Road 2 Recovery Jessy Nelson MX School

I recently traveled to LA for the 2nd Annual Road 2 Recover Jessy Nelson’s MX school. 

We spent the day at Pala and everyone got to practice at different stations with some pretty awesome motocross racers and trainers like Ryan Villopoto, David Bailey, Destry Abbott, Jeff Ward, Grant Langston, Kris Keefer, Jessy Nelson, and more.

I was very excited that Wienerschnitzel was there providing lunch for everyone. I got to have my favorite chili dogs and see my “best bud” Joey

Speaking of hot dogs…. My buddy Rico was also there with Chili  😉     aka T-Rex

Road 2 Recovery is an amazing non-profit organization founded to help professional athletes with financial, motivational, and emotional support and  assistance if they sustain career-ending injuries.   

I have to tell you when I was in Texas and broke my back my good friend Rico called his friends from Road 2 Recovery and they contacted my parents immediately.   They knew exactly what we had to do and what we should ask the doctors and what we shouldn’t do to ensure that I was able to make a full recovery.  I am not a pro racer and the people from Road 2 Recovery took the time to continue to talk with us and help us through everything.  They truly care about helping everyone and it is such an amazing foundation.  I owe them so much and I am so thankful for all they did for me.

We had a fund day of motocross

and a fun day with old and new friends.

More information on Road 2 Recovery can be found at:

https://road2recovery.com/

2017 NATIONALS.. TO GO OR NOT ???

Since I got back from Mammoth I have been training hard for Nationals at Loretta Lynn’s.  During my training I fell on my bicycle and broke my collarbone.

10 days before my first race at Nationals I went into surgery to plate my shoulder.

After my surgery my parents cancelled our trip to Tennesse but I kept telling them I was going to be able to race.  I worked really hard and did everything that Doctor Ting said so I would have a chance to still race.

Dr. Ting had me do Chryo therapy, arm therapy, lazar treatment, etc.

Two days before sign ins Dr. Ting told me that the plate was good and that if I ride I will be in pain but won’t hurt my arm.  I really wanted to try to race and knew I would be able to fight through the pain.  My parents were not as convinced as me but they decided to try to get another room in Tennessee and that they would drive me out.  We hit the road and drove 34 hours straight to Tennessee and got to the track just in time to sign in.

I was very excited to be at Nationals!  I got my #71 Bib and my bike and my gear was looking amazing!

 

After getting signed in my Dad did some finishing touches on the bike and I tried to do some fishing in the river…. I didn’t catch anything.  Then I went to the pool to get cooled off and to do a little more therapy on my shoulder.  It was fun to hang out with friends and get ready for racing the next day.

 

When I was in my first race I tried to focus on my laps.  I started off OK but I did start to fade back as the race went on.  I was able to finish my first two races in the top 10 which wasn’t bad for only being 10 days out of surgery.

In my third race I started with a great start out front.  I was in 2nd place and putting down great lap times.  I jumped when I landed in a cross rutt I wasn’t able to hold on and when the handlebar ripped out of my hand I went down.  With my handlebars bent and mud in the throttle cable I wasn’t able to finish the race.

That night I rested my shoulder and the next day I to race but my shoulder was hurting too bad to continue.  My parents and I decided that it was time to call it.  I wasn’t able to compete up front and I didn’t want to do any harm to my body so I decided not to race in my last motos.  It was a really hard decision but I was happy I was even able to race at all.

I have the most amazing sponsors!!!  Everyone is always so supportive of me and my racing.

YAMAHA  –  FLY  –  LUCAS OIL

SOBMX  –  2X PROMOTIONS  –  JMS  –  GRINDSTONE COMPOUND

WES KAIN MAFIA – MOM AND DAD – BILLS PIPES – LEATT

51 FIFTY ENERGY DRINK – WIENERSCHNITZEL – SCOTT GOOGLES – DUNLOP TIRES

CANDACE – JOHNNY – DR. TING

So many other sponsors that were not at the track but they help me throughout the year.  I wish I was able to compete up front like I should have been but happy I was able to make it in the top 10 twice considering.  After the races my family drove straight back home so I can start high school on Monday.

Every year Yamaha has a dinner for all the riders and families.  We get to take a team photo and every year Yamaha picks one person that wins a prize.  This year they called my number and I won a Yamaha pressure washer.  It was so cool, I have never won a raffle.  My Dad was SO excited!!!!  He can’t wait to use it.

