Frid’Eh Update #16 | Tanner Scott | Brought to You by Dirt Care
Week #16 of the DMX Frid’Eh Update belongs to Tanner Scott from Oro Medonte, ON and is brought to you by Dirt Care
By Billy Rainford
Welcome to Week #16 of the DMX Frid’Eh Update brought to you by Dirt Care. If April showers bring May flowers, what do May flowers bring? PILGRIMS! (dad joke #1 of the week) But seriously, it’s been raining a lot lately. We had the roughest winter I can remember since I was a little kid here in the London, ON area, and now it looks like spring is going to drench us for a while before we can enjoy some fin in the sun.
We’re actually looking at a possible mudder for Saturday at Round 14 of the 2026 Monster Energy AMA Supercross Championship at Huntington Bank Field in Cleveland, Ohio. Speaking of Cleveland, can you believe we’ve only been to ‘The Mistake on the Lake’ once in the entire history of the sport? I was surprised by that. I’m sure I remember playing an old video game where one of the stops was in Cleveland. Maybe it was a game from way back in 1996? I have no idea.
Here’s my one funny Cleveland story: The year before, it was in Cancun, Mexico. The year after, it was in New Zealand. And the year I qualified and went to the ITU Triathlon World Championship it was in…wait for it…CLEVELAND! The start of my race was something of a fiasco, too. I’ll have to dig out the old box of VHS tapes and convert them to digital. One of these days…
Anyway, Friday looks like the best day of the weekend, so Press Day should be worth the drive. The forecast for Saturday’s afternoon program is not looking great, but you never know.
Jordan Wilsey from RussoGraphy518 makes his return to shoot video for us. He’s got a bunch of new gear, so I’m looking forward to seeing what he can capture.
We gave a 4-pack of tickets away to this round, so congratulations to the winner! I hope they packed their warm, rain gear. Congratulations to Jeffrey Glover!
Tanner Scott from Oro Medonte, Ontario, is the rider with #16 for the 2026 season. I seems weird not talking to Cole Thompson this week. Man, when was the last time he wasn’t #16? You actually have to go back to 2017 to find Cole running something other than #16.
Tanner is one of only 2 riders to win the coveted Fox Bronze Boot at the TransCan at Walton Raceway twice in a row. He did it in 2021 and 2022. The other rider to do it was Jeremy McKie in 2018 and 2019.
If you look over the winners of the award, most of them went on to great things in our sport. However, it doesn’t always cement one’s future, as you can see by some of the names on the list.
Bronze Boot Winners:
1998 Justin Thompson ON
1999 Kaven Grégoire QC
2000 Zeb Dennis ON
2001 Peter Raymer ON
2002 Trevor Hall ON
2003 Tyler Medaglia ON
2004 Adam Deakon ON
2005 Kyle Stephens ON
2006 Nathan Slater Atlantic
2007 Dylan Kaelin ON
2008 Richard Grey ON
2009 Alex Laliberté QC
2010 Bradley Dool ON
2011 Taylor Arsenault ON
2012 Scott Cameron ON
2013 Dylan Wright ON
2014 Mackenzie Machan ON
2015 Nick Denniston ON
2016 Nicolas Cryer ON
2018 Jeremy McKie QC
2019 Jeremy McKie QC
2020 Sebastien Racine ON
2021 Tanner Scott ON
2022 Tanner Scott ON
2023 Bobby Gravel ON
2024 Blake Davies ON
2025 Jonathan Bergeron ON
(From: www.waltonraceway.ca)
That’s an interesting list. I should get in touch with the riders who we don’t think about these days and see what they got up to once they left the sport.
Here’s a look at Tanner’s 2025 Canadian Triple Crown Series Motocross Nationals season in the 450 class:
He was 8th overall.
We got in touch with Tanner this week to see what he’s been up to and find out what his plans are for the upcoming 2026 season. Here’s what he had to say:
Direct Motocross: Hey, Tanner. First off, we have to talk about the #16. It’s been a while since it hasn’t belonged to Cole Thompson. Any thoughts on that?
Tanner Scott: Not too many thoughts other than it’s a cool number. It’s always sweet to get as low as possible. At the end of the day, you want a career number though. But hopefully I can rep the 16 to good results this year like it has in the past.
Would your career number choice be 46?
Yes, always loved the number. Don’t even know if I have a reason I chose it. Pretty sure I saw Marco Cannella running it and I thought he was cool so I needed it too. Would be nice to go back to it for sure.
In 2025, you finished inside the top 10 (9th) 3 times and were 8th in the 450 standings, just 1 point ahead of Noah Porter. Can you sum up the summer for us?
If I had to sum it up in one word I would say “uneventful.” I was never great, I was never horrible, and I feel like that’s my theme from recent years. But 8th in the standings is nothing to complain about.
What did you get up to when the Canadian Triple Crown Series ended in August?
Took a few weeks off of riding. Hung out with friends and just let my body have a break. We may only have 8 rounds but the body still takes some good hits that linger.
You made a pretty funny comment about going easy on you with the questions. Can you tell everyone what it is you do for work?
