Derek Drake’s career has never been a smooth ride, and despite promising beginnings, he never truly managed to launch himself at the very highest level.
Named Amateur of the Year in 2018 after winning the prestigious Nicky Hayden AMA Motocross Horizon Award, he turned professional in 2019 with the Troy Lee Designs KTM team. But due to unconvincing results – his best being a 7th-place finish in the West Coast SX – he lost his factory ride at the end of the 2020 season.
The BarX team (Suzuki at the time) then gave him another chance in 2021. Unfortunately, a femur fracture followed by heart surgery to treat a rare cardiac condition once again slowed his progress. In 2022, Derek Drake finished 10th in the East Coast US SX Championship, followed the outdoor season (20th), and competed in the WSX with the MDK Motorsports team. Already, the ambitions he had when turning pro seemed increasingly out of reach.
In 2023, a humerus head fracture ruined the start of his season. He then chose to leave the 250 class and move up to 450. But setbacks continued: in 2024, he injured his back before learning he had been suffering from Lyme disease for several years, which had been physically draining him. After taking some time off to try and fight the virus, he returned for the 450 outdoor season that summer, without major results.
Although ranked 42nd in the SMX standings before the playoffs, he was given a second chance to compete in the SMX LCQs. He missed qualifying at Charlotte & St. Louis, but finally made the motos in Las Vegas, finishing 20th.
At the end of the 2025 season, Derek Drake decided to take a break. The 26-year-old shared the news – which closely resembles a retirement announcement – on his social media.
Derek Drake: “I’ve decided to put this chapter of my life on hold for now… Battling Lyme disease while racing at the highest level hasn’t allowed me to reach my goals over the past few years. So I have to stop and take a different approach with riding and racing. It’s only worth it for me if I can deliver results week in and week out. My plan is to continue fighting this disease, to ride, test, help some young riders, and participate in a few small races for fun along the way.”
