This week in US Powersports racing.
AMA Congratulates 2024 Nicky Hayden AMA Flat Track Horizon Award Winner Walker Porter
As the world’s best amateur flat trackers battled for AMA No. 1 plates in Du Quoin, Ill., during the 2024 Mission Foods AMA Flat Track Grand Championship, the American Motorcyclist Association congratulates Walker Porter, winner of the 2024 Nicky Hayden AMA Flat Track Horizon Award, and Meghan Greimel, winner of the 2024 Bill Werner AMA Fast Brain Award.
With intense racing throughout the week, Porter and Greimel emerged above the rest for their efforts on and off the dirt track. In addition to Porter and Greimel, the AMA congratulates Youth Racer of the Year, Drew Eldred, and the Vet/Senior Racer of the Year, Dave Tyo.
“Walker Porter’s resilience and racing ability made him an excellent choice for this year’s Nicky Hayden AMA Flat Track Horizon Award,” AMA Track Racing Manager Ken Saillant said. “Walker separated himself with a terrific showing on the Short Track, and his racing ability combined with his professional demeanor will serve him well at the professional level of racing.”
Saillant also recognized the accomplishments of Greimel, whose academic resume, along with her dynamite showing on the track throughout the week — winning all four main events in the Bromley Motorsports Women’s Class — made her the perfect choice for the Bill Werner AMA Fast Brain Award.
“Meghan is as sharp as they come, both as a student and a racer,” Saillant said. “Her prowess as a racer is remarkable, as she had an outstanding showing this past week, but her excellent performance in the classroom and desire to challenge herself as a student really stood out.”
Porter, who hails from Athens, Ala., struggled to find his footing during the first day on the Half-Mile, but thanks to a dominant performance on the Short Track, as well as a strong showing on the final day of amateur competition, he was able to separate himself as the racer most primed to make an impact at the professional level.
“I was just really excited because I’ve been dreaming about it forever,” Porter said about winning the Nicky Hayden AMA Flat Track Horizon Award.
Porter was presented the award by last year’s Nicky Hayden AMA Flat Track Horizon Award winner Evan Renshaw, who represents a long line of notable winners of the prestigious award that have gone to have success at the next level. Porter joins flat track greats like Jared Mees, Roger Lee Hayden, Briar Bauman, Kody Kopp, Chase Saathoff and Dallas Daniels as winners of the award.
Awarded to the racer that shows ability on the track and academic achievement in the classroom amidst a difficult workload, the Bill Werner AMA Fast Brain Award is selected by the AMA through the analysis of a wide range of academic transcripts sent in by each contender for the award. The winner of the award receives a $1,500 scholarship.
A native of Havre de Grace, Md., Greimel excelled throughout the week, winning all four main events in the Bromley Motorsports Women’s Class and competing in several 250cc main events. Greimel, who will be a junior in high school this fall, emphasized her excitement to win the award.
“It was definitely cool,” Greimel, the first female recipient of the Bill Werner AMA Fast Brain award, said. “I don’t think I truly understood the history behind the award, so after some research, it means a lot more to me.”
The complete list of AMA amateur national champions crowned at the 2024 Mission Foods AMA Flat Track Grand Championship includes:
50cc Production Chain (4-8)
Odin Music
Pinconning, Mich.
50cc Production Chain Drive Shifter (4-8)
Cruise Texter
Willow Street, Pa.
50cc Production PW Shaft Drive (4-8)
Cruise Texter
Willow Street, Pa.
65cc Modified (7-11)
Drew Eldred
Trout Run, Pa.
65cc Production (7-11)
Jackson Joiner
Bakersfield, Calif.
85cc Modified (9-11)
Beckem Daniels
Matoon, Ill.
85cc Modified (9-13)
Jed Fyffe
Jindera, NSW, Australia
85cc Production (9-13)
Jed Fyffe
Jindera, NSW, Australia
85cc Modified Supermini (12-15)
Colton Shafer
Caruthers, Calif.
