Carlsbad, CA – September 22, 2022 — More than five decades after setting off to Europe with a dream of conquering the motocross world, American legend Brad Lackey is once again challenging the sport—not on the track, but through a heartfelt campaign to preserve a piece of its history.
At the recent Carlsbad Raceway Reunion, Lackey made a passionate public appeal in support of the Carlsbad Raceway Monument Project, a tribute aimed at commemorating one of America’s most iconic motocross venues. He and his wife, Lori, have pledged what they called “the last $10,000 bucks” of their own money toward the construction of the monument. Now, he’s calling on 19 others—former rivals, motocross industry leaders, sponsors, friends, and fans—to match that amount, effectively raising an additional $200,000 to help bring the monument to life.
The initiative is deeply personal for Lackey. Though he never clinched an overall victory at the legendary USGP at Carlsbad Raceway, the venue played a significant role in his storied career and helped shape the trajectory of motocross in the United States. Throughout the 1970s and early 1980s, Carlsbad was a cornerstone of American motocross culture, hosting the U.S. Grand Prix and drawing global attention, particularly through coverage by ABC’s Wide World of Sports.
“Carlsbad was special. It gave me—and a lot of other riders—a platform,” said Lackey. “ABC’s reach made motocross something every kid in America could see on a Saturday afternoon. It gave us legitimacy, fans, and the belief that an American could become world champion.”
That belief became a reality in 1982, when Brad Lackey fulfilled his long-standing dream by becoming the 500cc World Motocross Champion. To this day, he remains the only American to have claimed that title. Though he never won at Carlsbad, his relentless pursuit of the world championship—often captured in dramatic footage and commentary from ABC—cemented his place as a national hero and trailblazer in the sport.
The Carlsbad Raceway Monument Project seeks to preserve the memory of a venue that no longer exists physically but still lives on in the hearts of fans and riders. The raceway was bulldozed in the early 2000s, but its legacy endures as a symbol of motocross’s golden era in America.
Lackey’s challenge is about more than money—it’s about community, heritage, and ensuring future generations understand the roots of American motocross. “This is for the sport,” he said. “For the fans, the racers, the industry that grew up around this track. We need to remember where we came from.”
The goal is to raise $200,000 to finalize plans for the monument’s construction. Organizers hope that the contributions will come from a blend of corporate sponsors, individual donors, and longtime fans who remember the dust, drama, and excitement of Carlsbad Raceway.
For Brad Lackey, the monument isn’t just a tribute to a place—it’s a tribute to a time when motocross was finding its identity in the U.S., and to all those who helped build the sport from the ground up. With this challenge, he hopes to bring the motocross family together once again—this time to honor the past and inspire the future.