’And when I went out there, I was faster than before I quit. I guess because the break helped me mentally. In my heart, I wanted to be a champion more than ever. I had a strong drive.’

With Posey’s comeback now in high gear, he has a lot of people in his corner. LaFayette’s Shae Bentley, the 2000 125cc West Coast SX champion, has taken Posey under his wings and is training him in all aspects of racing, from exercise and diet to technique on the track.

Posey also maintained roughly 20 sponsors from his years of racing, which includes corporations such as Monster Energy and Oakley as well as family and friends. Curt Knuckles, a mechanic, will use his vacation time to travel to Tennessee so he can work on Posey’s bike during the national championship.

’Curt has always taken care of the bike and has been there no matter what,’ Posey said. ’Without him, we couldn’t do it the way he have.’

Bentley said there’s only one goal in mind for the next few months of preparation leading up to the nationals.

’We’re going there and we’re winning,’ Bentley said. ’We’re not leaving there without a championship, bottom line. He’s already been through all the bad stages, and God has left him with something very special. He’s a natural talent on a motorcycle.’

A win would give him a great boost to starting a pro career, which he is planning for regardless of where he finishes in nationals.

’This is pretty much my whole life,’ Posey said. ’It’s what I want to make a living doing. It’s an adrenaline rush riding, and the challenge from the competition is fun.

’And, based on everything I’ve been through, I know you have to work for it. It’s not given to you.’