New Kids on the Block, Part 1: Jayce Pennington, Traders Racing Yamaha

Like Jayce Pennington, growing up interested in dirtbikes is something that strikes many of us at a very young age.

And for those who get hooked on the two-wheeled life, it often is a passion that is cultivated over many years of riding and racing at the local level and then at the amateur national level. For a lucky few, however, the racing doesn’t stop at the amateur level, and some graduate into members of the true elite–having the opportunity to move up into the professional ranks. Many of these amateur stars choose to make their professional racing debut at Unadilla each year after concluding their amateur career at the Loretta Lynn’s Amateur National Championship. This year, there were three breakout amateurs who made their debut: Pennington, Joey Crown, and Justin Cooper. Each of these now professional rookies had the chance to share their experiences and a bit of their journey through the ranks. Same questions, different perspectives, three incredible athletes.

Pennington may not be a name you immediately recognize, but it is a name you may want to remember. The #231 Traders Racing Yamaha team member has been charging hard through the 2017 season, racing the AMSOIL Arenacross East Lites class and the 250AX class in order to earn enough points to compete in the 2018 Monster Energy Supercross Series. In addition to earning his Road to Supercross points, Pennington was also focused on making his mark at the Rocky Mountain ATV/MC AMA Amateur National Championship at Loretta Lynn Ranch in Hurricane Mills, Tennessee, during his final year as an amateur rider. Unfortunate circumstance led to a DNF for Moto 3 of both the Open Pro Sport and 250A classes this year at “The Ranch”. Prior to that Moto 3 bad luck, however, Pennington racked up a 6-3 score in Open Pro Sport and a 7-3 score in 250 A. Even with the DNF score in Moto 3, Pennington finished 12th in Open Pro Sport and 15th in 250 A.

Pennington’s proven speed and dedication to racing gave him the opportunity to make his professional racing debut at Round 10 of the Lucas Oil Pro Motocross Championship Series at Unadilla this past weekend as #231 aboard his Traders Racing Yamaha, the same team with which he spent his final amateur season. We think he has the speed to be a real contender in the coming years, so we took the opportunity to speak with him about his professional debut.

DirtBikes.Com: How long have you been riding with Traders Racing Yamaha?
Jayce Pennington: I have been racing with Traders since the beginning of 2017.

DirtBikes.Com: How does having the support you had during your amateur career prepare you for your professional racing debut?
Jayce Pennington: It prepares me well mentally. Everyone who has supported me has made me see how good I can be, and it helps out a lot, especially in the long run.

DirtBikes.Com: How long have you been racing?
Jayce Pennington: I started riding in my backyard at 3 years old, then I started racing at 9.

DirtBikes.Com: Favorite racing moment as an amateur? What is your most memorable race?
Jayce Pennington: I’ve got to say I really don’t have a favorite moment. I’ve had a lot of bad luck, some good luck, some ups and some downs. I guess I could say my favorite race was Monster Cup (2016). That was fun!

DirtBikes.Com: Who was your favorite rider growing up?
Jayce Pennington: Chad Reed.

DirtBikes.Com: Who has influenced you most on your racing journey?
Jayce Pennington: My dad.

DirtBikes.Com: When did you know that racing professionally would be the goal?
Jayce Pennington: After my first year racing at Loretta’s, when I was 10, I sat down with my dad and decided what I wanted to do. I had to think about it, but nothing gave me the same feeling as racing, so I knew I should stick with it.

DirtBikes.Com: What do you think will be most different about racing for amateur national titles versus now racing professionally?
Jayce Pennington: Probably the intensity.

DirtBikes.Com: What are your goals for the remaining three races of the 2017 season? What about for 2018?
Jayce Pennington: I don’t have any specific goals for the last three rounds. I’m just trying to go out and ride for myself and see what I can do. In 2018 I will be expecting more from myself, but not too sure yet on specific goals.

DirtBikes.Com: What is the most challenging part about making your pro debut right after Loretta’s?
Jayce Pennington: I really don’t think it’s challenging; if anything I think it’s better to jump into the outdoors after Loretta’s because you have nothing going on all summer, just training.

DirtBikes.Com: What does a typical training week look like for you?
Jayce Pennington: I ride four days a week–Wednesday is my day off of riding. I have a 20-minute warm-up run or row everyday, and then I start riding at either 9 or 10 a.m. I have some days for motos, a day for sprints, and a day for sections. Then I have either a workout, a run, or a cycle after that.

DirtBikes.Com: Are you still in school? How will that play into your 2018 season?
Jayce Pennington: I actually took a few years off of school, and I’m just getting back started, but it shouldn’t be a problem with racing.

DirtBikes.Com: Favorite part of moto that isn’t racing?
Jayce Pennington: Well, even though I’m antisocial (laughs), I like how everyone is like a big family.

DirtBikes.Com: When you’re not racing, how do you like to spend your time?
Jayce Pennington: I like to travel and see new things. But most of the time when I’m not racing or training I like to just relax and spend time with my family.

DirtBikes.Com: Best piece of advice you’ve been given about making the transition from amateur rider to professional rookie?
Jayce Pennington: The best advice I got was to have no expectations and just have fun riding your dirtbike.

DirtBikes.Com: How did this weekend go for you? Favorite moment of your pro debut?
Jayce Pennington: It was a decent weekend. The atmosphere is so much different and the people are much easier to deal with than on the amateur side of racing. I had lots of fun on the track, even in the mud!