JESSICA WHITAKER
What’s your name?
Jessica Whitaker
Where are you from?
Greensburg, IN (halfway between Indianapolis and Cincinnati). We’re world-famous: We have a tree growing out of our courthouse!
Who is(are) your rider(s)?
Colt Whitaker #234, aka C Dub (50 SR and 50 Open) @c_dub234
How long have you been a moto mom?
Technically two years, but I would say I’ve been full-on moto mom for the past year. We’re a true representation of the moto race life progression. We’ve evolved from racing a few, somewhat local races, his first year and hauling his bike in the back of our truck to racing our first national this year and “glamping” in our toy hauler.
Were you into motorcycles before becoming a moto mom?
I had never been on a motorcycle until I met my husband sixteen years ago. We actually sold our Harley when I was pregnant with Colt because we didn’t see how it was going to fit into our lifestyle with two small kids. Little did I know!! Now I’m considering getting a bike for myself to play around on at home! Both of our girls and my husband ride, so I need to get with the program!
Describe a typical race weekend for you.
Each weekend bleeds into the next. I start on Monday by tackling laundry, then I move on to planning for the next weekend. I’m in charge of the front of the house. I’ll go grocery shopping in the middle of the week and will re-pack clothes and stock the fridge and cabinets by Thursday night (or sooner or later depending on when we need to leave). Matt handles the garage. I’m also the co-pilot, so I’m in charge of directions. Once we arrive at the track, Matt and I start setting up camp, which often happens in the dark. We both have businesses, so we’re at the mercy of our work schedules. On practice and race days, I’m the head cheerleader (along with our girls: Lexie, 10 and Vivi, 4), photographer, and videographer. I’m the head of entertainment for the girls and will also help wherever necessary to keep things running smoothly. Before the start of our last race of the day, I typically start breaking down, cleaning, and packing up. We’re always sad to see the weekend come to an end even though we’re all exhausted!
What’s your family’s favorite meal at the track?
It depends on who you ask! We love to grill. Steak, salmon, and burgers are staples.
Do you have any pre-race rituals or superstitions while spectating?
Colt always gets a kiss on the cheek and a few last-minute reminders from me: Do your best, be smart, and have fun! Towards the end of last season, we had dubbed, “Main Attraction,” by Jeremy Renner, as his theme song. Sometimes I’ll listen to it before his race.
Most nerve-wracking moment watching your kid(s) race/ride?
If he’s in contention, my heart is always racing in anticipation. Will he hold on to the lead? Will he make the necessary passes? I’ve definitely seen my share of crash and burns, and none of those made me as nervous as those chances to bring home the hardware!
Favorite part about being at the track?
Besides watching Colt do what he loves, it’s definitely the time we get together as a family. I love watching the kids enjoying life and having fun. It’s amazing how well everyone gets along. I also love the community aspect of the track. We’ve met some really great people throughout our travels that I call our moto family!
Favorite and least favorite part about traveling to the races?
My favorite part is seeing so much of our great country through the windshield. I love it when our travels take us somewhere new. It’s always an adventure! My least favorite is how old I start to feel while sitting for hours. My hips and my back start to bother me. We also can’t seem to ever get everyone on the same page with bathroom breaks. We stop far more than we should and I’ve visited more gas station bathrooms than I care to mention!
Craziest travel story?
Let’s just say it involved our camper, a parked man lift in a parking lot, and a tow truck. Not our best moment, but one heck of a story!
The most important lesson motocross teaches at a young age.
Commitment and Perseverance. This isn’t an easy sport. It takes a ton of hard work and dedication. There are so many skills to develop and master and even then, there are days when all you can say is, “That’s just moto.” You definitely get out what you put in.
What’s your secret to getting all the dirt stains out of riding gear?
Dawn dish soap and lots of elbow grease! I also recommend air drying in the sun. The sun has a way of lifting those tough stains.
Proudest moment of your career as a moto mom thus far?
As a parent, it was watching Colt’s progression throughout the season last year. He put in so much work, and finally got his first win in his last race ever on his JR. I was an athlete growing up and also showed horses. I had some pretty amazing moments myself, but nothing compares to watching your kids work hard and seeing that hard work pay off. For myself, it was driving to a track two hours away with our 12’ trailer in tow and strapping the bike in myself. It’s the little things! Next on my list is to haul the camper and to learn how to change the clutch milk!
What’s your favorite track?
Thunder Valley in Livingston, TN because it’s such a neat set up and East Fork in New Vienna, OH because it’s our “home” track and where we have such a strong moto family.
Who is your favorite pro racer?
Eli Tomac. He’s just so much fun to watch and is the nicest guy! We had the opportunity to meet him last year at Ironman and he couldn’t have been kinder to all of us. We also root for Aaron Plessinger!
What is your favorite genre of music?
I’m a huge fan of Pearl Jam! I’ve seen them 10 times!
What is your favorite movie/tv show?
Ferris Bueller’s Day Off - I just introduced the kids to it last week!
What is in your red solo cup?
Tito’s and club soda with muddled strawberries and basil.
Any advice for the moto moms of the future?
Embrace it, encourage it, and enjoy the ride! You will never regret the memories you will make as a family and seeing your kiddo grow as a rider and as an individual. I hope to see you/meet you at a track soon!
You can also find me on Instagram: @jessicahwhitaker or @themotomomlife
