BEST OF JODY’S BOX: LIFE CYCLE OF A GYPSY MOTH & THE NEXT BIG THING

By Jody Weisel

“That 12-year-old kid on the mini bike looks good. Does anybody know anything about him?” ask Jimmy Mac.

“I heard that he signed a big amateur contract and he isn’t even 13-years-old yet,” replied Monte Floyd.
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TWO YEARS LATER…

“At this pace, he will break every Loretta Lynn record in the books,” said Jimmy Mac..

“I wonder how it feels to be signed by a factory team at 14?”

TWO YEARS LATER…

“I’ve never seen anyone do the things on a motorcycle that he can do. He’s the next James Stewart.”

“When they write the AMA history books, his name will be at the top of every page—even higher up than Jeremy McGraths”

“No one can touch him. He’ll go undefeated. He’s on a different plateau from anyone else, and that includes Ricky Carmichael.”

“He makes every other rider on the National circuit look like a 125 Junior. No one on either side of the Atlantic can touch him.”

TWO YEARS LATER…

“I heard that Nike offered him eight million a year. He’s going to be financially set for life.”

“It’s a good thing he’s fast, because he has the personality of a clam. If he couldn’t ride a motorcycle, he would be bagging groceries somewhere.”

“He’s too rich and too egotistical. He’s not hungry any more.”

“I heard that he won’t ride unless the candy bowl in the semi only has red M&Ms in it. He’s suffering from chronic hipness.”

TWO YEARS LATER…

“They say that that he hurt his elbow last week at the Supercross test track. He may miss the first two races of the season. No problem. He will make up the lost points in a couple races.

“I don’t think I’ve ever seen him finish out of the top five in his whole career. His injury must be worse than they let on.”

“It serves him right. He had a fat head. He was all cocky with his Hollywood friends, fancy cars and big house.”

TWO YEARS LATER…

“You meet the same people on the way down as you did on the way up. There are a hundred guys waiting to lap him.”

“He should have quit while he was on top. They always hang around one season too long.”

“He’ll probably get a gig as a TV commentator. That’s where all the old guys end up.”

TWO YEARS LATER…

“Do you remember what’s-his-name? His name is on the tip of my tongue. He had a factory ride a couple years ago. Give me a minute and the name will come to me.”

“Whatever happened to him? He was pretty good in his day. Not as good as McGrath, Stewart or Carmichael, but not bad”

“Who? I never heard of him”