2017 Mammoth Mountain MX ChampionshipMay 26, 2017 by Dan Beaver
Exclusive One-On-One With Joey Crown Before The Mammoth Mountain MX
Exclusive One-On-One With Joey Crown Before The Mammoth Mountain MX
The Mammoth Mountain MX Championship at Mammoth Lakes, CA is less than a month away and we caught up with Joey Crown.
By Race Chapman
The Mammoth Mountain MX Championship at Mammoth Lakes, CA, is quickly approaching, and we wanted to catch up with some of the racers before the legendary event is streamed LIVE on FloRacing on Tuesday, June 20. It made sense to start with the riders with the biggest buzz around them -- so of course Joey Crown was at the top of the list.
Crown is one of the top amateur racers in the world of motocross. He has a highly decorated racing career, including competing in the FIM Jr. Motocross World Championships, winning his class at Loretta's in 2013, plus countless wins and podiums at premier races throughout the country.
He has gone toe-to-toe with guys who will be the future Ryan Dungeys and James Stewarts of the sport. Might Joey be the one to pick up the crown? Let's talk to him and see if we can find out.
FloRacing: First off, what got you started riding/racing motocross?
Crown: That'd have to be my dad, he raced a lot when he was younger, and actually was pro for a few years. And as my dad was racing and riding, it made me want to ride. I started riding when I was 3 and eventually started racing when I was 5 and just kind of went from there, I guess.
What's your favorite thing about riding/racing?
Uhh, I don't know. That's hard. I haven't really thought about that, but I guess that my favorite part of racing and everything is just winning. I like the accomplishment of -- all the work you put into it and all the sacrifices you make, and then you win or whatever your goal is, just achieving that is huge, you know? Just makes you want to keep working and going forward.
What are your racing goals for the future?
This year I hope to get some amateur championships at Mammoth and Lorettas, and then after that, turn pro and do the last few outdoor rounds. Hopefully those, I mean, it would be awesome to be around top 10, I think that's my goal to be top 10. To be around that area I think would be possible for me. I just got to make it happen because there's a lot of fast guys [laughs]. It's been nice seeing my competitors racing and doing pretty good.
Yeah, definitely! So of course, Austin Forkner is the big rookie coming up right now and you had lots of time on the track with him. Who has been your toughest competition?
I mean, there's a few guys, but definitely Austin Forkner was one of them, for sure. Him, and Chase Sexton was always there, Sean Cantrell, Bozeman and all -- there's a big list of people, like there's the top guys kind of in my area. ... Probably the most was Austin. He's always so confident, and I mean he's a good rider and everything. Yeah, we had lots of battles so, and now he's doing pretty awesome! So if I can get kind of up close to that it would be good for sure.
And of course Austin has such a consistent, clean style which makes him such a great competitor. How would you describe your style?
My style I'd have to say -- maybe to describe a pro a little bit like Dungey maybe? Just kind of relaxed; when I watch myself sometimes it doesn't look like how I'm feeling. Like I feel like I'm trying really hard but then I watch a video of myself and it looks like I'm just kind of going through the motions. Mostly a relaxed, smooth style is kind of what I have.
What's it like working with arguably the most prestigious team in the amateur ranks, Monster Energy Kawasaki?
Pretty cool! I mean, this year I'm not on the Team Green roster, but they still -- Monster and Kawasaki -- help me out a lot and it's cool being a part of it and of the knowledge they have. And I mean the support is huge. The support they give me and all the other racers too... Definitely it's hard to succeed in this sport without all that support. It's definitely expensive and, you know, takes a lot of time and effort, so them helping and doing everything they can makes it a lot nicer for sure.
You mentioned the knowledge or expertise they might have, what do you think is the most important thing you've taken away from your experience with working with Monster Kawasaki?
I mean it's not exactly like a "pro team," so to speak. It's a little different obviously as it's just amateurs. But last year they were bringing my bikes to the races and stuff, and you just kind of get that feeling of flying into the race. In a perfect world, when I turn pro and if I get on a team, that's the thing to help me. Just knowing how it is to be in a semi. And too, all the people there and how they're all willing to help. It's such a good group of people, and they're all helping me with anything they can. They're willing to do whatever it takes to help me. If there's any one thing I've really learned, that's probably it right there. It'll just kind of help make my transition a little easier for when I turn pro and hopefully go on from there.
