Photo by: Hoppenworld
During the 2014 Monster Energy Supercross series there were a few surprises, and the #35 on the Monster Energy/Pro Circuit/Kawasaki was definitely one of them. After a rookie year in 2013 that saw Justin Hill score just two top-five finishes and no podiums, nobody expected the sophomore to show up with championship-caliber speed in 2014. Well, at the end of nine rounds, the Yoncalla, Oregon rider ended his season with seven top-fives, four podiums, one Western Regional main event win and a win in the East-West Shootout in Las Vegas. Overall, Justin ended up fourth overall in what most people consider one of the most talented 250SX regions in quite some time.
At the finale in Las Vegas, we caught up with Justin to talk about his podium in the 250SX Western Regional main event, his Shootout win and his expectations heading into the 2014 Lucas Oil Pro Motocross Championship. You can read what Justin had to say in the interview below.
Justin, awesome night in Las Vegas to cap off a great year. How are you feeling?
The only way I could have felt better is if I won the first main. There’s no better way than to go out on top like that. I was sitting on the line and just kept thinking to myself, “Prove it, prove it. You just gotta do it. You gotta beat these guys.” I’m really glad I was able to do that. Now I have tons of momentum, and I want to go into outdoors and kill it and keep the ball rolling. I want to show my worth for contract season and make sure everyone knows who I am and what I can do.
The track tonight was about as gnarly as a supercross track can get—just dry, hard, slick, crappy Las Vegas hardpack. Is that type of track something you normally like?
Yeah, it was really gnarly, but hey, Vegas is always good to me. I had a good race here back in 2011 when I was an amateur at the Monster Cup. I’m undefeated here, so let’s keep that going. (laughs)
In that first main event Dean [Wilson] was right there in front of you, but you were never able to really make a run at him. He looked like he was better in just a couple different spots.
You know, that was my disappointment on the night. I think I should have been able to win that one as well. I was all over those guys, and then I came into that long rhythm section—the longest rhythm section we’ve had so far this season—and a bunch of lappers were in it and rolling stuff. Then, one of the guys cross rutted right into me off one of the jumps. I almost crashed, got really squirrely, and I had to roll everything. At that point, they got away from me. I tried to reel them back in, and I almost reeled in Cooper [Webb]. It was just one of those races. It wasn’t my race, and I was bummed on that because I lost third to Deano in the Championship. It’s alright, though, ’cause you’re only as good as your last race, and I won that, the big one.
Yeah, then in the Shootout, you had Deano reeling you in while you were leading. Did you feel him coming and think “Not this time buddy?” (laughs)
I definitely felt him coming. He caught me a couple of laps. I missed a rhythm and he kind of caught up to me, but I was comfortable. I was comfortable with him back there. I hit my marks and I did a couple of things I think were better. I was really good in the sweeper section, I felt really strong in the whoops and also I was like jumping the whole sand section. I don’t think anyone else was doing that. I felt strong out there without a care in the world. I was just riding my dirt bike and trying to make a good show for all the fans.
So 2014 Supercross is now in the books. How would you rate the season now that it’s over?
Hey, a lot better than the last one. We got a couple wins and we came out good, so now I’m ready to go into outdoors and prove it again.
Where do you see yourself outdoors in 2014? You are obviously on another level with confidence this year.
I think I can win outdoors too. Obviously I just proved I can beat all the guys in the Shootout, and that’s all the guys we’re going to see outdoors. I’m confident, and I know that my preparation is going to be a lot better because I’m healthy. I’m honestly really excited.
Well, congratulations on an awesome series and good luck at Glen Helen.
Thank you.
