Tanner Smith: Faith, Motocross, and a Mission in Atlanta

For Tanner Smith, the FCA Atlanta Motocross and Fayette County Representative, motocross has always been more than just a sport. It’s a platform for ministry, a way to connect with others, and a calling that has shaped his life.

A Passion Turned Calling

Tanner fell in love with motocross at a young age, but as he got more involved, he faced a dilemma—races were on Sundays, the same day as church. "We can't do this if it’s going to take you out of church every Sunday," his dad said. His father challenged him to find a way to balance both. That’s when he discovered FCA Motocross.

After attending an FCA Motocross camp in Indiana at 10, everything changed. "I fell in love with the sport and the ministry," Tanner remembers. "This was it; this was everything I wanted."

That realization led him to intern with FCA Motocross through high school and college. Originally from Illinois, Tanner later attended Lee University in Tennessee. Even without any prior connections, he felt called to move to Atlanta. Now, as FCA’s Fayette County Rep, Tanner juggles his time between local ministry and national motocross events.

Race Day Live

Tanner recently appeared on Race Day Live, a pre-race show for professional motocross, much like the College GameDay of motocross, where experts and insiders give race previews and updates. But for Tanner, it was so much more than just a chance to be on TV—it was an opportunity to speak about faith and share the gospel with thousands of viewers across the world.

As Tanner recalled, “They allow us just a few minutes to come on a live broadcast and share a little bit about God and our camps and what the ministry does.” It may have been a short segment, but the impact was far-reaching.

After the broadcast, Tanner received a direct message from a viewer. 

"I get a message from a well connected motocross media personnel who said, 'I saw you do that interview, and I felt like I needed to reach out to you.'"

He said he’d been struggling with his faith. He told me, ‘Hearing your story made me realize I need to reconnect with God.’ That was huge.”

For Tanner, that moment reaffirmed why he does what he does. “If we weren’t there, I know God would have sent someone else. But to be the ones to share the gospel and see how it impacted him… that’s why we do this."

The opportunity to reach such a wide audience on a stage like Race Day Live is a testament to the power of FCA Motocross’ mission. It’s about much more than riding dirt bikes; it’s about sharing Christ's love in spaces that traditionally might not hear the gospel.

Growing FCA Motocross in Atlanta

Looking ahead, Tanner sees Atlanta as a future hub of motorsports ministry. “Atlanta is becoming a hub for the sport, and that means we have a chance to impact more people than ever before,” he says. “It’s not about me,” Tanner emphasizes. “It’s about making Jesus known.”

As FCA Motocross expands in Atlanta, Tanner remains committed to following God’s call—one race, one rider, and one conversation at a time.