Inspired by his late mother, Derry motocross rider keen to compete at High Point National

TJ Squib’s motocross racing career began with his mother Tracy by his side in the pits at every race.

Now, every time he puts on his helmet and walks out the starting gate, he does it to honor her memory.

Tracy died in 2020, just over a year into Squib’s racing career, but he continued because he knows that’s what his mother would want.

On Saturday, Squib, a Derry native, will compete in the Pro Motocross High Point National at High Point Raceway in Mt. Morris.

“When she passed away, it really lit a fire in me and I went to work,” Squib said. “I started running late, so I was always being watched in some way. Everyone always doubted me because of it, but not her. She always told me I could do it, so when she passed away I knew I had to do it because I wanted to prove her right.

Squib will race in the 450 class and this will be his first appearance at the High Point National.

Two other local competitors, Greensburg native Vincent Luhovey and Pittsburgh native Brian Saunier, are also expected to compete.

While many riders start in the amateur ranks before the age of 10, Squib’s career began a little later. He started racing as an amateur in 2019 at age 15.

He actually had a few quads on his family farm, but the dirt bike dream came later.

“I jumped into this on a whim,” Squib said. “I had no family history there. My older brother watched the X-Games, that’s how I discovered dirt bikes. I wanted to try it sooner, but my mother said it was too dangerous. When I was 15, she finally let me have one.

Squib started running locally his freshman year and rode his bike every chance he got while working with his father Thomas in their family lawn care business.

After his mother died in 2020, an innocent victim when a revenge-seeking gunman shot into the wrong house, Squib received support from friends in the racing community as well as his family.

“I couldn’t sign up for the races because I was only 16 and you have to be 18 to sign a waiver, so a friend we met through the race, Michelle Lovett, was coming every race to be my guardian and sign for me, so I can race,” Squib said.

He also received local support from sponsors Podium Works, Fast Track Moto, R&X Auto and Truck Accessories, Wagner Trucking, J. Inman Properties, Keystone Foam, Latrobe Pitt Stop and Terri Waughtel.

Squib made his Pro National debut last year at Unadilla in New York. He also raced at Budd’s Creek in Maryland and the Ironman National in Indiana.

He will now make his first attempt at his home track race. This will be his first time racing a 450 at a national championship after entering the 250 class last year.

“It’s crazy to be there with guys like Jett (Lawrence), who are your idols growing up because you see them winning on TV all the time,” Squib said. “I’m going to compete with them. I’ve talked to some of them at driver meetings, and they’re all really nice guys. They are humble.

Squib didn’t main event last year, but he’s hoping to break through on Saturday.

“My starts in a 450 have been really good, so if I have to go there (a last chance qualifier), I hope I can get a holeshot and stay in the top four,” Squib said. “I’ve also been working on my qualifying, so maybe I can put in a hot lap and not have to worry about an LCQ. Anyway, if I can participate in the race, I will be happy.