Celebrating Cancer Survivor and Off-road Racer, John Holtz

June is National Cancer Survivor's Month!

Overcoming the Obstacles:

You may recognize the Holtz Family name from their years of involvement in off-road racing. John Holtz, driver of the Yellow #477 Formula 4x4 Jeep, originally got his start in the infamous "Good Ole Boys" (G.O.B.) class at Crandon International Off-road Raceway in 1987. It wasn't long until he and his friends (Kendal and Warren) joined the Formula 4x4 class in 1992- where TFA Racing was born.

No stranger to the dirt, John has raced both short-course and competed in numerous desert races. John began competing in the Baja 1000 starting in 2002 - as well as the IODA Series, Dark Water 100 in Pennsylvania, Wild West 100 in Montana, the Baja 500, San Felipe 250, SCORE 250, and Mint 400 where he has pitted for both Curt and Todd Leduc.

In early January 2015, the doctor treating John told him that he was suffering from stage four, Mantle cell lymphoma, a deadly (and one of the rarest) forms of non-Hodgkin's lymphomas. John's 51 years of life suddenly took a devastating turn from the hopeful future he and his family looked forward to.

As is his custom whenever life throws him a challenge, John stood tall, marshaled his inner strength and faced the unknown head on. With the support of his family and friends, John underwent multiple rounds of intense chemo, a life-saving stem-cell transplant, and years of maintenance chemo.

In 2020, John's doctor shared, he was his FIRST patient to survive 5 years after that intense regimen of chemo.

“Appreciate everyday. I never have a bad day. Cherish the memories. Never give up hope...Drive hard and NEVER lift."

The Journey

John shares, " I decided to continue racing during my cancer diagnosis because my doctor pushed back my transplant date by a week and I was not given much chance of survival. Unfortunately the doctor found out (Nate-Dawg's wife, Jen, tutored his kids), and he said 'absolutely not'.

Luckily, my good friend Dennis Chencharick from Pennsylvania stepped in to race my Jeep for me while I watched from my hospital bed at Froedtert. He made the podium and finished third on day one, but on day 2, my transfer case exploded." Dennis Chencharick is also a former off-road racer - he raced in classes 3, 8, and 13 from 1970s - early 2000s. Since October 2015, John has been in remission. However, he has continuously undergone maintenance chemo and regular scans to ensure it's caught and treated in time if or when it returns.

Pictured is the whiteboard in John's hospital room with pictures of both race Jeeps and a note from his nurse, Abby celebrating their 3rd place win.

Q&A With John Holtz

Do you look at life differently after your cancer diagnosis?

Yes of course. I appreciate everyday. I never have a bad day. Cherish the memories.

What advice do you have for anyone who may have been recently diagnosed with. cancer?

Never give up hope. Drive hard, never lift.

What's your best race ever?

1st place win 2018 Crandon Spring Run

What Class do you hope to move up to someday?

Jeep Speed or Ultra 4

What are some of your other interests or hobbies?

Camping, building Jeeps, desert racing

How would you describe your racing style?

Veteran, Opportunistic

What does TFA Stand for?

Oh, I don't know if I can say that on here.. it's whatever you want it to stand for.

Who would you like to thank ?

I'd like to thank my family and friends. It wouldn't be possible without them. I'd like to thank my crew, Andy Holtz, Chris Holtz, Baggage (Warren Wendt), Dennis Luebke, Dennis Chencharick, Steve Woodring, Rusty Price, Samantha Holtz, Brooke Holtz, Jennifer Holtz, Stephanie Holtz, Theresa Ritchie-Holtz, and of course my parents, Chuck and Judy Holtz. Lastly, I'd like to thank my community and all the race fans who rallied behind us during this difficult time.

Do you have any sponsors you'd like to recognize?

I'd like to thank Knutson Engineering, Global Fab, Element Marketing & Advertising, Competition Specialists, and Pure Class Vodka/Hendricks Family Distillery,