Veteran (25+)
Adam Beldyga
Chesaning, Mich.
Senior (40+)
Adam Beldyga
Chesaning, Mich.
Super Senior (50+)
David Tyo
Prescott, Mich.
Masters (60+)
David Tyo
Prescott, Mich.
Bromley Motorsports Women’s 122cc and Up (12+)
Meghan Greimel
Havre De Grace, Md.
250cc Production
Sam Drane
Forbes, NSW, Australia
250cc Modified
Sam Drane
Forbes, NSW, Australia
Motion Pro 450cc Modified
Bodie Paige
Helensvale, QLD, Australia
450cc Production
Walker Porter
Athens, Ala.
Open Heavyweight
Bodie Paige
Helensvale, QLD, Australia
Open Singles
Bodie Paige
Helensvale, QLD, Australia
Monster Energy AMA Amateur National Motocross Championship Awards Ceremony Celebrates 2024 Champions & Breakthroughs
The 43rd running of the Monster Energy AMA Amateur National Motocross Championship Presented by AMSOIL showcased once again why it is the biggest and most prestigious amateur motocross event on the planet. An action-packed week of racing from Loretta Lynn Ranch saw more than 1,400 athletes compete across 36 different classes, for a total of 108 motos and 32,839 laps across five days. In the end, an exceptionally competitive field provided incredible racing and some memorable moments, from which 31 different racers emerged as AMA National Champions.
Following the 108th and final moto on Saturday, MX Sports, in conjunction with the AMA and Monster Energy, welcomed athletes, friends, family, and members of the industry to the annual awards ceremony. This celebration of the 2024 Loretta Lynn’s champions also recognized memorable feats and breakthrough accomplishments at the Ranch, with specialty awards handed out to select racers that stood out in their efforts over the course of the week.
Nicky Hayden AMA Motocross Horizon Award
No award in amateur motocross is more prestigious than the Nicky Hayden AMA Motocross Horizon Award, which is given to the most successful and promising prospect at Loretta Lynn’s. The past recipients of this award reads as a who’s who of all-time greats, with Tennessee’s own 2024 honoree Drew Adams becoming the newest addition to a decorated list of racers. The Monster Energy Kawasaki Team Green rider began his week on the ground after getting tangled in a first-turn incident during the opening 250 Pro Sport moto. He got back on the bike and officially began his journey with a 34th-place start. From that point on the rest of the week, Adams showcased why he’s ascended into arguably the most high-profile prospect in the amateur ranks. No matter where he started, Adams had the speed, patience, and savviness to carve his way through the field and climb up the running order. He passed 30 riders to finish just off the podium in fourth during the first 250 Pro Sport moto and proceeded to rattle off five straight moto wins across 250 Pro Sport and Open Pro Sport to capture the AMA National Championship in each of Loretta Lynn’s most high-profile divisions.
Drew Adams earned the 2024 Nicky Hayden AMA Motocross Horizon Award.
Photo Courtesy: MX Sports, Inc.
AMA Amateur Rider of the Year
Another Monster Energy Kawasaki Team Green racer also enjoyed a breakout week at the Ranch, as Texas native Caden Dudney joined his teammate as a dual-class champion. In his first appearance at Loretta Lynn’s aboard a 250cc motorcycle, Dudney looked like a veteran with incredible poise and unmatched speed. He started his week with a quiet third-place finish in 250 B but went on to win his remaining five motos across 250 B and Schoolboy 2 to capture each AMA National Championship. By virtue of his overall effort across both classes, Dudney was named AMA Amateur Rider of the Year.
Since joining Team Green in 2022, Dudney has yet to miss out on a championship at the Ranch. While he was forced to sit on the sidelines last year due to injury, he’s now four-for-four in his last two appearances.
Caden Dudney was named 2024 AMA Amateur Rider of the Year.
Photo Courtesy: MX Sports, Inc.
