By Wendi Reardon Price
Clarkston News Sports Writer
Cody Heverly had a very special experience when he was one of a handful of kids selected out of thousands around the world to experience a day in the life of a professional supercross racer.
Heverly, a third grader from Pine Knob Elementary, was selected to race for the 2023 KTM Junior Supercross in the halftime show at the Monster Energy’s Supercross in Arlington, Texas, February 25.
He summed it up as, “the best day of my life.”

His parents, James and Alyssa, agreed, sharing the day could not have been better.
“The KTM Junior team was composed of the nicest and most supportive people,” Alyssa said. “We are so grateful for the amazing opportunity Cody was provided. Overall, this was a dream come true for a kid that loves going fast and has worked very hard to be able to attend this once in a lifetime event.”
Cody, his parents, and his younger siblings, Vayda and Deegan, arrived at AT&T Stadium, home of the Dallas Cowboys, at 8 a.m. the day of the race and they made their way to the KTM Junior rig to meet their racing team.
Then, Cody received an Ogio bag filled with all of his gear. He was soon fitted on his 2023 KTM SX-E 5 dirt bike.
Cody and his family met the KTM Junior team and the 14 other lucky racers who were selected.
Next, Cody and his dad, who is also his mechanic, did a track-walk with all the professional racers, an autograph signing for all the fans, and went to the KTM rig. They got to meet Cooper Webb, who won the main event that night, and Aaron Plessinger.
Cody had two practices and then went out for opening ceremony after the National Anthem to welcome the crowd to the stadium in front of almost 80,000 people. Then, Cody raced three laps.
“Cody got a great start extremely close to getting the hole-shot,” Alyssa shared. “The race was so exciting and Cody was able to finish eighth out of 15 against some of the top riders in the country. Cody was also offered a 100 percent motocross gear sponsorship, certificates and another Ogio backpack filled with gifts from sponsors. We got to meet some of his favorite riders such as Haiden Deegan (Danger Boy), Hunter Lawrence, Brian Deegan, and even got to see Eli Tomac’s dirt bike.”
She added, a small clip of Cody’s race is aired on Peacock TV. He is waving to fans at the opening ceremony and there is a small clip of him from during the race.

Back in December, James and Alyssa submitted videos of gate drops, motocross races, personal videos report cards and a physical assessment to KTM’s Junior Challenge.
Alyssa shared that within a week his status was determined as qualified.
Alyssa was getting the kids up to get ready for school on Wednesday, Jan. 11 when James called her – Cody had been selected to race.
“I was amazed and quickly ran upstairs and put the phone on speaker so Cody’s dad could tell him the surprising news,” she said. “Cody jumped out of bed and stated, ‘I feel like this is a dream.’”
Alyssa shared Cody has always had a love for dirt bikes and it started from the moment he could talk and walk.
He got his first dirt bike two-years-old and began learning to ride with training wheels. He began racing at four-years-old.
Cody also plays flag football and played an invitational game at Ford Field. He also spends his time fishing, tubing, skiing, snowmobiling, playing baseball, and hitting jumps on his BMX bike.