West Orange youth motocross racer to compete in high-profile event at Loretta Lynn's Ranch

For the Renfro family, motocross has long been a family affair.

Dating back to when father Brian Renfro was riding motorcycles through the mountains of his native North Carolina to when the family’s eldest son, Ryan, took up the sport, the combination of gears and dirt tracks has been a part the West Orange family for decades.

Although they were both capable riders in their own right, there was one achievement neither Brian or Ryan unlocked — qualifying to race at Loretta Lynn’s Ranch in Hurricane Mills, Tennessee. 

Fortunately, there is the family’s third-oldest of four, Jordan Renfro, who at just 9 years old has qualified for the Rocky Mountain ATV/MC AMA Amateur National Motocross Championship at Loretta Lynn Ranch for the second time in his young career. Far from envious, Jordan’s father and older brother are beyond excited to see what the youth has accomplished already as a rider.

“It’s different to sit back and watch him, because he’s doing things that, honestly, I couldn’t do on a motorcycle,” Brian said. “He’s faster now than, probably, I ever was.”

Given how passionate his father and brother are about the sport, it was only a matter of time before Jordan picked up the sport and, sure enough, he did so at just 3 years old. He tried other sports, too, such as football and basketball, but something about the independent nature of racing set it apart for Jordan.

“When I finished (playing basketball or football), I didn’t know how good I was doing,” Jordan said. “I picked motocross, because in football and all the other sports I did, I don’t really control what I’m doing, but on the motocross I control everything I’m doing, and at the end of the race, I know how I did.”

It looks as though Jordan picked correctly.

Already in his young career, Jordan has won more than 200 races in just the past three years and reached the podium 14 times at prominent events. In March, Jordan won a national title at the Ricky Carmichael Amateur National in Daytona Beach and he also has had strong showings in Tampa ArenaCross and in Las Vegas this year.

As of July 20, he is ranked No. 4 in the nation in the 50CC on motoplayground.com’s Dirty 100 rankings and he is one of 1,446 positions out of more than 20,000 hopefuls to be selected for Loretta Lynn’s, starting on July 26 and running through Aug. 1.

“It’s really cool to see the progression of (Jordan’s career),” Ryan said. “I remember when we got him his first bike, I remember rolling it in the house for Christmas.”

Although Jordan is the one winning the races and racking up the trophies, his success has become a team effort by his family in many ways. Brian is a combination of manager and head mechanic, helping to work on Jordan’s bikes while his mom, Tasha, does much of the driving, planning and other essential duties. Ryan is the family’s second mechanic, helping his dad with the bikes, while Samantha, 11, has dabbled in helping take and upload video of Jordan. The family’s youngest, 5-year-old Trey, supports in his own way and looks up to his brother.

“It’s good to know that we’re helping him on the track without being on the track with him,” Ryan said.

That his family’s support is a big part of his success — and that it does come at a mental and fiscal cost — is something that is not lost on the West Orange youth.

“It really brings out a spark from me,” Jordan said. “When I’m at the gate (about to race), I’m just thinking about how much my family puts into this and all that stuff.”

The family has long raced and practiced at the track in Dade City, where Jordan found his most recent pair of coaches. Randy Yoho of Dade City MX and former champion racer Tim Ferry have combined to form a winning duo to help mold the up-and-coming rider after Randy noticed Jordan’s natural ability at the track one day.

“Those two coaches there, they’re kind of like oil and water,” Brian said. “Randy is the motivator and the person who installs the confidence in the kid that he can do anything. Tim is the technical person who has won world championships and probably is one of the greatest riders ever — he is the one that fixes that minor things that most people don’t see.”

Part of what enables Jordan to be so good out on the track is his drive.

“He has a very big heart … he takes things to a different level when it comes to commitment,” Tasha said of her son.

Brian agreed, but added one more attribute that helps set his son apart.

“He has another gear,” Brian said.

Jordan said he feels amazing when he is on the bike and that he likes to push it and himself. According to Tasha, who oversees Jordan during the day while he is doing schoolwork for Florida Virtual School, the drive to succeed isn’t limited to the track.

“He wants to get done first (with schoolwork), but he wants to make sure it’s right — and if it’s not right, he wants to know why,” Tasha said. “He knows when it’s time to be driven and when it’s not — he’s definitely a goofball when he’s off the bike. … He is a very well-rounded kid.”

Tasha notes that through the many trips the family has taken for Jordan to compete — to places such as Alabama, Kentucky, South Carolina, Las Vegas and Texas — the family has been able to bond more wholly. She said she makes a point to have the family stop and see something on nearly every trip to so that it never feels like they are traveling simply from race to race.

Since winning the national championship in Daytona earlier this year, doors are opening like never before for Jordan — who already was well-known within the field. The races at Loretta Lynn’s, where Jordan will compete in the 50CC (his preferred race) and the 65CC, represent the most important date of the year for an amateur rider.

“If you’re going to race motocross, you have to go through Loretta’s,” Brian said, noting that the event becomes a gathering of the entire motocross industry — including athletes, media and vendors. “The platform that it gives the riders is second to none.”

Success there could help Jordan grow his network of sponsors. Of the many unique elements of motocross for youth riders is the ability to earn sponsorships because, when a rider has had as much success at a young age as Jordan has, kids are going to want what he has.

“I wish I could tell you how many kids have switched gear because Jordan wears it,” Brian said.

Jordan envisions a strong finish at Loretta Lynn’s and long career ahead of him. He wants to be a professional and one of the best and hopes his career will take him and his family to even more places.

Contact Steven Ryzewski at [email protected].