BREAKING NEWS! SHANE MCELRATH EXPLAINS DEPARTURE FROM HEP SUZUKI

It’s been a wild year for mid-season team switch-ups. First, Colt Nichols and the Liqui Moly Beta Factory Racing team mutually parted ways, then ClubMX Yamaha announced that Garrett Marchbanks would no longer be a part of their team after the Red Bud National, and now Shane McElrath joins the list. MXA’s Josh Mosiman spoke with Colt and Garrett about their switches in our recent “This Week in MXA” episode. In the video, Garrett explains that the switch was abrupt and unplanned.

However, Shane McElrath’s situation is different from Marchbanks’ and Nichols’. Shane doesn’t have a contract lined up for 2025. Before ClubMX let Garrett Marchbanks go, he had already signed with Pro Circuit Kawasaki to return to their team for 2025. In Colt’s situation, he left Beta with another year and a half still on his contract. He was seen test-riding the HEP Suzuki RM-Z450 before the press release was posted about his official departure from Beta.

Read Shane’s explanation below:

Shane McElrath: “Obviously, it’s not ideal to switch teams mid-season. This year has been a challenge for me, but I was committed to maintaining integrity and finishing out the season with my best foot forward. Unfortunately, the team terminated my contract with six rounds left in the SMX series. It was not a mutual decision to part ways. However, with every challenge, there’s a silver lining. I’m grateful for the friends I’ve made in this industry and I feel blessed that the Madd Parts Kawasaki team was able to pick me up for the remainder of this year. They didn’t put any pressure on me to race so quickly, but I have enjoyed my first two days on the bike and I’m excited to line up on the Madd Parts Kawasaki KX450 this weekend. As of now, I don’t have a contract signed for 2025, and I’m looking to finish out the season strong with my new team.”

Shane McElrath’s number 12 will be aboard a KX450 starting at Unadilla this weekend. 

MaddParts Press Release: MaddParts.com Kawasaki is excited to announce the signing of Shane McElrath for the remainder of the 2024 SuperMotocross Season.

Shane, who recently became available, joins the team which continues to make strides in establishing themselves as a formidable competitor in the SMX series.

The addition of a talented athlete like Shane McElrath not only strengthens the team’s lineup with Freddie Noren, but also reinforces MaddParts.com Kawasaki’s commitment to advancing and proving themselves against the major teams in the sport. The team has wasted no time, working swiftly to ensure Shane gets acclimated to the bike with the goal of having him race at Unadilla this weekend

“We are thrilled to welcome Shane to the MaddParts.com Kawasaki family,” said Team Owner, Bubba Pauli. “His addition to our team represents a significant step forward, and we are committed to supporting him every step of the way. We are confident that Shane’s expertise and dedication will contribute to a successful remainder of the season for himself and the team. It’s very important for us to take advantage of this opportunity to work with Shane, it came earlier than expected but will help us in striving towards building a race winning organization. We will be evaluating our progress the next few days and if we feel ready, we will have a bike on the line at Unadilla with #12 on it.

Shane and his new team will spend the next several days transitioning Shane to a brand he has no history with.

It’s a big task but this rider-owned team has always loved a challenge and Shane likes the base the team has found with the help of Noren these past few months.

McElrath’s career thus far has consisted of 9 career 250S Supercross wins, an FIM World Supercross SX2

Championship (2022), and three runner-up 250S Championship Seasons (2015, 2017, 2020) aboard Star Yamaha and Troy Lee Designs KTM. McElrath transitioned to the 450 in 2022 where he competed on a SmartTop Honda, Rocky Mountain ATV/MC KTM and most recently HEP Suzuki with a career best 450SX finish of 4th (2024).

Shane always smiles for the MXA cameras. 

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