5 Things // VIR

This week's '5 Things' is presented by our friends at KYT Helmets. Trusted. Tested. Proven.

1. It's a 3-Race Weekend for Superbike

While we had a 4 rider battle snatched from our viewing pleasure in Race 2 at Mid-Ohio, we may just get it all back at VIR this weekend as we get to see the Superbike grid line up three times. Scholtz grabbed a win in the final race at Mid-Ohio, keeping his title fight well and truly alive, while Sean Dylan Kelly clicked off two more podiums, one of those a win, to keep his grasp on the top spot.

That said, the kicker in this weekend's three-race showdown could be the heat. We're about to find out who's fit coming down the stretch. JD Beach is known for his fitness, Fong's fresh off of a podium and a realistic shot at a win in Race 2 at Mid-Ohio, and Loris Baz was just off the front group and closing in the same race.

All eyes on Superbike in Virginia, that's for sure.

2. Could the First 2026 Champ Be Crowned?

Twins Cup points leader Hank Vossberg has one hand on the title and a shot at closing it out this weekend at VIR. That said, the Team Hammer duo of Bodie Paige and Mathew Chapin were right in the mix at Mid-Ohio and Isaac Woodworth will be hungry as always to nudge his way into the lead group.

Sam Drane spent last weekend at the N2 Endurance races at VIR, will his time spent on the track pay off as he looks to get in the fight at the front?

If there's any hope of stopping Vossberg from securing the title early, it's gonna take all hands on deck, that's for sure.

3. Will the Momentum Shift in Supersport?

Mid-Ohio's Supersport races gave us two of the closest battles of the season across any MotoAmerica class, with Darryn Binder coming out on top of both. With what looks to be a fairly evenly matched Ducati, Josh Herrin just wasn't quite able to close Binder out on the final lap of each race. With 6 races left in the season, Binder now leads by 19-points in what is, apart from SuperHooligans, the closest championship battle MotoAmerica has on offer down the stretch.

Herrin turned the heat up at Mid-Ohio, riding in what looked to be every session in the vicinity of Binder, will we see an increase in mind games and on-track antics as the pressure to claw back points and grab race wins mounts? Will Kayla Yaakov enter the mix and grab her first race win in Supersport? Lastly, will Josh Hayes continue to find form on the Yamaha R9 and snag a win at VIR, a place where he's tied for most Superbike wins in history at 7?

Time will tell.

4. Talent Cup

Last time we saw the Talent Cup on track was at Laguna Seca, Kensei Matsudiara did the double on what would be considered his home round of the series, and Nathan Gouker had a weekend to forget to say the least. Now the tables turn, as Gouker comes into a track in the North Carolina native's backyard, looking to recoup as many points as possible after falling 23 points adrift of the championship lead.

Will we see these two head-to-head as we have all season, or will Jake Paige and Sam Drane be able to split them up and create more points between the championship contenders?

A four-way battle at VIR in this class would be a spectacle, and that's exactly what we're hoping to see this weekend.

5. Can a 2026 Ducati Superbike Win Before the End of the Season?

We said at the beginning of the year that this bike could be really hard to beat, especially with Cameron Beaubier on it. While it took a bit of teething, he found form and was headed toward a win at Road America, but an unfortunate mistake cost not only that win, but sidelined him for the season with a dislocated shoulder.

PJ Jacobsen has been close, Ben Smith has shown he's capable of running at the front with his pole and near podium at Mid-Ohio in Race 1, and Loris Baz has finally come to grips with the new Panigale V4R.

Can any of these riders make it happen in the final eight races of the season? I'd put money on yes, but the clock is surely ticking.