There was a time when Cole Seely didn't want to race anymore—and we're not talking about his February crash, which resulted in a broken pelvis and sacrum and a damaged abdominal wall. He did consider calling it a career for a moment then, but he's since regained his mobility and overcome pain and fear. Now he's planning to be 100 percent ready come Anaheim 1 2019. Before that, though, he actually did quit the sport once, back in his amateur years. He returned as a relatively unknown prospect, then surprised even himself by getting a fill-in ride, taking it all the way to a podium, and beginning the journey toward a career as a 450 factory rider. This is Cole Seely's story—and gladly, it's one that's not over yet.

The Racer X Exhaust Podcast is sponsored by the good folks over at Yoshimura.