5 Minutes With... Kevin Windham
Tuesday, January 25, 2011 | 5:05 PM
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We’re still very early in this 2011 supercross season but so far GEICO Honda’s Kevin Windham hasn’t won anything besides the unofficial trophy of most popular rider on the tour. It’s been a rough start for the veteran between crashes and poor starts. He’s been on the verge of being right there and after the LA Supercross, I caught up to the number 14 after the race to talk about the night's race, his thoughts so far and what he needs to do to make one of these stadiums explode with cheers real soon.
Racer X: Kevin Windham, Geico Honda, talk about your main event. You were up there early…
Kevin Windham: Yeah, I was up there early. I'm just not riding with the confidence I need to at this point, but it was a good night for us. I felt like I had the pace, made a couple of mistakes, and this is one of those tracks where, actually all three tracks so far this year have been the type that you could throw a blanket over everybody's lap times. You could kind of freight train along and no one is really doing anything different, and the tracks seem to be fairly easy when we are doing everything, literally the second lap of practice-like everything. You know, Phoenix was horrible, I just kind of took myself out of the action there with the run-in with (Ryan) Clark.
I heard that was a nasty crash.
I felt it! (laughing) Yeah, yeah, so between all that, I just wasn't finding myself in the position I wanted. My team is trying to settle me down and talk me off the cliff, because this kind of stuff happens every year. The start of the season is just never good for me, and I thought we were going to be a lot better with the racing we did in Italy and Australia. But anyway, the night was something to build off of, and I'm looking forward to go to Oakland, hopefully it's a mudder!
Windham is off to a slow start in 2011, can he turn it around?
Photo: Simon Cudby
What did you think of the track? I know you said it was easy, but what did you think of the whoops sections and just being here in Dodger Stadium?
It was good to have two sets of whoops, talking specifically about the whoops, and then to come have a supercross here, it's a really historic building, and listening to the list of things that have happened in this building, its a pretty short list. I'm definitely honored and privileged to be here. I thought the crowd was great, especially for a first time. It's a lot different out here on the west coast because people see motocross every weekend. Back on the east coast, my friends there, they don't think nothing about driving twelve hours to go to a supercross.
It's a slightly different crowd than Anaheim and they're only like, forty-five minutes away. So it was a different crowd here tonight, but still a good one and a good showing, especially for our first time here. Hopefully we didn't disrespect or damage the building too much, and will be back next year!
Was there one section out there that you noticed they were doing better than you, or was it just in the turns or what?
It's just everything. I mean, my scrubbing is horrible, I have the worst scrub, ever. I lose time on my jumps, I'm old-school, I go way to high. I’m also stabbing my corners a little bit, I just need to flow them. It's not any one section that I can look at a video and say "oh, ok, I need to do this different", it’s just a little bit of intensity all the way around. But you know, unfortunately, that last second is the hardest one to get.
Will the Windham get a win in 2011?
Photo: Simon Cudby
You've been around a long time and seen a lot of riders come and go. What is this 2011 pace like? Is it higher than years past?
You know, I was not very good all thru the day, I'm not a good practicer -never have been. I come from an era when practice just was practice. I'm down with that, I always find a way to go a little faster in the main. But, unfortunately, that makes for a freaking long day and a real pain! It's like, all day I'm just fretting, can I get it done? Am I going to be able to get to that pace? And I felt like tonight in the main, I was close. So, that gives me something to look forward to.
I'll be honest with you, as far as going much faster than this on a dirt bike, some people say they are pushing the envelope, I don't even want to open that envelope! But it’s so hard to go gracefully into the night, right? So I kind of feel like I'm in my golden years, my glory run here, but this sport sucks when you're not going well. And if they find ways to push it much harder, it's where you've got (Ryan) Villopoto tucking his front end. In three races, we've had three tucked front ends! We had it at Anaheim with Stewart, then Villopoto at Phoenix, and then Stewart back here. It's like they are on the edge, pushing the limit, and I know tucking the front end isn't that big of a deal, we can all get up from a tucked front end, but it leads to other stuff. (Trey’s) Canards big crash, and all that stuff, and yeah, they are going as fast as you can possibly go. We've passed that era where we made speed in the corners, and now we're past that era where we are making it in the air. I don't know where to go from here, but I'd just like to try to catch them.
I can't tell you how many times as Ferry's mechanic, I was saying to everyone after practice, "Yeah, we've got KW covered today", and then it didn't happen. So you are absolutely right about the practice point.
