Justin shows off the hardware. Photo by: Hoppenworld
If someone would have told us back in December that GEICO Powersports/Honda’s Justin Bogle would be the 2014 Monster Energy Supercross 250SX Eastern Regional Champion, we would have asked them to take a drug test. With the Oklahoman breaking his back while practicing in November, we did not expect him to even race in the 2014 season let alone compete for the Championship. At the end of the day, though, the #32 outlasted the three Monster Energy/Pro Circuit/Kawasaki pilots and took home two main event wins and his first-ever professional championship.
After clinching the 250SX Eastern Regional Championship with a second place in the final main event in Las Vegas and unfortunately crashing out of the East-West Shootout while running inside the top five, MotoXAddicts’ Chase Yocom caught up with Justin to reflect on his incredible 2014 Eastern Regional campaign. You can check out what Justin had to say below.
Justin, we can now officially call you the Champ now. (Laughs) What’s going through your mind?
We can now officially say it. Everybody’s been saying it for a little bit, but it wasn’t done. I got tonight over with—it wasn’t the best night for me—but all that matters is the end result’s there. I got the #1 plate, and I couldn’t be any more happy for my team and everyone that’s been helping me with this: my trainer, Dr. G, my family, my mechanic Hutch, all my friends and everyone helping me out. It’s been a long hard road the last couple of years to get back to this point, but I’m pumped.
Just months ago, you were laid up on your back with a couple vertebrae fractures. Is the any way you thought you could be here in Las Vegas holding up the #1 plate?
There was a lot of uncertainty at first for sure, but like I said, it was just a lot of hard work. It was tough, but my trainer, Ryan Fedorow, and Dr. G. made a plan and we stuck to that plan down to the tee all the way through this round. Miraculously, it played out in my favor and I ended up getting this title. At first—you know how it is—I thought I wasn’t even racing SX again. I was just trying to move forward and trying to get better and to get great people around me to focus on that end goal. Yeah, I thought it was possible for sure. Without that mindset it wouldn’t have happened.
You kind of had an eventful day today, though. (Laughs) Can you take us through your Las Vegas SX?
(laughs) Ah, I was just out here being squirrely. O’l El Crapitán came out of the box tonight. (Laughs) I had a couple crashes in practice and I was a bit banged up from that. I had a few issues, but it’s all good. I made it happen in the main, and then in the Shootout, I had a really dirty crash in the rhythm section. I got up, called myself safe and had to walk that one off, but it’s all good. I don’t even care, I got the #1 plate I get to run next year for this whole GEICO/Honda team and everyone, so I’m happy man.
What was the story behind the gold rims you busted out in the Shootout? They looked bad ass!
Yeah, that actually took a lot of convincing with management from me. I love the color gold, and I love gold rims. It’s super-90’s, and it’s a really cool era from the sport, so I was pumped on it. I had to talk Larocco, Kibby and my mechanic, Hutch, into it, but they all went for it. I didn’t even know it, but after the main event, I come back and my bike’s getting laced up with gold rims. I was so pumped. I think I can speak for all of us over here, but I think that was one of the coolest bikes I’ve ever seen.
I would agree with you. Let’s talk about outdoors coming up. Have you gotten in a fair amount of testing for Glen Helen already?
For sure. I’ve been outdoor testing for a little bit now—like a couple of months. We had a little bit of a break and I hit it hard—lots of long motos and lots of testing—but we got work to do still on that front. I’m going to enjoy this weekend, and as soon as I get home on Monday, it’s back to the grind and back to trying to make a run at this outdoor title.
So are you heading to the Las Vegas tables now? Your luck seems to be good right now.
I don’t know about that. I just turned 21, so I could go try my luck. I don’t know; we’ll see. It depends on how much fun I’m having tonight.
Alright, well have fun celebrating tonight. You deserve it.
Thank you.
