As a child, I heard stories from my father about flat-track racing and the american world champions it had produced. Perhaps that’s why I was so awestruck by a broadcast of the U.S. Gran Prix race in 2006. It is impressive to see 200 MPH machines being controlled with such graceful precision; the violence of a crash is a spectacle too, but the event meant more than that for me. It was a glimpse of a sport I would soon fall completely in love with. That fall my older brother Evan, taught me how to ride at our old elementary school’s parking lot. After that evening my life hasn’t been the same.

We kept getting more serious about our passion for bikes and the world of motorsport. In 2014 I decided to go racing the following season so Evan and I started the Howlett Racing Team. Our first race season wasn’t long but we learned a lot about what we needed to do to compete. The promising results inspired us to compete for championships in 2016. The first race weekend was nearly perfect; experiencing that first victory was sweeter than words can convey. By the end of the season we had secured 24 wins and 15 championships.

One day, I hope to race in the MotoAmerica series and earn a factory ride. But at the moment my goal is to finish on the podium at a professional race. I know it will be a difficult road and that we have a great deal to learn but we are confident that we can compete at the national level. Realistically, I may not make it to the top of the sport or ride a factory-team bike, but I will certainly enjoy the trip and sharing the joy of chasing my dream with my family and friends. If I can inspire someone to pursue their dream in the process it just makes it that much sweeter.