Slaw
Phoenix Racing Honda announced on Monday that it is adding amateur standout Aden Keefer to its roster for the upcoming AMA Pro Motocross Championship.
With Cullin Park (shoulder) and Evan Ferry (knee) sidelined for the start of the championship, the team said rather than bringing in a short-term replacement, it has opted to sign Keefer for the full series and give him an opportunity to turn pro earlier than expected. He will race alongside Gavin Towers on the team.
“My main goal for 2026 has been to prepare myself to make the transition into the pro ranks and earn an opportunity along the way,” said Keefer. “Getting the call to take that next step and line up for all 22 motos this summer is something I couldn’t pass up, especially with the chance to do it aboard a Phoenix Racing Honda CRF250R. The past year and a half has had its share of dark times and tough moments, at times I wasn’t sure an opportunity like this would come. Now that it’s here, I’m ready to put my head down, work all summer, and prove that I belong at this level.
“To get to this point, I’ve had a lot of support from my personal partners and sponsors, and the relationships I’ve built with those people and companies will stay with me for a long time. I’m truly thankful for each and every one of them, and I appreciate their support in allowing me to make this move mid-season and take the next step in my career.”
The original plan for Keefer was to race the upcoming Loretta Lynn Amateur Motocross Championship in August but instead he will shift his focus to preparing for his first full outdoor campaign.
“With some of our regular riders out this summer, we had to take a hard look at the best option heading into Pro Motocross,” team manager Gary Schlentz said. “We could’ve gone the route of a short-term fill-in, but we felt it was more valuable to have another rider on the bike all summer. That allows us to evaluate the program alongside Towers and track our progress week in and week out. Aden’s name kept coming up when we spoke with our partners, and after our first day with him, it was clear why. He’s someone we see real value in developing, and he’s willing to put in the work.”
“Across all of our programs—whether it’s GNCC, ATVs, or Supercross—we’ve always tried to give that next generation, especially those who may be overlooked, a real shot,” team owner David Eller said. “After meeting Aden and his family and seeing how he fit in with our crew, it was clear he’s the kind of rider we want to work with. He’s hungry, he wants the opportunity, and we’re excited to see what he can do this summer and how he develops with our program.”
Aden, who has spent the last few years of his amateur career with Team Green Kawasaki, is the son of former pro racer turned renowned test rider, Kris Keefer, who currently runs Keefer Inc Testing and works for outlets such as Racer X and PulpMX.
The 2026 AMA Pro Motocross Championship begins May 30 at Fox Raceway.
