Johnny Blaze parents were Barton Blaze and Naomi Kale.  (In an effort to keep his past hidden from him, he was told his mother's real name was Clara Blaze).  His mother left him when he was fairly young, after she had given up her two other children (Dan and Barbara Ketch) to the Blood. Blaze apparently comes from a long line of people who carry part of the medallion of power.  As such he was destined to become Ghost Rider II.  However, due to a deal made with Mephisto by his mother, he was spared this ordeal and that duty was passed on to Barbara Ketch.  Unfortunately, it was later pointed out that just because he couldn't become THE Ghost Rider, it didn't mean he couldn't become A Ghost Rider.

   After his father died in a horrid stunt cycling accident, Blaze was raised by Crash Simpson, who at the time was working for the Quentin Carnival. Eventually, Crash broke off on his own and became a star on the stunt cycling circuit. 

   Just before Crash's attempt at a new world record at Madison Square Garden, Crash discovered he had terminal cancer.  Blaze then made a deal with Mephisto to spare Crash from the cancer.  Crash did not die of cancer, but he did die in the world record attempt.  This left Blaze's soul open to Mephisto who came to claim it.  However, Roxanne Simpson managed to drive the satanic being away, but not before he infected Blaze with the demon Zarathos. turning him into Ghost Rider.

 After several long years, Blaze was freed of the curse, married Roxanne and bought the Quentin Carnival (which he had begun working at again near the end of his tenure as Ghost Rider, bringing him nicely full circle).