At 16 years old, Drew Adams made his much-anticipated pro debut in the U.S., finishing 15-11 for 12th overall at the Ironman National. The long-time Kawasaki rider now grown into a top prospect too good to let leave for another brand/team, many wondered if Mitch Payton would leave Adams a spot on an all-ready stacked Monster Energy/Pro Circuit Kawasaki team. The short answer is yes.
The up-and-coming rider provided some insight on his trajectory into the professional ranks on Wednesday. Essentially, Adams will train as if he is racing the Anaheim 1 Supercross but will serve as a fill-in rider for the current five-rider roster. Seth Hammaker, Garrett Marchbanks, Levi Kitchen, Cameron McAdoo, and Ty Masterpool are already locked in for 2025, so Adams will race the SMX Next program—the collective term for SX Futures and the MX Sports Pro Racing Scouting Moto Combine events—and step up to the pro ranks if needed.
“So for this year, my plan is to race SMX Next again, but I'm more just a fill-in rider for Pro Circuit this year," Adams stated. "If anything tragic were to happen, then I would be able to get ready to race,” Adam stated. “…Yeah, pretty much so, as of right now, I'm training like I'm gonna be racing A1 and when the opportunity comes, then I'll be ready.”
In 2024, Adams raced as many races as he possibly could. The Team Green Kawasaki rider was racing both amateur events in the United States, as well as the Canadian professional motocross circuit with hopes of getting as many gates drops—and experience—as possible before taking the next step. Hell, he was even rushing back and forth over the border for amateur events in the U.S. and pro Canadian races.
“I think that was the best decision I've made in a long time for sure,” the Tennessee native said on racing as much as possible in 2024. “It is the best practice you can get, you know. And even though it's shorter motos up there [in Canada] and whatnot, it still helped me like a lot. So, I think that definitely got me ready more for Ironman than just me sitting back at the practice track just doing motos every day. Like I think that the racing was a smart choice.”
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He revealed he is locked into a full pro contract for both 2026 and 2027, adding there is no urgency to rush moving up. This allows him to get ready for when he does finally make the jump.
“Yes, for ‘26 and ‘27 I'm guaranteed a full-time ride for Pro Circuit,” he said on his current contract."
"Yeah, I mean, it's nice to know, like there's not much pressure on me in this off-season,” he added. “Today was my first day ride with all the guys and it's just, I like the environment and, yeah, nothing feels like pressured right now.”
Adams can be seen below in his 2025 national number, #98.
