Reason For Being
During the early weeks of the COVID-19 shutdown this past spring, I decided it was finally time to tackle a long-overdue project: the history of the “pre-Loretta Lynn’s” AMA Youth and Amateur Nationals. I did a couple of features here for Racer X, as well as starting a year-by-year run through each event. Along the way I got reacquainted with some old friends and amateur legends like Ferrell McCollough, Troy Bradshaw, the Bigelow brothers, Hammerin’ Hank” Moree, and of course David Bailey (’78 champion) and Mark Barnett (’75). I also got to meet some amazing racers from yesteryear for the first time, including Michigan’s Denny Bentley, California’s Eric McKenna, and Tennessee’s own Gene McCay, who came out for both the AMA Amateur National and the first-ever Loretta Lynn’s Pro Motocross.
Sexton’s case was a little different. His injury was a broken collarbone, which will likely heal by the end of January. But the 2019 Monster Energy AMA 250SX East Region Champion was slated to race for GEICO Honda in the West Region, starting on January 4. Fortunately, he should be ready to go for the East Region; unlike then-premier-class guys like Emig, Carmichael, and Musquin, Sexton’s December crash won’t wreck his whole supercross season.
We are deeply rooted in Moto—We’ve been here all our lives. Back in 1998 when we turned an underground newspaper into a shiny color magazine, it immediately changed the game with its unprecedented depth of coverage, sense of humor, and access to the sport’s biggest names. Today, our readers know they can go to Racer X Online for all the news, race results, and event coverage they need, and then enjoy even more detail and perspective in the pages of Racer X Illustrated. The mag offers a chance to learn something new on every page and stay connected with the people and personalities that shape our sport—the competitors out on the racetrack, as well as the ones behind the scenes—through our exclusive deep-dive stories and columns.
Our trademark has always been insider knowledge from the experts who are at the races and around the sport. We have long prided ourselves on our unparalleled race reporting and detailed storytelling. We go deep with the riders and teams to provide comprehensive coverage you won’t find anywhere else—all with first-class photography and design. It’s a full education in motocross past, present, and future.
Davey Coombs
Editor-in-chief & Founder
Racer X Illustrated
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