Interview with MX Racer Caden Dudney

Blasting out of the great state of Texas and into the mix of the Monster Energy AMA Amateur National Championship at Loretta Lynn’s Ranch in Hurricane Mills, Tenn., Monster Energy’s Caden Dudney (Team Green/Kawasaki) surfaced from the ruts, heat and general mayhem of “Loretta’s” with the Lion’s Share of hardware of the 1,400 athletes that qualified for the world’s premier amateur motocross competition.

For starters, Dudney won the hotly-contested 250 B class – a peek-into-the-future class that’s a click behind the 250 Pro Sport and Pro Open classes as to who’s on deck for greatness in pro motocross. Dudney then backed that title up with the Schoolboy 2 National Championship – both wins coming over the rippin’ fast Landen Gordon (2nd place in both classes), Dudney’s Monster Energy/Team Green/Kawasaki teammate.

In addition to his double National Championships, Dudney, returning to Loretta’s following an injury that sidelined him for 2023, was awarded the coveted AMA Amateur Rider of the Year trophy, as well as the new Oakley Award, signifying which rider put up the fastest lap time over the past week at Loretta’s when he busted out an unbelievable 1:48.640 lap in Moto 2 of the Schoolboy 2 class.

Dudney’s return to Loretta’s was even more impressive given that two years ago he won double National Championships on Monster Energy/Team Green/Kawasaki 85cc mini bikes (85cc 10-12 and Mini Sr. 1), then returned off the sidelines this year to win double National Championships on full size (big) bikes.

MonsterEnergy.com was able to track down the speedy Dudney, with help from his mom, Dawn, and got his take on the week at Loretta’s. Here’s what he had to say…

MonsterEnergy.com: First off, Caden, congrats from everyone at Monster Energy on your double championship (250 B & Schoolboy 2) performance at Loretta’s this past week. You’ve gotta be pumped with that.

Caden Dudney: Thank you! Yeah, I’m very pumped with how Loretta’s went for me. 

ME: How instrumental was the Monster Energy/Team Green/Kawasaki program in helping get you to the level you’re at now?

CD: I got on Team Green when I was on 85’s right after I had won a championship at Loretta’s. We went to talk to Ryan Holliday and he said he wanted me on the team, which I thought was really cool. I have been with Team Green for three years now. They have helped my program a lot. Not just bikes and stuff, but just supporting me at the races. Ryan, the mechanics and Chappy are a big support system. 

ME: We heard a lot of comments from other racers on the podiums regarding just how hot it was at Loretta’s this year. You’re from Texas, where it can get pretty hot as well. Talk bit about the conditions at Loretta’s and how you prepared to race in that heat and humidity.

CD: I thought Loretta’s was extremely hot this year compared to some of the past years. Texas is definitely hot, but this year was a little different for me preparation wise. I broke my thumb a couple of weeks after my regionals and was off the bike for five weeks prior to Loretta’s. I only rode the bike the weekend before to see if I was able to ride. I was going to CrossFit at home twice a day and biking in the afternoon to help me keep in shape since I wasn’t able to ride at all. 

ME: That’s a solid plan. The opening 250 B moto was the only moto you didn’t win all weekend, which saw your Monster Energy/Team Green/Kawasaki teammate, Landen Gordon, win that one ahead of your 3rd place finish. Talk about that first 250 B moto and how that set the stage, and your mindset, for the rest of the week.

CD: Well, I had 35th gate pick and was all the way outside. I got a horrible jump out of the gate and was all the way in the back. Like 40th. I just started making passes and ended up in 3rd. After that moto, I knew I had the speed to be up front. I just needed better starts. 

ME: Gordon would be your primary competition the rest of the week, finishing at the runner-up to you in both 250 B and Schoolboy 2. How was that being under the same awning with him at Team Green? You guys get along fairly well? 

CD: We are actually pretty good friends and get along really well. We would give each other some time to process the motos and then we would hang out and watch other motos together.  

ME: That’s seems like the perfect team/teammate situation. Continuing with the motos, as we discussed, you went 5-0 – 1st/1st in the next 250 B motos and 1st/1st/1st in a Schoolboy 2 sweep. How was it that you were able to be so dominant the rest of the week at Loretta’s against the top racers in the nation in those classes? 

CD: Even though I was off the bike, your speed doesn’t really go away and I had worked hard off the bike as much as I could in case I was able to still race. I wanted to race. I think that is a big part of it. I just like to ride my dirt bike and have fun doing it. After the first couple of motos, I felt like I would get better as the week went on. Kind of like riding a bicycle.   

ME: Interesting. During that time, I believe on Day 4, you put up the week’s fastest lap time to that point, a 1:48.464 (according to the online Loretta’s Live announcers), which was said to be faster than the Pro 250 Sport and Open Pro sport guys. Talk about that lap and what went down. 

CD: At first, I wasn’t even trying to get the fastest lap time. I got it and then, I think it was Flynn (Watts), got it and I was a little bummed. I knew I could go faster. We had an early morning moto and Landen and I just sent it. Sometimes it’s just fun to go fast.

ME: So you’ve won a number of Loretta’s titles over the years in the 65, 85 and Mini Sr. 1 classes. How do your ’24 titles in 250 B and Schoolboy 2 relate to your previous titles? 

CD: I feel like the two classes this year are more important than the others because they’re on the 250 and are helping me prepare for the future. But, the other classes definitely helped to build my confidence over the years and helped with sponsorships. 

ME: Good way to look at it. You’ve been coming to Loretta’s for a number of years now. What are some of the things that you enjoy the most about the weekend in middle Tennessee, and what are some of the things you enjoy the least? 

CD: After the motos I like to go hang out with my friends because I don’t always get to see them. And eating ice cream. That might be the most important. I don’t like how the creek is always so cold, but this year it was nice to get in after motos! 

ME: A lot of the Monster Energy fans that’ll read this are skaters, surfers, snowboarders, BMXers, etc. Understanding the time and effort required to get to your level, are there any other sports you have time to mess around with on the side, or is in 100-percent dirt bikes?

CD: It’s 100 percent dirt bikes. My brother and I will go to a pump track sometimes. We both really enjoy that. I have only skied a couple of times, but I think I would like to snowboard. I also really enjoy mountain biking and have recently started road biking, which is my favorite.  

ME: If ESPN’s X Games were on, which of the action sports do you enjoy watching the most? 

CD: Moto X best whip for sure! I love throwing whips. 

ME: Of course! (Hahaha) Back to dirt bikes, what’s your plans the rest of the summer? 

CD: The rest of the summer consists of racing and hopefully starting on supercross soon. 

ME: Are you looking forward to returning to Loretta’s next year in the 250 Pro Sport and Pro Open classes? Is that the plan?

CD: Yes, I am looking forward to it. Loretta’s is one of my favorite races. So far, that is the plan. 

ME: Alright, thanks, Caden. And again, congratulations from everyone at Monster Energy on your 250 B and Schoolboy 2 National Championships last week. 

CD: (Your parting words here) Thank you to Monster Energy for their continued support!