Can’t wait till next year!!!!

WITH THE #WIENERFAM AT THE MOTO AMERICA RACE

This weekend I went to the Moto America race at Laguna Seca to watch my friend and Wienerschnitzel teammate Josh Herrin race.

Josh races for Meen Motorsports and all the guys there were really nice.

My Wienerschnitzel family was also there to watch the races.  It is always a lot of fun to get to hang out with all of them.

The team had the dogs flowing and they were so good!

We had to hike up a huge hill to watch the races and I was very glad I brought my energy with me.

 

The team and I all hung out together to watch the races.

Josh started out really good.  He was in 4th and battling for 3rd when his bike stopped running.  When we got back to the pits he showed me that his pipe broke and had a huge hole in the side and lost power.I wasn’t able to go back to watch him race again on Sunday but he finished on the podium and had a great race.

While I was there I also had to go visit my Yamaha team.  I said Hi to the ladies.

I also got a private VIP tour of all the Yamaha bikes from Keith McCarty who was the head mechanic for Bob Hannah and helped him win 4 championships.  He was so nice, and it was very cool to learn all about the bikes.

If I ever wanted to get on these bikes, this is the size I would start out racing.  Not a bad fit.

My family and I had a lot of fun at the races.

Always fun hanging out with the #wienerfam

I did a video blog of my day at this event.  Check it out here and if you would like to watch more videos about my life, subscribe to my youtube channel CROSS71

This is the link to my Youtube Channel so you can go and SUBSCRIBE

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCwys_aZxOnGXEO6S40gMZTQ

 

 

MAMMOTH MOUNTAIN RACE

My first big race back from my accident was this week.  The race at Mammoth Mountain is like a mini Loretta Lynn race, everyone goes to this race…. and this year was the 50th anniversary so it was bigger and better than ever.  We had to drive all the way around this year because roads were still closed from all the snow that we got this year.  We stopped for some fun in the water and snow on the way to and from Mammoth…. it was really cold!

The next day was Father’s Day and my Dad spent the whole day working on my bikes and getting everything ready for the race…. He is the best!

I tested my bike on the road a few times just to make sure we got the jetting the best we could.  The elevation is so high on the mountain we have to change all of our settings from what we run at home.

Practice day went well.  Worked on getting my flow down on the track and fine tuning the motor.  I couldn’t wait to get on the line and race!

I was really lucky to have Josh Boykin with Boykin Suspension spend a few days with my family and I and make sure my bike was ready for each race.  Josh worked with Dom and I before each moto and my bike never felt better.  I really appreciate all your help and hard work Josh!

I had a lot of my sponsors at the event to support me… Thank you Yamaha, 2X Promotions, Fly Gear, Scott Goggles, and so many others that I didn’t get pictures with like Leatt, Dunlop, Mylucasoil, Americoresmx, Addictionindustries, Mika, etc.

The first day of racing I was in the top 3 in every race.  It was really cool to be on the line with so many awesome racers and be able to battle up front with them.  The track was awesome, and I was really happy with my results because I feel like I am still getting back up to speed.  I finished day 1 with Heat race 1st and 2nd and main event 2nd and 3rd place finishes.

Day 2 the track got a little more rough and my lap times got a little faster.  I didn’t have better results but had even better battles than the day before.  Finished the Heat races with two 2nd place finishes.  I finished one main event with a 3rd and the second main event I got the hole shot and was out front but crashed really hard.  I crushed my pipe all the way in and my throttle was totally broken.  I was able to battle back from 26th to 8th place.

After my races my family and I did a video testimonial for Leatt.  They wanted to have myself and my Mom and Dad talk about my accident when I broke my back and how because of the neck brace and chest protector I was able to get back on my bike and ride this race.  I’m not too sure how the video is going to turn out.  I did my part and told them what happened on my bike.  Then when my Mom and Dad told their part, both my parents cried which made all the film crew and Leatt reps cry, which made me cry.  I didn’t realize my parents were so upset about everything.  And my parents said that it was really hard to talk about because they have never told the full story out loud before…. and it has only been two months.  I guess I will have to update you all and let you know how that turns out. lol

I also did a video shoot for Yamaha up in the trees.  I always like to talk about how much I love my bike!

I also want to thank the Vacarello family for letting us share a cabin with you.  Always fun hanging out with friends.

Now it’s time to get ready for Loretta’s!

 

HANGTOWN PRO RACE

Last week was the pro motocross race at Hangtown.  My family and I were excited to get to the track, see everyone and watch some amazing races.

