Interview with 250 B Limited Champ Grayson Townsend

Monster Energy’s Grayson Townsend (Team Green/Kawasaki), just 14, has a solid history of competing at the Monster Energy AMA Amateur National Motocross Championships. But it wasn’t until this year, at Loretta Lynn’s Ranch in Tennessee a few weeks ago, that he was able to put it all together and win his very first national title – the 250 B Limited crown.

Townsend, a Utah native, has been making the trek to “The Ranch” since he was a little dude on Cobra 50cc bikes. And though the championships, and even overall podium finishes were hard to come by, Monster Energy/Team Green/Kawasaki’s manager Ryan Holliday, as he so often does, saw the potential in Townsend and signed him in 2023 to race 85s. Townsend struggled with injuries his first year with Team Green and quickly (physically) out grew the 85cc class. Undeterred, he put in the work and, combined with the Team Green help for his KX250F, would win his first Loretta’s championship just a year later.

MonsterEnergy.com caught up with Townsend and got his take on Loretta’s this year, how he got there and what it feels like to be a National Champion at just 14 years old.

Monster Energy: Yeah, Grayson, congrats from everyone at Monster Energy on your 250 B Limited National Championship at Loretta’s earlier this month. You’ve gotta be all sorts of pumped with that.

Grayson Townsend: Thank you, I definitely am. That win sure felt good. 

ME: So you’ve had a pretty solid history of qualifying for Loretta’s – from 50s, to 65s and 85s and the Supermini class last year. But short of a few top ten results, you weren’t really able to come home with any hardware – until this year. What changed for you that allowed you to capture not only a big time title in a big bike class, but also against some other racers that had won championships in the past, including Monster Energy’s Seth Dennis (KTM) and Kade Johnson (Yamaha).

GT: I've always had really good speed and even podiumed in a moto at Loretta's, I just hadn't been able to put those three motos together. But this year, I had a good summer at GAME Moto (Oklahoma) leading up to Loretta's. My riding time on the bike made a difference compared to last year's difficulties where I was off the bike a lot, and my health felt really good. Overall it was a good combination. 

ME: Take us through your three motos. Your starts. How you were able to get into the lead. And how you kept that lead through the checkers. 

GT:  Moto 1:  I started with a 12th-place chip draw in 250 B Limited, picked an inside gate and came out about third around the first turn. I think I got around the leader on lap three and got some pressure from (Cole) Timboe (Suzuki) around lap six. I put in some solid laps and came out with a decent lead to bring it home with the win.

Moto 2: I got a third place start and made my way into second on the first lap. The leader made a mistake and I got around him and led for quite a few laps. I ended up getting passed, but I knew I was in a good position for the championship and finished in second. 

Moto 3: I got the holeshot in moto three and made a little mistake on the first lap. Dennis got around me and I followed him for a couple of laps and started to make a push towards the middle of the race. I started catching him before he fell, and I was able to put in some solid laps for the win and my first championship at The Ranch. 

ME: What was going through your mind when the white flag flew on that final moto, knowing you had two laps remaining before you’d be named “National Champions?”

GT: I told myself not to make any mistakes and to keep it on two wheels. I didn't want to get excited until I saw the checkered flag. 

ME: And the feeling when you crossed the finish line for the final time to win the 250 B Limited title?

GT: My family says that was the happiest they've seen me. So I'd say I was pretty stoked. 

ME: You also contested the 450 B Limited class. Started out with a 12th in the opening moto, then progressively got better (7th and 5th). Talk about that class and how it went.

GT: I rode my same KX250 in the 450 B Limited class, which is why I didn't get great starts. In the first two motos I think came around the first turn in 30th which meant I had to work through the pack. 

ME: Over the past two years you’ve been part of the Monster Energy/Team Green/Kawasaki program. Discuss what that program’s meant to you – and your success this year.

GT: For 2023 I was on the full Monster/Team Green program, initially just to ride 85s and some superminis. It gave me a lot of confidence to be picked by Ryan Holliday to ride for his legendary team.  Unfortunately, it was a really difficult year. Right when I signed with them I started growing and out grew the 85. Then I had several injuries that kept me off the bike most of the year until LLs, so I came in really unprepared - which is not my style. For '24 I'm not on the full team, but Ryan put a great program together for me for my first year on 250s that provided what I needed to be able to win this championship and have a successful year. The whole Team Green team are great people, I love coming to the pits and seeing everyone. They were so happy for me to win this championship as they knew all the struggles I'd had last year. 

ME: Overall, from 2016 at your first Loretta’s to 2024 when you won a championship, talk about the event, the journey to get there, and what you enjoy most about Loretta’s. 

GT: My first year at Loretta's was 2016 on a 50 junior that had 500 hours on it, with a frame we welded the day before we left for The Ranch. So we've come a long way since then with being more prepared, especially since my parents didn't even expect to be at The Ranch that first year. The journey never ends with Loretta Lynn's… it's continuous and always calling you back. Once you race it you just know you have to be back next year to try again. It's such a challenge to conquer, along with so many variables. My favorite part of Loretta's is riding a gnarly track and difficulty of the event. I love the challenge. 

ME: Lastly, what are your plans moving forward with the sport of motocross?

GT: At 14 I've got some time before I turn pro, so I plan to continue riding the combines this year, the amateur nationals, and I'd like to get some SX Futures in next year. 

ME: Thanks, Grayson. And again, from everyone at Monster Energy, we’re proud of you and pumped for your success this past week at Loretta’s. 

GT: Thank you, and everyone at Monster Energy. I feel very fortunate to be able to work with such an involved brand and appreciate all you guys do for me and my family.