FIRST PERSON/OPINION: Via e-mail: I’ve reached a point in my life where I decided to pull back from motorcycle racing and focus on a “real job.” Yes I have a real job. I got news last week that our team can’t move forward with New Jersey’s AMA race, which triggered my decision about taking a step back from road racing professionally. I appreciate the help from all my sponsors and true friends who stuck with me throughout my racing career, especially my parents who have sacrificed so much for me to continue my dream. Sure, I’ll still race again but not sure at what level. Motorcycle racing has made me lots of friends throughout the years with lots of memories never to be forgotten: Like getting a phone call from Michael Jordan or staying at Ben Spies house with BMX legends Jamie Bestwick and Chad Kagy celebrating Spies’ WSBK title. I wouldn’t change one thing about my life. I gave it everything. I had to make this happen. Even though people sometimes let me down with promises or verbal agreements, I still tried to move forward thinking positive having good faith that everything would work out in the end. My former Crew Chief James Compton once told me, “You don’t want to look back and regret not trying hard enough” because you can’t change the past. I might’ve had a string of bad luck in my career with injuries, DNF’s or low-budgeted teams plagued with issues, but racing isn’t easy especially at the AMA Pro level. I’ve had plenty of opportunities on competitive motorcycles with great teams, so I can’t say I didn’t get a chance to succeed on the racetrack. At 29, I’m not a kid anymore, and it’s time to start thinking about life outside of racing, where there’s an opportunity to make money, maybe start a family (ha ha). Who knows? I’ve dedicated my life to racing and given up a lot in the process, so I’m excited to flip another chapter in my life. Jake Holden Phoenix, Arizona