MORGANTOWN, W.Va. – The Lucas Oil Pro Motocross Championship has announced a plans to launch its season on July 18 at Ironman Raceway in Crawfordsville, Ind.

Originally the Lucas Oil Pro Motocross Championship season was going to begin on July 4, however that would have left just 13 days between the end of the Monster Energy AMA Supercross season and the start of the Lucas Oil Pro Motocross Championship season.

In addition, with COVID-19 regulations continuing to change on a regular basis across the United States, it was decided that the series would postpone its season opener as long as possible.

The decision to start the season on July 18 is because there is scheduled to be a live NBC broadcast of the series on that date, making it particularly important for series and team sponsors.

Beginning with the race on July 18, series officials hope to host at least 10 events, with the possibility of 11 by the end of the season. The season will end on Oct. 10 at Fox Raceway in Pala, Calif.

“We are hopeful that some historical venues may be able to return to the schedule but recognize that others may not,” series officials said in a statement on June 1. “Hence, the schedule will be rolled out on a month-to-month basis as race tracks and state officials continue to develop their plans.”

In addition to the events at Ironman Raceway and Fox Raceway, series officials have also announced plans to host a pro national event at Loretta Lynn’s on the historical AMA Amateur National Motocross Championship race track in Hurricane Mills, Tenn.

The event will be held in August, with additional details and a confirmed date to be announced later.

Additional venues expected to host Lucas Oil Pro Motocross Championship events are Washougal, WW Ranch and High Point. These venues are located in states that have established clear phase-in guidelines that can be timely met.

In addition to Loretta Lynn’s, it is highly likely that two more new venues will be added to the schedule based on the states where they are located. Dates will be rolled out at a later date.

All events, no matter their location, will be conducted with fans in attendance with elevated social distancing protocols in compliance with CDC guidelines and as recommended by the Safe-to-Race Task Force.

These protocols, currently under development, will be announced at a later date.