

In Moto 1, the intensity showed immediately. Brown later said Clark “was blocking me the entire time,” as the two went bar-to-bar in a hard-fought battle. Brown kept pushing and eventually found her moment to make the pass. That result erased the gap and left them tied heading into the final moto of the season. Winner takes all.

A motocross racer with the number 23 on their bike jumping over a dirt mound, with another rider in the background and spectators in the distance.

When the gate dropped for the second moto, Brown came out firing, grabbing the hole shot and leading the opening lap. But Clark wasn’t going to let it slip away.

Two motocross riders jumping off a dirt ramp during an event, with banners showing 'POWER' and 'WALL' above them.

On lap two, she made her move and took over the top spot. Brown kept the pressure on and stayed within striking distance all the way to the checkered flag, but Clark remained composed under the weight of the championship moment. In the end, Clark crossed the line first, winning the moto and securing the championship.

A motocross racer in red and black gear celebrates while riding a dirt bike on a track, with another racer in the background. A person waves a checkered flag, indicating the end of a race.
A motocross racer in a purple and orange outfit riding a dirt bike numbered 310 on a sandy track, with a large jump and a banner in the background.
Shayne Hunter has had a front-row seat to the Lex Clark and Samantha Brown battles all season long. In her very first year of racing, she powered her way to third overall in the series. Big things ahead for Shayne Hunter

Beginner 125-450 WS

We may have discovered a new favorite class to watch: the Beginner 125–450 division. Not for the reasons you might expect, but because the racing was genuinely entertaining. The championship battle made that clear. Heading into the final round, Mateo Kessler, Lane Wright, and Lane Murry all had a legitimate shot at the title. For a “beginner” class, it delivered a finale worthy of any pro lineup.

A motocross racer in black gear and helmet jumps over a dirt mound on an orange motorcycle, with a competitor in the background. A sign in the background reads 'WALL' and there are spectators in colorful clothing.

Kessler entered the moto holding a three-point advantage over Wright. He got a strong jump off the gate, but an early mistake dropped him back to around fifth as the field approached lap two. Wright followed a few positions behind in eighth. Up front, Doug Hayes, Dillon Defauver, Cristofer Soto, and Zachary Padilla set the early pace.

A group of motocross riders racing on a dirt track, with several motorcycles kicking up dust and dirt. The riders are wearing various colored gear and helmets, showcasing a competitive and dynamic atmosphere.


One major storyline developed early: Murry was absent from the lead group. Entering the race third in the championship standings, the No. 31 was suddenly out of contention. Medic flags waved near the jump just after the start, where his bike sat riderless off the track. Thankfully, Murry was uninjured. However, he was unable to complete a lap and received a DNS in Moto 1.

A green motocross bike parked near a black utility vehicle in an outdoor setting with grassy terrain.

Defauver made the pass on Hayes for the lead on lap two and controlled the race from there. Behind him, Kessler steadily worked his way through the field and made a last-lap pass on Soto to secure second. Hayes finished fourth, with Padilla rounding out the top five.

A motocross rider wearing a black and red helmet and gear navigates a muddy track on a red dirt bike, concentrating intensely while riding.

With Kessler finishing five positions ahead of Wright, it would take a miracle for Wright to capture the championship. Still, as we saw in Moto 1 with Murry, anything can happen in racing.

A motorcyclist in a black outfit jumps over a dirt mound on a motocross bike, captured in motion with a blurred background.

Hayes claimed the early lead when the gate dropped, with Kefauver, Padilla, Soto, and Wright in pursuit. Kessler ran sixth on lap one. After building a three-second advantage, Hayes appeared to have control. However, Kefauver increased his pace on lap three and quickly erased the deficit. Despite Hayes’ effort to respond, Kefauver completed the pass for the lead just before the finish.

Two motocross riders racing on a dirt track, one making a jump while the other rides behind. A flag marshal is visible holding a checkered flag.

Kessler advanced through the field to finish third and crossed the line as the 2026 Texas Winter Series Champion in his class.

A motocross rider in a black helmet and gear navigates a dirt track on an orange dirt bike, kicking up mud and debris.

250c jr

Two points—that’s all that separated James Kuhlman and Mason Wright heading into Freestone. Blain Westbrook wasn’t far off either, just twelve points back and very much in the mix. After a season of trading paint in the C classes, it was only right that this championship turned into a full-blown battle at the end.

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Moto one belonged to Blain Westbrook, who got out front early and checked out. Kuhlman quickly worked past Wright for second and stayed within striking distance for most of the race before slipping back slightly. Still, as far as the championship was concerned, being ahead of Wright was the only box that needed checking.

A motocross racer navigating a dirt track, leaning into a turn on a dirt bike. The rider is wearing a blue helmet and protective gear, with dust being kicked up from the ground.

