Following a strong performance at Loretta Lynn’s last summer, Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing’s Evan Ferry was one of the riders many had their eyes on 125cc B/C. So, when the gate dropped on the class’ first moto it wasn’t a surprise to see the second generation racer move into the early lead, bypassing STACYC Holeshot earner Collin Allen and his EBR Performance Yamaha. Once out front, Ferry asserted himself as the rider to beat ahead of KTM Orange Brigade’s Mark Fineis in second.
Ferry continued to open up his lead on the field and managed a multi-second advantage throughout the majority of the moto. With the win within reach, Ferry tucked the front end of his Husqvarna on the final lap and was briefly stuck under the motorcycle. The misfortune allowed Fineis to move into the lead and carry on to the moto win. Ferry recovered to finish second, followed by Triangle Cycles/bLU cRU Yamaha’s Logan Best in third, MX Locker KTM’s Noah Smerdon in fourth, and Allen in fifth.
The Supermini 1 class is known as a showcase division for riders on the verge of making their move into the big bikes. After a dominant, undefeated outing at Loretta Lynn’s last year, up-and-comer Haiden Deegan made the step up into Supermini 1 for 2021, with the expectation that he’d continue his minibike reign.
As the field charged out of the first turn to start Moto 1, it was Rocky Mountain ATV/MC Husqvarna’s Jackson Glathar who earned the STACYC Holeshot, but Deegan was right there and stormed to the head of the pack. With a clear track ahead, he sprinted out to a multi-second lead before the end of the opening lap and never looked back. Behind him, Monster Energy/Vision Wheel/GASGAS’ Casey Cochran took hold of second, while KTM Orange Brigade’s Enzo Temmerman made the move into third.
The top three never relinquished their respective holds on those positions. Deegan was never threatened en route to another moto win at the ranch, with Cochran second and Temmerman third. Monster Energy Kawasaki Team Green’s Krystian Janik followed in fourth, while KTM rider Adler Caudle rounded out the top five.
The Mini Sr. 1 class is one of the many proving grounds at Loretta Lynn’s and this year’s field is no different. The first moto of the week saw KTM rider Carson Millikan come away with the STACYC Holeshot, but he was soon overtaken by KTM Orange Brigade’s Luke Fauser and JMC Motorsports Husqvarna’s Landen Gordon.
The lead pair quickly distanced themselves from the rest of the field as Fauser controlled the first half of the moto. As they reached the halfway point Gordon started to pick up the pace and applied pressure on the lead. The two engaged in an exciting battle, from which Gordon emerged with the top spot. From there he continued to pull away and went on to capture the moto win over Fauser. Monster Energy Kawasaki Team Green’s Drew Adams finished third, followed by KTM Orange Brigade’s Jeremy Fappani in fourth and Interactive Mortgage TM’s Alvin Hillin in fifth.
The Women’s class for the 2021 season at Loretta Lynn’s was wide open, with several contenders for the AMA National Championship like KTM Orange Brigade’s Tayler Allred, Triangle Cycles/bLU cRU Yamaha’s Katie Benson, and The Moto Shop/GASGAS’ Hannah Hodges.
As the gate dropped on the opening moto it was Benson who grabbed the STACYC Holeshot ahead of Allred, while Team Babbitt’s/Monster Energy/Kawasaki’s Korie Steede and Rocky Mountain ATV/MC Kawasaki’s Sophia Phelps battled it out for third. Benson paced the field on the opening lap, but Allred went on the attack to seize control of the moto. Benson then went down and lost several spots, which moved Phelps into second, Steede third, and Hodges fourth.
Allred enjoyed a big lead over the field and successfully managed it through to the finish for the moto win, where she held off a strong late push by Phelps, who finished second. Hodges completed the top three, while Benson recovered to finish fourth ahead of Steede in fifth.
Whenever a former Pro Motocross champion is in the field, the class he’s competing in is going to get some extra attention. This is exactly the case with the Junior class, which features 2001 AMA 125cc National Champion Mike Brown. The motocross legend has continued to keep his racing skills sharp since stepping away from the sport full time and this year is gunning for a ninth Loretta Lynn’s crown. In fact, Brown won the Junior division from 2017-2019.
As the most successful rider in the field all eyes were on Brown when the gate dropped on the opening moto, but it was Championship Powersports Honda’s Broc Peterson who emerged with the STACYC Holeshot. Before the completion of the opening lap Brown had moved into the lead aboard his Rockstar Energy/Munn Racing Husqvarna. Behind him, Crow Hill Moto KTM’s Robbie Marshall and Phoenix Racing Honda’s Heath Harrison clawed their way into second and third, respectively.
From there an incredible battle ensued between this trio. They paced one another lap after lap, with no more than a couple seconds between the top three. Harrison appeared to be the quickest of the frontrunners and got by Marshall for second. He continued to pressure Brown for several laps and took over the top spot just past the halfway point of the moto.
Once out front, Harrison never looked back and brought home the moto win by a comfortable margin. Behind him, Brown’s pace dropped a bit in the closing minutes, which allowed Crosley Radio KTM’s Jake Baumert to make a late pass for second as Brown settled for third.