In Memory Of Scott Sheak
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SCOTT SHEAK (1974-2021)
We are deeply saddened to report the passing of Scott Sheak, the former professional motocross racer from Germantown, New York. Sheak suffered multiple spinal and internal injuries a little more than two weeks ago in a heavy crash while training at Walden Motocross in New York. Sheak was first taken to MidHudson Medical Center, then moved to Westchester Medical Center in Valhalla, where doctors and nurses worked to stabilize him. Unfortunately, the massive injuries and subsequent pneumonia and staph infections proved to be too much, and he passed away earlier this afternoon. He was 47 years old.
Born in 1974, Scott Sheak grew up racing motocross, and he became one of the most promising young riders in the sport by the early 1990s. That’s when he graduated from the amateur ranks with Kawasaki Team Green, winning multiple championship titles at major events all over the country. Sheak then began a long and steady climb up the professional ladder that saw him go from privateer status to teams like Boyesen Yamaha and a full-factory ride with Team Honda in 1997. That was the year Sheak achieved a childhood dream when he won an AMA 125 Pro Motocross National in Mt. Morris, Pennsylvania. He would finish the ’97 season ranked third in the final 125cc AMA National Championship standings, behind only Ricky Carmichael and Kevin Windham.
In the years to follow, Sheak would spend time riding for various teams, including FMF Honda and Pro Circuit Kawasaki. He also found himself on the FIM 125cc World Championship tour, traveling all over Europe to compete. Wherever Sheak went, his humble and gracious nature—not to mention an ever-present smile—made him as popular with fans as he was with his teammates. Unfortunately, an assortment of injuries hampered his results, and by the mid-2000s Sheak was done with professional racing. He turned his attention to working with younger riders, and he thoroughly enjoyed helping them achieve their own goals in motorcycle racing by being a tireless and dedicated teacher.
Recently, returned to his amateur racing roots as a veteran rider. He was preparing to qualify for the AMA Amateur National Motocross Championship at Loretta Lynn’s Ranch in Tennessee when he suffered his tragic accident in New York.
Scott Sheak is survived by his beloved wife, Amy, whom he’d known since high school, and stepchildren Ryan and Brooke’lyn. Amy said today that she takes solace knowing that Scott was doing exactly what he loved doing throughout his entire life—he was riding his motorcycle.
The Road 2 Recovery Foundation has been working closely with the Sheak family to help them navigate this unforeseen tragedy and have set up a fund to help them offset the immense costs of his hospitalization and care; they will continue accepting donations in his memory, with all funds going to support his family. Please donate here on Scott’s R2R Fund page.
On behalf of the entire motocross community, we offer our sincere condolences to Scott Sheak’s family, his friends, and all the countless people he touched along the way. When details of a memorial service are finalized we will share them here.

Update provided by Scott’s wife Amy– The past two months have been a heartbreaking emotional whirlwind for the kids and me. We are still unable to wrap our heads around this tragedy.
On May 18th, 2021, Scott was laid to rest, which was the most horrifying day of our lives. You would think this would bring this tragedy to reality, but I, as well as the kids, refuse to believe what has happened. During this time, what has been proven is not only how big the entire MX community is but how loyal, caring, and supportive everyone is. Over the years, Scott made such an impact on so many lives both on and off the track, proving what a great man he was. He was an amazing husband, stepfather, friend, and mentor to so many people around the world.
Everyone’s continuous support has helped make this a little easier, and most importantly, has kept Scott’s memory alive.
If Scott has taught us anything, it was to never give up and do the best you can no matter what…. Stay humble, never judge, and be grateful for everyone who crosses our path.
As we continue to fight our way through this every day, we can not thank you enough for your continued support.
Scott Sheak Update 5/15/21
The past few days for @ironsheak have been a roller coaster of ups and downs. Thursday was one of the toughest days as his body and vital organs started shutting down. His doctors decided to put him on an ECMO machine and start dialysis to help take some of the strain off his body. After several tests throughout the day, it was still unknown if ECMO was helping. On Friday things started to trend on the positive side with his temperature beginning to regulate. This gave his family some hope that the machines are doing their job and giving Scott’s body some much-needed relief to focus on healing the Pneumonia and staph infections.
Today Scott remains in the same “stable” but the extremely critical condition with the help of the EXMO machine and dialysis. They were able to extract about 7 liters of fluid from his body but he is still retaining a lot of fluid. Doctors warned the family that with the high level of injuries to his C3-C8 soft tissue and spinal cord, it is unknown what functionality Scott will retain. They are projecting 6 months to a year of inpatient therapy once he is stable and released.
The family is extremely grateful for the continued thoughts and prayers from EVERYONE! It’s going to be a long road so please keep Scott and them in your thoughts, hearts, and prayers.

