Todd Peterson passed away on Thursday, June 19, 2025, after a three-year battle with cancer. He was 64 years old. A highly successful motocross racer in Southern California, he achieved 448 professional wins and secured six CMC Night Motocross Championships. He was inducted into the Hotshoe Hall of Fame in 2021 and was celebrated at the Anaheim Stadium 2022 Supercross Series season opener by the Legends and Heroes tour.
By Steve Bauer
Peterson was born in the City of Orange, California, and lived there his entire life. He got his first minibike at age 11 and soon started racing and winning, with his father, Bruce, tuning the bike. Todd achieved wins in several disciplines, including flat track, TT, and eventually motocross, where he went on to win four minicycle world championships. Doug Nicol and Marty Miller came up through the ranks with Todd, from being kids on minis to AMA professionals. They both described Todd as the nicest guy off the track but an absolute terror with his helmet on.
After turning pro in 1977, DG Performance Specialties sponsored Todd, then hired him as an employee. Todd built exhaust pipes, ported cylinders, printed shirts, and ran the shipping department—skills that would later serve him well. Peterson eventually left DG and founded the activewear company Team Swolen with speedway racer Shawn McConnell. Located next to Anaheim Stadium, the company grew organically, building on relationships Todd had fostered over the years.
There are some things about Todd Peterson that the world should know. He loved all forms of two-wheeled racing, especially MX and speedway; He loved his friends (to a fault) and truly enjoyed seeing people be happy (his pre-race Supercross parties were legendary); He thrived on competition, be it racing, tennis or golf, and he loved to win…yet somehow managed to be humble while basking in victory. Todd had massive respect for the people and history of our sport. He curated a huge collection of memorabilia to preserve the memories he felt so fortunate to have been a part of. He was loved by everyone who knew him and generous to all.
Todd and Stacy Peterson built their friendship into a mutual loving relationship that enabled them both to live their best lives. They built a life together, spending time in Orange County, Indian Wells and Hawaii. These were Todd’s happiest days, and it was obvious whenever we spoke. Charles Baca, Todd’s good friend and business partner, credits Stacy “for helping Todd to make the most of each day during the past three years. Todd wanted to be there for his friends to the end.” Charles remembers Todd insisting that he drive him to attend the Trailblazers’ Banquet to see his good friend, Bruce McDougal, be inducted into their Hall of Fame. His absence leaves a void in the hearts of all who knew him. Todd is survived by his daughter, Katie, who was able to be there, along with Stacy, when he passed peacefully last week. Rest in peace, Todd.CN
Click here for all the latest motorcycle Industry News on Cycle News.
