For a trio of Maries County R-2 students, it was a very productive and successful summer racing motocross bikes.

Jaseton Rodgers, Ellie Gray and Nolie Finnegan tore up tracks throughout the summer at the Belle Fair, Cole County Fair in Jefferson City and the Missouri State Fair in Sedalia.

Being the youngest of the trio, Rodgers competed in the 65cc and pit bike classes.

At Belle, he placed third in the 65cc 7-9 class and fifth overall in the same class at the Cole County Fair in Jefferson City.

In the pit bike class, he placed fourth overall at Belle and fifth in Jefferson City.

Overall, he finished the series in third place in the 65cc class and fourth in the pit bike class.

Entering third grade at Belle Elementary School, Rodgers also enjoys basketball and baseball in addition to racing motocross.

Entering her third year of racing, Ellie Gray has been hooked ever since her first race back in 2019.

Starting her fair cross series at Belle, she placed first in the 65cc class and second in the pit bike class.

Two weeks later in Jefferson City, she finished second overall in both the 65cc and pit bike classes.

Nearly two weeks ago in Sedalia at the Missouri State Fair, Gray placed fifth in the 65cc class and fourth in the pit bike class.

Combining her results from all three races, she earned second-place overall finishes in both the 65cc and pit bike classes.

“My favorite thing about racing is being with friends and family and racing through the rollers,” Ellie Gray said.

Gray is currently a sixth grader at Bland Middle School.

Outside of motocross, she enjoys Acro, volleyball, soccer and watersports like tubing, wakeboarding and kneeboarding.

As the oldest of the trio, Finnegan took up motocross racing just last year and has also fallen in love with the sport like Gray.

Finnegan’s road to Sedalia began in belle with a second-place finish in the 65cc class and a third-place ride in the pit bike class.

Two weeks later in Jefferson City, Nolie crossed the finish line first in the 65cc while finishing fourth in the pit bike class.

Wrapping up the fair cross series at the Missouri State Fair in Sedalia, Finnegan posted third-place finishes in both the 65cc and pit bike classes.

Combining the points from all three races, she won the championship in the 65cc class and took third place in the pit bike class.

Currently a seventh-grader at Bland Middle School, Finnegan likes soccer, volleyball, basketball and watersports outside of motocross.

Nolie’s favorite thing about racing is “Experiencing new tracks at each race. It’s so fun.”

Sponsoring the trio throughout the fair cross series were Shades of Gray Custom Helmet Painting, Rodgers Auto Body, Novik Gloves, Source MX Graphics, Fly Racing, FXR and 100% Goggles.