Ryan Dungey has been tearing up dirt courses since his dad first put him on a bike at age five. 18 years, countless podiums and 25 overall wins in his pro career later, the 23-year old Dungey is poised for another stellar motocross season in 2013.

The reigning 450 Class champion will look to continue his hot streak this weekend at the Red Bull Budds Creek National in Mechanicsville, MD. The event will be broadcast live on Saturday, June 22 from 3-4 pm ET on NBC.

In addition to his motocross exploits, the Minnesota native also enjoys riding bikes without motors. An avid cyclist, Dungey and his sponsor Target will host the MN Major River-to-River Ride to benefit St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital on July 28. The race combines his passion for cycling with another cause he cares deeply about, having lost his grandmother to cancer in 2005. When Dungey races, a sticker on his helmet reads, “In memory of Grandma 2005” with angels’ wings. The sticker serves as a tribute to the woman who inspires him to push himself and live life to the fullest.

We got 'Up To Speed' with the rider who has more overall 450 motocross wins (25) since the start of 2010 than anybody else on the tour.

What’s the first big thing you bought after you went pro?

 It would have to be my truck. I was 16, was out in California, I had just turned pro and I was renting a place and I realized I needed a vehicle to get around so I figured what better time to get my first truck and I bought a Nissan Titan which was in 2006 and I actually still have it. I do think about selling it and trading it in but I feel bad because it’s my first one.

What’s the song on your iPod you hope no one finds out about?

What’s that song, 'When you want to come?' Relax by Frankie Goes to Hollywood!

What famous woman do you hope is watching you when you race?

Carrie Underwood.

What’s something you can do in practice but could never do on the course in competition?

Play-riding. Having fun, just whippin’ it and stuff. Just messing around and having fun on your dirt bike. In a race, you’ve got to race, you can’t go outside the course.

What’s the oddest sports memento you’ve held onto?

I keep all my champagne bottles. Between podiums and wins, I’ve got close to 100.

What’s your dream car?

I had my dream car but I sold that. An Audi R8 V10.

What was your favorite poster on your wall as a kid?

[Motocross star] Ricky Carmichael. We would get signed posters from him at the races.

Ryan Dungey - Action
Photo Courtesy of Garth Milan, Red Bull Content Pool
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What are your goals for the 2013 Motocross season?

For now, just to keep winning. I’m taking it one race at a time but trying to keep winning and being consistently on top of the box and podiums. Overall a championship is what we’re shooting for. We were able to win the 2012 outdoor championship so we’re back defending my title and I want to do that again this year.

How has your dad influenced your motocross career?

My dad did it growing up as a teenager and got really good at it and he never went pro but as an amateur he won a lot of big races. At the time my older brother was 7 and I was 5 and my dad got us our first dirt bike and we shared it and it was kind of cool to have somebody who knew about riding dirt bikes because we didn’t just start off. We had to learn and get better and to have my dad there teaching us the right way and technique and everything it really helped us move forward. Then one thing led to another and we started racing and then we started racing bigger races. I’ve done it since I was 5. It’s pretty cool. If it weren’t for my dad getting us into it, I don’t know if I’d ever start racing.

What was the feeling like when you won your first race?

Definitely happy. It’s not just that moment, it’s everything that led up to that moment. From working hard to training to getting up in the morning and putting in long hours on your dirt bike and all the preparation and the hard work and money -- everything that it took to get to that point you invest in it, invest in it and then it finally pays off. It’s motivating to keep pushing more. It was exciting and it just confirmed everything I had been doing and I wanted to keep moving forward. And to have my family there as well. Growing up as a kid in a sport, you’ve got to have support behind you. My mom and dad sacrificed a lot so to be able to celebrate that with them and to see them smiling and happy really tops it off.

Tell me about the Minnesota River to River ride and why it’s so important to you.

My grandma passed away from liver cancer. They told her she had less than a year to live and it was cool to see her push through it for another five and a half years until it did take her life which was tough. I had never experienced anything like that and watching her going through her chemo and all of her radiation and all of that to get better and in the end to see her pass away was devastating. I didn’t know how to handle it at first – it was tough. I was sad, cried a lot but later that year was able to turn things around. Basically she inspired me to live my life to the fullest. When I turned pro a year and a half later, I thought if I ever got to that point I’d love to give back to be in a position to help and to help others. 100% of the proceeds go to St. Jude’s children research hospital. If we can help save lives for these kids and moving forward I’m all for it. I hope to grow it and hope to raise more and more money every year and to give back. I’ve been put in a very fortunate position to help do that.

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