Justin Peck (off-road racer)
Justin Peck | |
|---|---|
 | |
| 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.
Early life
[edit]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
[edit]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
[edit]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
[edit]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
[edit]Peck also founded the United States Motorsport Association along with several construction companies and two investment companies.[1]
Mental Illness
[edit]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
[edit]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
[edit]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
[edit]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]
References
[edit]- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k Childers, Linda. Justin Peck: Taking the Wheel of His Bipolar, BPHope.com, April 2, 2018. Retrieved on July 3, 2018
- ^ "Justin Peck: Taking the Wheel of His Bipolar | bpHope". bpHope - bp Magazine Community. April 2, 2018. Retrieved July 3, 2018.
- ^ "Raceprotech | ABOUT". Raceprotech. Retrieved July 3, 2018.
- ^ Motorsport Champ Justin Peck & Mental Health Month: Fueling the Connection Between Body and Mind, BPHope.com, April 25, 2018. Retrieved on July 3, 2018
- ^ FOX. "Justin Peck talks 'Bulletproof'". KTBC. Retrieved July 16, 2018.
- ^ "Off-Road Racer, Justin Peck to Represent Motorsports at High Profile, City Summit Event | usmotorsports". usmotorsports. Retrieved July 16, 2018.
- ^ "MotorSports Nutrition". Gear 49 | MotorSports Nutrition. Retrieved July 3, 2018.
- ^ Justin Peck - Love of the sport, Lucas Oil Off-Road Racing YouTube Channel, February 15, 2018. Retrieved on May 30, 2018
- ^ "Justin Peck". Naluda.com. Naluda Magazine. Retrieved February 15, 2017.
- ^ Olsewski, Steven. "Racer Spotlight: A Man Of Many Talents, Justin Peck". www.offroadxtreme.com. Retrieved February 1, 2017.
- ^ Bradford, Alicona. "JUSTIN PECK - BULLET PROOF - AUTHOR INTERVIEW". Book Circle Online. Book Circle Online. Retrieved July 31, 2016.
- ^ a b c "Celebrity Interview: Justin Peck - Celebrity Parents Magazine". Celebrity Parents Magazine. May 3, 2018. Retrieved July 5, 2018.
- ^ 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.
- ^ Tate, Tyler (May 20, 2016). "Off-road racing returns to Utah this weekend". Deseret Digital Media. Archived from the original on May 29, 2016.
- ^ Kennedy, Melanie (November 2, 2016). "Off Road Racer Proves Life is Worth Living after Failed Attempted Suicide". KUTV.
- ^ a b Race Car Driver Justin Peck Wants to Change the Stigma Around Mental Health, cheddar, May 17, 2018. Retrieved on May 30, 2018
- ^ Rionda, Sasha. ""BULLETPROOF" MEMOIR BY JUSTIN PECK". Coffee With America. Retrieved February 15, 2017.
- ^ Harrison, Travis Dooley (January 12, 2017). "Bulletproof". Fox News.
- ^ KGUN9 (January 17, 2017), "Bulletproof For Life" by Justin Peck, retrieved July 5, 2018
{{citation}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link) - ^ Celebrity Page TV Network (May 24, 2018), Rising Star: Justin Peck, retrieved July 5, 2018
- ^ Smith, Elissa (February 8, 2017). "JUSTIN PECK TALKS BULLETPROOF AT SUNDANCE 2017". Pop Wrapped.
- ^ "Justin Peck Publishes Memoir". The Shop News. Retrieved February 15, 2017.
- ^ Staff, USMA (February 9, 2017). "Off-Road Racer, Justin Peck to Represent Motorsports at High Profile, City Summit Event". United States Motorsport Association.