Yeah, it's like I’ve never been a good practice guy and as long as I make the night show and get a decent start, I'll feel like I'm alright you know? (laughing) Because I know once I get to the main, then I should be fine. Even with that said, the bar is so high now, being fine really sucks you know? You've got to be great these days. But I'm enjoying the challenge of trying to get up there, and hopefully we can get it done.
Always nice talking to you KW.
Thanks.
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Stay healthy man. Make your living and have fun.
There is an opinion that matters. Well said Kevin Windham.
KW is the epitimy of "class act"
Great guy.
What this man did for me at San Francisco in 04 changed my life! What an incredible person, well said wildbill, he is for sure a class act.
There has never been a better person representing the sport. I dont care what his results are from here on. He has nothing to prove. His interviews are even more interesting than some races. I will be sure to fly from Hawaii to watch this mans final race. Hopefully ints in 2014 like he plans(that gives me time to save up hahaha). Best style on and off the track!!!!! Be blessed K-Dub!!!!
I really wish he would win a championship!
I met Kevin at Broome Tioga Raceway in New York in the pits. He stopped and talked to me and my best friend as if I had been on that track with him. The man sets the bar for how a racer should treat his fans, and to prove this, just listen to the cheers when his name is announced! I love how Kevin has kept his priorities straight, and when he needed a vacation he was honest with his fans...Honesty is all we can ask of anyone and I have the most respect for this man - my idol - Kevin Windham.
BTW: Kevin was the first to beat Ricky Carmichael, after he came back from his well deserved break! Thats a remarkable feat in itself! Kevin will always be a contender for the win if his bike is lined up at that gate because he STILL races for the LOVE of the sport. Thanks Kevin for being such a great role model for our youth, and us older men who have followed you through your amazing journey!
when the time comes, and kw retires, the sport sure could use his amazing communications skills behind a mic. play by play, or even race host would be no sweat for kw.
i would love to see him on a broadcast team.
"I go way to high"
to/too -> learn it.
I'd love to see him battling for the lead, but regardless, I just love to see him out there. Two sixths in this pack is nothing to sneeze at. Any older rider knows you just aren't going to hang it out like a kid.
KW is a class act, I hope he stays in it till 2014 and I hope he races the outdoors this year that's where KW shines!! Good luck KW!!!
WHAT A DIRTY RIDER WINDHAM IS. HE CLEARLY TOOK OUT CLARK AT PHOENIX!!!! THANK GOD KTM TOOK BACK THE OFFER THEY GAVE HIM! KTM RULZZZZZZZ!!!!!!
His honesty is his what makes him... that was actually a moving piece, you can tell this is really getting to him and he needed to get it off his chest - Matthes - you can never have too many interviews with this guy! He will always be my favorite rider and I wish him the best of luck and will cheer him on just for being there because he's truly in it for the fans. My family and I met and got pics with him at Indy and he was so easy going and friendly... the kind of guy who feels like a good ol riding buddy. Stay healthy and enjoy the ride!
Debbie downer......he needs to take ricky bobbys kids advice and go fast!
K-Dub, you are a class act. I think I first saw him ride at Anaheim in '93 and was lucky to watch him again in Australia at the Canberra round this year. He is so smooth and such a joy to watch on and off the track. I'm happy just to watch him in practice! He's had such a great and long career that to me it doesn't matter if he wins again or not - he has earned his place among the legends of the sport. He loves to ride and I have no doubt that he'll be racing local races or Vet Nationals when he hangs up his pro boots (that will be cool to watch too!). Thanks for the memories K-Dub!
Class Act...... Unfortunately school is out !
Ok, yah he's a class act, can anyone else say that. Aside from that (and more important), he's just so interesting to listen to. It sounds corny, but he keeps it real. What he says goes so much further than anyone elses interviews. I wonder if him not winning is an endurance thing for him?
You can beat em all Kevin! Just go out and do it to it! And do what you do best. You've got the most experience of them all so you know things they don't. Get the holeshot man and go for it and don't look back. You are the MAN!!!!!!!!!!!
That was a really good interview. Good job to both KW and Matthes.
Racer X should ask Kevin to read these comments. Great read with one of the good guys.
