New York, NY

Paralyzed Racer
Michael Johnson Joins JDC MotorSports for the USF2000 National Championship Title Challenge.

Michael Johnson - "As long as I can remember, I always wanted to be a professional motorcycle racer."

At the age of 12, having already won races and championships on a regional and national level, on August 13, 2005 I was involved in an on-track motorcycle racing accident which left me paralyzed from the waist down.

After several years of recovery that included stem cell surgery and intensive physical therapy I started racing and winning again, this time in formula car racing with the use of hand controls. Now I have a new goal; to become the first paralyzed driver to run the Indy 500.

The way to fulfill my goal is through a structured driver development race series "ladder" system called the Mazda Road to Indy. In 2012, I will continue on this road, on the second of four rungs called the Cooper Tires Presents the USF2000 National Championship powered by Mazda.

My journey may seem unconventional, however I feel we all have different ways to reach our true potential and to live life to the fullest. I invite you to follow my racing quest that includes rehabilitation from my spinal cord injury. I hope my progress can inspire others to let nothing get in the way of fulfilling their goals and dreams!