Jo Shimoda Bio
Jo Shimoda (下田丈, Shimoda Jō; born 16 May 2002) is a Japanese professional motocross rider who competes in the AMA Supercross and AMA Motocross championships in the 250cc class. He is the 2025 SMX 250cc Champion and currently rides for HRC Honda. Born and raised in Suzuka, Japan, Shimoda moved to the United States as a teenager to pursue a professional career in motocross and now resides in Clermont, Florida.
Early Life and Background
Jo Shimoda was born on 16 May 2002 in Suzuka, Mie, Japan, to parents Yoichi and Ai, and he has one sister. He grew up around motorcycles, as his father Yoichi was a rider himself, and the elder Shimoda gave his son a dirt bike when Jo was still a toddler. That early exposure to motorcycles sparked a passion that quickly turned into a hobby, then a competitive pursuit, with his parents entering him in local races throughout his childhood.
Wanting stiffer competition for his son, Yoichi Shimoda arranged for Jo to race in Europe and the United States, giving the young rider valuable experience against international fields. Jo continued racing across multiple continents as a child, building the skills that would later define his professional career. His family remained a central part of his development, supporting his travel and competition schedule from an early age.
Path to NASCAR
Jo Shimoda’s career path runs through motocross rather than stock car racing, and his journey to the professional ranks began in the United States amateur system. In 2016, he won the AMA Amateur National Championship in the Super Mini 2 class at Loretta Lynn’s Ranch, a result that put him on the radar of factory teams. The following year, he signed with the Honda Factory Connection’s amateur program, gaining access to professional-level coaching and equipment.
In 2018, Shimoda won the Monster Energy All Stars event, confirming his status as one of the top amateur riders in the country. He turned professional in 2019, entering the final three rounds of the AMA Pro Motocross Nationals to gain experience against established riders. That same year marked the start of his full-time professional career in the United States.
Jo Shimoda Career
Early Career (2019-2020)
Shimoda’s first full professional season came in 2020, when he raced the 250SX East Region of AMA Supercross. A delay to the season tested his patience, but he responded by finishing third in the final standings, a performance that earned him the AMA Supercross Rookie of the Year award. In outdoor AMA Motocross that same year, he posted a best finish of fifth and ended the championship in eleventh place.
His strong Supercross showing drew the attention of Monster Energy Pro Circuit Kawasaki, one of the most established teams in the 250cc class. Shimoda signed with Pro Circuit Kawasaki, setting the stage for the next phase of his development as a rider.
Pro Circuit Kawasaki Era (2021-2023)
Shimoda’s first full season with Pro Circuit Kawasaki in 2021 was a breakthrough. He raced the 250SX East Region, stayed within the top five for most of the year, and earned his first career Supercross victory. He finished the season ranked second overall in the East standings. In outdoor motocross, he showed flashes of brilliance with three podium finishes and ended the year fifth in the championship.
In 2022, Shimoda remained a fixture near the front of the 250SX East field, placing fourth in the championship with two podium finishes. His outdoor season was even stronger, as he was rarely off the podium and recorded two overall wins on his way to a second-place finish in the final standings. He also represented Team Japan at the Motocross of Nations at Redbud, though difficult conditions kept the team from qualifying for the main event.
The 2023 season brought new challenges. A shoulder injury delayed his Supercross campaign, and he returned for only the final four rounds, recording finishes of fourth, ninth, and second. In outdoor motocross, consistency was elusive, but he still managed one win and four podium finishes, ending the year third in the standings. At the inaugural SuperMotorcross Championship, he won the opening round and added two more podium results to finish second overall. On 18 October 2023, Shimoda announced his departure from Pro Circuit Kawasaki.
HRC Honda Era (2024-Present)
Shimoda joined HRC Honda for the 2024 season, switching to the 250SX West Region for his Supercross campaign. After some early misfortunes, he settled into the top five and captured one win, finishing fourth in the West championship. The transition to Honda’s factory team gave him a fresh platform and aligned him with one of the most storied programs in the sport.
Building on that momentum, Shimoda raced to the 2025 SMX 250cc Championship, capping his rise from teenage import to title contender. His partnership with HRC Honda has provided the structure and resources to compete for championships in both Supercross and Motocross.
Driving Style and Strengths
Shimoda is known for his smooth, calculated riding style and his consistency across both Supercross and outdoor Motocross. He excels on technical tracks where rhythm and precision matter, and he has shown a strong ability to manage long outdoor seasons with regular podium finishes. His move to HRC Honda has paired him with a factory-level support structure aimed at championship contention.
Notable Races and Milestones
His first 250cc AMA Supercross victory in 2021 marked the arrival of a new contender in the class, and his multiple overall wins in 2022 outdoor Motocross confirmed his versatility. The opening-round win at the inaugural SuperMotorcross Championship in 2023 was a defining moment, and his 2025 SMX 250cc title cemented his status as one of the leading 250cc riders in the world.
Jo Shimoda Career Wins
Jo Shimoda has built a résumé that includes victories in both 250cc AMA Supercross and 250cc AMA Motocross, along with a SuperMotorcross title. His wins have come across multiple seasons and against a deep international field, establishing him as a consistent front-runner in the 250cc class.
250cc AMA Supercross and Motocross Highlights
Shimoda has recorded 250cc AMA Supercross wins in 2021, 2022, and 2023, including his breakthrough first victory in the 250SX East Region. In 250cc AMA Motocross, he has claimed overall wins in 2021, 2022, 2023, and 2024, with two overall victories coming in 2022. His most recent major result is the 2025 SMX 250cc Championship, his first premier title in the discipline.
Other Wins and Performances
As an amateur, Shimoda won the 2016 AMA Amateur National Championship in Super Mini 2 at Loretta Lynn’s and the 2018 Monster Energy All Stars. He also won the opening round of the 2023 SuperMotorcross Championship, a result that helped him finish second overall in the inaugural series standings.
Jo Shimoda Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Jo Shimoda was raised in a household connected to motorcycling, as his father Yoichi was a motorcycle rider. That connection gave Jo his first dirt bike as a toddler and shaped his early path into the sport. His mother, Ai, has also been a steady presence throughout his career, supporting his move from Japan to the United States and his transition to professional racing.
Personal Life
Shimoda resides in Clermont, Florida, a common home base for professional motocross riders training in the United States. He continues to maintain ties to his hometown of Suzuka, Japan, where his parents and sister still live. His focus remains on training and competition with HRC Honda.
2025 Season Performance
Shimoda’s 2025 season was defined by his run to the SMX 250cc Championship, the culmination of several years of consistent front-running performances. Building on his switch to HRC Honda in 2024, he entered the new campaign with a factory-level program and clear title aspirations. His results across the SuperMotorcross series reflected the consistency that has become a hallmark of his career.
The championship delivered his first premier-class title, adding to a win portfolio that already included 250cc Supercross and Motocross victories. The partnership with HRC Honda provided the technical support and development resources needed to convert regular podium finishes into a championship run. The title also confirmed his standing among the top 250cc riders competing in the United States.
With a championship in hand, Shimoda’s outlook heading into future seasons points toward continued contention in the 250cc class. His combination of Supercross and outdoor Motocross experience, along with his factory Honda backing, positions him as a central figure in the next phase of American motocross.
