Seven-year-old Rhett Harris of Monticello, Arkansas, has officially qualified to compete in the 2025 AMA Loretta Lynn Motocross Nationals — one of the most prestigious youth motocross events in the country. The race will take place during the last week of July at the iconic Loretta Lynn Ranch in Hurricane Mills, Tennessee.
Rhett, the son of Laci Harris and Dustin Harris (Lindsay), will represent both Monticello and the state of Arkansas on the national stage. He is currently the only rider from Arkansas in his age group to earn a ticket to this year’s event.
Motocross runs in the Harris family. Rhett’s older brother, Crayton Harris, has competed at Loretta’s several times and plans to return with Rhett in 2026. Rhett began racing at just three years old and has competed across Arkansas, Louisiana, Texas, and most recently, Wisconsin. He recently claimed the top spot in his age division in the Arkansas State Championship Series and has earned numerous podium finishes at various tracks and races.
This will be Rhett’s first appearance at “The Ranch,” as it’s known in the motocross world. Each year, thousands of riders across the country begin their journey on what’s called “The Road to Loretta’s,” vying for one of only 42 qualifying spots in each class. Riders must first compete in Area Qualifiers and then advance to Regional Races. The top six riders from each class at the Regional level secure a ticket to the Nationals.
Rhett participated in the South Central Regional at 3 Palms MX in Conroe, Texas, finishing 7th overall. Fortunately, he also qualified for the North Central Region at Archview MX in St. Louis, Missouri, giving him one final opportunity to earn his place. He seized the moment with an outstanding 2nd place finish in Tigerton, Wisconsin — officially punching his ticket to Loretta Lynn’s.
With the trip to Tennessee comes a significant financial cost, and the Harris family plans to hold fundraisers to help cover expenses. One such event, the popular annual Boston Butt Cookout, is expected to return. The family expressed deep gratitude to everyone who has supported the boys through sponsorships, donations, and community events. It’s not too late to get involved, and the family welcomes anyone interested in supporting Rhett’s racing journey.
Rhett and his supporters are excited for the upcoming adventure. The entire week of racing at the Loretta Lynn Ranch will be broadcast on RaceTV, and the Harris family will also be posting regular updates, results, and highlights on social media for fans following along from home.