What's your favorite amateur event?
Probably, I'd have to say Lorettas just for the long motos, and they do an awesome job with the timing. You know exactly what time your practice is going out, or your races and just how that is scheduled. And the racing is really good; everyone goes to that race that are the fast kids around here, so I'd probably have to say that race is my favorite out of all the races. All the other races are kind of shorter races, but Freestone was pretty good this year. They ran some longer motos. But I'd have to say that's the best out of all of them and the closest to turning pro, I guess: the track is really rough and the longer motos and all that.
What's your personal favorite track, doesn't have to be a race or anything, just the best track in your opinion?
My favorite track... well I'd have to say James Stewart's house. I went there, and that was I think my favorite. It was fun, lots of big jumps.
What type of conditions do you think suit you the best: mud, loam, hard pack, sand, clay, etc.?
Probably loamier, ruttier stuff. I'm pretty good in sand too, but that's probably my best. In the mud -- I don't really like mud -- but being from the East Coast and kind of northern areas I definitely have experience in the mud and I'm not too bad in it. But my favorite to ride in is definitely loamier, ruttier stuff. For sure.
What do you think is your biggest accomplishment?
Hmm, well probably my biggest one was winning my first couple championships at Lorettas in '13. That was pretty huge just, you know, I've always been so close there and I had so many second-places and then I finally won. That was probably the most happy I've been after the race, and that was pretty cool and a pretty big accomplishment. I went over and was representing the United States in the Jr. World Championships on 60s in 2010 which was a pretty cool accomplishment for myself. Third in the moto and the team won. But hopefully -- hopefully -- I'll get another title at Loretta's and that'll be my highlight.
How do you prepare yourself mentally before a race? How do you get in the zone to be ready for the gate drop and be on your "A" game right away?
Coming up on the day of the race I make sure I warm up before all my races, and just go look at the track and figure everything out. And when I'm up in staging I just try to stay calm, whatever, and just relax and treat any race like it's just a local race - I don't try to hype anything up and make myself more nervous than I need to be. And then on the line I'm always trying to visualize the race, kind of like the outcomes of the race. Like whether if I get a good start, how the first few laps would be, or I get a bad start I try to visualize my lines throughout the track. Stuff like that kind of helps me mentally prepare myself for when the gate drops, to kind of know what my plan is, I guess. I mean if you envision two different scenarios then it kind of relaxes yourself more if that scenario happens, if that makes sense?
No, yeah it makes perfect sense. Got to have a game plan! Who are some of the riders you kind of like, and want to model yourself after?
Well, I have a couple riders. I really like Dungey for how clean cut he is on and off the track. I like how good of a person it seems like he is, and willing to help and whatnot. But too, I have to say I like Trey Canard because he's been through so much, and to keep pushing through with his believing and he has such strong faith -- he's definitely a fighter for sure! I've been through lots of injuries myself, and there's been so many times I wanted to quit, and it just gets overwhelming at times. But then I look to him and he's still fighting through, and I actually talked to him before and he seemed like a pretty cool dude.
Off the track, no training, no motos, what would be your perfect day?
It'd probably have to be -- I've got quite a few hobbies -- but probably something with BMXing or driving RC cars. Or, also snowboards, and I like mountain biking too, ha! I like to do a lot of stuff. But definitely those would be up there, and I like to do RC car racing, when I'm not racing dirtbikes. Stuff like that. But definitely if I have an off day I'll be doing one of those things, for sure!
Joey's long list of super supportive sponsors:
Monster Energy Kawasaki, FMF, Dunlop Tires, THOR, MÖbius, Club MX, Cometic Gasket, Rekluse, Amsoil, Mechanix Wear, Motion Pro, Decal Works, Oakley Goggles, Renthal, GUTS Racing, Babbitt's, VP Fuel, Bell Helmets, Uni-Filters, MCR Rider Development, C4 MX, GPF, Wiseco, Giant Bicycles, Tamer Holeshot devices, Boyesen, Gaerne Boots, GoPro, Everrev, PDA Jerky and Pablo Toribio.
You can follow Joey on his website, Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
ON TV: Now available on Roku and Apple TV 4 -- download the FloSports app today!
