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n July 4, 2026, RedBud celebrated the 250th anniversary of the United States. We thought it fitting to look back 50 years to July 4, 1976, the nation’s 200th birthday, which also featured a major motocross race. AMA Pro Motocross visited tiny Keysers Ridge, Maryland, for a 125 National at a new track called Appalachian Highlands. Nestled in a small valley in western Maryland’s panhandle, the layout looked promising, but the countless rocks just beneath the topsoil transformed the valley into a rocky outcrop by day’s end. That day was a Sunday, as 50 years ago, outdoor nationals ran “on any Sunday” back then, a practice that continued until 2009.