Ryan Dungey and Red Bull Present: Homegrown

We’ve all seen ‘Field of Dreams’ where Kevin Costner builds a baseball field into a cornfield, and while that was pretty neat, I think we can all agree building a motocross track into a cornfield is waaay cooler.

Not many people have the luxury to say they’ve retired from their profession at the pinnacle of their career, let alone at the ripe age of 27, however, Ryan Dungey shocked the motorcycle world when he announced his retirement earlier this year after the Monster Energy Supercross season came to an end. This is not to say, though, that Ryan got to where he is by chance or magic. It’s no secret that Dungey was one of, if not the hardest working racers in the industry – four Supercross and three outdoor motocross championship titles don’t just fall in your lap.

In addition to his seven major AMA championships, he’s won the world’s largest international motocross race, Motocross des Nations, three times. Ryan’s success is a testament to his work ethic and will to succeed because he comes from humble beginnings in Minnesota and wasn’t noticed as a serious contender until late into his amateur career. Once Suzuki picked him up, the rest became history.

Dungey was so dominant in the last few years of his career that it almost became boring watching him win all those races. The real battles were the ones that determined who would round out the podium in second and third. This was very much the same case with Ryan Villopoto before he retired and opened the door for Dungey. At the time, I never considered myself to be a Dungey fan, but now that he’s gone, I have to admit I miss seeing him ride.

Just because Ryan won’t be lining up at the gate each Saturday night this year doesn’t mean he’s walked away from the sport. ‘Homegrown’ is a video that pays homage to his home region in the Midwest as well as the industriousness, hard work, dedication and patience that it takes to successfully grow crops, which isn’t all that different from the determination Dungey displayed while climbing the rungs of his racing career.

Take a moment to enjoy the video. We can guarantee you haven’t seen anything like this before…

LOS ANGELES, CA – November 30, 2017 – Earlier this year, one of the most accomplished motocross riders in the world, Ryan Dungey, shocked the world by announcing his retirement at the peak of his career. Although the seven-time AMA champion walked away from competing, that doesn’t mean he’s going out quietly. In a testament to the industriousness of the community and driven disposition of those from the American Midwest, Dungey delivers “Homegrown,” the definitive statement to his career that reflects his personal mantra of believing in commitment, hard work and sacrifice produced by Red Bull Media House.

In “Homegrown,” the Minnesota native showcases his incredibly fast and consistent riding in a one-of-a-kind 10-acre cornfield-turned-motocross track with the same mentality he was raised on – put in the work, see results. While the track itself may bewilder some, it symbolizes the region that Ryan calls home and the effort that was put into his career.

“Success comes in the nuances, be it growing corn or racing motocross. It’s the subtle touches that come with years of dedication to the craft,” said Dungey.

From humble beginnings, but from a family of dedicated and passionate motorsports enthusiasts, this “simple” Minnesota boy went on to rise to the top of his sport, achieving 80 total wins, 12 championships and winning ESPYs for Best Male Action Sports Athlete in both 2015 and 2016. Despite his accomplishments, Dungey managed to stay grounded and become an icon of the sport, never forgetting where he came from.

“Even if you’re a simple kid from a small town in Minnesota, just like me, if you dream big, work hard and believe in yourself, big things can come your way.”