Simply put, Ward is “Captain America” at the MXoN. Not only is he the most successful racer in USA Motocross Team history with the most appearances for his home country, but he is also the single-most-successful competitor in the 78-year history of the storied event. Ward represented the stars and stripes on seven different occasions between 1983 and 1990 and went a perfect 7-for-7 in those appearances. An unprecedented level of success that still stands to this day, 35 years since Ward’s final MXoN.

“Jeff Ward represents everything the Motocross of Nations stands for — national pride, world-class talent, and a relentless drive to win,” said Tim Cotter, Event Director for the 2025 MXoN. “It is only fitting that the winningest American in MXoN history leads Team USA and our fans into this year’s event as Grand Marshal.”

Adding to Ward’s heralded legacy at the MXoN were winning performances in each displacement division, with five wins riding a 500cc Kawasaki KX500 and one win apiece riding a 250cc Kawasaki KX250 and a 125cc KawasakiKX125. He helped lead the USA to victories in six different host nations, including the MXoN debut on American soil from New York’s Unadilla MX in 1987, and became a cornerstone figure in the country’s ascension to dominance at the MXoN, where the USA has the most Chamberlain Trophy triumphs with 23 victories.

While Ward’s accolades at the MXoN alone is the stuff of legend, his career résumé in American motocross as a whole is equally incredible. Ward captured seven SuperMotocross championships during an illustrious 15-year career, with two titles in Supercross and five titles in Pro Motocross. He will also forever carry the distinction of being the only rider in AMA history to win a championship in each displacement, in both disciplines. 

Upon his retirement from motocross, Ward made a successful transition to four wheels, notably in IndyCar where he competed in 61 races over a seven-year period, with one victory at Texas Motor Speedway in 2002 and both a second and third-place finish at the legendary Indianapolis 500. Ward then made a triumphant return to two wheels at over 40 years of age, where he dominated the AMA Supermoto Championship with both a pair of titles (2004 & 2006) and a pair of X Games Gold Medals (2006 & 2008). He was inducted into the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame in 1999 and was later inducted into the Motorsports Hall of Fame of America in 2006.