I am a roofer. I work for my dad and our company is Brentwood Roofing. I’m as close as you can be to being in charge at the site. Might as well label my job “Baby Sitter” with some of the guys on our crew. lol
I just lurked your Instagram page. Did you grow up on a snowboard or did you start on skis? Oh, and the Russian judge deducted a few points for the hand touch on your barrel roll.
I started on skis, but I’ve snowboarded for well over 10 years now. Let’s just say I’m not very talented in the flip department. My straight airs are dialled though. I’ll sky the big jumps, just no style.
I see were down in Florida at WW Ranch/Club 57 and some other spots. How was your trip down there for training?
I was able to make it down south for a couple weeks this winter and did lots of track hopping. I was able to make it for a week to Club 57 before heading home. I didn’t spend too much time down south this year, just wasn’t really in the cards and very behind schedule getting bikes etc..
I also see you’re on a KTM 250 now. Is that saying what we think it’s saying? Are you dropping back down?
Yes, back to 250 this year. I feel as though the 450 allows me to lean into the lazy and smooth riding style, being consistent. The goal is to get away from that though. I would be happy to leave the weekend knowing I was going fast rather than a decent result on paper.
And I see Brentwood Roofing on your rad shrouds. What does that mean for your 2026 racing plans? Are you chasing the whole series again?
Plan is to race full series right now, along with most of the AMO series. And if all goes well, I would like to make it to a few AMA Pro Nationals at the end of the year.
Nice. So, only you (2021, 2022) and Jeremy McKie (2018, 2019) have won the Bronze Boot at the Walton TransCan 2 years in a row and yet you both seem to be having a difficult time turning it into a “factory” ride. Any ideas on that? What gives?
The jump from Intermediate and Pro is gnarly and, honestly, I would say it comes from a lack of effort from myself. I need to give my all into training and everything all around. I have definitely made strides forward and I believe that moving forward I am gonna be a guy people are watching.
Nice answer. So, you’ll do some pre-season races like the AMO season opener this weekend at Gopher Dunes or Sand Del Lee or Auburn?
Yea, I plan to do Gopher and Auburn for sure maybe Sand Del Lee, depending on how everything is going. It’s just far enough to be a brutal drive for us.
And how about your good friend Crayden Dillon moving up to the Pro class and winning the Amsoil Snowcross title in his rookie year? I know snowmobiles are a big deal in your family too. We always joke around with you guys, so maybe you’re just mad at him because he’s the 250 guy for Red Bull KTM this season? Lol
Yea, I was pumped to see him win. We’ve been close for many years now. That’s sick, especially to come back hard in the second half of the season, almost Cooper Webb style and he’s gnarly on a sled. And I can’t be mad that he got the ride as well because he put in the effort, showed what he can do, and he got a ride. Hopefully, I’ll be able to show him the fast lines this summer. lol. But I know the work he puts in and he deserves everything he’s gotten to this point.
Thanks for taking some time with us this week, and good luck with everything. Who would you like to thank?
My dad, Brentwood Roofing, Peak Powersports, TL Tire, Matrix Concepts, Bondi engines, Firstline Graphics, Guts, Hall Race Fuel, St. Onge bike shop for there continued support, Perform X Training, and everyone else I’ve forgotten.
Cleveland Supercross
I love these stats Supermotocross sends out each week. Here are some of the more interesting one, in my opinion:
HISTORY LESSON: The first and only 450SX Class round held in Cleveland, or the state of Ohio, was on May 20, 1995, at Cleveland Municipal Stadium. Jeremy McGrath (Honda) scored his 9th victory of the season to clinch his 3rd straight Championship, becoming only the 2nd athlete in the history of the sport to complete this feat to that point (Bob Hannah ’77-’79). Jeff Emig (Kawasaki) & Doug Henry (Yamaha) filled out the podium.
The first and only 250SX Class round held in Cleveland, or the state of Ohio, was on May 20, 1995, at
Cleveland Municipal Stadium and was the Eastern Divisional finale. Honda of Troy’s Mike Brown scored the 2nd win of his season but due to missing 2 rounds earlier in the Eastern Divisional season he fell well short of the Championship, finishing runner-up to Mickael Pichon (Kawasaki). Pichon finished 4th in Cleveland but had already wrapped the title up two rounds before in Charlotte.
- Hunter Lawrence is tied with his brother, Jett Lawrence, in 450SX Class podiums for 41st all-time with his 12th. Hunter has a 37.5% (12/32) podium % while Jett sits at 57.1% (12/21).
- Cooper Webb scored his 126th career SMX League podium which is only one podium behind Marvin Musquin for 12th all-time. He has not finished outside of the top-5 in a rd. 13 or later 450SX Class round since 2022. He has finished outside of the top10 in a rd. 13 or later 450SX Class round only twice in his 10 year 450SX Class career, and both were in his rookie season (does not include his DNS in Rd.14 of 2018).
- Ken Roczen milestone 85th 450SX Class podium (6th all-time) & 175th 450SX Class start (10th all-time). Roczen has 4 straight podiums for the 1st time since 2023 (rds .13-16). If he podiums in the Cleveland Triple Crown, he will tie his record for 450SX Class consecutive podiums at 5, which he has accomplished 4 times: 2016- Rds. 3-7 & 12- 16, 2020- Rds. 7-11, & 2021- Rds. 3-7.
