2024 Team Preview: Next Level Racing KTM

2024 Team Preview: Next Level Racing KTM

October 9, 2023, @ 11:30 am
Words: Trey Stire
Main Photo: Next Level Racing

The Next Level Racing team has stepped up their game for the 2024 season. After starting as a run what you brung, TPJ style effort, the team will compete aboard KTM machinery once the season begins at Anaheim in January. The team started in 2022 and has supported riders such as Freddie Noren and Kevin Moranz in their short history. Next Level Racing riders combined for 27 main event starts last season, with 10 top-15 finishes and a stellar seventh by Kevin Moranz at the East Rutherford round. Despite the loss of Moranz, who started his own effort for the upcoming season, Next Level Racing still looks to be a strong true privateer team in the paddock for 2024, with KTM equipment and continued support from sponsors such as Red Line Oil and Pirelli tires. Here are the five riders competing for the team in Supercross.

Tristan Lane

The first of four riders returning to the squad is Tristan Lane. Lane is back for 2024 with continued support from his personal sponsor, Silverback Racing. Lane qualified for each of the final four races of 2023, with a best finish of 13th at Nashville and Salt Lake City. Despite only qualifying for four main events, Lane took 26th in the final 450SX standings. After a strong finish to the Supercross season, Lane competed in the first national but ended his season early due to lingering injuries. The Floridian underwent surgery to repair a torn Deltoid ligament in September but will be ready to roll for Anaheim 1. As one of the most experienced riders on the team, Lane will be seeking to add to his seven career main events and carry the flag for Next Level Racing.

Tristan Lane stood out from the pack last year with his F1-themed graphics courtesy of SKDA. Lane returns to Next Level Racing for the 2024 season. (Photo: Alec Gaut)

Hunter Schlosser

The second rider returning for 2024 is Hunter Schlosser. The Texas native joined the squad in 2023, qualifying for seven 250 West main events and a 450 main at Salt Lake City. Schlosser finished 26th in the 250 West standings, with a best finish of 16th at Anaheim 2. While he returns to the Next Level team, 2024 marks a change for Schlosser. For the first time in his pro career, Schlosser will compete on KTM equipment. He previously competed on Yamahas in each of his first four seasons. After a quietly solid campaign last season, Schlosser could be a weekly threat to qualify for the main event once again in 2024.

A switch to KTM and a move to the Club MX facility could be the changes that help take Hunter Schlosser to the “Next Level” in 2024. (Photo: RT Media)

Scott Meshey

Another rider returning to the squad is Scott Meshey. 2023 was a season to forget indoors for Meshey, as he struggled with injuries. However, Meshey had flashes of success in the Pro Motocross season, competing with the HBI Racing team. Meshey had two points finishes in the highly competitive season, taking a 19th in the second moto at Hangtown, and a 20th in the first moto at Redbud. Meshey’s primary goal for 2024 will be returning to main events, looking to add to his four total starts from 2021 to 2022.

“I am stoked to be able to work with Next Level Racing again,” Meshey said. “The environment, people, mission, and passion that goes into race day to help their riders is unmatched. It was definitely a very fulfilling experience as a person and racer being with their team, and that made a really strong impact on me. I’ll also say the new platform KTM is pretty sweet. I’m super pumped about the new setup and can’t wait to show it off more!”

“I’ve been putting in the work to up my fitness both on the bike and off, focusing a lot on sprint work and bringing out comfort in a high intensity state on the bike. My main goal for Supercross is to make as many main events as possible and work on putting myself in the best position possible during the mains. I’ll do lots of whoop and start practice to help make that happen!”

After three years on a Husqvarna, Scott Meshey is on orange for 2024. Will he be able to break back into the main event picture in his second year with Next Level Racing? (Photo: Ashley Watkins/Madcap Media)

Colby Copp

The fourth rider returning to Next Level Racing for 2024 is California native Colby Copp. Copp competed for the team last season and came agonizingly close to qualifying for his first career main event. This year, Copp is aiming to make his first career main and improve his results and fitness overall this season. A return to the Next Level team and move to Kevin Windham’s Farm 14 compound could be the keys to Copp’s improvement in 2024.

“Last year, the team and I had a great connection off the track. They are an awesome group of people and huge role models in my life. They help me tremendously, to go out and succeed at the races. I’m looking forward to 2024 with some new goals with all of the guys!”

Colby Copp’s new training program at Farm 14 showcases his hunger for breaking into the main event picture. (Photo courtesy of Colby Copp’s Instagram, @copp45)

Justin Rodbell

The fifth and newest member of Next Level Racing is Justin Rodbell. Rodbell missed the entire Supercross season in 2023 due to a torn Achilles but is back for 2024. Rodbell made his return after nearly ten months on the shelf in July at the Washougal National. The Maryland-born rider competed in the final four rounds of the season, scoring points at his home track at Budds Creek. The upcoming season will also be Rodbell’s first on a steel frame indoors. Rodbell competed on a Husqvarna in the 2022 and 2023 motocross seasons, as well as a KTM 2-stroke during the Washougal round. However, Rodbell’s indoor experience has been primarily aboard a Kawasaki after debuting on a Yamaha in 2020. A ride with Next Level Racing gives Rodbell a chance to make waves now that his recovery is complete and an opportunity to increase his total of 10 career main events.

Justin Rodbell is Next Level Racing’s off-season signing, and the popular Maryland privateer will be back on the Supercross gate in 2024. (Photo courtesy of Justin Rodbell’s Instagram, @justinbellrod)

Next Level Racing will return to action at the first round of Monster Energy AMA Supercross at Angel Stadium in Anaheim on January 6th. The five-rider team will be a crew of underdogs to watch for in 2024.