Evolution Dog Wash owner, Matt Ogden, met professional motocross racer, Joey Olson, while he was working at a motocross dealership. Matt’s kids were just getting into motocross and Joey was not only very helpful to his kids at the dealership, but to all youth racers at local events. Matt forged a friendship with Joey, and Joey’s story helped inspire the concept for the Evolution Dog Wash youth motocross sponsor program.
The program supports young athletes who are dedicated to their racing career and teaches them the skills needed for future workplace success. The goal is to work hard, compete and get everything you can out of following your passion, then use that work ethic, confidence, and the relationships you create to set yourself up for career and life success.
Here’s Joey Olson’s story of how motocross made him the person he is today.
Joey grew up in Littleton, CO and was introduced to motocross at a young age. His father raced motocross in the early 70’s and gave Joey his first bike at the age of nine. He was hooked ever since!
Joey started racing locally in 2003 as a teenager. In 2005 he made his first journey to Loretta Lynn’s Amateur Championship, known as the world’s largest amateur motocross race and the final stop for amateurs before they join the professional ranks. Joey competed in the 125 C stock, and the 125 C mod and then officially turned pro in November 2007.
Racing as a teen was a wonderful experience for Joey; he was able to travel to a lot of Amateur Nationals. Then turning pro was the icing on the cake. Joey says, “I will never forget in 2009 driving to my first Outdoor National professional race, the Hangtown Motocross Classic in Sacramento, CA. The blood, sweat and tears to get to that stage finally paid off.”
When asked about some of his racing career highlights, Joey explains, “I have several local state championships in all classes but when I think back on my career, these are the ones that mean the most to me.”
- 2005 – Loretta Lynn’s – 125 C stock 4th place
- 2005 – Loretta Lynn’s – 125 C Mod 10th place
- 2005 – Colorado Youth Rider of the Year
- 2007 – Loretta Lynn’s – 250 B Mod 37th place
- 2010 – Lucas Oil Pala Pro National – 450 class 37th overall
- 2012 – Western Pro-Am Series – Open pro champion
- 2012 – Colorado Pro Rider of the Year
- 2012 – Lucas Oil Washougal Pro National – 450 class 33rd overall
- 2013 – Colorado Pro Rider of the Year
- 2014 – Lucas Oil Utah Pro National – 250 class 32nd overall
- 2017 – Lucas Oil Thunder Valley National – LCQ winner
- 2017 – Lucas Oil Thunder Valley National – 450 class 39th overall
Most recently, for 2021, Joey has decided to head back to the Ranch and will be racing again in the Monster Energy AMA Amateur National Motocross Championship (Loretta Lynn’s) in the +25 class as well as the +30 class. Evolution Dog Wash also has seven sponsored kids heading there this year.
Joey has always wanted to start his own business and a few a years ago he took the leap and launched JO Grounds Care LLC in Lakewood, CO. He created the business from scratch, getting loans, buying all the required equipment and marketing the company. It’s now a successful lawn care and landscaping business. The main services include mowing, aeration, property clean ups, mulch, rock and snow removal.
When asked how motocross prepared him to start his own business, Joey replied, “For me, motocross has taught me so much about life in general, from how to market yourself, to who you surround yourself with. But most importantly it taught me to be respectful, independent and professional. All of these things played such a big role in racing that I was able to transfer these qualities to my business and day to day life.”
Joey has a beautiful wife named Katy who moved to Colorado in 2009 and never looked back. They have been married for 8 years and have a 3-year-old girl named Kinzey, and most recently were blessed with a boy named Claude who is now 15 months old. The Olson’s also have a dog named Khloe who they rescued from the Humane Society. In his free time, Joey likes to make memories with his wife and kids. “It goes too fast!”
Joey continues, “If I could give the Evolution Dog Wash sponsored teen racers advice today, I’d tell them to ENJOY IT!!! Do not take it so serious, and focus on the track, NOT your competition. Your commitment and hard work will pay off in multiple ways, now and in the future.”
We wish Joey and all the Evolution Dog Wash sponsored racers best of luck in the upcoming National Championship, August 2-7 in Hurricane, TN. We look forward to seeing how all the hard work pays off, both on and off the track.
