Insight: Justin Barcia
Tuesday, March 13, 2012 | 10:00 AM
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Justin Barcia is on absolute fire right now. He has won four races in a row to begin his East Region Lites title defense and is showing no signs of slowing up. Barcia finally felt pressure in Daytona, but was able to weather the storm en route to another victory. We caught up with Barcia after the race to talk Daytona, and if an undefeated season is on his mind.
Racer X: The track was really rutted and one lined. What was it like?
Justin Barcia: It was like slot cars today.
How gnarly was it?
One a scale of one to ten, ten for sure.
Really?
For real. It was so mentally demanding today, it was unbelievable. Holeshots were key and luckily I was able to get my bike out there and get holeshots, but the rollers were filled to the top with water, so you had this two feet of room to get on top and if you didn’t get on top of them, you were bogged down in the water. So it was tough on the bike and also on the rider. It would just suck you up, that water, so that was hard.
Yeah, you were bouncing off the top of that.
Yeah, if you didn’t bounce off the top of those, you were pretty much done.
Barcia en route to his fourth straight win to begin the season.
Photo: Garth Milan
Did you miss it at any point? Did you go in?
Yeah, I did miss it a couple of times and it sucked me up. I know [Blake] Baggett was hitting those pretty good because he was on me. It was just a really tough race for me because obviously he was on my tail pretty much the whole race and it was tough because I was trying to ride as smart as I could because I was thinking ahead. Just thinking of the races to come and just trying to be on the podium. The deep ruts almost bit me towards the end, I did a little no lights scrub off one of the things last lap and it almost cost me the race. But I was lucky to hang on and do it.
Now you said something interesting. You were thinking about podiums. You were thinking down the road. Are you not thinking win at all costs?
No, especially tonight. Tonight was like get on the podium, get top five, just get out of here safe and get points. Points tonight were the biggest thing. I mean, obviously, I want to keep winning in a row, in a row, in a row, but it’s kind of unrealistic.
Well that’s what I was getting at here. A lot of people are like whoa, he’s proving he’s the fastest guy, is he going to win every race? Is that even on your mind?
I mean, obviously it’d be so awesome to win every single race. Is it possible? Yes. Is it a priority? No.
If something’s going wrong, will you say “I got to take what I can get? “ If the time comes, you’re not going to go all out no matter what?
Tonight was one of those nights where, if I’m going to lose, I’d just take it because that track was so tough and everyone was riding so good. So to keep four in a row was just insane. And to keep going for a fifth in a row, if it happens, so be it. But if it doesn’t, we’ll be happy with a podium.
"Yeah, I was so focused today because it’s a big deal. I was riding a Honda at Daytona by Honda, it’s pretty awesome," Barcia on winning at Daytona.
Photo: Garth Milan
Do you guys change much when it’s this muddy and rainy? Is the bike a totally different version? Or is it just tires?
We ran a paddle tire on the back, a Dunlop paddle tire. That was sick. It worked so good out there. Then, obviously, my mechanic had to tape everything up and do all kinds of crazy stuff to keep that mud and water out of the bike. But besides that, it’s the same bike we race each weekend. We softened our suspension up a little bit, but all in all pretty much the same.
You have not won Daytona until now. Was that a priority?
Yeah, I was so focused today because it’s a big deal. I was riding a Honda at Daytona by Honda, it’s pretty awesome. So for me to do that is awesome. It was really tough for me to get the win tonight and to get it, I had to work my butt off. I’m just pumped on that.
Speaking of working the butt off, your guy, six-time Jeff Stanton, won here a lot. Was he extra adamant about you proving yourself at Daytona? That was his race.
I don’t know. No. He called me this morning and we talked for a little bit. But after the race, he texted me and was like ‘man, that was a crap show. Man, that was a disaster, but awesome job.’
You impressed him.
Yeah. Maybe a little bit. I don’t know. He’s a good dude. We work good together, so it’s cool.
Ok, so the goal here is the title. You’re thinking big picture. You’re not out for blood every weekend. You’re trying to ride smart.
I mean, of course I’m out for blood every weekend. [Laughs] No, we just want to be in the title hunt and trying to get another championship. That’s our main goal. If we keep winning races, so be it. But just be smart and safe every weekend.
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You people at RacerX are not right..... Why would you make a poll " Where will Barcia lose his first race" ???? I just dont understand why you would do that, why wouldnt you make a pole of " Can Barcia win them all "?
Just sounds like you want him to fail to me......
Six-Time has this kid's head screwed on right!
Becoming a fan of this kid - cannot wait till next year. But rest of SX and Nationals first.
Bit of controversy here but I thought paddle tires were illegal in AMA racing? but its the AMA so they don't know their asses fron their elbows...but the tire does appear to be grooved out so maybe that is why they could run it?
who else thinks he wasnt joking when he said he was out for blood?.........jk
@Biker143. There is a "he will go undefeated" choice.
No it was not a real paddle tire, a good ole fashioned mud tire. Ya I thought the question was kinda silly but I had to answer that he is gonna win them all cause I think with some luck he can then we have to see what happens at Vegas. Yes I know Vegas counts. but it never geos as expected if we can expect anythihng anymore strange as this year has bee?
