DAWN DUDNEY
What’s your name?
Dawn Dudney
Where are you from?
Athens, Texas
Who is(are) your rider(s)?
Caden Dudney
How long have you been a moto mom?
I have been a moto mom for six years.
Were you into motorcycles before becoming a moto mom?
I was. I used to race some at my local track in Iowa.
Describe a typical race weekend for you.
Race weekends are always hectic! I’m in charge of making sure everyone is fed, clothed, sign-up is completed, knowing the practice and race schedules and at any given time knowing what class is on the track, helping with bike maintenance, cheerleader, and making sure to socialize!
What’s your family’s favorite meal at the track?
They’re favorite (and several adopted family members along the way) is spaghetti with my homemade sauce or chicken pasta.
Do you have any pre-race rituals or superstitions while spectating?
I almost always go to staging, make sure to give Caden knuckles, tell him to go kill it and he tells me where he wants me to watch from. During the race, I’m usually pacing, talking to myself and then cheering as loud as possible when he goes by.
Most nerve-wracking moment watching your kid(s) race/ride?
I have two. Watching him lead the race during Loretta’s. I kept going to check the timing/scoring board to make sure I wasn’t imagining it. The other is more of a constant at every race. When Caden was 6-years-old, he crashed on the start and burned his arm which resulted in a skin graft. Because of this, watching the starts are always nerve-wracking for me and being able to see the holeshot is a must!
Favorite part about being at the track?
I love it all -- the adrenaline, the stress, the smell of the two-strokes! Being able to watch my son grow and learn so many life lessons and being a part of such a great community and family. Nothing beats our moto family.
Favorite and least favorite part about traveling to the races?
My least favorite part is being cooped up in a vehicle with two kids and a 75lb dog! My favorite part is being able to visit so many places with my kids. We try to go see things every time we go somewhere, like visiting Pensacola beach during Mini Os and Lake Michigan during Baja.
Craziest travel story?
Our first trip to Texas for a winter series race, it took us 4 hours to go 1 1/2 hours, I was going from the back of the RV to sit up front and hit my head on the bunk about hard enough to drop me to the floor, and a car on the interstate in front of us hit a board and lost control. We hit the car with the RV and trailer in tow. My husband’s great driving skills saved us! That was definitely a stressful trip, and it all happened on the trip down!
The most important lesson motocross teaches at a young age.
There are so many amazing lessons it teaches! For my son, it has taught perseverance. He had to overcome so much fear after his wreck in such a short time! The year he wrecked, our regional was at the same track and he was able to make it to Loretta’s for the first time.
What’s your secret to getting all the dirt stains out of riding gear?
You can get them all out??!! Haha, I like to use simple green before putting his gear in the washer.
Proudest moment of your career as a moto mom thus far?
This is a hard one! For me, I would have to say it was when my husband went to Colorado to work for a fall. I received a crash course in bike mechanics (Lucas has very high standards that I had to live up to.) That fall, we raced the entire D41 series which is part of the Texas State Championship. Caden and I rocked it at every race, and he won the series! Along with this accomplishment, Lucas was impressed with the shape the bike was still in when he came back home!
What’s your favorite track?
My favorite track is Baja Acres. We have only been there once, but I loved the elevation and the vibe there. They were also very efficient in running the race.
Who is your favorite pro racer?
My favorite pro racers are Ken Roczen and Adam Cianciarulo. They are both humble and have positive attitudes. They are able to admit when they make a mistake. These are all qualities that we try to teach our children.
What is your favorite genre of music?
Classic country! It’s always my go-to.
What is your favorite movie/tv show?
My favorite movie is 300. Their perseverance is just amazing to me.
What is in your red solo cup?
Ummm... juice of course!!!
Any advice for the moto moms of the future?
You are amazing!! Even though it is tough, try to always be positive and be a great motivator for your child. This is something I am constantly working on. Even when they fail, it is not a failure. There is always a lesson to be learned.
