UPDATE: MARCH 6, 2026
At Road 2 Recovery, moments like this remind us why we do what we do.
We are incredibly proud of our athlete Cash Shaleen, whose recovery journey has been nothing short of inspiring. Cash has always been someone who sets the bar high, and this weekend he’s doing exactly that.
Cash will be competing in the legendary Mint 400, known as one of the toughest off-road races in the world. He’ll be sharing driving duties with his older brother as they compete in the UTV NA class with race number R63.
The plan is for his brother to tackle the first two laps before Cash climbs in to drive the final two laps to the finish.
What makes this even more incredible is that they’ll be racing a single-seat Polaris UTV, meaning Cash will have no co-driver — it’s all on him as he navigates the brutal desert terrain for the final stretch of this 400-mile race.
This moment marks a huge milestone in Cash’s recovery, but his journey is far from over. Cash continues to work hard in ongoing physical therapy, which remains a critical part of rebuilding his strength and mobility after his injury. The dedication he shows in rehab every day is the same determination he’s bringing to the desert this weekend.
Seeing him get back behind the wheel and push himself at this level is nothing short of amazing. The grit, perseverance, and heart our athletes show continue to inspire all of us.
Please join us in wishing Cash and his brother a safe race day as they take on this incredible challenge.
ORIGINAL POST:
On November 10th, 2024, 16-year-old Cash Shaleen, a National Champion Downhill Mountain Biker, was at Glamis Sand Dunes when he was involved in a tragic accident while working on his Can-Am. While tightening a part at the back of his vehicle, Cash was struck from behind by another driver who fled the scene, leaving Cash to face his injuries.
As a result of the collision, Cash sustained a broken femur and a spinal cord injury. He was quickly transported to Desert Regional Hospital, where surgeons performed an operation to stabilize both his spinal cord and femur. Specifically, his spine was stabilized from T11 to L2. Unfortunately, Cash currently has no feeling or movement from the injury downward. As of now Cash’s prognosis is unknown as his injury to his spinal cord is incomplete.
As a resident of Acton, CA, Cash grew up racing downhill mountain bikes. Not only was he a National Champion in Downhill Mountain Biking but also one of the rising stars of the sport. He was set to compete in his first full year of World Cup racing in 2025 with a factory sponsorship, racing the entire World Cup series in Europe, along with several races in the U.S. Cash’s impressive accomplishments also include multiple podium finishes in national and regional events, solidifying his place as one of the sport’s brightest talents. He has proudly represented top brands, including Commencal, TLD, Wrench N Roll, TRP, Crankbrothers, Ice Recovery, Renthal, Schwalbe, Ohlins, Goliath Industries and GoPro.
Cash is in need of a lot of support as he faces one of the toughest challenges of his young life. We know his determination will help him through this journey, along with his family by his side.