Shane McElrath Moving on From Quad Lock Honda. Is Beta Next for SMX Playoffs?
Shane McElrath's run with the Quad Lock Honda team has come to an end, as the team explained today in a press release. Quad Lock Honda team owner Yarrive Konsky has explained that the team will begin to focus more on a 250 program in the future. Meanwhile our Steve Matthes has discovered that McElrath will soon be picked up by the Liqui Moly Beta factory team in time to race the SMX playoffs in September. McElrath is currently 22nd in the 450SMX standings, and if he stays there he will have to race his way into the motos through the Wild Card (LCQ) race.
Quad Lock's press release on McElrath's time with the team is below.
Quad Lock Honda will conclude its relationship with Shane McElrath following the 2026 AMA Motocross Championship, with the team extending its sincere thanks to the American for his professionalism, commitment and contribution to the program.
McElrath joined the team at the end of 2024 to contest the Australian Championship, a deal that, by his own admission, almost didn't happen.
“I was tired following a long season in America. There had been a lot of changes that season and I was exhausted,” McElrath recalled.
“I wasn't sure about committing to something like this, another country, a different brand and another championship. I spoke to some riders who had raced for Yarrive and Honda Australia, particularly Justin Brayton, and took a couple of days to think about it.
“We decided to do it, and I never imagined it would reignite the joy I had for racing my dirt bike.”
The decision proved to be a significant one for both rider and team.
McElrath went on to win the 2024 Australian Supercross SX2 Championship and the 2024 FIM World Supercross SX2 Championship, before achieving another personal milestone in 2025 when he claimed his first-ever 450-class podium.
That result was also significant for Quad Lock Honda, representing only the team's second podium in the premier 450 class at the time.
“If you had told me in 2024 that I would sign with a new team, win two championships and get my first-ever 450 podium, I wouldn't have believed you,” said McElrath.
“It was an amazing experience, one I will always treasure. I've seen places I hadn't seen before, met so many new friends and genuinely loved the experience.”
A CHANGE OF DIRECTION
As the 2026 season progressed, Quad Lock Honda's future direction became clearer, with the team preparing for a significant expansion of its 250-class program and a reduced number of available positions in the 450 class.
At the same time, McElrath received an opportunity to continue racing 450s with another team, with a pathway that would allow him to remain focused on racing and testing in America.
For Konsky, the decision was ultimately about doing what was right for both the rider and the team.
“Shane and I have always had a great relationship, and we were very open and honest with one another,” said Konsky.
“Shane had an opportunity to ride for another team, and they wanted him to begin testing during World Supercross. I wasn't going to stand in the way of that.
“Shane wants to continue racing 450s and spend more time racing in America. As our program evolves, we weren't going to be able to provide him with the opportunity he was looking for. Sometimes the right thing to do is also the hardest thing. We came to an agreement because we both want what is best for one another.
“Shane is a great human being. He has always represented himself, our team and Honda with professionalism, and I am genuinely grateful for everything he has contributed to our program.”
| Position | Rider | Hometown | Qualifying Points | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  Hunter Lawrence | Landsborough, Australia  | 820 | 25 |
| 2 |  Jorge Prado | Lugo, Spain  | 590 | 22 |
| 3 |  Cooper Webb | Newport, NC  | 579 | 20 |
| 4 |  Jett Lawrence | Landsborough, Australia | 472 | 18 |
| 5 |  Dylan Ferrandis | Avignon, France  | 444 | 17 |
| 6 |  Garrett Marchbanks | Coalville, UT | 438 | 16 |
| 7 |  Haiden Deegan | Temecula, CA | 404 | 15 |
| 8 |  Eli Tomac | Cortez, CO | 396 | 14 |
| 9 |  R.J. Hampshire | Hudson, FL | 384 | 13 |
| 10 |  Ken Roczen | Mattstedt, Germany  | 349 | 12 |
| 11 |  Justin Cooper | Cold Spring Harbor, NY | 347 | 11 |
| 12 |  Chase Sexton | La Moille, IL | 298 | 10 |
| 13 |  Justin Barcia | Monroe, NY | 259 | 9 |
| 14 |  Jordon Smith | Belmont, NC | 259 | 8 |
| 15 |  Aaron Plessinger | Hamilton, OH | 258 | 7 |
| 16 |  Mikkel Haarup | Denmark  | 246 | 6 |
| 17 |  Malcolm Stewart | Haines City, FL | 244 | 5 |
| 18 |  Christian Craig | Temecula, CA | 242 | 4 |
| 19 |  Joey Savatgy | Thomasville, GA | 194 | 3 |
| 20 |  Justin Hill | Yoncalla, OR | 193 | 2 |
| 21 |  Mitchell Harrison | Lansing, MI | 190 | 0 |
| 22 |  Shane McElrath | Canton, NC | 150 | 0 |
| 23 |  Benny Bloss | Oak Grove, MO | 139 | 0 |
| 24 |  Colt Nichols | Muskogee, OK | 135 | 0 |
| 25 |  Cornelius Tøndel | Norway  | 112 | 0 |
MORE THAN RESULTS
While the championships and podiums will remain an important part of McElrath's legacy with the team, Konsky believes his contribution extended well beyond results.
“He brought professionalism, experience and consistency every time he rode for us,” said Konsky. “He cared about the people around him, he respected the opportunity and he always gave us everything he had.
“Winning championships is why we race, but the relationships we build along the way are just as important. I will always be grateful that Shane trusted us enough to come to Australia at a time when he was exhausted and uncertain about what came next.
“We gave each other something. He helped us win championships and grow as a team, and I hope we gave him an environment where he rediscovered some of the enjoyment that had been missing. I genuinely wish him nothing but success. I hope he gets the opportunity to continue doing what he loves and achieves everything he is capable of.”
McElrath echoed those sentiments, expressing his appreciation for the opportunity and the people who made his time with Quad Lock Honda so memorable.
“The team and the people have been great,” said McElrath. “I've achieved things I had only dreamed about, and I'm incredibly grateful for that. I'll always be very fond of the memories I've made with this team, the championships, the podium and, most importantly, the people.”
Quad Lock Honda will continue through the remainder of the 2026 season before unveiling its World Supercross, Australian Supercross and 2027 program on October 1.
For McElrath, the next chapter begins with the respect and gratitude of a team that will always be proud to have had him as part of its story.