- Justin Hill (5th): Nails his 6th career 450SX Class top-5 finish in 91 starts. Was making his milestone 200th SMX League start and scored his 37th SMX League top-5 finish.
- Zack Williams (20th): The 15+ yr. veteran of SMX League racing qualifies for his 1st ever 450SX Class Main Event and scores 2 points in the process.
- Yamaha is nearing Honda’s record for most 250SX Class wins in a single season of 14. At 12 right now, Yamaha would break the record if they won 3 of the last 4 rounds.
- Devin Simonson earns his 1st career 250SX Class or SMX League podium finish in 10 250SX Class starts and 35 SMX League starts. He hadn’t even scored a top-5 in his career beforehand. Simonson is tied with Thrasher for 6th in the point standings with 3 rounds remaining. He had impressed with a career best of 6th in Indy earlier in the Championship and is currently tied for 6th in the point standings.
- Kyle Peters made his 79th career 250SX Class start, looking to become the 6th athlete in 250SX Class history to make 80+ starts. Barry Carsten (118), Martin Davalos (101), Kyle Cunningham (92), Greg Schnell (87), and Mitchell Oldenburg (83) are the only athletes with more 250SX Class starts in their career.
How to watch:
Fan Fest: 8:00am-2:00pm
Opening Ceremonies: 2:30pm
Racing starts at 3:00pm
Race Day Live starts streaming at 9:00am
Racing broadcast live at 3:00pm on NBC and Peacock
You can also tune in to NBC Sports audio at Sirius XM Channel 85
Riding was cancelled for Press Day this afternoon.
Drama at Pax Trax in Florida
Have you been following along with what’s been going on down at Pax Trax in Bunnell, Florida? Man, track owner CJ Harris and a moto dad/content creator Janky Productions have been going at it hard on social media. You definitely have to listen to both sides on this one to get a better understanding of how it all started.
Grab some popcorn:
Notes from the Modified Cleveland Press Day
- Despite the crazy past couple days’ horrible weather, Friday it has been 20C and not a cloud in the sky!
- Eli Tomac will throw out the first pitch at the Cleveland Guardians game.
- Ken Roczen is part owner of a local pub called Shooters on the Water with a few other investors like Machine Gun Kelly. They’ll be doing a live show from their tonight.
- I’ve been told the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame is being torn down and will go into the new dome that is going to be built.
- Kevin Moranz was in the first episode of the second season of Million Dollar Secret last night.
- Ian Harrison from Red Bull KTM said he doesn’t know any more than we do as to why Eli struggled in the Main last week in Nashville. They went back to base settings last week and will stay there again this week. Eli doesn’t complain and is very professional. Eli is stoic and serious to deal with. You know what you’re dealing with and there’s not a lot of guessing involved. He said that Jorge Prado just needs to learn how to ride so close to others in the early stages of Supercross because it’s not like MX. Aaron Plessinger has a crack in his upper femur that is taking time to heal. They expect him to be good to go for MX. Chance Hymas is about 10 days out of having all the rods and pins removed from his back. The incisions need to heal and he should also be good to go for MX.
- Justin Cooper is on the 2026 Yamaha while Cooper Webb is on the 2025.
- Nate Thrasher doesn’t have a ride for 2027 yet and has had no talks with Star Racing about it yet.
- Cole Davies says he likes the Triple Crown format better than the normal style of SX. When asked, besides the whoops, where else and why he was better than the others he simply said, “I’m just faster than them on a dirt bike…”
- Landen Gordon said training with the Star Racing team is intense.
- Red Bull TLD Ducati Team Manager Josh Wisenor said he’s got the two most opposite riders you could possibly have in Dylan Ferrandis and Justin Barcia and that it helps them with troubleshooting the bike. Tony Cairoli is IN for Southwick but he’s also heard the rumour that he may race round 1 so they will prepare for that possibility.
- Malcolm Stewart seems most happy about how well young Daxton Bennick is doing.
- Nathan Ramsey didn’t actually get to race the Cleveland Supercross back in 1995 because he was injured.
- Ohio native Logan Karnow just wants to make his first Main in a couple years due to injuries. He also said that if he doesn’t make the races that he’ll probably go up into Cade Clason‘s dad’s suite and have a drink with him.
- Ohio native Jeremy Hand lives 30 minutes from here. He’ll race Denver and Salt Lake City in the 450 class. It’s him and his dad on the road.
- Ohio native Cade Clason is still working his way back into shape after shattering his collarbone in Houston. He’s been coming to this stadium to watch the Brown’s play, since he was a little kid. He spent 5 hours at the massive local indoor bicycle complex called Ray’s.
- Director of Operations Bill Harris is probably the most comfortable in front of the camera of anyone! He said this dirt is stored outside about 4 miles from the stadium. They were actually just working on the whoops this afternoon due to the horrible weather here the last couple days.
Have a great weekend, everyone. I’ll see you all on Sunday at Gopher Dunes.
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