Image: Octopi Media.

An unsuccessful return to racing at the Unadilla National will see Phoenix Racing Honda’s Cullin Park forced out for the remainder of the 2026 Monster Energy SMX World Championship, with an unresolved shoulder injury requiring further rehabilitation.

Park tore his labrum at the Birmingham 250SX Showdown, immediately after posting three consecutive top-10 results to open the Eastern divisional series. He had been sidelined since the March round while working toward a return at Unadilla.

After qualifying 24th overall and finishing P25 in moto one, the intensity of the day ultimately proved too much for his recovering shoulder, prompting him to exit moto two. Park and the team will now shift their focus to the 2027 season.

“I’ve done everything I can to try to get back behind the gate this year,” admitted Park. “Unfortunately, I’m still not quite ready, and I don’t have all the strength back in my shoulder yet, which was pretty clear yesterday.

“I knew coming into the weekend that it was going to be tough, but I’m a racer, and I wanted to be back out there. After talking it over with the team, we decided I should sit out the remaining rounds and focus on getting back to full strength so I can be ready for next year.

“I really appreciate all the support from everyone involved in the Phoenix Racing Honda program. It sucks to have to finish the year this way, but I know this is the right decision, and I’m focused on coming back healthy and ready to go.”

Unadilla also marked Phoenix Racing teammate Evan Ferry’s return, who tore his anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) at the Nashville Supercross in April. However, ongoing issues with his knee saw him claim 35th in moto one, before missing the second race altogether.

“I got off to a pretty decent start in the first moto, but I dabbed my leg a few too many times and I barely made it to the finish,” said Ferry. “We made the decision to sit out the second moto, and now I’m going to head home and reevaluate the plan moving forward. I’m proud of the work and effort I’ve put in to get back here. Unfortunately, I’m just not quite there yet.”

It is unclear whether Ferry will be able to complete the season alongside Gavin Towers and Aden Keefer, who claimed 24th and 32nd overall, respectively, at round nine of the Pro Motocross season.