When the 2015 NHRA Pro Stock Motorcycle season began, veteran competitor Chip Ellis had no plans of racing.

That changed just prior to the Southern Nationals May 15-17 in Atlanta – the third race of the season for the Pro Stock Motorcycle class – after he spoke with his long-time friend and fellow PSM racer and owner Junior Pippin.

“Another guy was supposed to ride Junior’s bike (at Atlanta) and he couldn’t make it,” Ellis said. “Junior asked me if I could ride it and we have been going ever since. I’ve known Junior forever.”

These days Pippin is more inspired than ever to help out Pippin. Pippin, 62, was diagnosed with nasal cancer shortly after the NHRA’s Route 66 Nationals July 9-12 in Chicago.

According to Ellis, Pippin’s cancer is inoperable and he will start chemotherapy and radiation Aug. 31.

“For us as a team, it gives us more motivation to want to do good,” Ellis said. “Junior is a real positive person and probably the most positive person I’ve ever met. We are full steam ahead and he’s going to go through his treatments and we are going to keep running his Buell and try and get him a Wally.”

Ellis will be piloting Pippin’s Buell at the U.S. Nationals (Sept. 2-7) at Lucas Oil Raceway at Indianapolis. Ellis said Pippin isn’t planning on attending the race at Indy. Pippin lives in Conyers, Ga., and he owns the Junior Pippin Trucking Company.

“It’s definitely more emotional now,” said Ellis, 45. “I love it when Junior is there because he always gets me pumped up and prepared. He’s also a rider himself and he’s been riding motorcycles longer than I’ve been alive. I learn from him all the time. I’m always learning something from him. He’s just a great guy to be around. We cut up and we laugh and have a good time and I miss him at the races.”