Racer X - Motocross & Supercross NewsRacer X

  • Subscribe Now
  • Latest
  • Features
  • Breaking News

Racer X - Motocross & Supercross NewsRacer X

  • One Click Sign-In

    • Facebook
    • Twitter
    OR

    Sign in with your username and password

    • Sign In
  • Features
    • 10 Things
    • 30 Greatest AMA Motocrossers
    • 3 on 3
    • 250 Words
    • 450 Words
    • Arenacross Report
    • Between the Motos
    • Breakdown
    • Deals of the Week
    • GNCC Report
    • Great Battles
    • How to Watch
    • Injury Report
    • Insight
    • In the Mag, On the Web
    • Lockdown Diaries
    • Longform
    • MXGP Race Reports
    • My Favorite Loretta Lynn's Moto
    • Next
    • Next Level
    • Observations
    • On This Day in Moto
    • Open Mic
    • Privateer Profile
    • Race Day Feed
    • Racerhead
    • Racer X Awards
    • Racer X Redux
    • Rapid Reaxtion
    • RX Exhaust
    • Saturday Night Live
    • Staging Area
    • The Conversation
    • The List
    • The Moment
    • Things We Learned at the Ranch
    • UnPhiltered
    • Wake-Up Call
    • Where Are They Now
    • 50 Years of Pro Motocross
  • Multimedia
    • Podcasts
    • Photo Galleries
    • The Weege Show
    • Racer X Films
    • Video
    • SX Preview Shows
    • Factory Tech Tip
    • MX Preview Shows
    • Behind The Bars
    • Racer X Rapid News
  • Races
    • Series Schedules
    • TV Schedules
    • Results
    • Champions
    • 2023 Numbers
    • Teams
  • Results
    • Points Standings
    • Race Results
    • Riders
    • The Vault
    • Loretta Lynn's Vault
  • Shop
  • About Us
  • The Mag
    • Digital Magazine Bookstand
    • Customer Care
    • Current Issue
    • Newsletter
    • Store Locator
    • Subscribe
    • Free Stickers
    • Sell Racer X
  • Table of Contents
  • Subscribe Now
  • Latest
  • Features
  • Breaking News
Results Archive
GNCC
The Mountaineer
News
Overall Race Results
  1. Steward Baylor
  2. Craig Delong
  3. Ricky Russell
Full Results
XC2 Pro Race Results
  1. Jonathan Johnson
  2. Angus Riordan
  3. Liam Draper
Full Results
SuperMotocross
Playoff 2
News
450SMX Results
  1. Jett Lawrence
  2. Ken Roczen
  3. Chase Sexton
Full Results
250SMX Results
  1. Hunter Lawrence
  2. Jo Shimoda
  3. Haiden Deegan
Full Results
MXGP of
Italy
News
MXGP Results
  1. Jeremy Seewer
  2. Jorge Prado
  3. Ruben Fernandez
Full Results
MX2 Results
  1. Jago Geerts
  2. Simon Laengenfelder
  3. Andrea Adamo
Full Results
SuperMotocross
World Championship Final
News
450SMX Results
  1. Jett Lawrence
  2. Ken Roczen
  3. Cooper Webb
Full Results
250SMX Results
  1. Haiden Deegan
  2. Jo Shimoda
  3. R.J. Hampshire
Full Results
MXGP of
Great Britain
News
MXGP Results
  1. Tim Gajser
  2. Jeremy Seewer
  3. Romain Febvre
Full Results
MX2 Results
  1. Jago Geerts
  2. Simon Laengenfelder
  3. Andrea Adamo
Full Results
Upcoming
GNCC
Buckwheat 100
Fri Oct 6
News
Upcoming
2023 Monster Energy FIM Motocross of Nations
Sun Oct 8
News
Full Schedule
My Favorite Loretta Lynn’s Moto: Shane McElrath
Jason Weigandt

Jason Weigandt

My Favorite Loretta Lynn’s Moto Shane McElrath

July 22, 2019 1:40pm
by: Jason Weigandt
  • Home
  • Loretta Lynn's
  • My Favorite Loretta Lynn's Moto
  • My Favorite Loretta Lynn’s Moto: Shane McElrath
Hurricane Mills, TN Rocky Mountain ATV/MC AMA Amateur National Motocross Championship (Loretta Lynn's)Amateur National Motocross Championship

In order to count down the days until the start of the 2019 Rocky Mountain ATV/MC AMA Amateur National Motocross Championship at Loretta Lynn Ranch, we’re asking some of the top graduates from yesteryear to tell us about their favorite moto from the Ranch. Since the race was founded in 1982, we’ve got a bunch of fast folks to choose from.

