Music City Mayhem: The Drag Strip Awaits

With a training block full of sprints and deadlifts, the USA BMX Pro Series is primed and ready for the green light down the fastest first straight in BMX: Music City BMX’s legendary Drag Strip.

The opening two stops of the season have already delivered fireworks—returning champions, breakout rookies, and intense mid-pack battles have kept things electric. Now, the stage is set for an action-packed Memorial Day weekend in Nashville.

Men Pro

Cam Wood continues to hold the top spot in the standings, thanks to a win at the season opener and consistent podium finishes. After also claiming the USA Cycling National Championship at the Legacy Nationals, he arrives in Nashville hungry for his first Pro Series win down the Drag Strip.

But he’ll have plenty of competition. Two riders have swept the Music City weekend in the past decade—Kamren Larsen and Joris Daudet. Since 2015, Daudet has never lost when chasing the coveted Golden Record in Nashville.

Current Standings:

1. Cam Wood

2. Joshua Jolly

3. Kamren Larsen

4. Simon Marquart

5. Eddy Clerte

6. Jordan Callum

7. Mateo Carmona

8. Jack Davis

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Women Pro

Big hill, small hill—Molly Simpson is fast on them all. After dominating the Golden State Nationals, the Canadian Daylight rider is looking to claim her first USA BMX points win in Nashville. She has a UCI Sunday win at Music City, but now she’s aiming for the top step on the USA BMX podium.

She’ll be chased closely by a deep field, including Carly Kane, Lexis Colby, Payton Ridenour, and Daleny Vaughn. With increased technicality on the back half of the track, watch for Kane and Ridenour to make moves in the third straight—last-turn drama is very much in play.

Current Standings:

1. Molly Simpson

2. Carly Kane

3. Lexis Colby

4. Saya Sakakibara

5. Jacy Moore

6. Lauren Reynolds

7. Sienna Pal

8. Daleny Vaughn

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Vet Pro

What more can be said about Jeff Upshaw? The tall, smooth powerhouse is off to a strong start in 2025 and returns to a Music City layout that suits his style perfectly.

While fellow tall vet Nic Long will be a few hours away at Bikefest, Upshaw won’t have it easy. Keep an eye on Emilio Falla and Alan Hudson, who are both looking to carve low and break Upshaw’s streak.

Current Standings:

1. Jeff Upshaw

2. Nic Long

3. Emilio Falla

4. Corey Reid

5. Christopher Mireles

6. Alan Hudson

7. Tyler Brown

8. Tyler Smith

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ABA Futures Men

Rockstar Rift Tangent’s Ryder Santos and Chris Felker have proven to be a serious problem for the rest of the ABA Futures field—each has a win and multiple main event appearances.

Expect local firepower to enter the mix as Matthew Brewer and the Lindsey Wilson Cycling crew throw down in Nashville.

Current Standings:

1. Ryder Santos

2. Chris Felker

3. Matthew Weerts

4. Marshall Gehrke

5. Deegan Brown

6. Zakary Kaiser

7. Alexis Rheaume

8. Gaige Gomolicke

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ABA Futures Women

Every breakout season is special—but Derin Merten’s 2025 campaign is something else. The Black Mountain BMX rider has landed on the podium at all four rounds so far, winning three and taking an extra victory in Tulsa, where she also became the USA Cycling Junior National Champion.

Her explosive first straight should thrive on Music City’s Drag Strip, but holding off the field through the tech-heavy third straight will be the real challenge. Preslie Gould and Alexis Alden are poised to capitalize on any mistakes.

Current Standings:

1. Derin Merten

2. Preslie Gould

3. Kate Sifford

4. Avery Jones

5. Addison Thompson

6. Alexis Alden

7. Landon Burian

8. Victoria Dube

Since its first national, Music City BMX has earned a place in the hearts of racers and fans alike. With a fence line packed with energy and a layout built for action, two things are for sure: fast mains and fun times await.

See you at The Drag Strip.