AMA Youth Rider of the Year
Another two-class champion was the recipient of AMA Youth Rider of the Year as NSA Factory Yamaha Team’s Owen Covell enjoyed his own breakthrough week by earning the first AMA National Championships of his young career. The Massachusetts native took advantage of an unparalleled level of consistency to capture his maiden title in 125 Jr. and then capped off an incredible week with a dominant performance in Schoolboy 1, where he was one of just seven racers to compile a 1-1-1 sweep of the motos in a single class.
Owen Covell was recognized as the 2024 AMA Youth Rider of the Year.
Photo Courtesy: MX Sports, Inc.
AMA Vet Rider of the Year
The highly anticipated return of beloved former pro Andrew Short to Loretta Lynn’s proved to be well worth the wait. Just a year and a half removed from a broken back that threatened to end Short’s ability to ride a motorcycle again, the longtime Texas resident competed at the Ranch for the first time since he graduated from the amateur ranks, 23 years ago. Riding a KTM, Short immediately joined the list of contenders in the Senior (40+) class. However, he would need to outlast Mike Brown, the most dominant and successful vet racer in Loretta Lynn’s history. In his first moto back, Short took a surprise win and found himself in the thick of the title fight through two motos. The third and final gate drop set up a winner-take-all scenario against Brown, which culminated in what could very well be the closest and most spectacular finish in 43 years of the Monster Energy AMA Amateur National Motocross Championship. An incredible last-lap surge positioned Short to make a Hail Mary-style push for victory on the home stretch, where one final twist of the throttle launched his KTM to the finish line alongside Brown. It was a photo finish, from which Short prevailed with the win and AMA National Championship by a margin of .016 in a finish that will be talked about for years to come. By virtue of his incredible triumph against the Ranch’s most formidable foe, Short was recognized at AMA Vet Rider of the Year.
Andrew Short’s return to the Ranch and subsequent win in Senior (40+)
earned him 2024 Vet Rider of the Year honors.
Photo Courtesy: MX Sports, Inc.
AMA State Championship
Within the battles for individual class wins at the Ranch is an inter-state competition to determine which of the 50 states achieves the most success each and every summer. Since the inception of the Monster Energy AMA Amateur National Motocross Championship in 1982, the AMA State Championship has been dominated by California, as “The Golden State” has amassed more than double the number of championships of any of the other 49 states. That reign of dominance continued in 2024, as California captured seven class championships over the course of the week to once again claim the trophy and remain the standard bearer for producing motocross athletes.
California once again prevailed with the AMA State Championship trophy
with seven championships.
Photo Courtesy: MX Sports, Inc.
Air Force Special Warfare AEGIS Award
As an integral supporting partner of the Monster Energy AMA Amateur National Motocross Championship, Air Force Special Warfare has provided the AEGIS Award as a way to recognize the athlete that embodies the the eight attributes that make up members of the Special Warfare unit – Drive, Stress Tolerance, Problem Solving, Team Work, Communication, Trainability, Integrity, and Physical Fitness.
Cobra rider Ezra Ambruster was this year’s recipient, as the California native stood out in his ability to showcase each attribute during his Loretta Lynn’s journey. Armbruster contested the Micro 2 division and opened the week with back-to-back moto wins. Unfortunately, the third and final moto started with adversity as his motorcycle would not start. While the field took off, Armbruster remained on the starting gate. Soon the bike came to life and Armbruster was able to enter the race but did so well behind the field in 40th place. From there, the young racer put his head down, dug deep, and tried to make up as much ground as possible. He quickly caught the field and proceeded to pass 22 riders over the course of the first two laps. He then found himself on the cusp of the top 10 one lap later and moved up to seventh on the ensuing lap. Ambruster made one final pass into sixth on the final lap to cap off an improvement of an incredible 34 positions from start to finish. Despite his incredible perseverance, Armbruster came up a single point shy of capturing the class championship, but his runner-up effort was a testament to his never-give-up mentality. He left it all on the track and showed everyone at the Ranch the incredible character he has at such a young age. His confidence in the face of adversity made him an easy choice for the Air Force Special Warfare AEGIS Award.
