Country star and AMA Hall of Fame inductee Loretta Lynn dies

The most unlikely American Motorcycle Association (AMA) Hall of Fame inductee, country music star Loretta Lynn, has died at the age of 90.

The Grammy Award winning singer is best known for hit singles, Coal Miners Daughter and Don’t Come Home A-Drinkin during a music career that spanned over six decades.

She was, however, a long-time supporter of amateur motocross racing hosting the AMA Amateur National Motocross Championship at her eponymously named ranch in Tennessee since 1982.

AMA editorial director, Mitch Boehm, said: “There’s no doubt Loretta Lynn was a towering figure in both music and motocross.

“We, as an organization, can’t put into words the importance and impact she had on our sport and how she inspired generations of riders.”

Hosting an average of 36 classes vying for AMA National No. 1 plates, the annual event is the site of the largest amateur motocross event in the world, welcoming an estimated 60,000 riders over the past four decades.

Lynn frequently attended the week-long event which began at 7am with Coal Miners Daughter broadcast through the event’s PA system.

The event has influenced thousands of motocross athletes to take up the sport, with nearly every AMA Pro Supercross and Motocross champion — including Hall of Famers Jeremy McGrath and Ricky Carmichael —navigating the ranch’s track during their careers.

The AMA added: “The AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame offers its heartfelt condolences to the loved ones of Lynn and celebrates her contribution to motocross and the motorcycling community.

“She was a role model to many in both the music and motorcycling worlds.”

The ranch also hosts AMA Grand National Cross-Country events along with the annual amateur motocross competitions.