Mason Wharton, 23, of Brush Prairie, is riding fast and flying high as a supercross and motocross racer. He will be competing on Saturday in the 250 Class at Washougal. (Photo courtesy of Mason Wharton) Photo Gallery
Mason Wharton lives for motocross so much he spent a summer traveling across Canada in a van with his Kawasaki racing bike and sidekick named Betty.
That’s just one of many adventures for Wharton, a Brush Prairie native, since his first pro race in 2014.
“This is my experience with traveling,” Wharton said. “Everyone says they want to travel and see places, and I’m doing it while doing a job.”
That job for Wharton, 23, is riding fast and flying high as a supercross and motocross racer. Wharton’s made the most of his racing career since turning pro four years ago, and this weekend’s Washougal National, an event that draws around 20,000 spectators to Washougal MX Park, also is Wharton’s homecoming.
When he lines up for the 250 class race Saturday, it’ll be his first on the dirt track since 2015. Injuries the past two years around the same time as when the Lucas Oil Pro Motocross Championship series comes to Washougal kept Wharton sidelined.
But he can’t wait to get back on familiar grounds at a venue he calls his home park.
“I’m really anxious to get there,” Wharton said. “… The crew is amazing and the weather is typically nice.
“I’m excited to see family and friends. It’s been awhile.”
This time a year ago, Wharton had shoulder surgery for a third time, which prematurely ended his motocross season. Injuries are nothing new to this type of racing, and by Wharton’s count, he’s broken both ankles three times, both wrists four times, plus collarbone and shoulder surgeries.
That doesn’t include the otherwise minor injuries.
“In our industry,” he said, “you don’t count (broken) ribs, fingers and toes. If you break those, you don’t fix them.
“You break a toe every month smashing into the ground.”
Smashing to the ground last summer is how Wharton injured his shoulder that required surgery.
Wharton questioned a comeback. But then just days into a five-month stint in a sling to support his shoulder, he realized pain is temporary. After all, the sport his father, Curtis, introduced to him and sisters, Katie and Jessie, lasts forever.
“It’s weird,” Wharton described. “… The only thing you want to do for some stupid reason is hop back on that bike. The second you get hurt, you hate it. Give it a few days … the pain goes away and you don’t care.
“There’s no better feeling to fly in the air and go fast.”
During supercross and motocross seasons, Wharton lives and trains in the drier weather and better track conditions of Southern California. He often returns to Brush Prairie when racing season ends.
He’s far from the end, though, of a young racing career. Wharton knows there’s a specific shelf life for racers, but still envisions him being a part of racing when he’s “old and retired.”
That won’t be for a while, though, since there’s plenty of racing left to do.
“I don’t see myself getting rid of a dirt bike,” he said. “You love it so much, you can’t put it down.”
If you go
Washougal MX National
Where, when: Saturday at Washougal Motocross Park
8:30 a.m. — qualifying and practice
12:30 p.m. — Opening ceremonies
1 p.m. — Racing begins
Cost: Tickets start at $50 for general admission (6-and-under free). The park takes cash only.
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