Interview with Kyleigh Stallings

It’s one thing to win a National Motocross title at the Monster Energy AMA Amateur National Motocross Championships at Loretta Lynn’s Ranch in Hurricane Mills, Tenn., where most of (if not all of) the best amateur MX racers meet up in the first week of August to decide who’s going to be a Loretta’s National Champion.

Getting there being half the battle, what makes it even tougher is when you arrive to defend a championship. The pressure of not only having to prove, again, that you’re the best, but also knowing there’s a huge target on your back coming in as No. 1.

Monster Energy/Team Green/Kawasaki’s Kyleigh Stallings faced this massive challenge at Loretta’s here recently. And not only did she step up and defend her ’23 WMX title, she did so in impressive fashion – going 1-1 in the opening two motos and landing right where she needed to be in Moto 3 with a 4th place finish to secure this year’s WMX championship and title defense.

Hailing from Yukon, Oklahoma, Stallings is a seven-year veteran of dirt battles at Hurricane Mills. She’s won two titles in addition to her now back-to-back WMX titles, including Girls (11-16) National Championships in 2021 & ’22. MonsterEnergy.com was able to catch up with our fastest gal on two wheels and talk about her impressive WMX title defense at Loretta’s.

Monster Energy: Right out of the gate, congrats from everyone at Monster Energy on your fourth title at Loretta’s, Kyleigh. Talk a bit about what the ’24 WMX title means to you right now.

Kyleigh Stallings: Thank you! There are a lot of fast girls in the class this year. It was awesome to win the first WMX title, and defend it, since they started that class back up. 

ME: So you 1-1-4 finish this year got the title wrapped up, but it wasn’t with quite as much drama as last year’s 1-1-4 when you crashed in the “Ten Commandments” jump section on the opening lap. Talk a bit about this year’s competition, your opening moto and following that up with a Moto 2 win. 

KS: My first moto started out good. I was having a good battle with second when she went down behind me. I may have backed it down a little too much after that, but (I) still got the moto win. The second moto was my best moto of the week. I pulled a nine-second gap by halfway mark, then finished first -which put me in a good spot for Moto 3. Going into the third moto, I knew all I had to place was a fourth to get the title. Knowing the three girls would be battling for second, I stayed out of it and did what I had to do to get the overall win.

ME: Smart! Understanding what you said needing a 4th place finish in Moto 3 – or better – to secure the WMX crown, what was your mindset heading into that final moto with the Loretta’s National Championship on the line? 

KS: Yeah, Ideally, it would be awesome to go 1-1-1. But I have never been the type of rider to take unnecessary risks.

ME: Lot of talk from the podium finishers on how hot it was at Loretta’s this year. Can you give MonsterEnergy.com readers an idea of what you go through prior, during and following a moto in that kind of heat? 

KS: It was definitely one of the hottest weeks at Loretta's this year, so staying on top of hydration and keeping my body temperature down was crucial. I stayed in the shade as much as possible in staging prior to my moto and got in the creek as soon I got off of the podium to get my body temperature down. 

ME: You’ve been racing Loretta’s since 2018, so that experience definitely helped you out staying cool. Nice work on that. Given this was a WMX title defense for you, how does this year’s National Championship trophy relate to the other titles you’ve won at Loretta’s, including your two girls 11-16 titles (2021 & ’22)?

KS: This year’s title meant a lot to me since I was defending my last year’s WMX title. The competition was more stacked this year, so that made it more difficult. But my first title at Loretta’s will always be the most special.  

ME: One thing that all the Loretta’s champions have in common, which helps them deal with difficult conditions, is their advance training for the event. Talk about what you did to get yourself into prime shape for this year’s Loretta’s. Are you still training with Robbie Reynard?

KS: We haven’t done anything different this year than any other year at Reynard’s. Training with Robbie in the heat and humidity of Oklahoma is almost identical to the conditions at Loretta’s. What we’ve been doing the last four years must be working! 

ME: We’d say it absolutely is. Another area that’s been good for you is your relationship with the Monster Energy/Team Green/Kawasaki program. Talk a bit on when you got started with Team Green and how that relationship has helped you achieve the past two WMX titles. (It’s good to mention your mechanic(s) here, any other team officials, by name, that have helped you out. And don’t forget your parents!) 

KS: I have been with Monster Energy/Team Green/Kawasaki for the past three years, and during that time my relationship with the team and Ryan Holliday (Team Green manager) has been significant in my success. Team Green’s support with bike setup and answering my questions has been very valuable. Ryan and the entire team have always been available, either at the track or just a phone call away, providing crucial assistance. The team’s dedication and expertise have significantly contributed to my winning the past two WMX titles. I also want to acknowledge my parents (Keith & Cori Stallings) for their unwavering support and encouragement. Their belief in me and their constant presence have been a major driving force behind my achievements. Together, with the support of Team Green and my parents, I’ve been able to reach my goals and excel in my career. 

ME: Very well-put! Lastly, what’s on the Team Stallings schedule for the remainder of the 2023 competition season?

KS: I still have the remainder of the WMX series for 24’. The next round is at Ironman in a couple weeks. Besides that, Ponca and Mini-Os are on my schedule for the rest of the year. Note: Stallings is in 3rd place in the WMX Series, 20 points back of leader Sophie Phelps (156-136), at the midway point of the eight-round WMX season (despite missing the series’ opening round).  

ME: Thanks, Kyleigh. And again, congrats from everyone at Monster Energy on defending your WMX title at Loretta’s last week and best of luck through the remainder of the WMX season, along with Ponca and the Mini-Os.

KS: Thank you and thanks again to everyone at Monster Energy for the support!