Justin Peck (off-road racer)

Last updated

Justin Peck
Justinpeck.jpg
Born
Nationality American
Occupation(s)Professional Lucas Oil Pro 2 off-road driver, business owner, motivational speaker, author
Website https://www.justinpeck.com

Justin Peck is a professional driver in the Best in the Desert series [1] and the Lucas Oil Off Road Racing Series driver, [1] owner of RacePro Technologies race team, [2] [3] author, competitive bodybuilder, [4] mental health advocate, [5] speaker, [6] and founder of Gear 49, [7] a motorsports nutrition company.

Contents

Early life

Peck knew he wanted to become a racer when he was 17 years-old while at a track race with his father. [1] [8] He later bought his first motorcycle at the same age. [1] Peck became a father at 18, and he competed in his first race at 20. Peck was diagnosed with bipolar disorder at the age of 26, a condition he has had since he was 13 years old. [9] Peck has claimed to suffer from depression since the age of 9. [1]

Racing career

Peck has over 27 years of racing experience. [1] He is the back-to-back series champion in off-road motorcycles, a USRA series champion, national winner and third overall winner of The Challenge of America Series, a UKC multi-time series champion, and the only pro off-road driver in the state of Utah. [10] [11] [1]

Throughout his racing career, Peck claims to have broken 84 bones, required 19 surgeries, and had 200 screws surgically inserted into his body. [12] He has also gone on record saying that he's died twice. [12]

RacePro Technologies

Peck is the founder of RacePro Technologies, an off-road racing team that competes in the Lucas Oil Off Road Series. The team currently runs three professional race cars, five regional race cars, and one national junior race car. [13] [14]

Gear49 Nutrition

Peck is also the founder of Gear49 Nutrition, a nutritional supplement company that creates products for bodybuilders and racers. The company name is derived from Peck's father, who drove a truck for a living. His handle was "Number Nine." After his father passed away from cancer, Peck has said that he races "for number nine" and now drives under the number 49. [15]

United States Motorsport Association

Peck also founded the United States Motorsport Association along with several construction companies and two investment companies. [1]

Mental Illness

Peck has stated that he has suffered from depression since he was 9 years-old and experienced his first panic attack at 13. [16] Also at 13, Peck claims he became bipolar, although he was not officially diagnosed with the disorder until 2005 after a suicide attempt. [16] He was diagnosed Class 1, indicating episodes that last six months to two years in either phase.

Memoir

Peck is the author of "Bulletproof," [17] [18] a memoir that discusses his battle with mental illness and bipolar disorder. The title is inspired by Peck's failed attempt to shoot himself during a depressive episode [19] when his gun malfunctioned. [20] The gun did not fire, and from then on, Peck considered himself "bulletproof." [21] [22] According to Peck, he keeps the misfired bullet in his nightstand as a reminder of his struggles. [12]

Philanthropy

Peck is active in mental health advocacy by speaking about his battle with bipolar disorder at universities, schools, and corporate events [1] and contributing regularly to organizations that aid in bipolar education. [23]

Personal life

Peck has four children whom he credits with keeping him stable through his mental health challenges. [1] He has also struggled with gambling and substance abuse. [1]

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References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 Childers, Linda. Justin Peck: Taking the Wheel of His Bipolar, BPHope.com, April 2, 2018. Retrieved on July 3, 2018
  2. "Justin Peck: Taking the Wheel of His Bipolar | bpHope". bpHope - bp Magazine Community. April 2, 2018. Retrieved July 3, 2018.
  3. "Raceprotech | ABOUT". Raceprotech. Retrieved July 3, 2018.
  4. Motorsport Champ Justin Peck & Mental Health Month: Fueling the Connection Between Body and Mind, BPHope.com, April 25, 2018. Retrieved on July 3, 2018
  5. FOX. "Justin Peck talks 'Bulletproof'". KTBC. Retrieved July 16, 2018.
  6. "Off-Road Racer, Justin Peck to Represent Motorsports at High Profile, City Summit Event | usmotorsports". usmotorsports. Retrieved July 16, 2018.
  7. "MotorSports Nutrition". Gear 49 | MotorSports Nutrition. Retrieved July 3, 2018.
  8. Justin Peck - Love of the sport, Lucas Oil Off-Road Racing YouTube Channel, February 15, 2018. Retrieved on May 30, 2018
  9. "Justin Peck". Naluda.com. Naluda Magazine. Retrieved February 15, 2017.
  10. Olsewski, Steven. "Racer Spotlight: A Man Of Many Talents, Justin Peck". www.offroadxtreme.com. Retrieved February 1, 2017.
  11. Bradford, Alicona. "JUSTIN PECK - BULLET PROOF - AUTHOR INTERVIEW". Book Circle Online. Book Circle Online. Retrieved July 31, 2016.
  12. 1 2 3 "Celebrity Interview: Justin Peck - Celebrity Parents Magazine". Celebrity Parents Magazine. May 3, 2018. Retrieved July 5, 2018.
  13. Jesika, Kimberly (June 21, 2016). "Justin Peck #49 is a Race Car Driver Who's Obstacles Have Helped him Win the Game of Life Both On and Off the Track". Huffington Post. Huffington Post.
  14. Tate, Tyler (May 20, 2016). "Off-road racing returns to Utah this weekend". Deseret Digital Media. Archived from the original on May 29, 2016.
  15. Kennedy, Melanie (November 2, 2016). "Off Road Racer Proves Life is Worth Living after Failed Attempted Suicide". KUTV.
  16. 1 2 Race Car Driver Justin Peck Wants to Change the Stigma Around Mental Health, cheddar, May 17, 2018. Retrieved on May 30, 2018
  17. Rionda, Sasha. ""BULLETPROOF" MEMOIR BY JUSTIN PECK". Coffee With America. Retrieved February 15, 2017.
  18. Harrison, Travis Dooley (January 12, 2017). "Bulletproof". Fox News.
  19. KGUN9 (January 17, 2017), "Bulletproof For Life" by Justin Peck , retrieved July 5, 2018{{citation}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  20. Celebrity Page TV Network (May 24, 2018), Rising Star: Justin Peck , retrieved July 5, 2018
  21. Smith, Elissa (February 8, 2017). "JUSTIN PECK TALKS BULLETPROOF AT SUNDANCE 2017". Pop Wrapped.
  22. "Justin Peck Publishes Memoir". The Shop News. Retrieved February 15, 2017.
  23. Staff, USMA (February 9, 2017). "Off-Road Racer, Justin Peck to Represent Motorsports at High Profile, City Summit Event". United States Motorsport Association.

Official website