Monday Conversation: Josh Grant
Monday, November 28, 2011 | 12:10 PM
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Although the 2011 season was packed with amazing depth and competition, one very capable rider was left on the sidelines for most of it. A pair of torn ACLs ruined Josh Grant’s year and left him looking for work—at one point, he even considered off-road truck racing instead of dirt bikes. Now finally secure with a new deal on the Jeff Ward/Mike Kranyak team riding Kawasakis, Grant gets us back up to speed on his past year in this week’s Monday Coversation. As always with JG, he says what he thinks and doesn't hold back.
Racer X Online: Josh Grant! Where have you been?
Josh Grant: I’m back home in California, recovering from those knee injuries. I thought that was best for my career in the long term, maybe not for the short term, but we weren’t as worried about that. And I’ve also gotten to spend a lot of time with my little guy, Wyatt, being a dad. I’ve gotten to watch him grow up, while instead I would have been traveling at the races.
What exactly where the injuries?
Well it started in Phoenix, with, yeah, what’s his name? Jeff [Alessi]? So that set me back, I ended up having ACL and meniscus surgery. I was starting to work my way back, not quite perfect yet, but well enough where I could race, and I came back and did Budds Creek. Then at Colorado I ended up hurting my other knee in practice, I crashed on a high-speed sweeper. I didn’t think it was that bad at first, but in the race my knee popped out. I still didn’t think it was that bad, but I found out I had torn the ACL in my other knee. So then I didn’t know what to do. It was my only year with Honda so I wanted to prove what I could do, so I ended up going to RedBud with one torn ACL and the other knee not fully recovered. I just figured that was my only option—they said I wouldn’t be able to do more damage to it.
Grant testing out the new Kawasaki at the Day in the Dirt this past weekend.
Photo: Simon Cudby
I ran the first moto and I think I finished seventh. Second moto I was in about the same spot, the knee wasn’t feeling too bad because I had it taped up so much I could barely even move it. Then with a lap or two laps to go, I ended up getting it caught where it was uncomfortable and I couldn’t pop it back in. I had to pull off, and I figured right then that it wasn’t worth tearing myself up even though I wasn’t in it for any kind of championship points—it was just trying to keep my job at Honda. I made that decision with [Team Manager] Erik Kehoe and the guys up there, and I told them it was better to have my knee fixed and we’ll figure out the rest when the season is over. I got the other knee fixed, and I was sitting on the couch with both knees kinda’ jacked up.
I know everyone was okay with you taking the time to get the knee right, but at the same time, no one was guaranteeing you would have a job when you got back?
Right. I made that decision knowing that probably wasn’t going to happen, but at that point I didn’t really care. I know I’m a top guy and I know I can run with these guys, so I’ll get a job somewhere. It was a matter of making sure I could race for the next ten years, not just six races at the end of the 2011 season.
I’m sure you were hoping to come back to Honda. Did you have talks with them for 2012?
Yeah we had negotiations to set up a deal. But then they had gotten some new sponsors who were coming in and willing to fork over quite a bit of money for a different rider. They had to go that route, it wasn’t the guys at Honda, you know, Kehoe was telling me he was pretty stoked with me and how I was handling everything, and he wanted me to be back at Honda. But it was more of an upper management thing were they decided to go for the money for another sponsor. I can’t blame them, it’s a business decision. I’m not bummed, I like everyone over there and we had a lot of fun. At the same time, I’ve got to worry about me, so that’s what I did.
Other Honda teams were popping up, like the new Brooks/McGrath team. Were you looking at Honda teams first?
Yeah I was looking at Honda teams first. My main goal was to be there [on Hondas]. I got some calls from Larry and what not, but it didn’t seem right. It just didn’t seem like the way to go, you know, second fiddle to someone I felt like I could go out and beat. So I just didn’t like that situation, so I just kind of held off and said, “If I don’t race this year, then I don’t race this year. I’m not going to be that guy.”
After an injury filled 2011 season, Grant is hoping to be ready in time for A1.
Photo: Simon Cudby
Really?
