JD Beach continued his impressive 2026 season by sweeping both MotoAmerica Superbike races last weekend at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca in California, earning a pair of victories in the premier motorcycle road racing series in the United States.
Beach led every lap in both races during the fifth round of the MotoAmerica championship, giving him two more victories in the Superbike class — the highest level of production-based motorcycle road racing in the country.
The Philpot resident is one of several professional motorcycle racers who now call the Owensboro area home, a community that has become nationally known for producing and attracting elite riders, likely thanks to Nicky Hayden and the Hayden family.
Originally from Washington state, Beach began racing at age 3 and turned professional when he was 15. Through the racing circuit, he became close with the Gillim family and frequently stayed with them before moving to western Kentucky at age 16 while also competing in Europe.
“They’re family to me, and they’ve helped me a lot,” Beach said of the Gillims.
Beach now spends most of the year training in the Owensboro area before heading to Florida for the first two months of each season to prepare for competition.
“I spend from the beginning of March until January here in town,” Beach said. “Then I go down to Florida for the first two months of the year just because it’s a little bit warmer there to ride and train.”
His training includes strength workouts at a local gym, road cycling, riding dirt bikes at his home track and practicing with other professional racers in the area, including Hayden Gillim.
Beach said the Owensboro area’s reputation as a motorcycle racing destination can largely be traced to the legacy of the Hayden family.
“I think it does for sure,” Beach said when asked whether the Haydens are responsible for attracting so many elite riders to the area.
In addition to Beach and Gillim, Princeton native Jake Lewis competes in MotoAmerica and now lives in the Owensboro area. Australian riders Tom and Sam Drane spend the race season in Owensboro while competing in American Flat Track, and reigning American Flat Track champion Dallas Daniels also lives in the community. Beach noted that the Dranes and Daniels ride for a team operated by Tommy Hayden.
The MotoAmerica Superbike class features highly modified 1,000cc production motorcycles that begin as models available at dealerships before being transformed into race machines with upgraded engines, suspension and braking systems.
Beach competes against riders from across the United States and several other countries, including France and South Africa.
Although MotoAmerica represents the highest level of motorcycle road racing in the United States, Beach said his focus remains on competing for championships domestically rather than pursuing opportunities overseas later in his career.
His next race comes after a two-week break when the MotoAmerica series heads to Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course in Lexington, Ohio.
Looking back on more than three decades in the sport, Beach said he hopes young riders focus on more than winning.
“I would say just work as hard as you can and chase your dream,” he said. “But enjoy all the steps too, and use it to learn life lessons and to work hard.”
