SCORE International said Friday that 54 racers remain eligible for the 2026 Rod Hall SCORE Milestone Awards after completing every required mile in the first three rounds of its World Desert Championship.
They have completed all 1,173.62 required race miles so far. To earn the award, each must officially finish every required mile of the BFGoodrich Tires 59th SCORE Baja 1000, the fourth and final round, scheduled for November 9 to 15 in Los Cabos, Baja California Sur, Mexico.
Three races completed
The contenders advanced through the King Shocks 39th SCORE San Felipe 250 in late March, the 58th SCORE Baja 500 in early June and the 7th SCORE Baja 400 in mid-September. All three events took place in Baja California, Mexico.
The award recognizes competitors who complete the championship's required distance as official finishers, rather than those who win races or classes. Eligible competitors include car, truck and UTV drivers, along with motorcycle and quad riders.
SCORE is presenting the award for the 41st consecutive year. It is named after the late Rod Hall, whose career was closely linked to desert racing.
Contenders span 18 classes
The 54 remaining racers represent 18 SCORE classes. The three Trophy Truck divisions account for 13 contenders: six in SCORE Trophy Truck, four in SCORE Trophy Truck 2WD and three in SCORE Trophy Truck Legend, the category for drivers older than 50.
Trophy Truck Spec has the largest single-class contingent identified by SCORE, with 11 racers. The class features full-tube chassis and two-wheel-drive layouts, but restricts entries to approved factory or crate gasoline engines.
The eligible field also features six Pro UTV FI racers, five from Pro UTV Open and four from Pro UTV Stock. Three Pro Moto Unlimited riders and three Pro Moto Ironman riders remain eligible. The other contenders are distributed among additional categories within the 18-class total.
Trophy Truck categories account for 13
Then-owner Sal Fish introduced SCORE Trophy Truck in 1994. SCORE describes it as the organization's marquee category for unlimited custom trucks and said the division is celebrating its 33rd year in 2026.
The sanctioning body expanded that section of its class structure with the introduction of Trophy Truck Legend in 2017 and Trophy Truck 2WD in 2025. Those three divisions account for nearly one-quarter of the current Milestone field, but every contender must meet the same central requirement: officially finish all required season miles.
A different Baja 1000 setting
The finale will test that requirement under a new event configuration. SCORE said the 2026 Baja 1000 will start and finish in San José del Cabo for the first time in the organization's history.
More than 250 vehicles are expected, with competitors anticipated from more than 25 U.S. states and as many as 15 countries. Pro and Sportsman classes for cars, trucks, UTVs, motorcycles and quads are scheduled to compete.
Christopher Polvoorde and Bryce Menzies are the reigning four-wheel overall winners after winning in the No. 94 Optima Batteries Ford Raptor built by Mason Motorsports. Tyler Lynn, Carter Klein and David Kamo are the defending motorcycle winners aboard the No. 7x SLR Honda CRF450X.
Award reaches its final stage
Hostyle Racing Products is presenting the Milestone Awards in 2026. SCORE identifies the sponsor as a family-owned company founded in 2007 and based in Fresno, California.
Jim Ryan, SCORE vice president of marketing and sales, said the program continues to recognize Hall's standing in the discipline.
“It is also a distinct privilege for us to continue to honor the memory of one of the all-time greatest desert racers in having the late Rod Hall’s name on this unique award.”
The Baja 1000 results will determine how many of the 54 contenders officially complete the final required distance and receive the award. Race week is scheduled for November 9 through November 15.
