PIKE ROAD, Ala. — Did that title make you think of Tom Petty? If not, you’re probably too young to know about him, much like Ethan Popwell.

Ethan is 11 years old and in the fifth grade at Pike Road Intermediate. He participates in Motocross and has for the last four years. Ethan is wise for his age, and if you talk to him you will learn that hardwork and dedication run deep within him, whether in sports or in life. He said, “I’m dyslexic, I have to work hard in school and bring that ‘work hard mentality’ to the track. You have to push through the falls and mistakes and always complete the race. Never quit EVER. Always finish no matter what.” Each race starts with a first bump with dad and ends with the desire to improve no matter the outcome.

He takes that passion to track everyday. Ethan spends between six and eight hours a week riding. “ You cannot out-work him,” said his mom DeeDee. “Even with a busy school and baseball schedule, we try to ride or race at a local track 1-2 times per week. He works on improvement everytime he goes out to ride,” said his dad Michael.  Ethan has goals, and he understands that the key to achievement is to put in work. “I want to qualify and race in the AMA Amateur National Motocross Championship, because it’s not a race you can just sign up for; you have to earn your spot. The top 40 fastest riders get to compete, you’re competing against the fastest kids in the country. I really want to see all my training pay off,” he said. The AMA Amateur National Motocross Championships will be held in August in Hurricane Mills, Tennessee.

Qualifying and riding in the AMA Amateur National Motocross Championship isn’t Ethan’s only goal: “I would love to become a professionally sponsored rider one day,” said Ethan. His mom DeeDee said “He is strong willed and knows what he wants and goes after it. When he says it, we believe him. He’s going to work hard to reach his goal, but he’s also an extremely compassionate kid. He always roots for the underdog.” Ethan says that one of his favorite things about competing is gaining friendships with other riders from around the country. “Eli and Collon are my two best friends in the racing world. We would have never met if not for the race track. We find each other at all the races and cheer for each other,” said Ethan.

While Ethan enjoys Motocross, he also says there are some challenges to overcome. “Big jumps can be scary and so is learning to fly, but I overcome this fear by hitting it and landing it. That helps me realize it is not that scary, So I can continue on to the next jump on the track and the next,” he said. When Ethan isn’t on the track, you can find him with his friends, eating Takis and listening to country music. These are the things that remind you that Ethan is just a kid, even though his words suggest otherwise.

Speaking of words, here is Ethan’s final advice, for life and motocross. “Stay on the gas no matter what. Ride confidently. You always finish no matter what.”

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