Faces at the Races | Florida 2025

By Billy Rainford

Brought to you by Canadian Kawasaki

It was a long 10 days down in Florida this winter with racing action just about every day I was down in the sunshine. The weather was perfect while I was there and I found as many Canadians as I could. I’ve been home for a while now but wanted to go through some people photos and have some fun with another Faces at the Races column, so here we go.

I definitely did Andy White from FXR dirty with this Photoshop job. For fun he was covering up a Fox logo on Kourtney Lloyd’s shirt, so I made him pay. And we’re off!
My first stop was the Money Moto Race at Pax Trax. That’s the new gator in the little pond just past the track.
I’ve known Al Strickert (left) since we raced together a couple years ago in 1982 and that’s Brendan Goldstein on the right. You may remember him from such endeavours as Loudmouth Intakes, Legend Intl., and K Deam Optics. Now he’s a pilot!
CJ was less than impressed with the turnout for his race, but he’s very open to trying new things and I’m sure he’ll tweak the program to help improve it for 2026.
Moderately impressed.
They don’t care how many riders showed up, they just want to hit the track!
AMA Ray was busy enforcing the rules at a few events in the area, starting with Pax.
Announcer extraordinaire Jeff Hines was in for a tough day when some classes only had 3 bikes on the track. We also sort of got a rider DQ’d…
That’s Kevin Cox with “Spazz.” And Al is our first repeat customer here!
I couldn’t go anywhere without bumping into Chris Blackmer all week! He took the win at Pax.
I’m convinced photos like this one of Jonathan Getz chilling by his Sprinter are ones we’ll enjoy most in 10-20 years.
Keep an eye on #70 Jackson Vick.
Kevin is also a 2-timer! But wait…
I still have no idea what he was riding. 🤣
We showed up at Graham Swamp for an easy MTB loop and Mitch Cooke happened to be there. I loved the fact that he made Al put on a helmet. Oh, I have the helmet at my house, Mitch.
Friday night was the final round of the AMA Arenacross series in Daytona Beach.
That’s Kourtney and Ben. Oh, and that’s the shirt and logo Andy was blocking in Photo 1.
Scott Tokley, Kourtney, and Brad “Stephen” Nemeth.
Mike Alessi and his family. Mike went 1-2 on this night. RCSX on the other hand….
I don’t know who this guy was but his shirt made me laugh.
Brandon Ma gave one of the most heartfelt and sincere podium speeches when he landed on the X Pro podium at the final AMA AX round in Daytona.
And Josh Hill still seems like he’s having the time of his life every time I see him at a race. He took the win in the X Pro class.
Alec “Hell Ya!” Belyea was in Daytona for a stag celebration but managed to run out and solve a problem none the less.
Someone asked me what Mike Genova was doing just standing in the middle of the start straight. I had no idea so I snapped a shot.
Vince Friese may have found a home in AX and so has Canadian Caden Lee.
Family shot!
Saturday was the Daytona Supercross and the same as I said about Josh Hill can be said about Aaron Plessinger. He always gets the loudest cheer during opening ceremonies. Not to mention, he’s on a bit of a roll right now.
Justin Barcia seems like he’s enjoying the twilight years of his career.
We actually almost had Cullin Park racing up here in Canada in 2025, but the allure of the SMX Playoffs money is just too much of a draw these days.
This is Kyle Chisholm’s victory lap Supercross season, but he wouldn’t rule out coming back to Canada if the pieces fit.
Daxton Bennick needs to get on a bit of a roll. He’s shown he belongs at the front of the Pro class.
I remember seeing Nate Thrasher when he was on little bikes and thinking to myself, “Wouldn’t it be cool to have a Pro champion named ‘Thrasher?’” We’re getting closer!
I’m firmly sat on the Justin Cooper bandwagon this season. I saw him walking the track in Daytona and the dude looks like he could be a pro cyclist!
Could we have a French 2-time Regional Supercross champion on our hands here? Yes, yes we could.
Every time I say, “Hey, look how good Dylan Ferrandis is doing!” something goes sideways.
Race day mornings are for the razor blade. I know the drill.
This looked like it could have been a Ken Roczen winter, but this AC shoulder separation has taken the wind out of his sails.
And how good has our old friend Mitchell Oldenburg looked lately?!
I’ve been waiting for Colt Nichols to be back up to speed…
Shane McElrath has shown flashes of upper level speed this SX season.
The mental game is so important at the top level of our sport and Chase Sexton needs to tell himself he’s as tough as Cooper Webb.
That’s Canadian Ethan Ouelette who spins the wrenches for Mitchell Harrison on the Partzilla PRMX team.
That’s James Stewart and his son cruising the pits.
I don’t usually put riding shots in these columns, but #87 Hardy Munoz was the first 250 to huck the wall jump.
Le Big doing his best Peter Sellers impression (Google it, Bowker!).
Talk about sending mixed signals! What a weird language.
Sunday I was back at Hog Waller in Palatka for Round 2 of the GNCC Racing series. That’s Ryder Heacock getting ready to hit the course.
Benjamin Blouin from Quebec was also on the track.
It was great to see Jacqueline Ross and Joe Ross again. J-Ro went out and won the Women’s +30 by 20 minutes. Not bad.
This would just suck to race all morning and crash in the final turn.
Monday it was back at The Speedway for the Ricky Carmichael Amateur Supercross.
I want to keep an eye on the progress of #94 Tanner Dorman from New York State, too.
We had a few Canadians to cheer on but not as many as in some years past. That’s #26 Ethan Darrach from New Brunswick.
Watch for Australian Tomi Doble. He took the 250B title.
Mason Murdy was there and up to the “big” bike now.
TJ Lanphear and his better half Brittany Majcher have both raced in Canada. TJ is the Dirt Care USA guy now.
Death, taxes, and Greg Brotman from Rad MX pointing his trusty camera at a Florida amateur event.
Paxton Zavitski. Maybe it’s the first time you’ve read that name, so let’s see where the 125 C champion can go from here.
Kannon Zabojnik was in a battle a toughest name for the announcers to say. He’s from Texas and took the 65 (10-11) title.
Maybe we look back at this in 20 years and notice a future champion in there.
He takes his job seriously.
Cool to see Tony Lorusso on the track again.
Dane Pappas is one to watch. He was ripping.
NEVER skips leg day!
It was great to see the Kukielka family made the trip.
Kiana Kurtz wants to fill the spot Eve Brodeur leaves behind as most dominant WMX rider in Canada.
Raised the fastest kid at Loretta’s last year and scores the next generation.
Next, I stopped into GPF to see Kaven Benoit coaching the KTM Group kids there, including Tegan Kortenbach.
Danik Paradis, Dylan Rempel and Nathan Germain were also in the group.
And that’s young Hayden Dupuis. He’ll likely be our future Tyler Medaglia.
Jamie and Kyle Keast came to town to look after the place while Josh Woods went to check in on his riders at the Texas Nationals.
Going south to ride just felt so different when you were young like Tegan here. Best memories.
I’d still steal Marty the Dog if I got the chance!
I stayed south to time the Indianapolis Supercross on my way back to Ontario. That’s Austin Fader who got the chance of a lifetime in the KJSX.
When will a Canadian rider come along to challenge Cole Thompson for Supercross supremacy?
There were nearly 3 million views of our little rut video with Brown Dog Wilson!

And then I was home again…

We’ll let Mr. Tuah say it to end this one: ” See you at the races…“
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