LITTLE ROCK, Ark.- A Sheridan 6-year-old is taking his passion for motocross racing nationwide.
At such a young age, he is making a name for himself already. The sport is unique but for the Barbaree family motocross racing is in their blood.
Ozzy Barbaree has been around dirt bikes his entire life. His love for the sport determination and hard work is taking him to the next level.
The helmet, the suit, the dirt bike, the passion, it’s what makes up a motocross racer.
“It’s just fun,” Barbaree said.
For Barbaree, riding his dirt bike is just another day doing what he loves.
“I like hitting corners, hitting jumps, and going fast,” Barbaree said.
He rides in every season, only missing out if the track is too muddy.
He’s been watching dirt fly his entire life, with his father, Ozzy Barbaree Sr. introduced him to the sport.
“So, this little wild child was on two wheels since he could crawl,” Barbaree Sr. said.
“My dad got me into racing when I was four-year-old and we did the same thing as we’re doing with him,” Barbaree Sr. said.
Barbaree Sr. Went pro when he was 16 and his mom, Elise, also competed.
Ozzy Junior started riding at 3 years old and as the years went by, he only got faster. His parents took him to different races, just to get his feet wet.
But as he made the podium and won races, the thought of one race was in the back of their minds
“Loretta Lynn’s,” Barbaree Sr. said.
It’s not easy to make it there.
“You have to qualify through an area qualifier, then regional qualifier,” Barbaree Sr. said.
With every corner turned and the engine revved, Ozzy punched his ticket to the amateur national race called Loretta Lynn’s in Tennessee.
“So you’ve got the top 40 fastest kids in each class,” Barbaree Sr. said.
Next week, he’ll be riding his yellow bike, representing Arkansas and doing what he loves.
“I always have a dream about this,” Barbaree Sr. said.
The competition at Loretta Lynn’s is next week. They take off on Friday for the big race.
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