Richardson returns to Motocross National Championship

Surry County’s own Wells Richardson is headed back to the top amateur motocross competition in the world.

Wells will compete in the 43rd annual Monster Energy AMA Amateur National Motocross Championship July 29 — Aug. 3. The event features more than 1,500 of the top motocross riders worldwide that compete across 36 classes of 42 riders each.

Wells, an 8-year-old rising third grader at Dobson Elementary, will make his second appearance in the championship, which is held annually at the Loretta Lynn Ranch in Hurricane Mills, Tenn. He finished seventh in the nation in the Micro 2 Class in 2023.

Riders competed in three motos, or races, at the championship, and their final placement takes all three finishes into account. Wells finished 10th in his opening moto, then rain pushed his next races back a day. When he returned to the track for his second moto Wells went down on the first straightaway. He battled back from last place to finish seventh.

Wells traversed a muddy track in his final moto and earned a sixth-place finish.

Wells’ father Michael called the atmosphere at the championship “unlike anything we have seen in motocross.”

“When the gate drops with the best 42 riders in the country all pushing towards that first turn, your nerves can definitely get to you,” Michael said. “There are thousands of spectators, cameras everywhere, and they treat every rider like they are professionals.”

Wells added that he had a blast last year and is pumped to head back with several of his race buddies to compete against the best riders in the world.

“A big thanks to sponsors High Thom Powersports, Carolina Cobra Connection and 110 Racing for all their support throughout the year.”

Punching his ticket

The road to Loretta Lynn’s Ranch began months ahead of the summer championship. Riders hoping to race for a national championship had to first take part in a number of qualifying competitions.

The American Motorcyclist Association divides the US into eight regions, and each region is further divided into areas. Riders first compete in area races, then the top finishers in each area take part in regional qualifiers.

The top riders in each region then advance to the national championship.

The AMA puts on more than 50 area qualifiers between February and May. Riders are also allowed to compete in multiple area and regional qualifiers.

Wells competed in area qualifiers in the Mid-East, Northeast and Southeast regions. He raced in qualifiers for both the Micro-E Limited and Micro 3 Limited classes.

Wells first traveled to Hamner, SC, for an area qualifier in the Southeast Region where he finished second in the Micro-E class and fourth in Micro 3. He then finished fifth and fourth in a Northeast area qualifier in Danville, VA, before concluding with second and fourth-place finishes at a Mid-East qualifier in New Vienna, Ohio.

By finishing in the top-6 in all three areas, Wells had the option to compete in three regional qualifiers in both classes. He punched his ticket to nationals in the Micro-E Class by placing sixth out of 54 riders at the Northeast Regional, which was held May 31 at Tomahawk MX Park in Hedgesville, WV. Wells, riding his 2024 Cobra E bike, finished sixth, seventh and fifth in his three motos.

“To see him headed back to nationals shows his consistency as a top rider in the country, and he had to earn it against some extremely talented kids,” Michael said. “Watching him compete at Tomahawk, I could see the grit and determination come out in him. It was a stacked field, and it came down to the last moto. He passed five riders on the last lap and never gave up until the checkered flag was waiving.

“Seeing that huge smile once he knew he had qualified was a moment we will always remember.”

Wells only began competing in motocross in October 2020. In less than four years since his MX debut, he has qualified twice for what mxsports.com calls the “world’s largest and most prestigious amateur motocross racing program.” The weeklong experience also features autograph sessions, award ceremonies, a dog show, family dinners, beach parties and a Monster Energy Concert Series headlined by country music band Parmalee.

Michael said Wells’ experience at Loretta Lynn’s in 2023 gives him an advantage this year as he’s more familiar with the track, the feeling of racing in front of such a big crowd and the event as a whole.

Motocross may be a year-round sport, but that hasn’t inhibited Wells’ ability to compete when he’s not riding.

“One thing I really admire about Wells is that he balances motocross with other sports,” Michael said. “He plays baseball, basketball and football, so it can definitely be a juggling act at times. Many of his competitors choose to focus solely on motocross, which is great, but Wells loves being part of a team and enjoys playing just about any sport out there.”