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BUCHANAN, MI — The biggest pro motocross event every year takes place in southwestern Michigan.
When Independence Day weekend rolls around, there is only one thing on the minds of motocross fans and the people of Buchanan: RedBud. Thousands of people descend upon the track, celebrating the holiday weekend by watching the best pro moto racers in the world navigate the sport’s defining track.
More from 2026 edition: How RedBud being on America's 250th birthday made the event even more 'epic'
Within the complex are several places to watch the action. But which one of those is the best? We watched the races Saturday, July 4, 2026, Here’s our thoughts.
Let’s start at the beginning — literally. The starting gate is a cool spot if you want to see all the racers rev their engines and get going, with the first turn always being dramatic. Unfortunately, no more racing takes place there, so you need to move elsewhere to see the action.
There are two “big” hills that house most of the spectators. Let’s start with the less-famous one, for lack of a better term. If you like watching most of the turns with one or two smaller leaping hills, this is for you. You can’t see the finish line or LaRocco’s Leap, but the bulk of the actual racing takes place on the big hill facing south.
Speaking of LaRocco’s Leap: that’s the leap in all of motocross. Of all the seating spots at RedBud, it was the one most full Saturday. You could hardly see the grass that faces the last third of the race track.
If you love watching the bigger bikes get big air, this is the spot to sit. You don’t get *as* much overall racing as those on the other side of the hill, but seeing the bikes fly through the air on LaRocco’s Leap is what makes this track iconic.
There is a small grandstand area right next to the hill of LaRocco’s Leap as well. It’s a hard seat to get, and it limits how much else you can see. Not a recommended view if you’re looking to see as much racing as possible.
That leaves one last major area of seating — which is the one we think is the best. On the actual south side of the track, you get to maximize the racing you see. The bulk of the turns, a couple of leaps — it has everything you need. You can’t see LaRocco’s Leap or the finish line, but there is a screen showing the TV broadcast nearby that helps you keep track of what’s going on. It’s the most accessible big screen around the area as well.
Mother Nature did its best to mess with the RedBud track this year. A massive storm ran through Friday, creating flooding and muddy conditions.
While the rain held off Saturday, that didn’t make things less interesting for the riders.
“I don’t even know how to describe it,” said Hunter Lawrence, who won the 450 class title. “It was sandy, it was muddy, sloppy, hard-pack, slippery — everything in one. It was tricky.”
The 250 class runner-up, Jo Shimda, actually liked the track setup Saturday.
“I want to give props to the track builders — I like the way they didn’t fix as much today,” Shimoda said. “I think it just made a difference. Good riders were able to do cool stuff. It was a lot more technical. It slowed down the race. I think it felt safer.”
No matter where you watch it from or how the racetrack looks, one thing is for certain at RedBud: a fun time awaits.
Austin Hough is a sports editor within the Center for Community Journalism at USA Today Co., overseeing high school sports and Notre Dame athletics coverage for five Indiana newspapers. Follow him on X (formerly Twitter) @AustinRHough. Hough can be emailed at [email protected].
This article originally appeared on South Bend Tribune: Where is the best place at RedBud to watch the motocross race? Our thoughts
Continue reading...
When Independence Day weekend rolls around, there is only one thing on the minds of motocross fans and the people of Buchanan: RedBud. Thousands of people descend upon the track, celebrating the holiday weekend by watching the best pro moto racers in the world navigate the sport’s defining track.
More from 2026 edition: How RedBud being on America's 250th birthday made the event even more 'epic'
Within the complex are several places to watch the action. But which one of those is the best? We watched the races Saturday, July 4, 2026, Here’s our thoughts.
A walk around RedBud for the best view
Let’s start at the beginning — literally. The starting gate is a cool spot if you want to see all the racers rev their engines and get going, with the first turn always being dramatic. Unfortunately, no more racing takes place there, so you need to move elsewhere to see the action.
There are two “big” hills that house most of the spectators. Let’s start with the less-famous one, for lack of a better term. If you like watching most of the turns with one or two smaller leaping hills, this is for you. You can’t see the finish line or LaRocco’s Leap, but the bulk of the actual racing takes place on the big hill facing south.
Speaking of LaRocco’s Leap: that’s the leap in all of motocross. Of all the seating spots at RedBud, it was the one most full Saturday. You could hardly see the grass that faces the last third of the race track.
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If you love watching the bigger bikes get big air, this is the spot to sit. You don’t get *as* much overall racing as those on the other side of the hill, but seeing the bikes fly through the air on LaRocco’s Leap is what makes this track iconic.
There is a small grandstand area right next to the hill of LaRocco’s Leap as well. It’s a hard seat to get, and it limits how much else you can see. Not a recommended view if you’re looking to see as much racing as possible.
That leaves one last major area of seating — which is the one we think is the best. On the actual south side of the track, you get to maximize the racing you see. The bulk of the turns, a couple of leaps — it has everything you need. You can’t see LaRocco’s Leap or the finish line, but there is a screen showing the TV broadcast nearby that helps you keep track of what’s going on. It’s the most accessible big screen around the area as well.
How about the actual track?
Mother Nature did its best to mess with the RedBud track this year. A massive storm ran through Friday, creating flooding and muddy conditions.
While the rain held off Saturday, that didn’t make things less interesting for the riders.
“I don’t even know how to describe it,” said Hunter Lawrence, who won the 450 class title. “It was sandy, it was muddy, sloppy, hard-pack, slippery — everything in one. It was tricky.”
The 250 class runner-up, Jo Shimda, actually liked the track setup Saturday.
“I want to give props to the track builders — I like the way they didn’t fix as much today,” Shimoda said. “I think it just made a difference. Good riders were able to do cool stuff. It was a lot more technical. It slowed down the race. I think it felt safer.”
No matter where you watch it from or how the racetrack looks, one thing is for certain at RedBud: a fun time awaits.
Austin Hough is a sports editor within the Center for Community Journalism at USA Today Co., overseeing high school sports and Notre Dame athletics coverage for five Indiana newspapers. Follow him on X (formerly Twitter) @AustinRHough. Hough can be emailed at [email protected].
This article originally appeared on South Bend Tribune: Where is the best place at RedBud to watch the motocross race? Our thoughts
Continue reading...