First I saw my friend Kelly at the Wienerschnitzel pit.

After practice was over I went over to Yamaha to hang out with the guys on the Yamaha team.  I was able to visit with a lot of my friends walking by.  The team had me help them dial in Coopers bike…. your welcome!

Then it was time to get a seat for the main event.  Lucas Oil gave my family some really awesome tickets.  It was really cool of them….BUTT….. does their pit area have to be at the top of the tallest hill?  Good thing I brought my own 51 Fifty Energy Drink, or I might not have made it to the top.

The Lucas Oil spot was an awesome spot to watch the races.

#WIENERFAM JOSH HERRIN SUPERBIKE CHAMPION

This last week I found out that one of my #wienerfam guys was going to be practicing close to my house and my family decided to go check it out.  Josh Herrin  is a 2010 Daytona 200 Champion, 2012 AMA Superbike Rookie of the year, 2013 AMA Superbike Champion, and 2016 MotoAmerica Superstock 1000 Champion.

I met Josh when I was hanging out with the guys from Wienerschnitzel a few months back.  It was so cool to go and watch what he can do on two wheels.  The Meen Motorsports team was working hard doing some testing on the bike with Dunlop.

Josh took time away to talk about how he was feeling on the track and what they were working on.

Watching him ride was so crazy.  Those bikes are so000 fast!

I got to sit on his bike…its a little different than my bike.  How do you think I fit?

Thank you Josh for letting my family come out and watch you ride.

…and thank you to Meen Motorsports for the hospitality!

#WIENERFAM

MY TRIPS TO LA

Since most of our tracks are under water, I have taken a couple of trips to LA to do a little riding and to start getting into race shape.

Because I have been in LA the last two weekends I was able to catch a couple supercross races.  Because I have been doing more practicing than playing I haven’t been able to spend the day playing at supercross but I have been able to watch some really great racing.

This weekend I was able to hang out just a little with my Wienerfam.

And my 51 Fifty Family

It was so fun to be able to say Hi to everyone before the races started.

Then it was back to riding again early in the morning.

It has been a long couple of weeks.  Really Fun, But Really Long.

Wild Wienerschnitzel Weekend

This last week I traveled to sunny Southern California to visit my Wienerschnitzel family for the weekend.

They picked me up in the Toyota truck and we headed out for the day.

My first day I got to visit the Wienerschnitzel headquarters.

The office was huge and they had so many people working.  It takes a lot of people to run such a huge business.   I took a picture with a few of the guys from the front office.

I put together some “big deals”

I walked to halls in The Delicious Ones shoes.

Then an amazing message.

The guys had my #71 plate on the shelf with some of the other sports stuff.

After the rest of the tour and food, it was time to get some rest until my ride the next day.

The next day we drove to a track to hang out with Jeremy McGrath.  I had never met him before and it was so cool to hang out with him and to watch him ride.  He was so nice! I got some great riding tips from him.

There was a couple other racers at the track including Josh Hill.

I couldn’t believe how awesome Jeremy McGrath rode.  He was on the gas and did several 20 minute motor.  He even out rode all the other guys he was riding with and they were even younger than him.  McGrath has always been my Dad’s favorite rider so we was also very excited to meet him.

It was such a fun day hanging out at the track and talking with the guys and getting lots of tips.

The next day the Toyota truck picked up my bike and I got to ride to the track with Chili

Sadly I am not yet cleared to ride so my bike was on display next to the wienerbago

We were at the Transworld Mini Major race.  It was fun to watch my friends race, but it is also really hard to watch and not be able to be on the track with them.

I helped my friend The Delicious One race my Oset in the mini race.  I got the gate prepared perfectly for him and when the gate dropped he took off.  Great TDO!

In between races I played extreme Traxxas racing with the guys.  Played been bag toss, and of course got Wienerschnitzel off the food truck!

The guys at Transworld got some awesome pictures and videos of my bike and I even did an interview with Wienerschnitzel.

I also got to meet another Wienerschnitzel rider Josh Herrin.  Josh is an AMA supersport champion.  It was really cool to meet him and have a chance to hang out.

It was such a fun weekend, I can’t thank everyone enough!  I had an awesome time hanging out with everyone.

Then it was time to head home.  What a weekend!

 

Several Weeks Back……

I had to take some mandatory time off and this is why…….