![Ezra Armbruster was the deserving recipient of the AEGIS Award [1]](https://motorsportsnewswire.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Ezra-Armbruster-was-the-deserving-recipient-of-the-AEGIS-Award-1.jpg)
![Ezra Armbruster was the deserving recipient of the AEGIS Award [2]](https://motorsportsnewswire.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Ezra-Armbruster-was-the-deserving-recipient-of-the-AEGIS-Award-2.jpg)
Ezra Armbruster was the deserving recipient of the AEGIS Award for his determination to overcome a heartbreaking conclusion to his title hopes in Micro 2.
Photo Courtesy: MX Sports, Inc.
Oakley Award
The Oakley Award was the newest addition to the lineup of specialty awards and was given to the rider who posted the single-fastest lap over the course of the week at Loretta Lynn’s. Across all the national classes at the event, it was Caden Dudney who laid down the quickest lap of the week, which came in Moto 2 of the Schoolboy 2 class on Thursday. The Monster Energy Kawasaki Team Green rider posted an incredible time of 1:48.640and proceeded to go into the sub 1:50 range five times over the course of the moto.
Caden Dudney’s lap of 1:48.640 was the fastest of all classes at Loretta Lynn’s
and made him the first recipient of the new Oakley Award.
Photo Courtesy: MX Sports, Inc.
2024 Monster Energy AMA Amateur National Motocross Champions
| Vet (30+): | Brandon Haas, Chesterfield, S.C., Yamaha |
| 450 B: | Diesel Thomas, Raymond, Neb., Yamaha |
| 125 C: | Carson Asay, Vancouver, Wash., KTM |
| 85cc (10-12): | Braxtyn Mes, Temecula, Calif., Husqvarna |
| 65cc (7-9) Limited: | Kannon Zabojnik, Rowlett, Texas, Cobra |
| Senior (40+): | Andrew Short, Smithville, Texas, KTM |
| Mini Sr. 2 (13-15): | Dane Pappas, Livermore, Calif., GASGAS |
| 450 C: | Jamieson MacDonald, Grafton, Ont., Canada, KTM |
| 250 B Limited: | Grayson Townsend, St. George, Utah, Kawasaki |
| 65cc (10-11) Limited: | Carter Gray, St. Clairsville, Ohio, Cobra |
| 250 Pro Sport: | Drew Adams, Chattanooga, Tenn., Kawasaki |
| Mini Sr. 1 (12-14): | Ries Seeba, Wrightwood, Calif., KTM |
| Masters (50+): | Mike Brown, Bristol, Tenn., KTM |
| 250 B: | Caden Dudney, Athens, Texas, Kawasaki |
| 125 Jr. (12-17) B/C: | Owen Covell, Plymouth, Mass., Yamaha |
| Micro 2 (4-6) Limited: | Trey Geary, Imperial, Neb., Cobra |
| Micro 3 (7-8) Limited: | Tate Brush, Atwood, Tenn., Cobra |
| Micro 1 (4-6) Shaft Dr. Ltd.: | Wyatt Tedesco, Checotah, Okla., Yamaha |
| Micro-E (4-7) Limited: | Mickey Fluhart, Brandywine, Md., Cobra |
| Junior (25+): | Jacob Hayes, San Antonio, Fla., Honda |
| 250 C: | Ryan Jaramillo, Los Lunas, N.M., Yamaha |
| Girls (11-16): | Lachlan Turner, Gardnerville, Nev., GASGAS |
| College (18-24): | Noah Stevens, Danbury, N.C., KTM |
| Supermini 1 (12-15): | Grant McDonald, Cairo, Ga., KTM |
| 65cc (7-9): | Kannon Zabojnik, Rowlett, Texas, Cobra |
| 250 C Jr. (12-17) Limited: | Drew Roberts, Kemp, Texas, Yamaha |
| 450 B Limited: | Diesel Thomas, Raymond, Neb., Husqvarna |
| 85cc (10-12) Limited: | Nolan Ford, Fairfield, Calif., KTM |
| Schoolboy 1 (12-17) B/C: | Owen Covell, Plymouth, Mass., Yamaha* |
| Open Pro Sport: | Drew Adams, Chattanooga, Tenn., Kawasaki |
| Senior (45+): | John Boruff, Maynardville, Tenn., Kawasaki |
| 250 C Limited: | Austin Ellis, Grass Valley, Calif., Honda |
| Schoolboy 2 (12-17) B/C: | Caden Dudney, Athens, Texas, Kawasaki |
| WMX: | Kyleigh Stallings, Yukon, Okla., Kawasaki |
| 65cc (10-11): | Jaydin Smart, Berry Creek, Calif., Cobra |
| Supermini 2 (13-16): | Aidan Zingg, Hemet, Calif., KTM |
For more information on the Monster Energy AMA Amateur National Motocross Championship, visit the series official website at www.mxsports.com or call (304) 284-0101. Join the conversation on the event’s social media channels, along with receiving the most up-to-date news and exclusive content.
