Troy Dog
It’s been almost two years since Ashton Bloxom has seen a gate drop and the 22-year-old Texan is set to make his pro debut tomorrow at Pala.
It’s been a journey.
Let’s flashback to Loretta Lynn’s in 2021, where he finished 22nd in 250 Pro Sport and 13th in College after three years off from racing. The fire was reignited for Bloxom and his racing goals after that week. Also, this was the same week that he and I were made acquainted. He started running my stickers on his bike and helmets and had an incredible week. He earned his pro points from Loretta’s and he was planning on making his pro debut.
Then in early October of 2021, Bloxom pulled his shoulder out and it peeled back his subscapularis tendon in the process. He was forced to have his third shoulder surgery in four years. Those injuries were the main reason for Bloxom’s three year absence from the sport from 2018 to 2021. Recently, Ashton was cleared to ride by his doctor and he has been hard at work in physical therapy. He also enlisted the help of Troll Training to get his body fit.
The purpose of this column isn’t to harp on his injuries of yesterday, but to show you how much Bloxom has had to overcome in the last seven years. It hasn’t been the easiest and he’s had to postpone racing pro, which was a childhood dream, in the process. The injuries affected his daily life as well as he was in a sling for most of the healing process.
Well, tomorrow is the day! A day of redemption for Bloxom. He drove out to California by himself earlier this month and has been staying at the Grindstone Compound. He attended press day yesterday at Fox Raceway and he’s racing the 250 class aboard his Bloxom Construction/TroyDogVurb/Yamaha.
Not only is he racing Fox Raceway, but Bloxom is already signed up for the entire series. He’s driving by himself to all the races across the country and his father Joey (also known as Top Dog) will be joining him on the weekends. It’s going to be a good summer. One that the Bloxom family will never forget. This is bigger than motocross. To get knocked down that many times and still come back to accomplish your goals for yourself is a major flex.
I’ve got full faith in my friend Ash Dog. It’s going to be a grind. He’s not going to be able to ride much during the week as he will be on the road, and it’s going to be absolute hell living out of a van. Yet this is what dreams are made of. I can’t wait to tell this story as it happens. If you’d like to follow along then keep your eyes on @ashtonbloxom and @troydogvurb accounts throughout the summer.
Best of luck, Ashton. Just know when that gate drops tomorrow that you already won.