The Cal Classic at Pala started out awesome!  My Wienerschnitzel family hooked me up with the Wienerbago.  My parents and I got to live in the Wienerbago for the weekend.

It was really fun staying in the hauler.  Everyone at the track loved The Delicious One on the side of the wienerbago and they were taking pictures with him.  Wait, who’s that inside the window?  lol

I thought since my Wienerfam hooked me up for the weekend I would make a special dirt bike with new numbers.  What do you think of this 71?  The bike was a huge hit!

Practice started off great and I felt really good on the bike.

My Dad had my bike handling and running great.

During my last practice the rider in front of me fell and I had no place to go but right over the bars.  I got up and thought I was ok, but as soon as I moved my arm I felt something and Mom and I were on our way to the doctor.

My blood pressure was 117 over 71 which you would think was a lucky number for me but the doctor said I couldn’t get back on my bike.  I was so frustrated because I was excited to have some good battles and now I had to hang out and watch.

I felt really bad for the Wienerfam that came out to watch me race and didn’t get to see any races.

Until next time…..

SANTA CLARA SUPERCROSS

Saturday was the supercross race at Santa Clara and I went with my family.

The guys at Yamaha set up a meeting with Chad Reed and I.  He was so nice!  We talked about racing and his kids and took some time to take a few pictures.

I hung out with the 51 Fifty Energy Drink girls

51 Fifty does a lot for families with autism.  It was World Autism Awareness Day and they invited a local family to the supercross race for an all access experience.  I got to meet the family, and they were having so much fun.  I met Adam on the track walk and when we got back to the 51 Fifty pit we got to take a picture together.

I had a ton of fun with my #wienerfam.  We went on the track walk which was very cool.  I was surprised how many huge rocks were in the dirt on the track and the rutts and jumps were huge.

 

Chili-Dog is a 10 week old puppy (Wienerschnitzel mascot) that went on the track walk with us.  He is awesome but he slept through most of the day.

Later in the night we rode back down on the track in the wiener truck for the wienercross race.

The wienercross race is so much fun.  The dogs each wear a number and go in a gate on the starting line.

When the gate opens the dogs run across the track to their owners.  People love these races….everyone in our suite had money on which dog was going to win.  Chili did race across the track behind the other dogs for a practice race, he is still in training.

Of course before I went back to watching the races I had to get a picture with “The Delicious One”

In our suite we had our own party going on. #livethemadness

We even had the Moonshine Bandits “rocking out” with us.

I have to thank all my sponsors for giving me and my family the VIP experience at the race.

Yamaha   –   51 Fifty Energy Drink   –   Wienerschnitzel

 

 

Even though we got home really late from the races, we got up early on Sunday and I got back to work.  Time to practice, its only a few more years till I am down on the supercross starting line.

THANK YOU….

I am a very luck kid and I have so many people who support me and my racing!  I am very thankful and appreciative of all the support that allows me to continue racing each week.  A few of my sponsors have been getting me ready for my upcoming races……..

I met with 51 Fifty Energy Drink and we signed our new contract.  51 Fifty is one of my very first sponsors and have always been there for me.  Their energy drinks are amazing!  The people who work for the company are like family!  …and they give so much to local charities including kids with Autism.  I look forward to my  continued relationship with 51 Fifty Energy Drink!!!!

This week we got a box in the mail from Yamaha.  My family and I got our team shirts in the mail.  They are very cool!  I have been riding 85 Yamaha’s since the beginning and to have factory support on the bike that I love is very lucky.  I have done some amazing things with Yamaha on and off the track already and I look forward to more moving forward.

Fly has such amazing gear!  Fly has the best gear, helmets and gloves.  I love the colors and designs and they are so easy to work with.  The summer gear that has all the air holes for when it gets hot is amazing.  I got a special delivery with some new gear lines and colors that you are all going to love….wait till you see me at the track.

 

As you know….my favorite food is hot dogs.  I was very excited when Wienerschnitzel decided to sponsor and support me.  Everyone on and off the track has been asking when we are going to go get hot dogs.   I look forward to many more hot dogs in my future!

This week I got a box in the mail from Nihilo.  I am part of the Nihilo Tribe and I got all the coolest accessories for my new bikes.  Nihilo has everything you need to bling out your bike, you have to check them out.  I can’t wait to see my bike next week on the line.

Mika Metals has come out with new bars.  They are fatter than the normal bars I usually have on my bike and are made to hold up better in big crashes.  I have had a lot of people notice them and ask me about them.  If you don’t have the new fat bars, you have to check them out!

