Six-Time SMX Champion and AMA Hall of Famer Jeff Stanton to Serve as Grand Marshal of RedBud National

Michigan Legend and 1989 Race Winner Makes Anticipated Homecoming

MORGANTOWN, WV – July 3, 2026 – (Motor Sports NewsWire) – MX Sports Pro Racing, in partnership with RedBud MX and the Ritchie Family, has announced that six-time SMX Champion and AMA Motorcycle Hall of Famer Jeff Stanton will serve as Grand Marshal of this Saturday’s 53rd running of the 5.11 RedBud National, which will take place on America’s 250th Anniversary, on July 4th, for Round 22 of the 2026 Monster Energy SMX World Championship. The Michigan legend will make an anticipated return to his home race as the ceremonial ambassador of this weekend’s momentous fifth race of the summer Pro Motocross Championship, sanctioned by AMA Pro Racing.

“Jeff Stanton is a hero to many racers and enthusiasts throughout Michigan and the Great Lakes. He was blessed with exceptional natural talent, but what set him apart was a determination and work ethic that turned into championships and built a Hall of Fame career,” said Amy Ritchie, Co-Owner of RedBud MX. “We’ve considered Jeff a member of the RedBud family for many years, but we’ve yet to celebrate him in the way he is so deserving of. Given the significance of this year’s race taking place on America’s 250th Anniversary, we felt the timing was perfect to make him our Grand Marshal and allow him to be a part of something he helped grow into one of American motocross’ biggest events.”

Michigan native Jeff Stanton captured a total of six SMX championships over the course of a
Hall of Fame career, which included a victory in his home race at RedBud in 1989.

Stanton enjoyed a decorated racing career that saw him capture a trio of both Supercross and Pro Motocross titles over the span of eight years. While those six combined titles are easily Hall of Fame accolades, what makes them even more impressive is the fact that Stanton won each respective title consecutively. He swept the 250cc championships in both Supercross and Pro Motocross during the 1989, 1990, and 1992 seasons, which puts Stanton in elite company with Ricky Carmichael as the only riders in history to accomplish the feat on three or more occasions.

Hailing just 70 miles from RedBud, in Sherwood, Stanton managed to capture just a single victory at his home National, doing so at the 1989 event, but also never finished off the overall podium in six 250cc starts at the venue. He amassed a total of 37 career SMX wins in both 250cc and 500cc competition and also became a star on the international stage with multiple victories at the U.S. Grand Prix and a trio of Motocross of Nations triumphs with Team USA. Stanton was inducted into the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame in 2000, six years after he made his final start. Today, Stanton shares his passion for off-road riding through Jeff Stanton Adventures, which is based in his home state and explores the natural beauty of Michigan as the first official “Triumph Accredited Adventure Partner” in North America. Stanton has been an ambassador for the storied British manufacturer for several years and has played a key role in Triumph’s foray into SMX competition.

The 5.11 RedBud National will take place this Saturday, July 4, with on-track action starting at 5 a.m. PT / 8 a.m. ET, followed by opening ceremonies at 9:15 a.m. PT / 12:15 p.m. ET then motos for the 250SMX Class and 450SMX Class starting at 10 a.m. PT / 1 p.m. ET. Comprehensive live streaming coverage of the Independence Day spectacle will air exclusively on Peacock, beginning with Race Day Live at 7 a.m. PT / 10 a.m. ET before coverage of the motos gets underway at 10 a.m. PT / 1 p.m. ET.

Media Contacts:
Brandon Short / MX Sports Pro Racing
[email protected]
(304) 284-0101

Sean Brennen / Feld Motor Sports
[email protected]
(703) 448-3664

About the Monster Energy SMX World Championship:

The Monster Energy SMX World Championship™ is the premier off-road motorcycle racing series in the world that combines the technical precision of stadium racing with the all-out speed and endurance of outdoor racing. Created in 2022, the Monster Energy SMX World Championship Series combines the Monster Energy AMA Supercross Championship and the AMA Pro Motocross Championship into a 28-round regular season that culminates with the season-ending SMX World Championship Playoffs.
Visit SuperMotocross.com for more information.

About Pro Motocross Championship:

The Pro Motocross Championship features the world’s fastest outdoor motocross racers, competing aboard homologated bikes from one of seven competing manufacturers on a collection of the roughest, toughest tracks on the planet. Racing takes place each Saturday afternoon, with competition divided into two classes: one for 250cc machines, and one for 450cc machines. MX Sports Pro Racing, the industry leader in off-road powersports event production, manages the Pro Motocross Championship.
For more information, visit ProMotocross.com.

About Monster Energy AMA Supercross Championship:

Monster Energy AMA Supercross is the most competitive and highest-profile off-road motorcycle racing championship on the planet. Founded in America and sanctioned by the American Motorcyclist Association (AMA) since 1974. Over 17 weeks, Supercross attracts some of the largest and most impressive crowds inside the most recognizable and prestigious stadiums in North America to race in front of nearly one million live fans and broadcast to millions more worldwide.
For more information, visit SupercrossLIVE.com.

About MX Sports Pro Racing, Inc.:

MX Sports Pro Racing, Inc., manages and produces the world’s premier motocross racing series – the Pro Motocross Championship, sanctioned by AMA Pro Racing. MX Sports Pro Racing is an industry leader in off-road powersport event production and management, its mission is to showcase the sport of professional motocross competition at events throughout the United States. Through its various racing properties, partnerships and affiliates, MX Sports Pro Racing, Inc., organizes events for thousands of action sports athletes each year and attracts millions of motorsports spectators.
Visit MXSportsProRacing.com for more information.

About Feld Motor Sports, Inc.:

Feld Motor Sports, Inc. is the worldwide leader in producing and presenting specialized arena and stadium-based motorsports entertainment. Properties include Monster Jam^®, Monster Energy AMA Supercross, and the Monster Energy SMX World Championship. Feld Motor Sports, Inc. is a subsidiary of Feld Entertainment, Inc.
Visit monsterjam.com, SupercrossLIVE.com, and feldentertainment.com for more information.

Source: SMX League

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