Saturday’s Unadilla National was an impressive pro debut for Caden Dudney. The Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing rider was set for just his second race after back-to-back broken arm injuries that sidelined him since March. Last weekend, he raced—and won the first moto—at the Ironman Raceway SMX Next – Motocross Scouting Moto Combine. On Saturday, the 16-year-old made his professional racing debut at the historic Unadilla MX circuit.
And, boy, did Dudney turn some heads when the gates dropped. Really good starts, good speed, and good fitness saw him running inside the top five with some heavy hitters in both motos. He brought home moto finishes of 7-13 for 11th overall. A crash in moto two hurt his bid for two top tens on the day.
I caught up with the #400 after the race to talk everything about his pro debut, from qualifying and the motos to the amateur Star bike vs the pro bike, his awesome helmet paint job, and more. Also, you can watch the full video version of this interview at the bottom of this post.
Racer X: All right, Caden Dudney here. Man, first race. Just walk me through the experience, everything. How was it?
Caden Dudney: Yeah, it was really good. You know, a good start to the day with qualifying and 15th overall on that. So, decent start in first moto. Made a few mistakes, ended up seventh in that moto. Second moto came around better start position than 15th, so, better jump on the start. And I was P3 I think on that. I kind of worked my way back a little bit through the moto and I ended up fourth [until] I fell. And then, yeah, just a couple of small mistakes. It was kind of frustrating, but, you know, a lot to learn. Happy about everything. I can't be frustrated about it.
Yeah, it was pretty impressive. You mentioned the great starts and everything. Like I guess qualifying was solid. Did you make any big changes from qualifying or is it just, hey, time to race it?
Yeah. No, we didn't change anything with the bike. Just kind of trying to figure out the track and learn from everyone else. It was good track. It was amazing. I loved it. It was like Freestone, but like, sped up. I always do good at Freestone. But, yeah, I enjoyed it a lot. It was fun.
Before the race, we chatted real quick. I said, "Hey, are you nervous?" And you said, "It's just like another race." When you got out on the line, like before the first moto and the second moto, was there more nerves there? Was like, "It's hitting me finally," or was it still like, you were still pretty calm?
No, I was still pretty calm. I was just excited to be here, like last week and Ironman. I was a little nervous on the plane flight here, [Laughs] but once I got here, I was like calmed down a little bit. I mean, everyone was just racing their dirt bike. It's just...go have fun and try to learn. So, that's what I did and I'm really happy with it.
![]()
Mitch Kendra ![]()
Mitch Kendra ![]()
Mitch Kendra ![]()
Mitch Kendra ![]()
Mitch Kendra
And you mentioned like turning pro is something you visualized a year ago or so. That was the goal. Now that you're here, is it just because you've like, manifested it, it's happened, the nerves are just more relaxed because you've been thinking about?
Yeah, it was definitely on my mind a lot last year. Just like, "Man, that'd be really cool to race with those guys." And I'm finally here. It's definitely crazy to think about it. I never thought I would be here this soon, like, just turned 16, racing pro. And honestly did really good.
We talked last week after Ironman Combine and that was your first gate drop since, what, February, right?
March.
March. Glendale [Supercross], right?
Yeah.
So, fitness last week wasn't great, but that was your first race back. How was it today?
It was honestly better. Like, I thought I was going to fall off kind of a little bit, like I did last week in Ironman second moto. But I stayed in there strong, and then obviously falling over didn't help. I pumped up a little bit and made another mistake after that. But honestly, I felt really good on the bike. Like, I felt that I could keep going that pace for a while if I didn't fall, but yeah.
Top end speed, I didn't get to look at the lap times but first moto it looked like you were pretty solid throughout. It wasn't like conservation mode, you weren't like, "Hey, I'm saving for second moto." You were still pushing it. But then fitness just lasted longer through the second moto?
Yeah, I was [pushing it]. I just look at it like, give it all you got until you have nothing left. So, that's what I did. And I ended up being really good. So, I can't complain about anything.
Recovery wise, what was that like between the motos? What was your process like between the motos?
Combine, it's a little different because you have to go to the classroom and stuff. So, you didn't really get to cool down as much like as you did here, but you got a little bit more time there [at Combine races]. So, I mean, it was kind of a little bit different. I would say it was a little bit worse. But here you guys came back right after the moto and got in the ice tub and just chilled the AC for a little bit. But yeah, a lot better.
Just like drinking and having supplements, have a snack I guess?
But yeah, I don't like to eat too much on race day, like just a little bit here and there and a lot of hydration.
![]()
Mitch Kendra ![]()
Mitch Kendra ![]()
Mitch Kendra ![]()
Mitch Kendra ![]()
Mitch Kendra
What was the biggest takeaway for you? What was the one thing like, "Man, for next weekend, if I could work on this thing over the next couple of days?"
I would say be patient. There's plenty of time in a 35-minute moto, and I was just rushing a little bit too much, and that's why I made those mistakes. So, we'll work on that and hopefully be better at that next week.
Then the thing you're happiest with?
I was just having problems with like bike set up a couple weeks ago. I figured that out and I was still pumping up a little bit, but I pushed through it mentally. So, I'm really proud of myself for that. And honestly, I don't think there's anything else really, fitness wise.
We chatted this morning about pro bike versus amateur bike. Walk me through the differences.
So, after Ironman I had just two days on the pro bike again. But honestly, I rode it two weeks before Ironman. So, I got to ride it a little bit, so it wasn't just two days on the bike and come race. I had like four days total on the bike. I kind of had it figured out. Worked on starts quite a bit during training week. The amateur bike, it kind of falls off a little bit. I'm a little heavier for the amateur bike, so it doesn't hold me as good. So I have to be kind of perfect around everything. But pro bike, you can afford to make like a little mistake because it just pulls you right out of it. Once you think it's going to stop pulling, it just keeps going, which is like really nice. That took a little bit to get used to, but after I got used to that, it was honestly really nice. I love the pro like.
Did you have to double take when you were battling anyone today?
I would say probably like being right behind [Seth] Hammaker and realizing that I was like in fourth. I was like, “Holy crap! I'm like in fourth, like right here with the guys, like, this is sick!” That was probably my most exciting moment.
I've got to ask you about the back of your helmet. The art you had, Tom and Jerry. That's pretty cool.
Yeah, so, a couple of years ago, in '23, I did a Cecil Turtle and Bugs Bunny helmet, and I thought it was really cool. Everyone loved it. So, I was like, "I've got to do another one." So, I did Tom and Jerry, the cat and mouse chasing each other. That was really cool. I don't know, I always loved cartoons growing up and I'm sure everyone did, but like, I still do! So, I just thought it'd be cool.
Are you excited for next weekend at Budds Creek?
Yes, sir!
![]()
Brandon Croney ![]()
Brandon Croney
Watch this full interview with Dudney:
