by Jim Kimball
5 Minutes With... Gray Davenport
Wednesday, January 26, 2011 | 3:40 PM
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PrintGrowing up in the small city of Lehi, Utah (thirty miles south of Salt Lake City), Gray Davenport wasn’t always blessed with the greatest motocross tracks, or the latest equipment. Yet Davenport has persevered and over his years as a pro competed in AMA Supercross, AMA Arenacross, as well as the Canadian Motocross Nationals. With an Arenacross main win in 2009, and several podiums in the 2010 Championship, Gray was recently picked up by the Babbitt’s Monster Energy Kawasaki TiLUBE presented by Maxxis Tire Team for the 2011 season. At the recent Dayton, Ohio AMA Arenacross we had an opportunity to catch up with Davenport to learn a bit more about him.
Racer X: Gray, let’s go back for a minute; when did you first begin racing AMA Arenacross
Gray Davenport: I think that it was back in 2007 when the Wallwork family at Triple Effects Graphics took me under their wing. We did a few races early in the season, but then I broke my hand so had to sit the second half of the year out. I came back in 2008 with those guys again, and then have been doing it ever since. For 2011 Eddie Babbitt and Denny Bartz picked me up for the Babbitt’s Monster Energy TiLUBE Kawasaki presented by Maxxis tires Team and have been really helping me a lot – and I’m very happy to be a part of it!
How did your Babbitt’s deal come about this year?
I was always going to try to find a way race Arenacross this year, but it’s been harder than ever with the state of the industry right now; then with Josh Demuth’s unfortunate injury that kind of opened the door for me here. I’ve known Denny for a while now, and heard that they may be looking for a replacement rider; actually I rode for them in one of the round’s a few years ago. So, Denny called me up and we worked it out from there.
How is this team different from the other ones that you have been involved with?
Well, the guys at Triple Effect are great; they treated me great, did a lot to help me out, and we all are good friends. The Babbitt’s Team is probably a lot more professional and organized; they’ve been at it for a while. We have great mechanics, and just more resources and sponsors - it’s a great team to be a part of for sure. Grant Hutchinson in my personal mechanic and he is a very big help. Everyone here gets along great, works well together, and represents the sponsors so well. They are definitely a “known” team in Arenacross!
From the racing that I have seen so far this season, it looks like at every round you’re progressing.
Yeah, every week I just try to do better, and I keep getting more and more comfortable on the bike. With Arenacross it’s so much about the starts; if you get a bad start it’s hard to go all the way through the pack. It’s all about getting starts, keeping focused, and hitting the whoops perfect for twenty five laps – that’s what it takes to win Arenacross races.
Davenport is having a successful 2011 season under the Babbitt’s Monster Energy Kawasaki team.
Photo: Jim Kimball
This is looking out a ways, but where do you want to be when the series ends?
Obviously, I want to win; you don’t come in here thinking that you are going to finish fifth, sixth, or whatever – everyone wants to win! I think that there is nothing that makes anyone happier than winning. So, I want to win races! I don’t necessarily look at the whole championship thing; I believe that if you are going to win races then you are going to do well in the series. Really, I just want focus on getting on the podium, and the get that first win.
I think that it’s interesting that you are from Utah; I don’t really know of any other pro from there – what is it like?
It’s definitely been flying under the radar for some time, but there really is a lot of up and coming riders there. The sport in Utah has actually progressed a lot over the past four or five years. It’s been getting better and I think that more people take it serious now. Of course we do have snow for three or four months a year which makes it hard to get the practice in. That’s where the kids in California, Florida, and Texas have the advantage. But as I said, it is coming around more in Utah, which is pretty cool because I love my home state – and I want to do the best that I can for it.
Now this year, you’ve been able to spend some time in California with Tyler Bowers right?
Yeah I have. I moved there a couple weeks ago and have been doing my training and practicing there. It’s definitely been good for me because you can ride whenever you want. It’s very difficult to just show up and race without riding during the week. I’ve been riding at Milestone during the week and just trying to put in the right work so I can get the results on the weekend.
What about after Arenacross, what are your plans?
I’ll be going back home to Utah and try to get a bike to race some local events and hopefully do some motocross nationals. I’ve done some supercross in the past, and made some main events last year. This summer I would really like to try some outdoors.
Wrapping up, what would you like to add?
I’d like to thank the entire Babbitt’s Team, and all the sponsors that support them; like Monster Energy, Kawasaki, TiLUBE, Maxxis, Wiseco, Vortex, K & N, Moto-Master, and Pro-Wheel. Thanks for the opportunity; I’m going to try to get you some results.
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Good luck Gray! Go get em. All your fans in Utah are behind ya. Your boy, Travis C. 587 (I used to beat you on 80s) He gets it. Hah!
I can't believe Tyler Bowers has been relegated to Arena Cross. I remember watching this kid as a 15yr old racing against Ryan Dungey at Red Bud. Equally as fast if not faster than Dungey. Then he got injured "ironically" at Red Bud at separate race (seriously). It's a shame what injuries can do to some of these kids careers while they're so young!
Sweet, i like seeing Utah get some recognition! This guy's way fast, too. I like watchin him race at O.C.A.
Nice interview Racer X. Nice to see a Utah guy get some credit, good luck Gray, Ill look forward to getting lapped by you at many local Utah tracks.
all I know is that Gray pretty much has THE sweetest rear fender kit on a practice bike that anyone could ever ask for... Go Stewie!!!!!!!!! See you in Denver homie!
Bout time Grey got some exposure-Kid rocks!! Back in few minutes to share a story that show's ya what a class act Grey Davenport is--(we agotta get home so can write it-on way from game-Jimmer just hung 43 on 4th ranked, unbeaten-now beatin- SDSU!!!! Not a huge Couger fan but those boy's should crack the top 5 in poll's nxt week) back in few.
Gray is class act. I've known him since he was a kid growing up with my younger brother. He's worked his butt off for everything he's got, and he still finds time to help alot of younger racers including my son, and maintain his roots here in Utah. He is the pride and joy of Utah MX and we wish him the best. Good to see MX445 is still kicking!!!!!!
Yeah, for sure. It's awesome to see him finally getting some exposure. Gray is an awesome guy. As far as Utah goes, Landen Powell and Jeremy O'Driscoll are also doing some supercross this year. I miss riding minis with those guys at OCA and Rupert
110 is another class family!!-thats awesome you knew it was the orig-445!! Motocross brings the absolute best times, best people and best friends into your life. lot's of miles put in the truck with couple a dad's, bikes and gear we worked so hard for and two 8yr old's that were are hero's!! How bout the wkend Gray raced D's 65 in Rupert?? They had a 'lil grudge race where the Pro's rode mini's. Davenport was awesome huckin 110 and blowin up the berm's!!!
Have to try ta tell a story that show's how neat of a kid Gray is. Will take some space but well worth it!! Been few years back, but Gray alway's had a posse of kid's that tagged along thru the pit's, sometime's you'd think it could start to annoy him, but he always had time for 'em and Gray always made 'em feel like they were the important one's, he was alway's on the track when their moto's were on the gate. At the time there was 3 to 4 ultra fast kid's on the 50's & 65's that swapped wins throughout the series that hit track's from southern Nevada across Utah up into Jake Wiemer's hometown of Rupert, Idaho. Gray would know 'em -110-388-445 and the factory backed 421 (421 was the kid that doubled the triples@ the SLC Supercross-on a 50!!) So the results of moto1 of the 50ccOpen was=a local boy-777 took 1st, 445 and 110 finished 2nd & 3rd. Cut to moto2, 777 leading, 445 all over him but cant find daylight to get past.110 got snagged in the yardsale of the first turn but had pounded his way back to 3rd and was on the move. most of the park lined the fences to check out what became an epic little 5 lap battle!! The last turn was tight right hander that led to the tabletop finish line. 777 lined up the last turn, as he entered he went 'lil high, left the fast line w/only enough room for a set of 12" Michelin's, 445 left it pinned a fraction of a second longer, feathered the front binders and stuck his front 12" Michelin in the groove, both 'lil KTM's hammered the throttle but 24"of rubber didn't fit and 777 was now picking himself up from a soil sample!! As 445 floated across the table for the 2-1 overall, the110 drug the end of his Renthal's thru the berm and hammered home 2nd, 777 remounted and was 3rd. 445's family was estatic and half the crowd voiced their approval-what a race!! The other half of the crowd? You could hear boo's and some jeer's, "protest him" "Dirty little bugger""he took him out", 445's Dad was now kinda nervous as he ran to hug his rider-remember, 777 was the local boy, on his home track?? Well, the natives were'nt restless--they were pissed!! As the mob started to circle 445's pit, it was gettin kinda ugly, as the kid sat confused at all the commotion, (how dirty could an 8yr be, dirty enough to know in a split second to "stuff" the kid??)Well, the first person to reach him was GRAY DAVENPORT, he grabbed him by the helmet in a bearhug and in almost a yell so he was heard said:"That was a hell of a race buddy," "that was the best pass I've seen this weekend" "he would have done exactly the same thing,so pick your head up, you just gave these people a motocross race!!" The gathered mob's word's now: "great ride man","good race kid", kinda like-"we were gonna tell ya the same thing Gray did!" He took an ugly situation that could have ruined the boy's confidence, and turned it into a moment that gave him confidence and a memory for a lifetime. As we drove home that night, 445 (my son) said "Dad, I like Gray cause when I talk to him, he looks at me when he answer's, that means he really is listening to me". Gray Davenport is not only an excellent motocross rider, he's good person. My son and his race buddies look up to him and if they turn out to be half the man he is, our future's in great hands.
I think Gray is even faster outdoor's, really hope team's are watchin and someone pick's him up this summer, they would be gettin a kid with not only the speed they're lookin for but a young man that would represent their company off the bike in way few of today's kid's do. He's polite, smart and the kid's flock to him.
Cool to see Powell and ODriscoll are given it a go. Utah has a decent lineage of riders thru the years. Don't think we ever produced a Factory MXrider--BUT TroyLeeDesigns/RedBull Honda did have along side Jeff Ward, Provo's Cassidy Anderson who promptly won the 2008 AMA 250 Supermoto Championship. Cass made SX main event's and rode the National's. Back in the 80's, I think Steve Liedberg signed with Factory Cagiva. Yea I know they don't exsist now, but credit him none the less!!
Around the same time a kid named Troy Lerwill was tearin up the local scene, I saw him give Mouse McCoy and Bobby Moore all they could handle a few times, but he kinda faded away, he now does freestyle at Rodeo's and state fairs and stuff, he could have made it had he put MX in front of girls n other teenage tricks. Then there was Corky Maughn,(racoon tail flappin from his helmet!) Brad Frampton. TJ Nish (brother Mike Nish raced at Indy) I grew up with Travis Whitlock, have to say he is THE most gifted rider this states ever produced, but couldn't get him on the tracks, he would rather ride up stuff as steep and tall as buildings. He's multi time World Champion Hillclimber and still at it today. He know's Ken Faught and McGrath, I give him grief that he would be retired like MC if he just woulda listened!! Mel and Kenny Kimball from Bountiful were the same way, but Hillclimbers.Another naturally gifted rider that could have been a top pro is a kid named Mike Stauffer from Payson, he was a David bailey clone:lightning fast and smooth, wanted it worse than anything, but never chased the dream. Ya have to hit SoCal to make it in this sport and most guy's just stayed local. More recently kids like, Kip Posey and Chad Wallwork had potential.Not sure many ever hit the amateur nationals hard, but we have some young kid's now that are gonna get there-Nic Forrest had RJ and Tortelli training him, I know he won a few moto's, maybe a Championship at Loretta's. But he ended up w/multiple injuries that did him in. Caden Hadley should turn some heads. Caden was the kid at the SLC supercross that won the KTM Challenge as he doubled all the triples on the track on a 50!! My son took 3rd.
Eagle Mountains Brandan Leith should make some noise, I know Brandan is in the 909 now puttin in the work. St.George had a blazing fast kid...Damn can't think of his name...Dean somethin I think, he was a monster.Cedar had Branden Kalamakia who placed high at Loretta's a time or two, also Levi Hall was startin to place on the Amateur scene, not sure if still at it or not. Kid out of Lehi, Dalton Oxbourgh (butchered last name-sorry110!!) could still make a name in the next few years if he could get some backing.Provo's Tysen Fisher had what it took till an accident travling home from a Loretta qualifier messed up his Dad and hurt his future. ParkCity's JD Elliott was fast. And not sure but I think tragedy took Dakota Sorchuck from us if not mistaken, that kid had it.So don't get too down on the Utah connection, I predict we see a rider sign with a team in the next 5 years or so. Hadley, Leith or maybe both will make it--remember I said it here first!!
If there is a Utah rider, or any young racer in the Nation that is given it his all on the Amateur National trail (Loretta Lynn's-- Ponca City--Lake Whitney--World Mini Grand Prix--Branson) and you might be interested in getting a little more exposure, I am interested in trying to get more exposure for young talented riders. If interested please contact me at [email protected]
I have a program to trac your racing program from top to bottom......
Oh man, failed to mention Kris Papworth, Kris is a longtime privateer on the National and SX circuit, and a hell of a good rider, Sorry Bro!!
Only one postin on here this early--feels like I should talk smack and write stupid sh** on here back and forth!! Amazing some of the stupid stuff these things get goin on them like after a race or when ya say "wheel sensor"!! Pisses me off when they talk sh** on the writers of the articles, Racer X and all the staff is the bomb and we wouldn't have any of this if it wasn't for them puttin it all together for us to enjoy. Matthes and Weigant are awesome. And no one on earth can write with the knowledge Eric Johnson brings to the table. He and Davey Coombs are only other people besides me I've ever heard of that have a passion for motocross history that burns deep.Like if you don't get all hyper breathing and goosebumps when you see things like--Team USA Trophee des Nations from the 80's, articles or a pic of the Hurricane on a metal tanked one-off YZ!! Motocross is the coolest thing in the exsistence of mankind!! So when a jackass gets on here and talks trash on this reporter or a rider it's like man-don't you respect this sport?? JT Racing is the perfect example of MX history--the JT Racing logo just geets my blood flowin--it's so damn cool!! Ya see that logo and can't you just see all the young faces of RJ, Bailey, O'Show, Sun, Laporte, The Dogger....It's the best. Then the old FOX logo-Barnett--Bradshaw--Damn!!!
mentioning local talelt Beni Williams 192, got a number 1 plate arenacross, Tyson Hernandez 182, got whole shot on James Stewart at world mini's, and the fastest rider I can remember from St. George was Devin Sullivan
Yeah Kris Papworth is the only guy to make a 450 supercross main from the state. As far back as I know