- Facebook: @LorettaLynnMX
- Instagram: @LorettaLynnMX
- Twitter: @LorettaLynnMX
Dunlop Riders Take Home 35 Championships at Loretta Lynn’s 2024
At this year’s 43rd running of the Monster Energy AMA Amateur National Motocross Championship at Loretta Lynn’s, riders using Dunlop tires dominated once again, winning 35 out of a possible 36 Championships. This performance continues to give Dunlop a winning record at Loretta’s nobody can touch. Over the past eleven years, Dunlop riders have won an incredible 93% of the possible championships at Loretta’s—including winning every title two years in a row.
This year, the weather was extremely hot and humid. Tire selection was key, and it was time for the Geomax MX34 and MX14 to shine. All classes had to overcome the tough, rough, technical conditions to determine the class champions. The competition was so intense that no racer won all six of their motos in two classes.
Current Team Dunlop Elite and alum riders took home six championships this year. Drew Adams stood out among the riders, going 1-1-1 in the open pro sport and 4-1-1 in the 250 pro sport classes, while other members such as Caden Dudney, Kyleigh Stallings, and Lachlan (Lala) Turner each grabbed titles for Team Dunlop. In addition, other current Team Dunlop Elite riders Gavyn Welzien, Eidan Steinbrecher, Kade Nightingale, Beckham Smith, Carson Wood and Kade Nightingale all had a great week with numerous visits to the podium.
Riders using Dunlop tires won all six of the specialty awards, which are presented to riders with outstanding performances during the six-day event. Dunlop supported rider Owen Covell received the AMA Motocross Youth Rider of The Year Award. Long time Dunlop rider Andrew Short won the Vet Rider of the year award. Team Dunlop Elite alum rider Caden Dudney was awarded the AMA Motocross Amateur Rider of The Year Award and Oakley Award. Dunlop riders Ezra Armbruster won the US Airforce award after having troubles on the starting line in his third moto and catching up to the leaders and almost winning the class. And Team Dunlop Elite alumni Drew Adams earned the coveted AMA Nicky Hayden Horizon Award in his last amateur race before turning pro, winning the Open Pro Sport and 250 Pro Sport classes.
“It was a long, hot and humid week filled with tons of great racing. For no rider to sweep all six of their motos again shows how tight and unpredictable amateur racing continues to be,” said Rob Fox, Dunlop Amateur Motocross Support Manager. “The hot weather made it hard on our tire fitters and even more so on the racers! Having the latest and greatest Dunlop tires available for all sized bikes makes my job easy. Many riders continue to choose the MX14 for its wide range of performance. I am bummed we missed winning one championship, but it gives us something to push for again next year! We know riders have a choice in tires, and we want to thank all the riders who chose Dunlop.”
For sponsorship opportunities and more information, visit the NEW TeamDunlop.com
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