Bryce Ford Shines at Home Race, Extends Podium Streak
(Kemp, Texas. April 8, 2023) – Although ATV Motocross does not typically provide a decisive home field advantage like other sports, racing on home turf can still be a legitimate advantage in our sport. In recent seasons, the Texas ATV National has proven to be a prime example of this phenomenon, as both Bryce and Cody Ford have delivered some of their best performances of their professional careers in their home state of Texas. Not only did Bryce and Cody Ford benefit from racing on their home turf, but Bryce also entered Round 3 as the current points leader and the red plate holder for the first time in his professional career. This proud moment was cherished by the Ford Brothers Racing team, who basked in the glory of Bryce’s first career win for a little while longer. However, as time passed, it was time to get back to business and take on the competition in the Lone Star State.
The 2023 season marked ATV Motocross’s return to Underground MX for the first time since 2019, after 3 Palms Action Sports Park hosted Texas’ ATV National for three consecutive seasons. As the best ATV racers in the world gathered at the starting line on Saturday morning to kick off the event, the Ford Brothers Racing riders caught everyone’s attention with their special-looking Yamaha YFZ450R rides. Bryce Ford, fresh off his first career AMA ATV Pro Class victory, proudly sported his shiny red backgrounds, symbolizing his new position as the series points leader. Meanwhile, Cody Ford paid homage to his Texas roots with his Texas Rangers-themed ride. The duo qualified fourth and tenth, respectively, earning them fourth and tenth gate selection for the opening moto at Underground.
They say that the weight of the red plate can be heavy enough to weigh down even the greatest of riders, especially when experiencing this honor for the first time. However, twenty-year-old Bryce Ford handled this brand-new experience with extreme grace, looking as cool, calm, and calculated as ever throughout the day. The two points-paying races were mirror images of each other, with Bryce executing a pair of top-three holeshots and maintaining podium position for all 22 laps. In both races, he relentlessly stalked and made a late run at the 8-time series champion Chad Wienen, ultimately logging two third-place moto finishes and earning a well-deserved spot on the Round 3 podium. Bryce now sits in the runner-up position in the series points standings with seven rounds remaining on the event calendar.
Older brother Cody Ford has established himself as one of the most consistent athletes in professional ATV Motocross racing. Known as “the foreman”, Cody has finished in the highly competitive top ten positions in seventeen of the last twenty-two events in the most prestigious ATV racing series in the world. Besides his on-track responsibilities, Cody is the glue that holds the Ford Brothers Racing team together. His dedication to constant work at their practice and training facility ensures that not only he and his brother are ready to compete, but also other two and four-wheeled athletes as well. Like his younger brother, Cody’s two motos mirrored each other as he raced his way from deep in the field to finish near the top ten. Although his 11-11 moto finishes for 11th overall were a rarity, Cody remained consistent on this day, as expected. He currently sits in tenth place in the series points standings, with many more opportunities to stack success ahead.
“Bryce [Ford] rode a smart strong race. The track was rough which was great, but the one-line situation made it hard to get around the big guy. Settled for 3rd today. Just want more. Thank you to JB Racing [and the rest of our sponsors] for their support.” The Ford Brothers Racing team posted to their official social media page.
The next stop on the ATV Motocross National Championship tour is historic High Point Raceway near Morgantown, West Virginia. At last year’s High Point round, Bryce Ford secured his place on the podium after finishing third overall. This year, he enters High Point riding a four-race podium streak, having achieved several career milestones, including his first pro moto win, overall victory, and points leader position during this run. As the Ford Brothers Racing Team heads to High Point in just a few short weeks, Bryce Ford will be aiming for his second career overall victory and twelfth podium finish, while Cody Ford is determined to reclaim his rightful spot in the top ten rankings. With their unwavering dedication and exceptional talent, the Ford brothers are poised to make their mark at the upcoming race and beyond.
We want to express our gratitude to all the fans, friends, and sponsors who supported us at our home race in Texas. It was an incredible experience to see our Ford Brothers Racing riders featured on the event tees at Underground. We are excited to continue this wild journey as we head to High Point Raceway in Mount Morris, PA, on April 29/30. We look forward to seeing everyone there as Bryce Ford aims to extend his podium streak and Cody Ford seeks to climb back into the top ten. Thank you again for your support, and let’s go racing!