Flat-Track Champion Brad Baker Remains Hospitalized With A Back Injury

Indian Motorcycle racer Brad Baker remains hospitalized following a crash during qualifying for the X Games flat-track event in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The popular 25-year-old Washington State native suffered a serious back injury on Sunday, July 22, and underwent surgery the same day to stabilize his spine. Baker won the 2013 AMA Pro Flat Track Grand National Championship and was third overall in the 2018 American Flat Track Twins championship at the time of his injury. His long-term prognosis is not known at this time.

Baker has medical insurance and additional support provided by Indian Motorcycle and his sponsors. Two motorcycle-racing-specific foundations have also established funds: 1) The Rookie Class of '79 and Friends, a group of flat-track racers and supporters headed by Wayne Rainey, Charlie Roberts, Tommy Duma, Ronnie Jones, Scott Parker, Jackie Mitchell, and Lance Jones; and 2) the Road 2 Recovery Foundation, which assists motocross and supercross riders as well as other professional athletes who have suffered career-ending injuries.

“Brad Baker has been our greatest supporter since the day we met,” Roberts said. “He’s traveled out of his way to make personal appearances on behalf of the Rookie Class of ’79 and Friends. Most recently, Brad stood up at the Lima Half-Mile riders’ meeting and shared his passion for the charity with the entire paddock, explaining how it works, and how riders receive 100 percent of the donations made. He is a true champion, a great man, and we love him with all that we are.”