By Andrew Swain:

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (Jan. 29, 2015) – Jeffrey Carver Jr. knows what it takes to compete, and like father, like son, that sort of trait was taught to him by his father, Jeffrey Carver Sr., as well as his grandfather, Frank Carver.

Though they never raced professionally, Carver Sr. and Frank competed locally in motocross events and served as Carver Jr.’s biggest motivators and supporters throughout his childhood.

On Christmas morning when Carver Jr. was just 4 years old, he received his first set of gear for his Suzuki JR50. Ever since that morning in Alton, Ill., the town in which he grew up, the now 24-year-old Carver Jr. has maintained a deep passion for motorcycle racing and has become a force on the AMA Pro Flat Track circuit.

“My dad and grandfather raced at the amateur level and they were, by far, my biggest motivation growing up,” said Carver Jr. “My first race was a flat track race when I was 6, but I mainly focused on motocross because that’s what they always did. It wasn’t uncommon for us to be at the local track several times a week growing up because it’s just something we loved doing.”

Carver Jr.’s other inspiration came from the stardom of Chris Carr. The seven-time Grand National Champion was at the pinnacle of his career while young Carver Jr. watched on in awe of his sensational talent and riding ability at the national events.

“The only thing I knew back then was Chris Carr,” said Carver Jr. “I had no idea who any of the other guys were, I just knew that he was the best, or at least one of the more prominent riders in the world at the time. This was when I was 11 years old, right before I started racing competitively in flat track. At that time, my dad bought me a replica Chris Carr helmet. I would definitely say that I idolized him and greatly admired his riding style.”

Less than six months after he decided to put motocross aside and focus primarily on flat track, Carver Jr. won his first Amateur Grand National event, the Springfield TT, at just 11 years old.

“Ever since the Springfield victory I’ve just been chasing whatever, wherever and whoever I could to race again,” said Carver Jr. “I’ve had the privilege of competing with the Steve Nace racing crew and I have ridden alongside some of the stars in today’s road racing world.”

Carver Jr. has come a long way since that Springfield TT victory when he was 11 years old. In fact, the 24 year old recently inked a deal with one of the more prevalent race teams in GNC1, Don’s Kawasaki, for the upcoming 2015 AMA Pro Flat Track season, and he will continue to sport National No. 23 in honor of his grandfather.

“My grandpa wore No. 23 so that’s why I’ve sported the number all my life,” said Carver Jr. “When I turned pro, I ended up getting the number from Kevin Atherton who, luckily for me, retired that same year so the number was available.”

Carver Jr. has made big strides since graduating to the elite GNC1 ranks in 2011, and it’s possible he may just be on the brink of his breakout season in 2015. When asked about his most memorable moment as a professional, Carver Jr. did not hesitate with his answer.

“Castle Rock, 2013,” said Carver Jr. “That was the best day of my life. When I finally got the monkey off my back and earned my first GNC1 win. The pressure was mounting heavily all the way up until that point and it just felt amazing to finally get it. I have always felt more comfortable on TTs so it didn’t surprise me too much that it came there. I’m just glad it did.”

Carver Jr. will line up against the elite group of riders that make up the GNC1 class this March 12-13, when the stars of AMA Pro Flat Track gather in Daytona Beach, Fla. for rounds one and two of the 2015 AMA Pro Flat Track season. It will be interesting to see if Carver Jr. and his new Don’s Kawasaki teammate Jarod Vanderkooi have what it takes to hang with the heavy hitters of the series. For fans that can’t make it down south, both events will be broadcast live on www.FansChoice.tv.