Springsteen began riding motorcycles when he was only nine years old and set his heart on racing shortly after. Springsteen’s reputation as racings “golden boy” was already cemented by his early teens, achieving the AMA’s prestigious Top Amateur in 1974. In 1975 he was named AMA Rookie of the Year, earned six podium finishes and finished third in the AMA Grand National Championship.

Harley-Davidson was so impressed with the young rookie that they signed him when he was just 18 years old in 1976. In the 1976 season Jay Springsteen would earn the respect of fellow racers and the hearts of spectators as he battled it out for the title in what would become know as “one of the hardest-fought titles in the history of the series”. At the end of the day Springer would claim the title, winning five out of the last seven nationals that year.

And his star kept rising. He went on to win back-to-back titles in the 1977 AMA Grand National, becoming only the sixth rider in AMA history to achieve this milestone; and with his 1978 AMA Grand National Championship he gained the elite status of becoming only the fourth rider in AMA racing history to win three consecutive titles.

Jay was only two points short of winning the title for a fourth time in 1982 however although the win slipped away this was the season he reached another milestone, becoming the all-time AMA Grand National win leader, winning 30 national victories.

During the mid-90’s Springsteen experienced great success in the Harley-Davidson 883 Sportster Performance Series and won often. In 1995 he won his first AMA Grand National in ten years and from 1995 until 2003, Jay Springsteen finished in the top-10 in the AMA Grand National Championship standings. He won nationals again in 1999 and in 2000, and in 2003, his final racing season, Springsteen scored two podium finishes.

The AMA recognizes Jay Springsteen as one of the greatest flat-track racers of all time, and his record, spanning 25 years, is difficult to argue with - four decades as a leading rider, three championships, ranked in the top 10 an incredible 23 times, winning nationals on dirt track, miles, half-miles, short tracks and TT’s.

Equally as important as winning was Jay’s relationship with his fans and throughout his career he never let them down. His talent, unique style and his open and approachable manner have made him one of America’s most beloved racers, keeping his fans cheering him on through turns and across finish lines, and always coming back for more.

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Sturgis Museum and Hall of Fame - Sturgis, South Dakota