While the American amateur racing process has become much more refined through the years, with longer-term deals in place and guaranteed pro contracts for the hottest amateurs, some talent still slips between the cracks. That sets up the types of motos Loretta Lynn’s AMA Amateur National Motocross Championships was designed for—when an unknown rider shows they can battle the favorite, and suddenly gets rewarded with a ride.

That’s exactly how it worked out for Shane McElrath, who was little-known kid from North Carolina heading into the 2012 event, and he shocked the industry by winning the first 250 B Stock moto over better-known prospects like Cooper Webb, Dakota Alix, Jace Owen, Daniel Baker, Nick Gaines, and Ryan Surratt. 

McElrath at the 2012 AMA Amateur National Motocross Championship at Loretta Lynn Ranch.
McElrath at the 2012 AMA Amateur National Motocross Championship at Loretta Lynn Ranch. Simon Cudby

“Probably my favorite Loretta’s moto was actually a perfect moto,” began McElrath. “Going up to the line in 250 B Stock, I drew first gate pick, I ended up getting the holeshot and led every lap in that, and that was my first-ever moto win there. I had never gotten a podium at Loretta’s before—I think a fifth had been my best. So that was really huge for me. When I was out front, I remember just telling myself, ‘Just keep sprinting. Just keep sprinting.’”

Webb, on a Star Racing Yamaha and probably the biggest name of the group, lived up to his billing and pulled through to win the title, with 2-1-1 scores to McElrath’s 1-2-2. McElrath also went 2-2-1 in 450 B Modified, and was edged for the title by Anthony Rodriguez, who went 1-1-2. Although he didn’t win either title, McElrath proved he could run at the front.

“That year I was battling with Webb and I went 1-2-2 for second overall,” he explained. “It was a really good week. I didn’t finish worse than second in a moto all week.”

McElrath went 1-2-2 in the 250 B Stock class and 2-2-1 in 450 B Modified class in 2009.
McElrath went 1-2-2 in the 250 B Stock class and 2-2-1 in 450 B Modified class in 2009. Simon Cudby

The big win in the first moto of the week changed everything for Shane and his family.

“That moto just showed me that what I had been doing was working,” he said. “Before that I was training a lot at ClubMX, but I didn’t really have much of a gauge. At the regionals, I did good, but those were much shorter motos. You never really know until the 20-minute motos at Loretta’s. So when I was out front, I just tried to treat it like a training moto and then it was like, ‘Dude! I actually just won! I won a moto!’”

Soon, McElrath was approached by a team manager, and the dream of a factory ride had come true.

“That moto, really that started my career,” he said. “Until then, we were just going to the races as a family, and we didn’t really have a plan because we didn’t have any money. We didn’t know if we would be able to keep racing. But after that moto, I met Tyler Keefe [from Troy Lee Designs/Red Bull KTM], and a few weeks later I was flying on an airplane for the first time going to California.”

“That moto just showed me that what I had been doing was working. Before that I was training a lot at ClubMX, but I didn’t really have much of a gauge. At the regionals, I did good, but those were much shorter motos. You never really know until the 20-minute motos at Loretta’s. So when I was out front, I just tried to treat it like a training moto and then it was like, ‘Dude! I actually just won! I won a moto!’”
“That moto just showed me that what I had been doing was working. Before that I was training a lot at ClubMX, but I didn’t really have much of a gauge. At the regionals, I did good, but those were much shorter motos. You never really know until the 20-minute motos at Loretta’s. So when I was out front, I just tried to treat it like a training moto and then it was like, ‘Dude! I actually just won! I won a moto!’” Simon Cudby

Advice for current prospects?

