Planet Minis

nicklunde

July 08, 2008

Jason Lawrence Issues Public Apology

Hey everybody,

I want to start out by apologizing to everyone at RedBud, my team at Yamaha of Troy and the entire MX industry on what not only happened this past weekend, but also for the rest of the crap I’ve been involved with this past year.

Things are pretty much rock bottom for me right now. I was on top of the world when I won the Western Lites title a couple months ago and now I’m sitting here feeling like crap. I’ve got my side of the story regarding what went down at RedBud, yeah, but there’s no sense in telling it. The simple answer is I put myself into a situation that I shouldn’t have been in and because of that I’ve let a bunch of people down.

I’ve run into some problems away from the track that have affected my results and it’s become apparent that I’ve got to address them. I am taking action to deal with these issues and to make sure incidents like what happened this past weekend don’t occur again. I’m calling on people that have been there with me through thick and thin, relying on them to help me with my problems and get me on back on track as I’ve come to realize these are things I can’t handle myself.

Motocross is my life. I love the sport and don’t know where I’d be without it. And being a champion I’m constantly in the spotlight and my every move – good or bad – is discussed and debated online and in the press. It’s a lot to handle and, in all honesty, I’ve had a bad year dealing with it.

But that’s going to change. I am going to try to turn this into positive and use this opportunity to fix the things that are causing these problems in the first place.

Again, I’m extremely sorry for my actions. To guys like my agent, Scott Sepkovic, and to Scott Paul, who owns Yamaha of Troy. Also, to Chris McAvoy, my team manager, and Keith McCarty at Yamaha, plus my mom and all the guys at the AMA who’ve had to put up with my behavior, I’m sorry. Very, very sorry.

But most of all I want to apologize to my fans. If I’d have bought a ticket to see my favorite guy race at RedBud and he got kicked off the property for getting in a fight the day before I’d be mad as hell. So to all my fans and fans of motocross in general, I’m going to take the extra step to make sure we’re cool again. I promise to make amends to you guys because there’s nothing better than seeing you pumped up when I’m doing well – and still having my back when I’m not doing so well, like right now.

I’m not making any excuses. I screwed up good this past weekend and I’m prepared to do what it takes to get back where I was when I won the supercross title. I’m no angel and never will be. But what I will be is responsible for my actions, take the right measures to correct things and learn from my mistakes.

JLaw

mini_thump

First written one from him. YOT issued some other ones on behalf of JLaw, but never directly from him. Heck they never even quoted him in any of them.

Big move on JLaw's part. Hopefully he'll stick with it and kill it when he's allowed to come back.

hartman

Have they released his fines or anything else yet?(other than the $25k)
If you followed road racing about 5-7 years ago you probably heard of Anthony Gobert. He got into trouble all the time and finally kicked him out of racing pretty much and noone would give him the time of day. I read just the other day he got caught shop lifting because he has zero money. He was a WORLD CHAMPION.....

roosterr1

This punk needs only to rely on himself to fix any problems. He put himself there!!!!

bonos110

Only time will tell, he has so much, and to act like this is freaking ridiculous, so i hope he pulls his head out of his ass and realize that he has things not alot of people have the opportunity to be apart of....

mitchcroghan952

I don't think that it will be that easy for him. He's had this bad habit for quite a while, just because he got in a little bit more trouble this time he's going to completely change?
Doubt it.

I love watching J-Law ride. But, he's a crybaby, always trying to be a hardass, and just all around immature.

mdkuder

Excellent abilities but an A Hole as far as having his S$%& together. Must be trying to take Deegans place when he retires his crown in the distant future!

texas822

Hopefully, by him stating he has hit "rock bottom" he can get whatever help he needs.
He has a ton of talent, maybe he can get his life back on track, only time will tell. I wish him all the luck as it's going to be a steep uphill climb.

rlm996

so........what happened at Red Bud?

50$Pit

I like how everyone criticizes this kid to hell like they have never done anything wrong before.

And no I'm not a fan for or against Lawrence, just saying...

mini_thump

EXACTLY. Everyone can talk sh*t about him on the 'net. However, since he is in the public eye he does need to handle himself a bit different.

On the other hand, at the Freestone national he was around the pits, hanging out, sure he might have been drunk, but I was too... He's a super cool dude and really does interact with his fans.

JLaw hasn't lost a fan with me.

roosterr1

True, I am no angle but I dont have a factory ride and dont have to represent a professional image. It is his job and what he is paid to do. I would never start a fight at work. Would you? Off topic but are you and slow racer going to spokane washington race?

The Nutty Professor

Yeah the Go-Show One of a few who I think would have given Rossi a good run. I've watched that guy do stuff on a bike and thought "Can't those other guys see what he's doing and do something about it?" Of course on TV from multiple angles it was obvious. When he was on he was 1/2 inch perfect and nobody was even close. If J-Law goes that route aaahhh ain't even worth talkin about.

big-bubba

Its not to late for the kid. First thing he needs to do is learn how to talk on TV. His sponsors will get more bang for the buck if he does not sound like Sean Penn in that movie where he was the stoned surfer dude. The kid can ride there is no doubt, but if he can't sell the product then his racing days will be over. To compete at the level he is at takes alot of money and thats why he needs sponsors. I also believe that when your at the level that J-Law is at your apperance, your attitude, and your whole life has to stay between white lines so to say. Good luck Man Its not that hard to stay out of trouble, Especially if you love racing there are a 100 capable guys out there that would love to have your ride.