King of the Hammers


King of the Hammers

The King Claims Another King of the Hammers Victory

Legendary racer Jeremy McGrath added yet another milestone to his storied career last weekend at the iconic King of the Hammers, capturing victory in the Pro Stock NA UTV class aboard the new Kawasaki Teryx KRX®1000 Rock Edition. McGrath’s performance also earned him an impressive ninth overall against a stacked field of over 120 competitors, dominated by Pro Stock Turbo, Pro Mod, and Open UTVs.

Known as one of the most demanding off-road events in the world, King of the Hammers once again lived up to its reputation in 2026, with only 24 competitors able to complete the course. This year’s course challenged racers with a punishing blend of high-speed desert sections, deep sand washes, and relentless rock trails carved into the rugged terrain of Johnson Valley. The multi-lap layout forced competitors to balance outright speed with technical precision, navigating tight canyons, steep rock climbs, and miles of unforgiving desert where even the smallest mistake could end a race.

Piloting the Teryx KRX®1000 Rock Edition, McGrath navigated the extreme course with precision and control, showcasing the durability and capability of Kawasaki’s purpose-built side-by-side platform. As the race wore on, consistency proved just as critical as speed. McGrath’s experience and preparation allowed him to maintain momentum through the course’s toughest sections, avoiding costly errors while pushing when it mattered most. His victory not only reinforces his status as a multi-discipline champion, but also highlights the performance pedigree behind Kawasaki’s off-road lineup.

For McGrath, the win represents more than just another trophy, it’s a testament to preparation, experience, and the ability to adapt in one of motorsports’ toughest environments. As the dust settled in Johnson Valley, the result stood as a reminder that when it comes to racing at the highest level, consistency, confidence, and proven equipment make all the difference.

KOH Results

Jeremy McGrath

“It was a long day, we had a good time and man, it was an adventure, and my Kawasaki KRX held up nice all day. We had a great pitstop and Chris and the boys did a great job getting us back out after battling front lower arm issues. I don’t think we would have made the finish without them. We had to stop several times to tighten some things up, but it worked out great for us. My co-driver Jarren was great out there, using that Warn winch to pull and tow us up some pretty crazy lines. There people were jammed up everywhere. Jackhammer was the worst; I think we were sitting there for an hour. We finally got through and we just kept on trucking. The course was super tough, they threw everything at us today. My Kawasaki was running great and my MAXXIS tires were hooked, helping climb all the rocks. It was great to see everyone cheering us on out on the course. I want to thank everyone for all the support we got this year, we couldn’t have done it without everyone pitching in."

Steve Austin

"I'm thrilled to have secured another win at the Warrior 275. The Kawasaki TERYX KRX® 1000 and MAXXIS tires were an unbeatable combination, providing the reliability and performance needed to tackle this tough course. This victory is a testament to the hard work of my entire team.”

PRO NA Class Race Results

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1

2

3

DRIVER

Zachary Kisman

Brian Thompson

Dan Benfield

VEHICLE

Kawasaki Teryx KRX® 1000

Polaris

Yamaha

Sportsman UTV Class Race Results

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1

2

6

DRIVER

Anthony Aveggio

Matthew Bertero

Steve Austin

MOTORCYCLE

Polaris

Can Am

Kawasaki Teryx KRX® 1000

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