In moto two, Wright grabbed the early lead, but Kuhlman answered quickly with a bold pass over the big jump in the back to take control. Westbrook found himself in fourth early, locked in a battle with Landen Bass, who was running strong in third.

A group of five motocross riders competing on a dirt track, kicking up dust while leaning into turns. The riders, wearing vibrant helmets and jerseys, race against each other beneath a partly cloudy sky.

Up front, Kuhlman stretched the gap to about two seconds before taking the checkered flag and celebrating his hard-earned championship. Wright settled for second, while Westbrook worked his way into third.

A motocross rider jumps off a dirt ramp in mid-air, wearing a white helmet and black gear, with a checkered flag being waved by an official in the background.

Final Points

Pos RacerTotal
1st#147YamahaJAMES KUHLMAN PROSPER, TX229
2nd#544HusqvarnaMASON WRIGHT EDGEWOOD, TX222
3rd#18HusqvarnaBLAINE WESTBROOK JACKSONVILLE, TX215
4th#31YamahaBRAYCEN BAIRD LAWTON, OK153
5th#61KTMLANDEN BASS CYPRESS, TX144

Vet 35+

Justin Dickey jumped out front at the start of the Vet 35+ class, with Justin Lewis, Justin Tramel, and Shay Traweek close behind. Tramel slipped past Lewis to take second early, keeping Dickey in his sights. But Lewis answered quickly, making the pass back and stretching a small gap once he secured the position.

Three motocross riders racing on a dirt track, with a blurred background of event banners and spectators. The riders are wearing colorful gear and helmets.

With clean air ahead of him, Dickey looked right at home, twisting the throttle and letting that two-stroke sing. Lewis had a decent gap over Tramel as they entered the final lap, and it appeared the podium was set. Then Lewis bobbled and got somewhat caught in the mud, tightening things up. Despite the scare, he kept his composure and still finished second.

A motocross rider navigating a muddy track on a dirt bike, surrounded by orange and yellow barriers with a blurred background of sponsor banners.

Dickey grabbed another great start in moto two and wasted no time stretching it out, building nearly a nine-second lead over Tramel by the end of the first lap. Traweek settled into third while Lewis rode comfortably in fourth. From there, things spread out a bit, and not much was happening—so we may have blinked for a second, only to look back up and see Dickey throwing a full 1990s-style heel clicker as he took the checkered flag.

A motocross rider performing a jump on a dirt bike, with arms raised, while a race official waves a checkered flag in the background.

TWO Championships This Season For Braxton Angello

Braxton Angello delivered an incredible season. Competing in both Micro 6–7 and Mini-E Sr 7–8, he captured 9 moto wins and consistently finished inside the top five on his way to securing both championships. We caught up with the rising star for a quick interview — here’s what he had to say.

A young child wearing a helmet and black clothing rides a small yellow dirt bike on an off-road track, kicking up dirt as they accelerate.

Elevated: Braxton, you had an incredible winter, winning championships in both the Micro 6–7 and Mini E 7–8 classes. How does it feel to be a champion in two classes?

Braxton: It feels really good. It was fun winning two championships.

Elevated: Looking back at the series, which round was your favorite — and what made it special?

Braxton: Round 5 at Freestone. I was able to secure both championships at one of my favorite tracks and hit my favorite jump — number six!

A young rider in a black outfit and helmet races a small dirt bike on a sandy track, kicking up dirt, with a lake in the background.

Elevated: Who did you enjoy battling the most this winter, and why?

Braxton: My best friend, Cole Lake Stevenson. He’s a ripper and pushes me harder.

Two motocross riders racing on a dirt track, with one rider in a blue helmet and white jersey and the other in an orange and black outfit, surrounded by trees.

Elevated: What’s next for Braxton Angello?

Braxton: The road to Loretta’s on my Cobra e-bike!

Elevated: Who would you like to thank for helping you achieve your championships this season?

Braxton: I’d like to thank my mom and dad, my grandparents, and my sponsors — Kyle’s Krew, Dunlop Tires, Fly Racing, Gibbs Moto, and DirtLab MX..

A young rider in protective gear races a small dirt bike on a motocross track, kicking up dirt as they lean into a turn.

125 C WS


All eyes were on the 125 C class as the championship battle continued to tighten. Traesyn Quebodeaux entered the round with a six-point advantage over Cabe Tangler, leaving little room for error.

A motocross racer in a black and red outfit riding a bike on a dirt track, with dirt and debris flying around.

Toby Harberson led the opening laps of moto one, with Renzo Litteri, Blaize Robinson, and Tangler in pursuit. Litteri soon moved into the lead, while Tangler advanced to second after passing Robinson on lap two. The front pair maintained a strong pace, with Tangler keeping the pressure on, but Litteri stayed smooth and consistent to take the checkered flag in moto one.