I have to give a shot out to 2X Promotions.  The race this last weekend through the rain and everyone was finished before the big storm hit the track.  We raced the Road to Mammoth race at DT1 and the weather was coming in fast.  2X Promotions was able to run the race with a ton of riders and they got it finished faster than normal.  The DT1 track held up great with the weather.  I was able to leave the weekend with three 1st place finishes.

I know that my sponsors have many options and I want to thank each of them for choosing to offer me support.

THANK YOU….Yamaha bLUcRU, 51 Fifty Energy Drink, Wienerschnitzel, 2X Promotions, Fly Gear, Nihilo Tribe, Mika Metals, Dunlop, Von Zipper, Thousand Oaks Powersports, Americore SMX, Acerbis, Crushed MX, Lucas Oil

 

2016 OAKLAND SUPERCROSS

This weekend was the Supercross race in Oakland and it didn’t rain but it was really cold.  It was so much fun to see so many of my friends and sponsors and get to watch some great racing.

I loved hanging out with my 51 Fifty and of course the hot girls!

I even arm wrestled with one of the girls.  The guys told me after that I was supposed to let the girl win….but I didn’t.

When I wasn’t hanging out with the girls I was catching up with the guys also.

It was awesome to be able to watch my 51 Fifty teammates race.  Zack Bell and Hayden Mellross

Racing for Yamaha has so many great things but when I hang out with the JGR team…..they have Wienerschnitzel.  As you all know from past posts chili dogs are my favorite!

I got to eat my hot dogs and hang out with some of my sponsors from Von Zipper.

Great day of hanging with my awesome Sponsors, Wienershnitzel, and Racing….

What could be better?

HANGTOWN MOTOCROSS AND YAMAHA’S WESTON PEICK

This last weekend was the first race of the motocross season at Hangtown and my family and I went to watch.  Since I ride at Hangtown all the time, it was fun to watch the pros race.

 

Between the races I went into the pitts and saw a lot of people that I ride with and even sponsors that support me.  It was really cool to see my buddy Dano from Von Zipper and DVS Shoes.  Dano is so awesome….he is always so much fun and such a great guy.

Dano took me into the Yamaha pitts and introduced me to Weston Peick and his family.  Dano hooked me up with some one on one time with Weston and I was able to ask him a few questions. (see below)

He was so nice!  After that we had Wienerschnitzel.  Weston made a huge hot dog but don’t worry, he didn’t eat it, he made it for someone else.

 

We got to hang out and chat

Then we watched the team work on the bikes to get ready for racing.

Then it was time to get back to our seats and watch the racing.

While I was talking to Weston Peick I told him that I bet $5.00 that he was going to be in the top 5 and he didn’t let me down.  Peick finished with a very strong 8-3 with an overall 4th place finish.  Thank you Weston, I have the $5.00 hanging on my wall in my room.

WESTON PEICK INTERVIEW

#71 WHAT DO YOU LIKE BETTER, SUPERCROSS OR MOTOCROSS?

#23  I would say Supercross is a little bit funner so I enjoy Supercross because we get a little more jump time

#71 DO YOU HAVE ANY TATTOO’S?

#23 I have a lot of tattoos….on my arms chest and back.

#71 DO YOU HAVE A FAVORITE TATTOO?

#23 Probably my new arm piece that I got.  Its a little crazy piece but I like tattoos and different art, something different.

#71 WHATS YOUR FAVORITE MOVIE?

#23 I have a lot but probably the funniest ones is Fear And Logan In Las Vegas, it’s crazy one.

#71 HOW DID YOU GET STARTED RACING AS A PRO?

#23 I started racing when I was about 3 years old, my Dad was racing so I got into it with that.  I never raced professionally when I was coming up through my younger age.  I ended up racing pro in 2006.  I got out of highschool about 9th grade and started doing homeschooling and started racing.  I started doing good and saw some potential and then started racing pro.

#71 WHAT DO YOU THINK OF THE TRACK TODAY?

#23 The tracks not bad.  Its a little muddy in the first practice from all the rain we got Thursday but I think it’s going to shape up and should be good.

Thank you Weston for taking the time to hang out with me.  Looking forward to cheering you on all season!

…..ANOTHER SURPRISE INTERVIEW TO COME

CHECK BACK IN AND SEE WHO IT IS

A video of my interview with Yamaha Pro Racer Weston Peick #23 at Hangtown MX