BigMxRadio
Leading into this week at Loretta Lynn’s AMA Amateur National Championships, I thought it would be a good idea to see who last year’s champions were and see where they’re at after one calendar year. Some have moved classes, some are on new rides and some have moved on to the pros.
Let’s start things off with one of the most “must watch” classes…
250 B | Daxton Bennick
After finishing 2022 aboard his Orange Brigade KTM, Bennick joined childhood rival Haiden Deegan at Star Racing Yamaha where he’s logged wins and podium rides in the A classes and Supercross Futures. He’s also competed in a few Pro Motocross events and even nabbed the top spot in timed qualifying in his pro debut. For 2023, Daxton will run 250 A and Open A Pro Sport and is among the favorites to capture the AMA Horizon Award.
250 B Limited | Blake Gardner
Last year, Gardner used consistent moto finishes going 2-2-4 to edge out Drew Adams who went 8-1-1 for second. Gardner switched to Kawasaki for 2023. After nabbing the 2023 Arenacross Rookie of the Year Award, Gardner has dealt with some injuries and will not be lining up this week at the Ranch.
250 C & 125 C | Dawson Cobb
Two-time Loretta Lynn’s champion Dawson Cobb collected the 250 C championship in convincing fashion. This NXL Level 101 athlete will look to put his KTM at the top step of the podium in the 250B Limited and 450B classes.
250 C Limited & 250 C JR 12-17 Limited | Ryder Bell
Following a great week at the ranch in 2022, Bell set his sights on the B class where the Hawaiian was able to qualify in the 250 B Limited, 450 B Limited and 450B. After crowd funding this year’s effort, it looks like the 44 machine will be ready.
450 B & 450 B Limited | Avery Long
2022 saw the emergence of Avery Long as a perennial championship contender. Another year at the Ranch means another year aboard his Blu Cru machines. Long will compete with Parker Ross, Daxton Bennick and the rest of the 450 B Open Pro Sport combatants.
450 C | Lance Geis
1-1-2 was nearly a perfect week at the Ranch for Geis in 2022. Unfortunately, the last update we can find from Lance in a post about breaking his tibia, heel and talus bone which will likely keep him from returning the ranch in 2023. Hope to see the Minnesota Missile back in action later on this summer.
125 Jr 12-17 B/C & School Boy 1 12-17 B/C | Casey Cochran
Long-time young gun Casey Cochran collected not one but two titles at this last visit to Loretta Lynn’s. A switch to the four stroke breaks my heart but I suppose it’s a necessary evil when it comes to taking your racing to the next level. 2023 has seen Cochran show out for the fans in Supercross Futures as well as a win at the RedBud Scouting Combine. This year at the Ranch, Cochran will run Schoolboy 2 12-17 and or 250 B/450 B which we believe he’s qualified in.
School Boy 2 (12-17) B/C | Haiden Deegan
Dangerboy narrowly grabbed two championships last year but a first moto DNF in 250 B prevented that in a big way. This year, Haiden is kicking ass and taking names in Pro Motocross where he is second in points and will not be back to Loretta’s unless he’s there to root on his brother.
Open Pro Sport & Junior (25+) | Cole Martinez
Last year, Cole Martinez shocked many by showing up and winning Open Pro Sport over the likes of Caden Braswell and Gage Linville. Once a young up and comer himself, this motocross journeyman now makes his way on dirt bikes racing the WORCS series. It’s unlikely we see Martinez back to defend his Open Pro Sport title.
250 Pro Sport | Caden Braswell
2022’s Horizon Award winner edged out Gavin Towers for the 250 Pro Sport title and is now a member of the TLD Gas Gas team racing AMA Pro Motocross. Towers on the other hand is back in 250 Pro Sport on the heels of winning his Regional in preparation for this year’s visit to Hurricane Mills.
College (18-24) | Gage Stine
Last year’s champ in College looks to have gone pro in to 2023 and not looking back.
Vet 30+ | Brandon Haas
The big boss over at ClubMX showed everyone an old dog can learn new tricks by adding a Loretta’s champion to his resume in 2022. Unfortunately, it appears that Haas was injured as he made his effort for to return to this year’s event and will not be able to defend his title and run the number 1. Look for him back in 2024!
Senior 40+ & Masters 50+ | Mike Brown
Yeah, he’s back and yes, we won all six motos last year. Good luck to anyone who lines up with this animal.
Senior 45+ | Jimmy Jerrett
Jerrett took home 2 of the 3 moto wins last year. It’s unclear if the 44 machine will return to defend his title.
WMX | Sophia Phelps
This full-time student is full-time fast on two wheels. Phelps returns to the Ranch for what could be her last visit to Hurricane Mills. Her 3-1-1 moto scores was good enough to nab the title and she seems to be up to speed this year to defend her title.
Micro E (4-7) Limited | Cooper Langdon
After outgrowing his Micro E, Cooper will return to the Ranch this year aboard a Cobra 65 racing in the 65 7-9 Class.
Micro 1 (4-6) Shaft Drive Limited | Boone Lloyd
It’s unclear if Boone will make his way back to Loretta’s.
Micro 2 (4-6) Limited | Talon Rogers
Third at the Baja Acres Regional was good enough to send Talon back to the Ranch in one of the 50 classes. This kid rips.
Micro 3 (7-8) Limited | Jaydin Smart
Off 50s full-time, Jaydin looks to attack the 65 7-9 Limited class again in 2023 after winning his Regional up in Washougal.
65 (7-9) Limited | Alex Campigli
After a ton of success last year on the 65 machines, Alex returns aboard a pair of race prepped 85cc GasGas machines to compete in 85 10-12 Limited and 85 10-12. He has been raffling off his jerseys and $100 Visa cards to help fund this trip.
65 (7-9) | Sawyer Gieck
Last year, it was the Gieck and Campigli show in the 65 classes. This year, both Orange Brigade athletes have made the jump to 85s and we expect them to race in close formation again this year.
65 10-11 Limited | Chase Dashiell
Following a successful 2022 campaign, the next challenge is the 85 classes!
65 10-11 | Maddox Temmerman
Still on Husqvarnas and still fast but now it’s the 85cc machines. Despite breaking his collarbone just weeks before his Regional, Moddox was able to pave his road to Loretta’s.
85 10-12 Limited | Landon Gibson
This GasGas amateur program athlete had a whale of a 2022 and looks to continue that momentum into Loretta’s 2023
85 10-12 & Mini Sr 1 12-14 | Caden Dudney
This Texan keeps getting faster. Last year’s 85 10-12 champ is now done with minibikes. The decision was made too late to qualify for Loretta’s this year. Caden will be at home working on his craft which is good news for his closest competitors.
Mini Sr. 2 12-14 | Kade Johnson
The first kid to race the Yamaha 65 back in 2018 now finds himself on a YZ 125 battling with the big kids. No more minibikes for Kade. Still lots of speed though.
Supermini 1 12-15 | Jeremy Fappani
The kid is back to defend his title on the Supermini. Might be more of the same unless Tiger Wood has something to say about it.
Supermini 2 13-16 | Leum Oehlhof
Son of former pro motocross racer Joel Oehlohf, Leum has taken up the family occupation and might already been the best motocross racer in family history. NSA Yamaha’s young gun is rolling into the ranch on a 250 four stroke this year.
Girls (11-16) | Kyleigh Stallings
This Team Green athlete will compete for WMX glory.