Damn near grabbing holeshots, running with 22 year olds reflexes, dude, dub, its perfect! You setting up for corners is like Jordan releasing a 3, pure art. 32 & 42 is where I really noticed a difference, dont friggin ask about 49.
http://www.americanmotorcyclist.com/Rights/IssuesLegislation.aspx
If you all love the sport as much as you do #14, go to this link and write your representatives asking for them to support exempting kids' bikes and quads from the lead ban. SHAME ON YOU RACERX AND AMA FOR NOT INCLUDING A LINK IN YOUR ARTICLE! Hey Davey, you all litter racerhead with links week in and week out but you can't do it once to aid in protecting the sport that puts food on your table and a roof over your head? I'll never forget that day at Red Bud when the only way Bubba could get around Kevin was by putting him on the ground. We booed so loud that Bubba stopped to let him back by.
Can't top what anyone has already said. A real good dude & just plain cool. Cool Hand Kev.
Windham is a class act. Best style ever and seems to be a nice guy. Not at pop rockstar wannabe like some of the other goon racers on the AMA circuit. Keep it pinned #14
Come on guys, Do you really think he going to win? He said it himself he is not going to push it. He never has and he is not going to start at this age.
I drove 5 hours last year to Indy. To see Kevin lead half the race and battling for a win made the trip so worthwhile. He stuck around after the race and signed autographs and posed for pictures. He sets a great example of how these guys SHOULD be. Dungey and Villopoto have the personalities of a brick. Canard was great to the fans also.
Thank you Prime, you said it why aren't these other riders following his example.
kdub rules! 2dam wait tell you turn 54 the crazy's still there the body can't keep up.
Good racing but cn't they keep it of CBS!
SW460,,,, I was at that race also, and watched that incident on mt DVR many many times... I think you need to watch it again... I really couldnt believe so-called "motocross fans" could boo a motocross racer like that. I really couldnt beleive it..... And,, going by your words you said to Davey,, I can easily believe you were one of the morons that was booing JS...
best racer of his time. best racer when there is a rainy day but that is when it gets interesting
The answer that Kevin gave on the being around a long time question was one of the best statement I have ever saw a racer say and think about what it means to the sport.
Rabbit128
K-Dub is the man! 1st saw him ride in St. Louis in 96. He won the 125 main and busted a heel-clicker across the finish, sweet.
I see a lot of pessimism in K-Dub. That is not good, he is really not enjoying it right now. Make it fun, and believe in you. You can do it. Go K Dub. cheer up!!!
K-Dub livin' larger than most. I sure would like to see him hang it out a bit.
Kevin Windham is like the new Doug Henry. Just one classy guy!
What a great interview, not the same old same old. Like that. He is a good guy, we all know that. But I would have loved to hear him ask K-Dub what his plans are for after he is done racing. He would be good in the booth.
What did he mean by Villapoto is tucking his front end?
Dave Burt- He means the front wheel sliding out in a turn
mxmofo: If you've been to Red Bud then you know how wide that track is. Bubba was not as fast as Kevin that day. He has a tendency to be wreckless out there. Besides, if Bubba wasn't feeling a little guilty, why would he slow down to right his wrong? Did you write your Congressman? I did, and I forwarded the link to my extended family who ride as well as posted it on my Facebook page. What have you done to contribute to the sport? Did you read the article on this site that I was referring to before you made your comments about my intelligence? I grew up playing hockey and am fully aware of the difference between a clean hit and a cheap shot like the one Bubba pulled on Kevin that day. Are you the type of goon that cheered when Jeff Alessi took Grant out mid air? When your punctuation, spelling and grammer come up to snuff, then feel free to question what I have or don't have between my ears. And if RacerX has edited the article in question since last night to include the link I will give credit where credit is due.
He may have never won a championship but he is #1 in my book. Family man, amazing rider and 100% class.
Link added, thank you RacerX! Hey motomofo, I'm curious, what did I say that was moronic? Do you know the difference between calling someone out and insulting someone?
SW460,,, Dude,,, you are a fruitcake..
SW460,,, that was by far,, the most disrespectful thing I have ever seen or heard about at a sporting event,, and your a moron just for being a part of it. Tell me,, is it hard to play hockey when your blind ?? Like I said, JS did not take out KW.. Thier lines simply came together.. I hav watched it many many times.
SW460,,, Get someone who can see look at this pic for you.. JS clearly has the indide line,,,, moron ...
http://www.pbase.com/thomasef/my_best_of_2005_ama_motocross_nationals_photo_gallery&page=2