A group of motocross riders racing on a dirt track, kicking up dust and mud, with a cloudy sky in the background.

The second moto was just as competitive, with the top five riders finishing only seconds apart. Harberson once again got out front early. Quebodeaux ran in second for much of the race before Tangler made the pass midway through the moto. Behind them, first moto winner Litteri sat in fourth, applying steady pressure to Quebodeaux as the laps wound down.

A motocross rider in a colorful racing outfit navigates a muddy track on a dirt bike, showcasing skill and speed.

When the checkered flag flew, it was Harberson taking the moto win, clearly excited with the performance. Tangler crossed the line in second, which was enough to secure both the overall victory and the championship title. Quebodeaux finished third in the moto, placing fourth overall on the day.

vet 45+

Season-long competitors Shay Traweek, Dwain Carter, and Terry Fontenot Jr. continued their close contest at Freestone, with Traweek and Carter exchanging moto wins.

A motocross rider wearing a black helmet and gear rides a green motorcycle at high speed on a dirt track, creating a motion blur effect.

Fontenot grabbed the hole shot in moto one, but Carter quickly worked his way into the lead by the end of the opening lap. On lap two, Traweek made his move, passing both riders and pulling away to secure the win by just over five seconds. Carter followed in second, with Fontenot rounding out the podium in third.

Motocross racers navigating a dirt track, with dust and dirt being kicked up in the air. Four riders are visible on motorcycles, showcasing their racing gear and intensity.

Moto two belonged to Carter. He grabbed the lead early and never looked back, putting together a strong ride and gaining nearly three seconds per lap on Traweek. Behind them, Stuart Barlow claimed third in the moto.

A motocross rider in a colorful outfit racing on a dirt track, navigating a jump with a backdrop of cloudy sky.

Carter’s 2-1 scorecard was enough to secure the overall win over Traweek. Barlow’s 4-3 finishes earned him third overall for the day. Even with the runner-up finish, Traweek accomplished his bigger goal, leaving Freestone as the Vet 45+ Champion.

A motocross rider in blue and yellow gear jumps off a ramp with an American flag waving in the background.

Remarkable ride: Malachi Stamper gets best result of the season

Malachi Stamper’s season has been a story of steady progression, capped off with his first podium finish of the year in the Micro Jr. 4–6 class at the final round.

A young motocross rider in colorful gear and a helmet jumps a dirt bike while an American flag waves in the background under a cloudy sky.

After opening the season with 18th overall finishes in the first two rounds, Stamper found his rhythm and never looked back. He battled his way to a fifth overall at Cycle Ranch MX Park, followed it up with a strong sixth overall at Billa Dilla, and finished the year in style finishing third overall at Freestone County Raceway in the Micro Jr. 4–6 class.

A young rider in motocross gear speeds around a dirt track on a small motorcycle, creating a sense of motion and excitement.


From a tough start to a championship-round breakthrough, Stamper’s upward climb shows that the hard work is paying off.

A young rider in a helmet and colorful gear races on a small dirt bike, leading a motocross race on a dirt track with other riders in the background.

In Mini E Jr. 4–6, Stamper battled hard with Wyatt Jack Watteyne in moto two, trading positions all race long before making a last-lap pass at the finish line.

Random frames

A motocross rider in a purple and white outfit skillfully navigates a dirt track, leaning into a turn on a red motorcycle, with dirt flying around.
Matthew Curler and Jesse Furtado went head-to-head all day in the Open Pro class. Furtado made a late charge to steal Moto 1 on the final lap, but Curler answered back in Moto 2 — leading every lap under pressure. A 2-1 finish gave Curler the overall win.
Two motocross riders racing on dirt bikes in a motocross track with yellow safety barriers in the foreground.
Hard-fought battles at Freestone between Yeissen Rubalcava (#16) and Christian Eubanks (#187), with Rubalcava securing both overall victories in the Vet 25+ Pro class and 30+ A/B
A motocross rider in a green bike jumps off a dirt ramp, showcasing speed and skill, while another rider observes in the background.
Chesapeake, Virginia’s Ethan Pope headed to Texas last weekend for valuable gate time ahead of Spring Nationals. Pope went a perfect 1-1 in the 450 B class.
A motocross rider on a green dirt bike navigating a muddy track, with flags in the background and a cloudy sky.
With just months of experience, Lane Murry delivered a standout rookie season — strong starts, front-running battles, and a fourth-place overall finish in the series in the 125-450 Beginner class.

The sign off

What a season it’s been covering the 2026 Texas Winter Series. From start to finish, the racing delivered, and it was an honor to capture it all. Congratulations to all the champions, and a huge thank you to all who have supported our site all season long. For those who’ve been asking how to support what we’re building, we’ve got a fresh run of shirts available now at Elevatedmx.shop — we truly appreciate the support.

We’ll see you at the Dallas Supercross this weekend.