The past ten days since Scott Sheak’s crash and subsequent surgery have been extremely hard on Scott and his family. Last Monday, he was diagnosed with severe Pneumonia and staph infections which are both significant complications. Paired with the chest injuries he sustained and previous history with collapsing lungs, these are now a major concern for his recovery as they are not healing as quickly as they should. Multiple procedures, including a blood transfusion, have been performed in the last week to help combat these progressing illnesses and completions with few positive results.
Scott is suffering from aggressive coughing fits while currently intubated. Unfortunately, he is very uncomfortable and has been heavily sedated to help alleviate some of this pain. His doctors are trying to control his ever-spiking fever and blood pressure but paired with everything else he is battling, this is a delicate process to navigate.
Statement from Scott’s family- We would like to thank everyone for keeping Scott and our family in your thoughts and prayers. Your reaching out to each of us has helped more than we could ever express. We are honored to be a part of such a huge and supportive “family”. Please keep Scott and his recovery in your thoughts and prayers…

Retired professional motocross/supercross racer Scott Sheak suffered a substantial practice crash last Friday at Walden Motocross Track in New York while preparing for an upcoming Loretta Lynn’s Amateur Motocross Regional Championship. When Scott was approached, he was found unresponsive, not breathing, and without a pulse at the site of his crash. He was rushed to MidHudson Medical Center, where he was stabilized then transported via helicopter to Westchester Medical Center in Valhalla, New York, where he underwent surgery to stabilize the cervical spine in his neck.
After arrival at Westchester Medical Center, it was determined that Scott had sustained a collapsed lung and fractured cervical spine, as well as a severe concussion, damage to the spinal cord, and major soft tissue damage. On Saturday, May 1, Scott underwent surgery to stabilize the C7 vertebrae with rods and screws, and they decompressed the spinal cord. At this time, Scott has no movement or feeling in his extremities due to the excessive swelling and damage to his spinal cord. It is still too soon to know if the paralysis is permanent.
At this moment, Scott’s recovery process is unknown, but it is expected that he will have an extended stay in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) and months of physical therapy. This is a fundraising campaign to support Scott as his medical bills are expected to be substantial. As always, R2R is a nonprofit 501(c) (3), and your donation toward Scott’s fund is tax-deductible.
As more information on Scott’s recovery becomes available, we will update his page here. We encourage folks to leave positive messages of support on Scott’s R2R page for him to read.
Comments 29
Last weekend we attended the Unadilla MX National and I can’t thank everyone enough for all of the continued support and love for Scott and our family. As always the wonderful memories and stories of Scott are great to hear. We appreciate all of you as we continue to fight forward and keep Scotts memory alive. It was and is an honor to see everyone wearing the #ironsheakstrong shirts. Special thank you to Road2Recovery, Legends and Heroes, Davey Coombs (RacerX) Amy, Ryan and Brooke-Lyn
My thoughts and prayers are with you all. This is just hard to believe. Please stay strong! Page
Thank you 😔 amy and kids
You’re in my thoughts and prayers. Miss you.
Love,
Julie
We are so sad to hear about your son. We read all the wonderful information about him. Sending you and the family so much love and prayers.
We are so very sorry,
Love
Frosty and Larry
I apologize for not thanking everyone during this… but I and the kids are beyond grateful for everyone’s thoughts , prayers and support for Scott and us. Without everyone’s support this would be even more difficult….I miss him so much….. he will forever be the greatest man I know. I can not thank you all enough. Amy, Ryan and Brooke
Tears and heartache fill our days but the love, prayers, thoughts and kind, heartfelt words you give us help us more than words can say.
Buzz and Karen,
I have no words to comfort you after this unimaginable loss. Scott is in my prayers and if there is anything we can do, don’t hesitate to ask.
It sounds like Scott touched quite a few people in his life. A young man who made his parents very proud. God bless you guys, Tom & Barbara.
AMY,S DAD GOD BLESS YA,S.
Karen & Buzz,
We’re just now hearing about your families tragic loss of your son Scott. From what we’re reading he was truly a joy to everyone who knew him and you should be very proud of his life and work with others. Please know that our heartfelt sympathy, prayers and condolences go out to you and your entire family. So sorry.
Prayers sent to any & all around him 🙏🏻
IM AMY’S DAD I MEET SCOTT FOR THE FIRST TIME. WHEN AMY AND SCOTT CAME DOWN TO FL. AND STAYED FOR A FEW DAYS. I FELT A GOOD CANENECTION RIGHT AWAY WITH SCOTT AND I. GLAD MY DAUGHTER AND HIM WHERE MARRIED. MY HEART WAS BROKEK TO HEAR THIS. IN PREYER FOR MY DAUGHTER AND GRAND KIDS AND SCOTT PARENTS.
Certainly wish you the best Scott in your recovery efforts. God bless brother.
I’m praying for Scott’s recovery and his family’s strength. Scott will battle back from this! I’m lifting Scott and his family up in prayer!🙏❤️
Hang in there man!!
Prayers have been said for your recovery and your families worries.
I wish you the best and hope you have a full recovery.
You can do this Scott! God’s not finished with you yet! 😉
Hi Scott. Please hang in there. You’ve got this. Sending prayers, thoughts and all that I can hope for your recovery.
Best,
Jenn Dancy
Best wishes for a speedy recovery. Prayers for Scott and family
Get well soon buddy. Your a strong individual, u can get through this..love n prayers for you & your family ❤️🙏🙏🙏
I wish you all the best! I don’t know you, but I want to help. I hope my donation helps you and your beautiful family in some way. Stay focused and keep pushing!
Hey buddy, thinking of you every day, you can do this… prayers heading your way…get well soon buddy.
Get better Scott you got this. God bless you
Prayers and best wishes Scott. You’re the man!
We are praying for you Scott!
Please let’s all help these past motocross Champs, they gave us all some much joy to watch.
Best wishes for a speedy recovery, hope to see you well again soon :,(
Get well soon big man sent a summer with you in the uk.you are one tuff kid so chin up and get well soon .bob.
SHEAK!
what you doing kid?man you’re too old for this.
shoot me a message when you get up.