Frid’Eh Update #37 | Payton Morningstar | Brought to You by Dirt Care
By Billy Rainford
Welcome to Week #37 of the DMX Frid’Eh Update brought to you by Dirt Care cleaners and lubricants – a Canadian company. After a Labour Day weekend away from Moto, it’s time to get back at it this week.
I’ll be heading down the I-75 yet again for Round 1 of the SMX Playoffs at Historic Crew Stadium in Columbus, Ohio – home of THE Ohio State. There are a few bits of news as we head into this big money, 3-round playoff schedule:
- Dylan Rempel will ride for the Quadlock Honda team in Columbus and then the next round in Los Angeles in the SMX Next World All Stars. It’s pretty cool that Derek Schuster and the GDR Fox Honda team allow their riders to chase their dreams. I spoke with Derek on Thursday and he took me through everything it actually took to make this happen, and it was no small feat! Dylan has been training down at the Dog Pound in Florida and will fly to the rounds to race his GDR race bike with Supercross suspension and tuning. Abe will be his mechanic at these rounds. It sounds like 18-year-old Rempel’s trajectory is to be full time south of the border in 2028.
- Jett Lawrence will miss the Playoffs after having the hardware removed from his ankle.
- Ken Roczen and Jason Anderson will be on the track when the Playoffs start. We haven’t seen Roczen is a while, but I’m sure he’ll make his presence known at the front right away.
- These 3 races may be our last chance to see Eli Tomac.
- The 250 title may come down to a battle between a rider from New Zealand and one from Australia – Cole Davies and Kayden Minear.
- If you’re wondering who to cheer for in the 250 class, check out #180 Landen Gordon and #82 Caden Dudney. They will both have their bikes sideways and upside down more than any others.
- Cameron McAdoo and Jo Shimoda make their return to action, so they should definitely have something to say about this title.
- Can Levi Kitchen get some starts and stay off the ground to be in this title hunt?
- Hunter Lawrence and Haiden Deegan should have more than one encounter as they fight for top honours, I’d say.
- If the tracks are “hybrid” enough, watch for the 26 of Jorge Prado to grab holeshots and stay out front for a good portion of these Mains.
It looks like Brett Lee will be jumping in the #dmxdirtcarevan with me for this latest adventure. It’s only a 5-hour drive, but I welcome the company. Brett still sits at the top of my list of great story tellers.
Quadlock is really celebrating having Dylan Rempel on the team for the SMX Playoffs. Check out a few Instagram posts:
Payton Morningstar is the rider with #37 for the 2026 Canadian Triple Crown Series Motocross Nationals season. We’ve known the rider from Fort Erie, Ontario, for a long time now. We’ve watched him move up through the ranks on the #292 with his dad by his side. He’s now in the Pro ranks and is a rider who we expect to see battling in the top 10 of the 450 class every round, moving forward.
Here’s a look at his 2026 season:
Payton has been ultra-committed to improvement and spends his winter months working hard down at MTF in south Georgia. Payton is also one of our bigger riders and would be on the short list for our basketball or volleyball team.
Direct Motocross: Hello, Payton. It’s your turn for the Update Interview. Where have we found you this week and what are you up to?
Payton Morningstar: Hey, Billy! Happy to have my turn!! Just been relaxing at home, working out tons and doing some construction work with my dad.
What have you been doing since Walton?
Since Walton I’ve been kind of living the normal life. I blew up all 3 of the bikes I have up here right now, so just been working hanging out with my friends. It’s been fun to reset and really get the itch back to ride after a long summer! I’ll have a motor back today so I’ll be back doing motos this weekend. haha
How did the #37 treat you this summer? You finished 12th in the 450 class. Are you happy with your results?
I loved the number 37! Pretty happy with 12th since missing a few rounds. I would’ve loved top 10, but we will take it.
I’m curious, you spend your winters working hard at MTF. Is the Pro Life everything you hoped it would be?
It’s definitely a grind but I’ve learned to love it! I can’t wait to be back down there grinding out 30’s and getting ready for next summer. Some days are tough but that’s just what make the good motos so worth it.
My dad always said the 80 class was his favourite time for racing. Would you or your dad say the same thing?
Oh yea, he definitely would! I would too. I love going back and watching racing from that era.
What are your plans for the fall season? (I guess I shouldn’t call it that in a motocross context, should I?! Lol)
Just to do some working with my dad and ride as much as I can before heading south. Feels good to take a little break, since I haven’t had more than 5 days in a row off the bike since Christmas.
What do you do for fun off the dirt bike? Do young kids still “cruise the strip” in cars with friends? What the heck do kids do these days???
Oh yea, I guess you could say cruise the strip. haha. When I’m not training and in kind of the off season, me and my buddies will load up in the sprinter and head to Niagara Falls for some fun! Besides that working out and golfing is also a lot of fun.
What’s the best social media platform these days? Where do you find yourself scrolling most?
Definitely Instagram! All I really watch is dirt bike content. Between keeping up with MXGP and all other racing series that’s for sure my main one.
What are your winter plans? Are you going to chase any Supercross this year?
Yes, that’s the plan! Going to ride some Supercross in November down at MTF again and see how it goes. If I’m riding well we will definitely hit a few rounds.
And what about next summer. It’s a long way away but what are you wanting/hoping to do?
The plan is to get the whole Triple Crowns Series in and some AMA Pro Motocross in the states as well! Going for that consistent top 10’s next and I really want to get towards the front of this 450 class.
Before we let you go, let’s get your numbers: what’s your age, weight, and height?
Right now I’m 22 years old, 6’3, and 185 pounds.
OK, thanks for the quick chat. See you somewhere soon. Who would you like to thank?
Of course, Billy, any time! Yes, I plan on doing some of the AMO rounds, so I’m sure I’ll see you there! I’d like to thank KTM Canada, Fox Racing, SSS suspension, Hall race fuel, and MTF! Thanks for the chat, Billy. Have a good one!
2026 Corduroy Enduro
Next up after this weekend is the Corduroy Enduro up in Gooderham, Ontario. Every time I’m up in that area near Haliburton, I ask myself why we don’t all live up in that area?? The geography is so nice compared to the flatlands of southwestern Ontario.
I’ve been up to this race the past couple years and I always look forward to it now. I’ve been lucky with the weather, so that plays a big part. I imagine it would be a completely different experience if it rained all weekend. 🤞
Also, I’ve gone all over the place with my cameras and shot video and photos during the 2 days of racing. Every rider out there has been great as I shove a camera in their face and ask them how one of the most gruelling events around is going, so I hope that carries over into this year’s event. I hope the videos up on Youtube will stand the test of time as a time capsule for the events.
I’ve also ridden the e-assist bicycle enduro “race” both years, but I’m not sure I’ll have a bike for this year’s event. I rode a GasGas both years courtesy of KTM Canada. There’s a chance Derek Schuster will have Dylan Wright‘s Trek demo bike available for me, but we’ll wait and see. Hmm, what about a Surron for the E-Enduro race on Friday??? Anyone?
You can find the more info HERE and register HERE (Friday) and HERE (Main Enduro Saturday/Sunday).
Tyler Medaglia is on a 3-year winning streak and Rachel Gutish was the Women’s winner in 2025.
Provisional 2027 MXGP Calendar Released
PROVISIONAL MXON ENTRY LIST
OK, it’s time to hop in the van and hit the road. Be sure to catch all the action today and tomorrow on the app and on Peacock.
Have a great weekend, everyone. We’re looking at the possibility of a mudder, so I’ve packed all my rain gear so I can stand out there without any issue. Ugh.
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