 The Younkins Family Joel YounkinsHigh Performance Coach Check out my thoughts on my first-ever trip to Loretta's Lynn Ranch. At the beginning of 2025, my wife Kelly and I sat down to map out our goals for the year. One thing we agreed on — we were going to Loretta’s.
I’d wanted to go for years. I didn’t race there growing up — I was focused on football. In my twenties, I was too busy building my business to take a week off just to go watch. Then we had three kids back to back (parents, you know how that goes). So Loretta’s was always on my radar but never in reach. This year, that changed. And I’m glad it did. I finally got to experience the sights, sounds, and energy of what people call the biggest amateur motocross race in the world. And while I’ve got my critiques of how much weight people put on this event, I now fully understand why people make such a big deal about it. It’s a wild experience. A Few Things I Learned Real Quick:
It’s a well-run event. At first, things like parking, Wi-Fi, and the layout seem a little chaotic and complex — but once you’re there and living it, it all starts to make sense. As someone who thinks a lot about performance — both on and off the bike — I couldn’t help but observe everything through that lens. So here are a few of my takeaways, broken down into The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly. The Good The best part? The commitment. You can feel the passion of these families — they’re all in. Campers decked out, setups dialed, and just pure love for the sport. And what impressed me most? People were watching the races. All the races. From Micro classes to Pro Sport, the fences were lined. Families weren’t hiding in the RVs all day. They were out there, soaking it all in. That’s the culture motocross needs — not just participants, but passionate fans. The Bad That same all-in mentality? It also revealed a lot of gaps. Even at the biggest amateur national in the world, there were small details being missed that added up:
And I’m not judging. I get it. Most families aren’t professionals — they’re learning as they go. But if your goal is to “go pro,” your program has to reflect that. Preparation isn’t a one-and-done checklist. It’s a constant recalculation. Plans need adjusting by the minute at events like this. When you’re dealing with heat, fatigue, nerves, and the length of stay — the details matter. The Ugly This is where things get real. When you qualify for Loretta’s, you’re told you’ll be racing the 41 other of the best riders in your class. And for most, just getting there feels like the win. If you made it to the gate, you're in the top 1% of riders in your respective class. Because the truth is:
Here’s what I noticed: 1. A lot of racers seemed overwhelmed. There was a lot of head-turning — looking back mid-moto. At the highest level of amateur racing, we still had so many racers looking back over their shoulders. Why? Because for some of these riders, they’ve never raced against a full gate of killers. They’re used to being the fastest at their local tracks. Now, everyone’s fast. 2. Confidence takes a hit. When you’re only racing kids a notch below you, your perception of how good you are gets inflated. Then you show up at Loretta’s, throw yourself to the wolves, and it’s humbling. For some, it wrecks their confidence. For others, it lights a fire. That difference matters. So what’s the solution? Perspective. It’s crucial to set non-result goals for an event like this especially if you're not chasing a championship plate:
Because if the only thing that matters is your final position, you’re setting yourself up for disappointment — even if you ride well. Final Thoughts So yeah, I didn’t think much of it was really bad or ugly — just real. This was our first year attending Loretta’s, and we learned a lot ourselves too. Next year, we’ll be even more prepared. I’ll bring better tools and perspective as a coach, and as a family, we’ll be dialed in tighter to support our riders. If you’re heading there in the future — just know that no matter how many videos you’ve seen, nothing compares to being there. Soak it all in. Learn. Adjust. And remember, winning isn’t always about the trophy — sometimes, it’s about how you show up when the pressure is the highest. We’ll see you at the next one.
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