AMSOIL Swapmoto Race Series Rider Profile | Jeff Jetton

Presented by AMSOIL

Photos by Scrub Daddy

Age: 53

Hometown: Wildomar

Sponsors: 3N1MX, Mike Baker at Protech, Cole Equipment

Classes Raced: 50 Intermediate

Website: https://www.3n1mx.com/

Jeff Jetton is a new face at the AMSOIL Swapmoto Race Series, but he’s been riding and racing for decades and is one of the coolest guys you’ll ever meet at the motocross track. We’ve actually known Jeff and his brother Jerry since the late 80s, and it’s always great to catch up with our old friend.

I’ve known you for 30+ years from back in the CMC racing days, have you continued to ride all these years?

It’s been pretty consistent, but I took about three years off after we kind of quit racing full-time there. I had some kids, got married, got back into it and I’ve been into it ever since. I really haven’t raced a whole lot, but I have been doing a lot of riding off and on. I raced a bit of Amateur Nationals, Octobercross, and stuff like that. The fun races. Being back out here at the amateur races is super fun battling with you Donn. It’s like old times, man!

For me, obviously moto is a huge passion, but it is also my job. What keeps you coming back for more?

I mean obviously, we love this sport. We’ve been heavily involved in it all these years. With Shane McElrath being my son-in-law we are heavily involved with Supercross and watching him. We’ve built relationships with so many of the kids racing pro, but man this is where the heart of moto is. It’s at the amateur races. This is always where my heart has been. I’ve been doing 3N1MX; its a ministry, it’s an outreach to share the moto community and just love people you know? Man, these kids fire me up. I love watching the kids. I wish there was a bigger local pro turnout, you know? Like back in the old days, but hey who knows, maybe we can get that back. This is a great event man, it is super cool.

When I had kids, I had two daughters. Everyone was asking if I was going to try for a son and I was like, “no man! I would make Tony Allesi look like a mellow guy, you know?” Then they asked if I was going to bring my daughters around the races and I said, “Oh no!” What was your philosophy on that and how did Shane McElrath end up dating your daughter then marrying her?

(Laughs) I kind of had the same deal! I didn’t take my girls to Supercross or anything until they were 13 or 14. My daughter actually met Shane at a photoshoot they did for a shirt company. Then she came home and told me she met a guy named Shane McElrath and asked if I had ever heard of him? I was like, “Well, he is from the East Coast, I don’t know him, but I have heard great things about him.” Obviously, I met him and what an incredible young man he is and we are so blessed to have him in our family. Beyond motocross, the kid is amazing. He cherishes my daughter and the motocross part of it is cool, but since he is such a rad dude that is better.

You’re on a KTM 450 these days. Weren’t you always on a 125 back in the day?

I raced 250s too, but mainly 125s. I used to do both classes. I love the 125 dude. Those were the best years of racing by far. Glen Helen on a 125, there was nothing better. It is completely different now and I think these four-strokes keep us in the game. If I was on a 125 or 250 I don’t think I would be near the guy I am now. I feel like I’m the same speed I’ve always been. I don’t like the work you have to do on a two-stroke, its fun for a day but I wouldn’t want to be on it full time.

You touched on it a little bit, but tell me more about 3N1MX. You had that a long time haven’t you?

Well, I had 3N1 clothing back in the 90s, what we did was more surf and skate. We did surf and skate outreaches through the church around the time I stopped racing. Then when I got back into moto, I was involved with Panic Rev for a few years. Then I stepped out on my own through my church, Harvest Chapel Bible Fellowship and they said go for it, man! They saw the vision and got behind me so I’ve just been plugging away. It’s not like they’re giving me any funding or anything, but people are getting behind the vision. That is how I’ve been able to come out here, set up, give out free food, set up Supercross Saturday nights for the campers, and everything is paid just through people who believe in the vision and what we are doing. It’s a passion, Jesus changed my life back in those days. I used to run the Jesus stickers and everybody thought that I was a Jesus freak, but it is who I am, man. If I can help change somebody’s life and set them in the right direction while including motocross? Man, that is what it is about.