Jersey Strong: Meet the NJ Racers Headed to Loretta Lynn’s 2026
Loretta Lynn’s is back August 3–8, and once again New Jersey has a bunch of great racers heading down to The Ranch to race for a national title against the best racers in the country.
Here’s the short version of why this matters: getting to Loretta’s isn’t something you just sign up for. You have to get through an Area Qualifier, then a Regional Qualifier, then actually finish well enough to land a spot on the National Roster. It’s a couple of months of racing just to earn one week at the Ranch. So every rider on this list has already put in the work, and it’s a direct result of their performance on the track this year.
Here’s who’s making the trip out of Jersey:
- Travis Randanella — Marlton — 250 Pro Sport / College (18-24) Sportsman
- Gavin Jensen — Lake Hopatcong — 250 C / 250 C Jr. (12-17) Limited
- Camryn Popek — Egg Harbor City — 250 C / 450 C
- Cadyn Rybasack — Toms River — 250 C Jr. (12-17) Limited / 125 C
- Rich Schmidt — Bayville — 450 B
- Michael Pino — Sicklerville — 450 C / 125 C
- William Bekiers — Hewitt — 125 C
- Tyler Stavac — Brielle — 125 C
- Barry Carsten — Bayville — Masters (50+)
- Tom Perone — Belle Meade — Masters (50+)
- Grayson Burlew — Keyport — Micro 1 (4-6) Shaft Drive Limited
- Kiko Smith — Wayne — Micro 1 (4-6) Shaft Drive Limited
- Grayson Jamison — Southampton — Micro 3 (7-8) Limited
- Tyler Sztancsik — Kenilworth — Mini Sr 1 (12-14) / Mini Sr 2 (13-15)
- Gary Massenzio — Milestone — Mini Sr 2 (13-15) / Supermini 2 (13-16)
- Grant Getz — Chatsworth — Schoolboy 1 (12-17) B/C
That’s everyone from the Micro class all the way up to 250 Pro Sport — pretty much the full spectrum of what Jersey racing looks like right now.
There are also a bunch of “local” racers I want to mention. There are racers that do not live in NJ but call PA or NY home, but we consider them local since they spend so much time racing in our local series. Included in that list are: Michael Gurda (250 B ), Travis Johnsmeyer (250 B Limited and 450 B Limited), Grant Byrne (250 C Limited), Hudson Byrne (250 C Limited), Michael Corcoran (College (18-24) Sportsman), Chris Hunter (Senior 40+ and Senior 45+), Greg Pamart (Masters 50+) and Ed Foedish (Senior 45+). Fun note about Ed: he was a Raceway Park competitor back in the early 80s before moving out west.
A note on this list: it’s pulled directly from the Official Rider Rosters and does not include alternates. If we missed a Jersey rider, we’re sorry. Send us their info, and we’ll get them added and give them their shoutout.
Good luck to all of our Jersey riders at the Ranch this year. Do your best and enjoy the experience. 🏁
