Within Striking Distance

The Vet Pro title race is heating up — and while one rider has been scorching the field, two others are lurking, waiting for their shot to flip the standings.

It’s no secret that Jeff Upshaw is on the hot streak of a lifetime. Linking together clean laps with razor-sharp moves, the Ohio-native-turned-Idahoan has been untouchable, finishing nearly every lap in dominant fashion. With his flawless record, Upshaw has been setting the bar in the Vet Pro class.

But titles aren’t handed out until the end of the season, and with points still on the board, two hungry contenders remain very much in the chase.

The Numbers Game

• Jeff Upshaw – 1st across the board | 800 pts

• Alan Hudson – 1st, 2nd, 2nd, 2nd, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 4th | 680 pts

• Corey Reid – 2nd, 2nd, 2nd, 3rd, 3rd, 3rd, 3rd, 5th | 650 pts

On paper, Upshaw’s cushion looks nearly untouchable. But BMX racing has never been about paper — it’s about pressure, and how riders respond when it counts most.

The easy thing to say is, “Hudson and Reid need to win the next few races.” But that’s a lot easier said than done when Upshaw is still in the gate. The real path? One big win, and some cleanup on the low scores. Do that, and the title chase gets interesting.

Hudson: Home Turf Advantage

Alan Hudson finds himself in a unique position heading into the fall stretch. His next stop? His home track at the USA BMX National Headquarters in Tulsa, OK.

Hudson has long been known for his explosive first straights, and at a track he knows like the back of his hand, those first pedals might give him the edge he needs. One win at the HQ Nationals could flip the script, but even if the top spot eludes him, a podium finish is a near must to replace those lingering 4th-place scores dragging his points down.

If Hudson can turn home track advantage into a big result, the title chase will stay wide open.

Reid: Eyes on Texas

Corey Reid sits just 30 points behind Hudson, and while he’s been consistent with podium after podium, that elusive first win is still out there. For Reid, the breakthrough could come at the Texas Nationals.

Why Texas? Capitol City BMX matches what Reid has been training on at his local Goodyear BMX in Arizona. The rhythm, the transitions, and the flow suit his riding style perfectly. Tulsa might not be out of the question, but if there’s a place where Reid can steal a win and vault himself into the mix, Texas is it.

Upshaw: The Man to Beat

Of course, everything still runs through Upshaw. His momentum, his confidence, and his ability to adapt mid-race have made him nearly unbeatable this year. The others may need a little help; a slip, a miscalculation, or just one of those “anything-can-happen” moments BMX is known for, to bring him back within reach.

Final Straight

As the season barrels toward its finale, the Vet Pro class is anything but wrapped up. Upshaw may hold the keys, but Hudson and Reid are still within striking distance. All it takes is one perfect weekend to turn this chase on its head.

The gates are about to drop, and with them, the fate of the Vet Pro title.