Yeah. Even though I had both knee surgeries, it was going to be a time crunch to be ready for Anaheim anyway. It was like, what am I going to do? I was talking to some companies about maybe racing off-road trucks in the Lucas Oil Off-Road Series. Then I get a call from my dad, who told me Mike Kranyak was going to keep racing with L&M Racing or whatever. He asked me what I thought, and I told him it all depended on the circumstances of what bike and things like that. So it all came together.
Wow! So you were really looking for other things to do outside of racing?
Yeah. I knew trying to come back super quick was going to be a hard deal, because I’ve always been kind of chasing these injuries coming into the season, and I didn’t want to be doing that again.
And you were recovering from a shoulder injury coming into 2011, right?
That was the year before, when I tore my shoulder the week before Anaheim.
But in 2010 you hurt your shoulder at Southwick. Did you feel 100 percent prepared for Anaheim in 2011?
I was feeling ready to go. Maybe I didn’t have all the time I wanted, I did have shoulder surgery, but I was clicking along pretty good. Trey [Canard] and I had a pretty good program going. I think I finished ninth at Anaheim 1, and I was just trying to get the ball rolling and get moving. Until Phoenix.
So this team with Jeff Ward and Mike Kranyak, no one knows much about it yet. What’s the program like?
Well, what’s good is, my family has always been friends with Mike Kranyak, who owned L&M when Stewart was there and stuff. Larry left, but we still have all the equipment, all the machines, everything to have a team. It was just about getting bikes and support and going racing. Now we have Jeff Ward coming on to be a team owner—he and Mike linked up and said let’s go racing.
This will be the first time Grant has ridden Kawasaki full time since his days on an 85.
Photo: Simon Cudby
Have you ever ridden Kawasakis before?
Not really! The last time I had ridden a Kawi was on 85s at World Mini. It’s been awhile!
So have you been riding much?
I just got released to ride last week, so I rode last weekend. I know we only have a few weeks left for Anaheim. If I’m not 100 percent ready, I’m not going to race. I’ll wait. But yeah, the program around me seems good and I’m comfortable. We don’t have all of our stuff lined up as far as sponsors go, so I’m riding a stock bike with an FMF pipe. But I felt comfortable as soon as I got out there.
Sounds like you and the team are building a little late, so neither of you are expecting to win Anaheim right out of the gate.
Right. My goal is to get out of Anaheim with some points, get the season rolling and build from there. I was lucky to sign a two-year deal with Mike, and job security has become the most important thing in this sport. I told him with these one-year deals, okay, you get on a new bike, you learn it, you’re just getting into the swing of things, and then the season is over. I’m excited to be part of a good group of people—it says a lot that those guys [staff] all decided to stay over there.
It just has to be a sense of relief to get a good deal and be able to take that pressure off.
Yeah, and that was my goal. Coming right off the bat I may not have the best results. The last year, I haven’t been able to race solidly. I’d be coming off the couch and doing what I could—at RedBud I was hurt, coming off the couch and running top ten. I thought that was pretty good. So now it’s back to the work and willpower to make everything go right. I’ve found the right program. Jeff Ward has helped me a lot with trying to build the right program instead of just coming off the couch and racing again.
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Good luck JG33 you have the speed but need some luck on your side to stay healthy and watch out for the Alessi bro's!!!!
Good to have him back! Another potential top-five guy. Looking forward to another epic season - can't wait for the gate to drop at A-1!
He's a favorite for 2nd Kawasaki. It's between him Wiemer, and Tickle.
And maybe Tedesco
He's a punk.. Second fiddle to Short is all you deserve.
hahahaha wow....... ROFL after reading this
Like many, he has flashes of great speed but is never consistent. Never has been consistent and never will. He is just a Southern California tattooed version of Davey Millsaps.
Tony ,you can pull the needles out of that voodoo doll now......
"It just didn’t seem like the way to go, you know, second fiddle to someone I felt like I could go out and beat."
Hrm. I'll believe it when I see it.
What a joke....... job security? Um excuse me, but that typically comes from winning Josh, or being on the podium, or at least finishing a race, or both motos inside the top 10 while at the same time being a good spokes person for your employer! One reason Honda picked Brayton over you is because he has a good clean image, is fast and puts outs consistent effort- of those qualities- you posess limited versions. Other guys that you think you can beat being picked ahead of you? What? Have you beaten them on a regular basis?... A: No..... Going into Amaheim not looking for a win? That is a joke...... guess you will get used to being beat but the other guys while simply collecting your paycheck! Step up to the plate and earn your ride, then you can back up the stuff you are saying
kind of odd...well not odd, but interesting how JG33 and MA800 are in the same boat for 2012....both were factory riders last year, now they are both on satellite teams (are they still called that these days??) .....and both will be trying to stick it to the factory guys all year proving they deserve or should be up there........so the possibilty of these guys banging all season long is highly probable....Grant needs to finish a season without injury....the speed is there, but the mental side I wonder about....but with Wardy as your boss, I think that is a great start....Same as with JS7 and Gibbs....just the right man steering the ship will help tremendously.....
Grant vs Short will be interesting too since Josh pretty much dissed him.....but we'll see.
Wow! A year to get used to the bike? I wouldn't give this guy a contract better then a jack in the box employee..... Instead of "show me the money" How about "show me some desire" I believe in performance based contracts. If you don't perform there is no contract. What's next J-Law? In the end of 2012 Andrew Short will have more points then Josh. He has every year!
How about skipping sx if he's not ready?? I'd rather watch him haul ass in the summer than bounce around in the winter. Easy podium speed IF he stays healthy.
During a Jeff Ward interview he said he has no doubt that JG will be on the podium every weekend. I sure hope he did't pay him thinking that. If you took the last 5 years and averaged his finish for the 29 races he is contracted to race it would be around 15th. I don't think any team has ever been happy with his results. For Josh to say he was happy he got to spend a lot of time with his kid last year tells you how much he cares about his results. JG has 2 or 3 good races a year and the rest are a joke yet he still thinks he is a top guy. You can't espect a rider to improve if he already thinks he is one of the best. I don't think JG has ever been in great shape, which is one of the reasons he is hurt all the time. My biggest problem with Josh is that he has always been on great teams and taken it for granted and never put in the work it takes to win a championship, yet he has always been paid as a top contender. IMO Shorty is worth 4 times as much as Grant!
Do something out of the norm JG. Try using your head, keeping it clean and use a natural and slow progression. There's far and beyond enough stupidity out there just as there is talented and conditioned professionals. Right now or even at your best...you stood right in the middle of the aforementioned. Doing it as it SHOULD be done and not like the way Mike Alessi has done and failed miserably...will put you where you want to be and quite frankly possibly belong...on the podium. Be weary you can become the "has been" who never was by your own decisions. Pin-headed foes are out there hoping yo fail Josh. Prove them wrong with possibly a new found maturity. Best of luck!
I just don't get it! With the sport in as "bad" shape as it now & everybody is cutting back or down sizing. how does this guy keep coming up with full "factory" ride? The last time he finished a series outdoors or supercross they were riding two strokes! There's allot of hunry young riders out there with no ride's. JG has to be the luckest guy on the planet!
I'm rooting for Wardy to do well, which means I guess I have to root for Grant to do well. Best case scenario is that both Grant does OK but Chisholm does better, putting Grant in the old second fiddle position!
P.S. (somebody really needs to teach these guys a bit about public relations and what would be the right thing to say.)
This guy flat out smoked everybody at Red Bud in '09. If he could ride like that all the time he would be hard to beat.
jojo- are you kidding me??? ONE moto in 09' outdoors'??? It is now going on 2012!
Just go and take it easy getting comfortable on the machine and with the machine, Cause as long as you stay on path, those guys are going to have some serious problems with a green streak called Josh Grant! Just make it to outdoors because thats where some wigs are going to get blown back, and I want to see you at HIGH POINT!!! Yea!!!!!!
I agree with B-KR. Somebody needs to teach him how to do an interview. Honda paid Grant to race 29 races and he rides 4 motos and he is happy he got to spend time with his son. If I remember right he tore his meniscus at A-1 and had it repaired and 4 weeks later decided to fix his ACL that was a injury that he had before he ever signed with Honda. Im sure the Honda guys wish they never met Grant. In this econemy it must suck when a team has to pay 300.000 or 400.000 for a guy to sit on the couch for the year. (Grant/Hahn) Then you have guys like Durhum that are scrounging for gas money and are in the top 5 weekly. I think guys like Grant and Milsaps get good rides because they have shown good speed 2 or 3 times a year and each new teams think they are going to be the one who can get these guys to ride at that good speed every race and be a contender but it never happens. If factory honda can't get these guys consistantly on the podium I have to wonder what Ward is thinking he is going to do better.
JG reminds me of the Pillsbury doughboy - only with tattoos and throwing gang signs.
History will repeat itself. JG will do nothing in 2012.
"JG reminds me of the Pillsbury doughboy - only with tattoos and throwing gang signs."
HAHA. I was also gonna say something like, His face isn't the only thing about him that's babyish (though that's a bit misleading, since he's had some tough injuries lately--including one recently to his finger, documented on Vital--which he'd have to be pretty tough to endure).
But enough defending him. Hasn't Grant been quoted as saying he'd rather have good style on a bike than go fast? Yeah, that's what I'd tell myself, too.
OK, that's enough for now.
I really like his style. Glad Wardy is back too.
Haha wow.........I had no idea everyone hated this guy, I'd swear this is a James Stewart thread.
LOL Good post's LMAO!!!
I just dont know, Grant has possibilities and that is what has kept him where he is at. If anybody can mke it work I think Wardy might know how. I hope so because there has been so many people that never quite made it. I never was a fan of Grant but he can ride. All of the above comments were deserving, lets see what happens it is gonna be another good year for racing.
One more month tilll A1......
I remember this little buttered up cupcake cleaning out Mike Alessi in 09' after his injury. That was the year that it looked like Alessi, might finish at least top 3 outdoors, which would have been pretty cool. Then little cutie Joshie came along. Surprised he head even made it to the race that day, I know his new tattoo must have been sore. He should be out of the SX series by midway, and then he can go hangout with Josh Hansen, and get more tattoos. They can hang out in predominantly white neighborhoods, pout their lips, and be straight gangster. I'd be terrified to run into these two cosmonauts, and I'd probably ask the nearest Girl Scout to protect me. I used to respect this guy, and no one can deny he has a flashy, aggressive style, but he lost his way somewhere, and I really think he lost his class, too.
I am a Grant fan and respect his desire to race and be a family provider, but his physical ailments and "bad luck" make Ben Townley look like a Chad Reed.
everyone one of you saying that josh grant only shows speed 2-3 times a year? what about justin brayton? i never see that dude run with RV2, RD5, CR22 ! the only reason he got the factory honda ride is because muscle milk forks over the money for the team that brayton rides for. so you think josh grant dont deserve a ride? i think he deserves a solid ride. lets not forget about how he was the only one to pass Dungey straight up a year ago.
and you have to admit when he is healthy , he can ride very well in outdoors.
Great rider, and absolutely clueless.
It's great to see so many people hit the nail on the head! Awesome! People smart enough to see Josh Grant for what he is.
I love him complaining about Jeff Alessi's take-out move when he was the one that blew out Mike's knee and cost him his best shot at a pro title. Not condoning tak-out moves with the intent of injuring someone, but if you live by the sword, Mr. Grant, you die by the sword.
Well put Gracious One...Has everybody forgotten about that move against Alessi in 09'? He could have ended his career, never mind what was definitely Alessi's best year. Be really interesting for A1. We will see if Grant can stay out of the LCQ's.
Darren29...I think Brayton was hired by Team Honda because they saw what we all did this year, that he is putting in the work and he is improving. And Brayton doesn't have an image problem, like JG. JG has tremendous talent, he just doesn't want IT as bad as the other guys, like RV and RD, who are absolute lunatics when it comes to training and time spent testing. Those guys were both smart and followed Carmichael's lead.
People don't realize how incredibly hard it is to be one of the top 20 fastest guys in the WORLD. And Josh is in the middle of them for sure. You can hate him or love him, one thing for sure this guy has heart, dedication and talent.
Cant wait to see you at Colorado.
tried short..
everyone needs to relax he's not a bad guy. I'm sure if he could buy some good luck he would have years ago but that's just how the tables have turned.
Maybe some of his moves have "karma" for bad luck but oh well.
He looks bad fighting at a FUN RACE like aditd.. idk how you manage to do that.
you haters dont even know. a half healthy JG will smoke andrew short... and stop saying "bad luck" when alessi straight took him out
I LIKE HIS TLD GEAR. looks sick