BUCHANAN — Motocross racing and the Fourth of July have become synonymous with each other.

The Lucas Oil Pro Motocross Championship Series returns to the red clay in Buchanan as the Rockford Fosgate RedBud National is set for Saturday.

The racing world will descend on Buchanan for the 44th running of the RedBud National.

What started out as a dream for the late Gene Ritchie, his wife Nancy and some partners, has become the centerpiece of the Lucas Oil Motocross Championship Series.

The RedBud National signals the halfway point of the championship season and riders not only want to add the prestigious title of champion at RedBud, but use it to either solidify their lead in the points race or move themselves into a position to challenge for the series title.

The first race was run on April 28, 1974. Ken Zahrt picked up his first and only victory at what would become the sport’s most iconic track.

Legendary Ricky Carmichael’s seven consecutive victories spanning 2001 through 2007, remains the standard in the sport. He also is the only rider to have ever won at RedBud on three different brands — Kawasaki, Honda and Suzucki.

Jeff Stanton remains the only hometown winner in the 450cc Class as he captured the title in 1989.

RedBud’s most unique feature is of course Larocco’s Leap. The 120-foot uphill triple jump is named after Hall of Fame rider Mike LaRocco, who ironically never earned a victory at his home track.

In 2016, Ken Roczen, Eli Tomac and Brock Tickle stood on the podium following the race.

In the 250cc Class, the winner at RedBud has gone on to win five of the last even series championships.

The first 250cc race was hosted on May 23, 1976. Bob Hannah captured the victory on his way to winning the series title as a rookie rider.

There have been 10 multiple winners at RedBud in the 250cc Class, but only Guy Cooper failed to win back-to-back races.

Last year, Cooper Web, Alex Martin and Zach Osborne finished first, second and third.

This past weekend in Blountville, Tennessee, Tomac finished second and first in the two motos to win the Tennessee National championship and close to within four points of current 450cc Class points leader Blake Baggett, who was third at Muddy Creek Raceway.

Tomac had not reached the podium since the season opener.

“It’s been a long time coming, and it feels really good to get another win today,” Tomac said. “I had a few off weeks, some struggles, but some days are good and some days are not so good. I went home and tried to fix the bad things and come back better improved into this weekend. I’m looking forward to the rest of the season as I feel some of my best tracks are coming up.”

Michigan’s Broc Tickle, of Holly, finished 10th overall.

In the 250cc Class, Aaron Plessinger finished first and second in the motos.

Osborne continues to be the series leader with 207 points. Martin is currently a distant second with 176 points.

“It was an awesome first moto and such a good feeling to finally grab another win,” Plessinger said. “I grabbed the holeshot and just opened a little gap and rode my own race for the win. The second moto went pretty good as well, but Zach [Osborne] was riding awesome and ended up getting around me. I just kind of brought it home for second and did what I needed to take the overall.

“I haven’t won an outdoor race besides Indiana and it feels good to get the monkey off my back with another win.”

Mitchell Harrison of Brighton, Michigan is currently 10th in the overall standings with 111 points.