Josh Grant was an unknown rookie when the 2004 AMA Motocross season got underway at the Hangtown Classic near Sacramento. He shocked the 20,000-plus fans there by getting the quick jump in the 125cc class and leading for three laps before crashing in a corner and taking forever to restart his bike.

Despite having issues and not getting a good result, leading three laps of your first national was quite a way to launch a career. For years after that Grant was known as the rookie who nailed the holeshot and shocked the world in his first pro race.

Josh Grant (386) leads Eric Sorby (917), Christopher Gosselaar (35), Donnie McGourty (248), Matt Walker (122) and the rest of the pack at the start of the Hangtown 125 National in 2004. (Larry Lawrence photo)