In just three short years, Bobby Snyder has turned a simple idea—giving young riders a better racing experience—into one of the fastest-growing indoor motocross series in the country. As the owner of TriStar MX and founder of the Partzilla Arenacross Series, Snyder’s ...
In just three short years, Bobby Snyder has turned a simple idea—giving young riders a better racing experience—into one of the fastest-growing indoor motocross series in the country. As the owner of TriStar MX and founder of the Partzilla Arenacross Series, Snyder’s grassroots vision has evolved into a professionally run AMA-sanctioned championship, broadcast nationwide on Fox Sports.
Gaven Ayala sat down with Snyder to talk about how it all started, how far the series has come, and what’s next as the gates drop on the 2025–2026 season.
From Backyard Beginnings to Big Arenas
After the outdoor success of TriStar MX, Snyder decided to move the concept indoors. With help from friend and track builder Sonny Leonti, whom he met through Brian Deegan, they built a full-scale professional Arenacross track inside the Cooper Steel Arena. “Guys were blown away,” Snyder says. “They couldn’t believe the size and quality of the track. It was a hit right away.”
That frustration led Snyder to create the TriStar Outdoor Series, an amateur racing program that focused on giving kids a true pro-level experience—complete with big trophies, podium interviews, and holeshot awards. “We made them feel like pros,” he says. “The Tennessee and Kentucky area didn’t have anything like that.”
“It honestly started with my boys racing,” Snyder recalls. “Watching them work so hard every weekend, spending three or four hundred bucks just for a two-dollar trophy—I knew we could do better.”
Building Momentum — and Going Pro
From there, things took off. The Arenacross series added a pro program in its second year and partnered with Transworld Motocross and Partzilla to elevate the show even further.
“This will be our second year on national TV,” Snyder says proudly. “We’re still a small team, grinding every day—but we’ve got the right people. Matty does amazing work on media, Josh handles marketing and partners, and with help from you guys at TWMX, we’ve built something really special.”
The 2025–2026 season marks another big milestone: the series’ first AMA Regional Plate designation for the East Coast. “We’ve always been AMA-sanctioned, but this is the first year we’ve been given a regional plate,” Snyder explains. “It’s a big step forward and a sign that Arenacross is headed in the right direction.”
Making Racing Affordable Again
One of Snyder’s biggest goals is keeping racing accessible for both amateurs and pros. “We have the lowest entry fees across the board,” he says. “We just try to take care of the racers, make it as affordable as possible while giving them the best tracks and the best exposure we can.”
That focus includes a merchandise partnership program that allows pro riders to earn extra income without any upfront cost. “We design signature T-shirts, hats, and team gear for our riders,” Snyder explains. “We sell them online and at the event, and the riders get a percentage of the proceeds. Some guys make two to five hundred bucks extra each weekend—that’s real money into their program.”
With over a million social media views per month last season, the exposure has been massive for a series that’s still in its early years.
Filling the Void in East Coast Racing
The East Coast motocross scene has long needed more major racing opportunities, and Snyder believes the Partzilla Arenacross Series is helping fill that gap.
“It feels like the whole industry is shifting east,” he says. “You’ve got all these training facilities popping up, but riders need somewhere to race. That’s where we come in. We’re building real, professional-level events right here in the Southeast.”
And the fans are responding. This season’s arenas include venues far beyond traditional fairgrounds—basketball and hockey arenas with full Jumbotrons and elevated production. “We’re doing a big marketing push to get people in the seats,” Snyder adds. “We’re learning and improving every year, and we’ve been lucky to have amazing partners like Partzilla, Transworld Motocross, Red Line Oil, and Fuel Factory who believe in what we’re doing.”
Kicking Off in Clarksville
The 2025–2026 Partzilla Arenacross Series kicks off October 17–18 with Rounds 1 and 2 at The Bank Arena in Clarksville, Tennessee. Fans can grab tickets through Ticketmaster or register to race at partzillaarenacross.com.
“I’m just excited to get things going,” Snyder says. “You’ll see all the action from Round One soon—make sure you tune in to Fox Sports FS1 and FS2 to catch it.”
📍 partzillaarenacross.com
📺 Watch on Fox Sports FS1 & FS2
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This story was originally reported by Motocross (Deprecated) on Oct 10, 2025, where it first appeared in the NEWS section. Add Motocross (Deprecated) as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
Category: General Sports