“I’ve kind of surpassed all my dreams,” he said. “As I kid, I just wanted to be on TV racing dirt bikes, but I’ve surpassed that. It kind of taught me to not just settle on one goal. Anything is really possible, and it’s really being close-minded to think, ‘I can only get to this point,’ because by the time you get there, someone else is going to be way farther ahead than that. Growing up, I loved racing, I loved riding, and things started to fall into place just about the time I started to figure out life. It opened up a whole new world for me. Now it’s my job, but I still love it. Life is amazing right now.”

More 2019 My Favorite Loretta Lynn’s Moto

  • My Favorite Loretta Lynn’s Moto: Tim Ferry My Favorite Loretta Lynn’s Moto: Tim Ferry July 30 - 3:10pm
  • My Favorite Loretta Lynn’s Moto: Aaron Plessinger My Favorite Loretta Lynn’s Moto: Aaron Plessinger July 26 - 2:00pm
  • My Favorite Loretta Lynn’s Moto: Justin Barcia My Favorite Loretta Lynn’s Moto: Justin Barcia July 25 - 4:30pm
  • My Favorite Loretta Lynn’s Moto: Cameron McAdoo My Favorite Loretta Lynn’s Moto: Cameron McAdoo July 24 - 3:40pm
  • My Favorite Loretta Lynn’s Moto: RJ Hampshire My Favorite Loretta Lynn’s Moto: RJ Hampshire July 23 - 9:40am
  • My Favorite Loretta Lynn’s Moto: Shane McElrath My Favorite Loretta Lynn’s Moto: Shane McElrath July 22 - 1:40pm
  • My Favorite Loretta Lynn’s Moto: Buddy Antunez My Favorite Loretta Lynn’s Moto: Buddy Antunez July 21 - 4:00pm
  • My Favorite Loretta Lynn’s Moto: Jacob Hayes My Favorite Loretta Lynn’s Moto: Jacob Hayes July 20 - 8:00am
  • My Favorite Loretta Lynn’s Moto: Jeff Stanton My Favorite Loretta Lynn’s Moto: Jeff Stanton July 19 - 3:40pm
  • My Favorite Loretta Lynn’s Moto: Denny Stephenson My Favorite Loretta Lynn’s Moto: Denny Stephenson July 18 - 5:30pm
  • My Favorite Loretta Lynn’s Moto: Jeremy McGrath My Favorite Loretta Lynn’s Moto: Jeremy McGrath July 17 - 5:55pm
  • My Favorite Loretta Lynn’s Moto: Mike Alessi My Favorite Loretta Lynn’s Moto: Mike Alessi July 16 - 5:15pm
  • My Favorite Loretta Lynn’s Moto: Adam Cianciarulo My Favorite Loretta Lynn’s Moto: Adam Cianciarulo July 15 - 12:35pm
  • My Favorite Loretta Lynn’s Moto: Ricky Carmicahel My Favorite Loretta Lynn’s Moto: Ricky Carmicahel July 14 - 2:30pm
  • My Favorite Loretta Lynn’s Moto: Jeff Emig My Favorite Loretta Lynn’s Moto: Jeff Emig July 13 - 12:00pm
  • My Favorite Loretta Lynn’s Moto: Zach Osborne My Favorite Loretta Lynn’s Moto: Zach Osborne July 12 - 1:40pm
  • My Favorite Loretta Lynn’s Moto: Nick Wey My Favorite Loretta Lynn’s Moto: Nick Wey July 11 - 4:40pm
  • My Favorite Loretta Lynn’s Moto: Ryan Villopoto My Favorite Loretta Lynn’s Moto: Ryan Villopoto July 10 - 5:55pm
  • Fly Racing Racer X Podcast: Spring Creek Fly Racing Racer X Podcast: Spring Creek 11:50am
  • Insight: Spring Creek, A Family Affair Insight: Spring Creek, A Family Affair 2:30pm
Read Now
November 2023 Issue Now Available
Get Racer X on your iPhone
Check out all the exclusive content this month on any device!
Read Now
The November 2023 Digital Issue Availalbe Now

Motocross & Supercross News - Racer X

122 Vista Del Rio Drive, Morgantown, WV 26508 | 304-284-0084 | Contact Us
©1999 - 2023 Filter Publications LLC. All Rights Reserved.
Terms of Use | Privacy Policy
designed at: Website Design at Impulse Studios