Note: This is part of an occasional series produced by AMA Pro Racing to highlight the background of some of our top riders

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (Jan. 20, 2015) – Jake Shoemaker’s most memorable accomplishment as a professional motorcycle racer came on a hazy summer night in Hagerstown, Md. at the 2013 Hagerstown Half-Mile. The race happened to be one of Shoemaker’s first events competing at the elite GNC1 level and he found himself in a battle for the lead with Brad Baker, the eventual 2013 Grand National Champion, in the night’s main event final.

Shoemaker lost to Baker that night and had to settle with a second place finish, but he will always cherish that moment as he proved to himself that, even at such a young age, he’s capable of hanging with the fastest dirt track racers on the planet.

“The Hagerstown second place finish ... was truly an eye-opening experience for me,” said Shoemaker. “I proved to myself immediately that I was capable of competing at the highest level. I’ve always been confident in my abilities but that moment in particular is what stands out to me as clear-cut evidence that I am more than capable of hanging with those guys.”

Like a lot of AMA Pro Flat Track competitors, Shoemaker was exposed to motorcycles at a very young age.

“I got into trail riding when I was about 7,” said Shoemaker. “My dad always trail rode when he was younger. When I was 9, I started racing at a local track in Pennsylvania called Piston Poppers Raceway. When I turned 11, I started racing District 6 Flat Track full time. Once I turned 16 in 2009, I got my AMA Pro Flat Track pro license. It wasn’t until just a few years ago in 2012 when I made my first start in GNC1 and eventually earned my first podium at that race in Hagerstown in 2013.”

Shoemaker is one of those competitors that would have turned pro much earlier if AMA Pro Flat Track’s rulebook would have allowed it. He was simply born to ride.

“I turned pro as soon as I could when I was 16,” said Shoemaker. “I’ve always watched all the professionals growing up and I’ve seen them compete at local tracks. I saw how competitive they are and I couldn’t wait to turn 16 so I could get my license and race with them.”

Shoemaker finished 14th in the GNC1 standings after completing his first season at the elite level in 2013. Last year, he cracked the top 10, as he finished 10th in the points even after missing two events. Barring injury or unforeseen circumstances, Shoemaker will look to improve on his 10th place finish in 2015 as he appears to only be getting stronger and faster on the track. Look for National No. 55 to be gunning for the podium come March 12-13 when the series kicks off its annual DAYTONA Flat Track doubleheader.