Tyler Collingwood
Loretta Lynn’s is on the horizon and soon we will all gather for the most anticipated amateur motocross race in the world. Dreams will come true. Dreams will be crushed. For some riders, this may be the only chance they ever get at the ranch. For others, this race could determine their future in this sport and how they will rise into the pro ranks.
The Nicky Hayden AMA Horizon Award is given to the top A class amateur rider who demonstrates significant potential as they transition into the professional ranks of motorcycle racing. It’s named in honor of Nicky Hayden, an accomplished American motorcycle racer who tragically passed away in 2017. The award has been a prestigious recognition in the American motorcycling community since its inception in 1997. This award has been given to some of the greats of our sport including, James Stewart, Travis Pastrana, Chase Sexton, Ryan Villopoto, and many more.
As we head to the ranch, let’s take a look at a few guys who I think you should be watching for this week and why they have the potential to become the next Nicky Hayden AMA Horizon Award winner.
Drew Adams
I mean, we have to start this list off with Drew, right? The kid has been an absolute terror and keeps finding himself on top of the box at every race he’s at. Let’s start at Mini O’s, Drew won two out of his three classes in the MX portion, and finished 2nd in the other one (250A class). Drew then went on to win three of five rounds of the Supercross Futures and finished 2nd in the championship race behind Star Yamaha’s newest young star Cole Davies. As if that wasn’t enough to convince you of this kid, Drew came back to win the RedBud Moto Combine, making up over 15+ seconds in two laps to take home the win. Oh yeah, did I forget to mention he is currently racing the Triple Crown Series in Canada (in the MX2 Class) and was the points leader until the last round over the weekend. Drew has won eight of the twelve 12 motos and has found himself on the podium in four of the six rounds. Could this be Mitch Payton’s new golden boy?
Krystian Janik
In what I think to be possibly the most important race in Janik’s amateur career, Loretta Lynn’s could set the fate of his future with the Pro Circuit team. Janik is 18 years old and with big rumors of who we will see on a PC 250 this next year, leaves me thinking: is there a spot for him? I’ve heard this is his final year of his amateur contract, so does Janik have to win to stay on the team? With the rumored amount of talent coming to the team this off-season and Drew Adam’s quickly rising to the top, I feel like this is a do or die for Janik. He is a former Loretta Lynn’s champion, he won a title in the A class at Mini O’s and finished second at the RedBud Moto Combine. If Krystian can put it all together this week and bring home a title, he will be a front runner for the Horizon Award and I think this will extend his contract through next year where we will see him follow the path like Ryder DiFrancesco did: Supercross, amateur motocross featured events and then make his pro debut at the first round of outdoors.
Cole Davies
At 16, Cole Davies will make his Loretta Lynn’s debut. Davies came to America this past Supercross season on a five-race deal with GasGas to determine his future in the sport and to see if he was ready to make the big move from New Zealand to the States. Davies had two wins and found himself on the podium in four of five rounds. One of those wins being the championship race, where he would defeat Drew Adams to take home the number one plate. Since then Davies has joined the Star Racing team and we have only got to see him on this bike for one race. His debut on the bike was at the RedBud Moto Combine and was a bit further back than I expected him to be. Now if you follow Davies on social media, he has been looking pretty dang comfy on that bike and looks to be ready to make a statement on that new machine. Will the pressure of his first year at the ranch on a factory team be too much for the youngster? Or will he rise to the top and bring home a title back to NZ?
Parker Ross
The California native has had many successful years here at the Ranch. Ross has had ten top fives in his Loretta’s career with 2023 being his most successful year. Ross would take home second in the Open Pro Sport class and third in the 250 Pro Sport class — this being his only year where he landed on the podium twice. With his great success, Ross has not yet brought home that title and he has to be itching for it. He has found success in the SX Futures class with two podiums and five top tens over the last two years. Ross also won the Australian Supercross SX3 championship last year. Ross seems to really find a liking to the Loretta’s course and proved last year he can ride in any weather. I expect Ross to come out swinging this year and catch a lot of people by surprise and be a front runner and a potential winner of the Horizon Award.
Avery Long
In 2022 Avery Long made himself known in the amateur motocross world with a dominating year. Avery would sign with the NSA Yamaha Team, win a title in 450B at Freestone, swept his regional with six moto wins, won four of six motos at Loretta’s, and would go on to win two titles in the 450B and 450B Limited. He was also awarded the bLU cRU amateur rider of the year and the AMA Amateur Racer of the Year. Oh yeah, he would also go down to Mini O’s that year and bring home a title or two. Long moved to the Pro Sport class in 2023 and had a decent year at the Ranch, but finished way below his expectations and wanted more out of himself. Remember how I talked about Drew Adams being on a terror? Well, Avery was the only other rider who was able to take a victory away from Adams and would take home a title in the 250A class for MX and was in the mix up for a title in the 450 Pro Sport class before an injury would finish the weekend. Long took home two championships in the SX portion as well. The NSA rider would compete in the RedBud Combine after coming back from his injury and would finish sixth. Long said he wasn’t happy with his result at the combine and wants more. Avery has the capability to beat the top guys and has done it before. If he can get a good finish in his first moto of each class, I think we see him bring home the titles this year and not let it slip away like 2023.
Main Image: Octopi Media
