Nothing says July 4th in the moto world quite like RedBud! Saturday’s 53rd running of the 5.11 RedBud National will take place on America’s 250th Anniversary, July 4th for Round 22 of the 2026 Monster Energy SMX World Championship. And no MX racer epitomizes summertime moto than 6X MX champ (and AMA Hall of Famer) Jeff Stanton. The “Michigan Mafia” legend returns to his home race as the Grand Marshal of the RedBud National.
“Jeff Stanton is a hero to many racers and enthusiasts throughout Michigan and the Great Lakes,” says Amy Ritchie, Co-Owner of RedBud MX. “He was blessed with exceptional natural talent, but what set him apart was a determination and work ethic that turned into championships and built a Hall of Fame career.”
“We’ve considered Jeff a member of the RedBud family for many years, but we’ve yet to celebrate him in the way he is so deserving of. Given the significance of this year’s race taking place on America’s 250th Anniversary, we felt the timing was perfect to make him our Grand Marshal and allow him to be a part of something he helped grow into one of American motocross’ biggest events.”
Hailing just 70 miles from RedBud, in Sherwood, Stanton managed to capture just a single victory at his home National, doing so at the 1989 event, but also never finished off the overall podium in six 250cc starts at the venue. He amassed a total of 37 career SMX wins in both 250cc and 500cc competition and also became a star on the international stage with multiple victories at the U.S. Grand Prix and a trio of Motocross of Nations triumphs with Team USA.
Stanton was inducted into the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame in 2000, six years after he made his final start. Today, Stanton shares his passion for off-road riding through Jeff Stanton Adventures, which is based in his home state and explores the natural beauty of Michigan as the first official “Triumph Accredited Adventure Partner” in North America. Stanton has been an ambassador for the storied British manufacturer for several years and has played a key role in Triumph’s foray into SMX competition.