STREAMING: Available only on FloRacing. A yearly FloPRO subscription provides access to ALL FloSports sites.
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Joey Crown Highlights An Early List Of Mammoth Mountain MX Contenders
The Mammoth Mountain MX Championship at Mammoth Lakes, CA, is quickly approaching, and we wanted to catch up with some of the racers before the legendary event is streamed LIVE on FloRacing on Tuesday, June 20. It made sense to start with the riders with the biggest buzz around them -- so of course Joey Crown was at the top of the list.
Crown is one of the top amateur racers in the world of motocross. He has a highly decorated racing career, including competing in the FIM Jr. Motocross World Championships, winning his class at Loretta's in 2013, plus countless wins and podiums at premier races throughout the country.
He has gone toe-to-toe with guys who will be the future Ryan Dungeys and James Stewarts of the sport. Might Joey be the one to pick up the crown? Let's talk to him and see if we can find out.
FloRacing: First off, what got you started riding/racing motocross?
Crown: That'd have to be my dad, he raced a lot when he was younger, and actually was pro for a few years. And as my dad was racing and riding, it made me want to ride. I started riding when I was 3 and eventually started racing when I was 5 and just kind of went from there, I guess.
What's your favorite thing about riding/racing?
Uhh, I don't know. That's hard. I haven't really thought about that, but I guess that my favorite part of racing and everything is just winning. I like the accomplishment of -- all the work you put into it and all the sacrifices you make, and then you win or whatever your goal is, just achieving that is huge, you know? Just makes you want to keep working and going forward.
What are your racing goals for the future?
This year I hope to get some amateur championships at Mammoth and Lorettas, and then after that, turn pro and do the last few outdoor rounds. Hopefully those, I mean, it would be awesome to be around top 10, I think that's my goal to be top 10. To be around that area I think would be possible for me. I just got to make it happen because there's a lot of fast guys [laughs]. It's been nice seeing my competitors racing and doing pretty good.
Yeah, definitely! So of course, Austin Forkner is the big rookie coming up right now and you had lots of time on the track with him. Who has been your toughest competition?
I mean, there's a few guys, but definitely Austin Forkner was one of them, for sure. Him, and Chase Sexton was always there, Sean Cantrell, Bozeman and all -- there's a big list of people, like there's the top guys kind of in my area. ... Probably the most was Austin. He's always so confident, and I mean he's a good rider and everything. Yeah, we had lots of battles so, and now he's doing pretty awesome! So if I can get kind of up close to that it would be good for sure.
And of course Austin has such a consistent, clean style which makes him such a great competitor. How would you describe your style?
My style I'd have to say -- maybe to describe a pro a little bit like Dungey maybe? Just kind of relaxed; when I watch myself sometimes it doesn't look like how I'm feeling. Like I feel like I'm trying really hard but then I watch a video of myself and it looks like I'm just kind of going through the motions. Mostly a relaxed, smooth style is kind of what I have.
What's it like working with arguably the most prestigious team in the amateur ranks, Monster Energy Kawasaki?
Pretty cool! I mean, this year I'm not on the Team Green roster, but they still -- Monster and Kawasaki -- help me out a lot and it's cool being a part of it and of the knowledge they have. And I mean the support is huge. The support they give me and all the other racers too... Definitely it's hard to succeed in this sport without all that support. It's definitely expensive and, you know, takes a lot of time and effort, so them helping and doing everything they can makes it a lot nicer for sure.
You mentioned the knowledge or expertise they might have, what do you think is the most important thing you've taken away from your experience with working with Monster Kawasaki?
I mean it's not exactly like a "pro team," so to speak. It's a little different obviously as it's just amateurs. But last year they were bringing my bikes to the races and stuff, and you just kind of get that feeling of flying into the race. In a perfect world, when I turn pro and if I get on a team, that's the thing to help me. Just knowing how it is to be in a semi. And too, all the people there and how they're all willing to help. It's such a good group of people, and they're all helping me with anything they can. They're willing to do whatever it takes to help me. If there's any one thing I've really learned, that's probably it right there. It'll just kind of help make my transition a little easier for when I turn pro and hopefully go on from there.
What's your favorite amateur event?