Yeah it wasn't an actual paddle tire, I know Perelli and I think Bridgestone have a directional knobby with a curved "U" shaped knobby pattern. I've never run one but I've seen them. I think it's the closest thing you could get to a paddle tire and still be legal. I don't fault BamBam for calling it a paddle tire, he speacializes in twisting throttles as opposed to wrenches IMO... Also thought the kid was humble and realistic about what his expecations are. He's not at all into self promotion. I think the hype is legit but it's not coming from him...
Jason - I like your writing style a lot, but you need to stop asking foolish questions in a juvenile attempt to "make" news.
Part of being a (cough) journalist is actually having a sense of reality about the subject. Based on your questions, I get the impression that you've never lined up behind a gate before, let alone been serious about racing and doing well. An awful lot goes into winning, especially at the professional level.
Barcia is being guided to a championship by a 6 time champion, which means the priority is to maximize the amount of points at each race without throwing it all away at any one race. You do as well as you can on any given night. There is no need to "win at all costs" or to win at a specific location just because your coach did. Sure, bragging rights about winning at Daytona (and the race win bonus) are nice to have, but they are no substitute for a championship (of the championship bonus)
You'd be a lot better as a journalist if you didn't follow the "playbook" of trying to invent news or controversy based on the questions you ask or how you ask them.
End rant.
Bam Bam talks one way and rides another. He is over aggressive and does not ride show anyone respect. He says he would be good with a podium I dont buy it
I wonder if there is any chance we could see Barcia ride the 450 at Seattle and Salt Lake? He could have the East Lites title wrapped after New Orleans so there would be a reduced risk-factor in letting him do a couple of big bike races.
This kid is tough, and now he is matured.. Stanton will keep him humble enough to work hard. He is heads and shoulder above everyone on the East Coast. No wonder Wilson ran the West to dodge him.. Cant wait for outdoors. Lets hope he does a better jog this time around..
Hey Metta, why does Bam Bam talk one way and ride another? I think the kid has shown alot of maturity this year and I hammered the shit out of him last year. The kid looks good and it looks as if Stanton has done a good job smoothing him out.
@Welker, it would have been fun to get the paddle tire rumor going.
@TheChosen1, that's funny dude!
I don't know... I have always kinda liked his aggressive style, and as far as I know I don't thinks he's hurt anyone yet? But I'm from the old school and can't help but see glipses of Hanah when I watch him ride... Only with a better off track persona and a weaker stache. I'd like to see him do the outdoors on the 250 too. And it would not be easy, I think the 250 class is more stacked for outdoors than the 450's
The skills are right for a sweep. Mentally is a different matter. Stanton is an asset to the team. I have no doubt K-Roc, BB and others are gonna give it hell.
I hope Barcia can ride to his potential outdoors this year. It would be cool to see him battling Dean and Blake every weekend. I remember before Justin even turned pro I was watching him battling with John Dowd at the Regional Championships up here in New England in the 450 Pro class, and he was riding a 250F!. It was unreal.
I have watched Justin from the time he was on 65's up in til now. I have so many Justin storys its not funny.I raced against his dad,Justins first coach. And thats where Justin got his old school riding style from.He was a hard riding thats my line kind of racer.Justin was a gifted kid that rode his butt off into what you see today.He really has the gift and the heart to be the next r.c ,like it now!!!
pretty sure the factory guys get to run production tires to test em etc before they for to sale for the general public. So he probely was running a dunlop paddle tire they just arnt for sale yet
If I were Barcia, I would contract Jeff up for the rest of his pro racing career. looks like he could still back off the aggression just a touch, but really looks like they are heading into the right direction.
This kid has the "skills" to re-write some records, and possibly be a new generation Goat if he keeps going at this rate. I think if he stays injury free, the competition is going to have their hands full. Next year, when he steps up to the big bore, He is going to be a real threat from the first kick... As long as he stays healthy!
Really don't understand the people on here that harp on Barcias aggresion. He hasn't hurt one tenth the people JS has. I have never seen him ride dirty, stupid yes but not dirty. He has been much smarter with his racing ever since the 450's last year. I like this guy ! RD should train with him !!!
My definition of dirty is an intentional take out that leaves the other rider no option. Brake checking, block passing, rubbing is racing, pushing someone out is all good. To push into the tuff bloks, t-bone, cross jump is dirty, to intentionally cause someone to wreck is dirty. To slow them up so you can protect your lines is good racing.
I like this kid A LOT! I'm sick and tired of politically correct crap...he revs the s*#t out of his bike, rides aggressive but not dirty, and is a breath of fresh air to the motocross scene. I hope he stays healthy, continues to mature, and takes our beloved sport to another level. We need a "wild child" IMHO...the last thing I want is for motocross to become another NASCAR, any more than it already has become. I'm not naive...I know it's all about sponsors/money/bike sales/etc., but it doesn't have to be BORING! I hope he sweeps this thing!