Mike Young is the one to watch these days! He inspires me everyday when I need to go one more mile or one more stroke, I think of Mike! I have the sincere pleasure of getting to know Mike and want to thank you again Mike for my pipe. Bikes runs like a champ! His mom Linda, is one of my best friends here on Maui and I know is also very proud of him.
I’m incredibly grateful to share this story with all of you. So keep your eyes on the finish line, and look for “Young”.
Mike Young Jr. was at the pinnacle of his motorcycle racing career as one of the top 4-stroke motocross racers in the world. Recognized for speed and grace on the motocross track he was also one of the most likeable and professional motocross racers of the late 1990’s. His attitude of fairness and contagious smile, even if a day at the track didn’t go so well kept him on top in more ways then one could imagine. Mike’s good spirits lifted those around him and it seemed there was nothing this young man couldn’t accomplish on a motorcycle. Then at the young age of 27 Mike Young Jr. was about to be faced with his greatest challenge. Folks on the outside may view April of 1997 as the worst time in his life but as I sit here telling his story it might have been one of the best.
Mike was contesting another national championship trying to add one more to the three already in his possession when things went very wrong. While attempting a 90-foot jump at Glen Helen raceway in California he mis-landed with the motorcycle flipping on top of his back. Mike was paralyzed instantly breaking his T-9-T-10 vertebrae. These severe injuries would devastate most but with an enormous heart and determination Mike Young Jr. was going to fight to get back on top once again. It wasn’t long after the crash that confined this racer to a wheelchair that I spoke with him at his home in California some 8 years ago; his positive outlook on the future has inspired me even to this day.
With a life changing incident of this magnitude much the same as thousands of others with disabilities have gone through it was time to grab the Bull by the horns, face fear and attack life in a positive way. While still adjusting to life in a wheelchair it only took a few months before Big Gun Exhaust Systems, Inc. a 4-stroke motorcycle and ATV exhaust system company was born. This brainchild of the Young Gun (Mikes Nickname)as of this writing has grown to the 3rd largest manufacture and supplier of aftermarket exhaust systems in the U.S.
Having a successful motorcycle related business however satisfying just didn’t quite fill the racing void that is Mike Young Jr. During his quest to find some sort of racing that was viable Mike dabbled in small off road race cars but without much competition he furthered his quest. Being disabled did limit his choices in motorsports racing but as luck or fate would have it West Coast Pro Trucks was introduced to him. The circle track NASCAR based truck series could become reality for a disabled person but it would take fortune to make it happen. Well just months after watching one race Mike was on the phone taking with folks at West Coast Performance that could help him retrofit a race truck to accommodate complete control using hand controls. Not soon after that a race truck was ordered with the rest now becoming legend.
By 2003 everything came together and in his inaugural year Mike Young Jr. was Irwindale Raceway’s Rookie of the year. Then in 2004 made history as the first driver in a local NASCAR Weekly Racing Series to win a heat race while in a wheelchair and then place 2nd and 3rd overall in two events. Then outdid himself once again qualifying on the pole position at the last race of the 2004 season nearly beating the track record.
Mike’s future 2010 goals are to finish the famous Ironman Triathlon in Kona Hawaii this October. Mike has been training for this event for a year and a few months winning this years LA Marathon as a great started to the year!
He is sponsored by:
Spinergy
Feather Brakes
CAF-Challenged Athlete Foundation
Road 2 Recovery Helping injured athletes
Young Gun Performance Coatings
Keep up the excellent training Mike and focus! We’ll pack our bags for Kona to cheer you on my friend!! GO Mike GO!
Aloha, Suzie Cooney, CPT
Very inspiring story! Good luck to you Mike.
As your mom, I am extremely proud of you and your accomplishments, Michael!
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