Probably, I'd have to say Lorettas just for the long motos, and they do an awesome job with the timing. You know exactly what time your practice is going out, or your races and just how that is scheduled. And the racing is really good; everyone goes to that race that are the fast kids around here, so I'd probably have to say that race is my favorite out of all the races. All the other races are kind of shorter races, but Freestone was pretty good this year. They ran some longer motos. But I'd have to say that's the best out of all of them and the closest to turning pro, I guess: the track is really rough and the longer motos and all that.
What's your personal favorite track, doesn't have to be a race or anything, just the best track in your opinion?
My favorite track... well I'd have to say James Stewart's house. I went there, and that was I think my favorite. It was fun, lots of big jumps.
What type of conditions do you think suit you the best: mud, loam, hard pack, sand, clay, etc.?
Probably loamier, ruttier stuff. I'm pretty good in sand too, but that's probably my best. In the mud -- I don't really like mud -- but being from the East Coast and kind of northern areas I definitely have experience in the mud and I'm not too bad in it. But my favorite to ride in is definitely loamier, ruttier stuff. For sure.
What do you think is your biggest accomplishment?
Hmm, well probably my biggest one was winning my first couple championships at Lorettas in '13. That was pretty huge just, you know, I've always been so close there and I had so many second-places and then I finally won. That was probably the most happy I've been after the race, and that was pretty cool and a pretty big accomplishment. I went over and was representing the United States in the Jr. World Championships on 60s in 2010 which was a pretty cool accomplishment for myself. Third in the moto and the team won. But hopefully -- hopefully -- I'll get another title at Loretta's and that'll be my highlight.
How do you prepare yourself mentally before a race? How do you get in the zone to be ready for the gate drop and be on your "A" game right away?
Coming up on the day of the race I make sure I warm up before all my races, and just go look at the track and figure everything out. And when I'm up in staging I just try to stay calm, whatever, and just relax and treat any race like it's just a local race - I don't try to hype anything up and make myself more nervous than I need to be. And then on the line I'm always trying to visualize the race, kind of like the outcomes of the race. Like whether if I get a good start, how the first few laps would be, or I get a bad start I try to visualize my lines throughout the track. Stuff like that kind of helps me mentally prepare myself for when the gate drops, to kind of know what my plan is, I guess. I mean if you envision two different scenarios then it kind of relaxes yourself more if that scenario happens, if that makes sense?
No, yeah it makes perfect sense. Got to have a game plan! Who are some of the riders you kind of like, and want to model yourself after?
Well, I have a couple riders. I really like Dungey for how clean cut he is on and off the track. I like how good of a person it seems like he is, and willing to help and whatnot. But too, I have to say I like Trey Canard because he's been through so much, and to keep pushing through with his believing and he has such strong faith -- he's definitely a fighter for sure! I've been through lots of injuries myself, and there's been so many times I wanted to quit, and it just gets overwhelming at times. But then I look to him and he's still fighting through, and I actually talked to him before and he seemed like a pretty cool dude.
Off the track, no training, no motos, what would be your perfect day?
It'd probably have to be -- I've got quite a few hobbies -- but probably something with BMXing or driving RC cars. Or, also snowboards, and I like mountain biking too, ha! I like to do a lot of stuff. But definitely those would be up there, and I like to do RC car racing, when I'm not racing dirtbikes. Stuff like that. But definitely if I have an off day I'll be doing one of those things, for sure!
Joey's long list of super supportive sponsors:
Monster Energy Kawasaki, FMF, Dunlop Tires, THOR, MÖbius, Club MX, Cometic Gasket, Rekluse, Amsoil, Mechanix Wear, Motion Pro, Decal Works, Oakley Goggles, Renthal, GUTS Racing, Babbitt's, VP Fuel, Bell Helmets, Uni-Filters, MCR Rider Development, C4 MX, GPF, Wiseco, Giant Bicycles, Tamer Holeshot devices, Boyesen, Gaerne Boots, GoPro, Everrev, PDA Jerky and Pablo Toribio.
You can follow Joey on his website, Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
How To Watch
Mammoth Mountain MX ChampionshipON TV: Now available on Roku and Apple TV 4 -- download the FloSports app today!
STREAMING: Available only on FloRacing. A yearly FloPRO subscription provides access to ALL FloSports sites.
SIGN UP HERE
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