Grant Robinson Races at the 2026 Loretta Lynn’s National Championship

A Journey of Resilience and Achievement

Grant Robinson of Ottawa, Illinois, took on the nation’s best amateur motocross racers at the 2026 AMA Amateur National Motocross Championship at Loretta Lynn’s Ranch in Hurricane Mills, Tennessee. Riding his #26 Yamaha in both the 250 C Jr. (12-17) Limited and 450 C classes, Grant experienced a week filled with incredible highs, tough setbacks, and a performance that proved he belonged on the national stage.

Honored with the Ride4Ryder Award

The week began with an unforgettable moment when Grant was presented with the Ryder Schnowske Ride4Ryder Award during the opening ceremony.

Grant and his family are incredibly thankful to Deyonne Schnowske and family for the honor, Jessica Lynn Ten Hagen of SeatbounceMoto Photography for nominating Grant, and Tim Cotter of MX Sports for helping make the special presentation possible.

The recognition and support Grant received from the motocross community made the moment one his family will never forget.

A Top-10 Finish at Loretta Lynn’s

Grant Robinson's National Championship Experience

Grant’s biggest racing highlight came in the opening 250 C Jr. Limited moto.

After drawing chip 36 and starting near the back of the field, Grant charged forward. He reached 15th by the end of the first lap and continued working his way through some of the fastest riders in the country.

When the checkered flag flew, Grant finished 10th, putting #26 under the tent at Loretta Lynn’s.

It was an incredible ride and one of the proudest moments of the entire week.

Battling Through Injury

Grant’s week also demonstrated just how quickly things can change at Loretta’s.

In his opening 450 C moto, Grant had moved into ninth place when he encountered a downed rider after the tunnel jump. Unable to avoid the crash, Grant went down hard and injured his wrist.

He continued racing throughout the week and was again showing impressive speed in his second 250 C Jr. moto, moving as high as seventh, before coming up short on a triple and reinjuring the same wrist.

Grant tried to continue, but increasing pain, weakness, and tingling eventually made holding onto the motorcycle too difficult. With a probable tendon and nerve injury, the difficult decision was made to withdraw from his final 250 C Jr. moto and head home for further medical evaluation.

2026 National Championship Results

In 250 C Jr. Limited, Grant recorded a 10th in Moto 1, 25th in Moto 2, and a DNS in Moto 3, finishing 39th overall.

In 450 C, he recorded a DNF, 24th, and 33rd, finishing 37th overall.

The final standings don’t tell the whole story. Grant showed top-10 national speed, ran as high as seventh, and continued battling through an injury until he could no longer safely compete.

Thank You to Everyone Behind #26

A special thank you goes to Ethan Eslinger, who stepped up as Grant’s mechanic and mentor throughout the week and provided tremendous support to Grant and his family.

From receiving the Ride4Ryder Award to earning a top-10 finish at the biggest event in amateur motocross, Grant’s first 2026 Loretta Lynn’s National Championship was a week of determination, adversity, and accomplishment.

The ending wasn’t what #26 wanted, but Grant left Hurricane Mills having proven something important:

He belongs on the gate with the best in the country.

#Ride4Ryder 💚 | Grant Robinson #26 | Ottawa, Illinois