Open Mic: Josh Grant
Wednesday, October 17, 2012 | 6:45 PM
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PrintIt's been a roller coaster for Josh Grant the last few years, with injuries keeping him out of the races, and one-year stints with Team Honda and Jeff Ward Racing Kawasaki. Now he's back with the team he rode for in 2009 and 2010, signing a new deal with the JGR/Toyota Yamaha team for 2013. We caught up with JG during a recent test session at the JGR track in North Carolina to learn more.
Racer X: Okay, please explain how this all ended up happening. This is a strange development.
Josh Grant: Not at all, actually.
Well, it's rare that a rider comes back to a team in a pretty short amount of time.
Yeah, I think that tells you something, you don't see it happen very often with most riders, but I think it shows what this team thinks about me as a rider. It's a positive thing.
How would you say 2012 went? I know you got a slow start on the season, and you were hurt at this time a year ago, so how would you rate it?
Well, it all started when I signed with Honda for 2011 and ended up getting hurt pretty much that whole year. Having two ACL surgeries only allowed me to ride that bike at about four races. I did the first two supercrosses, Colorado and RedBud. And once I had gotten hurt again I had another six months off following the next surgery, so that didn't allow me to get on the Kawasaki with Jeff Ward Racing until about three weeks before Anaheim. So I think in the last three years, I had only raced about six supercross rounds, total. That was a big struggle for me, and I only had about three weeks to get ready, so my whole goal was to just race. Just be at the race. We did good, we started to build some momentum and improved the bike. We didn't have the resources to kind of improve the bike like the top guys, but at the same time, it was perfect where I didn't need to be rushed into making something happen, because I was just trying to get back into race mode.
Josh Grant returns to JGR Yamaha after two years away.
Weege photo
So you felt like you needed a year like that?
Yeah. I needed a year to kind of be mellow, and not be the Josh Grant who would just send it, and either win or crash.
How did it end with that team?
Well, it was kind of weird. I had a two-year deal with JWR, but they were having some trouble with sponsorships, and they didn't know where they were going to be. So they told me there might not even be a team. And that came from the guy who actually owns it—Mike Kranyak, who is a good family friend. He just said, "Hey, we're not too sure, so if you want to go look somewhere else, you're more than welcome." He's helped me out through my whole amateur career, too, he's a good guy. So that led me back to talking to Jeremy [Albrecht] and Coy [Gibbs] with JGR and possibly coming back here. When they realized that was an option, it kind of lit everybody up, but Jeremy said they were going to have a hard time selling it to sponsors, because my results weren't really there this year. And that was due to the fact that I wasn't going fast, I was coming back from injury. So I said I would risk it for a few rounds just to show that I do have the speed to come back. And that was Washougal. [Note: Grant started the first Washougal moto second to Mike Alessi and held eventual champion Ryan Dungey behind him for several laps before crashing].
So you kind of felt like the whole time you were riding last year that you had more.
I knew I had it. But I wanted to slowly build up, instead of going out and doing it once and then having everyone expecting that each weekend. I wasn't worried about getting holeshots and stuff like that, because I was just trying to build myself back up.
And, you had a two-year deal, so you probably thought you had time to build back up.
Right. So when Jeremy and Coy asked me if I still have that flash, I was like, ‘This is it. I have to show I still have it.’ Even the podium I had at New Orleans, that wasn't the Josh Grant I know. That was just getting a good start and putting in 20 solid laps.
Then after Washougal, you were fastest in qualifying at Unadilla, and had an overall podium at Steel City. This year, you think we'll see a little bit more of the old Josh Grant?
Yeah. And I think Jeremy and these guys have seen it already, I'm riding pretty good right now, the bike is good and I'm comfortable. My goal for 2013 is to stay healthy and keep building that base, and have chances to win. I don't need to be the guy who is going to win every weekend, but I want to know it's a possibility.
And that's a different goal than 2012?
Yeah.
Grant will be sporting a familar look in 2013.
Weege photo
So you haven't been on this team since 2010. How much has changed? Does the bike seem totally different?
The bike is pretty different. What happened was, I had a pretty good year in 2009 with these guys, and we switched over to the new bike. I crashed right before Anaheim riding at Metty's and got hurt, so that set us in a spiral from there. I didn't get too much time on this bike, but we did win a moto in Colorado against Dungey, so we knew it was capable. At the same time, though, I didn't get much time to develop the bike. I think with a couple of years and some different riders they have used, including James [Stewart] to help develop it, when I first got on the bike, I was really surprised. You have to think of all the resources these guys have, between themselves and Yamaha. When a bike is new, you don't have many things out there you can try. Now that the bike has been out for a few years, we have a lot more things we can try.
So, back in your previous run with this team, they had the team concept where you had to live in North Carolina. How is that set up now?
Actually that was really the one reason we parted ways at the end of 2010. Ashley [wife] and I were getting ready to have a baby, and it would have been kind of hard to raise him on our own living back here. Back then, that was Coy's policy, so we said, ‘Hey, we have to go home’ and that was that. Now he's kind of opened up to letting you do your own thing as long as you're working hard. I have always liked it here, the only reason I left was because we had to. So, to have this facility and this kind of resource available to us on the east coast, it's really good. But I'm glad that Ash and I get to be around our family back in California, too.
But you will be back here.
Yeah, I've been out here for a few weeks already, and the plan is to look for a place to stay here over the summer, too.
So it sounds like with both of these moves, leaving this team in 2010, and leaving the JWR team now, none of these moves ended on bad terms.
No, no, no. I still like the guys over at JWR, and I still talk to them all the time, Paul and Oscar and all of those guys. It's not like we had a big falling out, it was Mike just being cool enough to tell me I might want to look around. You never know with this sport, it's all sponsor driven. So I felt like it was time to make a change when something didn't seem very sturdy. And I wasn't happy with some of guys who were joining the team—and not Dean Wilson, I like Dean, just some of the other guys in house. But I hope they do well, and I wish them all the best of luck.
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Same crappy attitude. Same undeserving rider. Poor choice JGR. I hope Grant shows me wrong... but I doubt it
No mysteries with this guy - he just shows you his cards and lets you make up his mind. I hope he thinks of his little girl when he sees Alessi in his sights and totally set up for the take-out move. Life is too short to get even.
If I were in Coy's shoes, I would have done the same thing if the opportunity opened up. You know that Josh will ride hard if he is healthy enough, and if you need something extra, he can go there as well.
Good luck JG!
I've always considered Josh a Honda guy but, any port in a storm. With any luck at all, he will be able to tame the deathtrap 450 and extend his racing career. This IS the guy that gave JGR their best results, albeit was on an '09.
If they begin testing and R&D right away, maybe they will find a decent package for the season.
I STILL maintain that homologating the WR450 would be a shorter path to success (acceptability even) for them.
The thing that sticks out in my memory about JG on the JGR Yamaha was him crawling through the whoops on his hands and knees after wrecking his feet yet again, because the transmission locked up for the 4th or 5th time, causing a massive crash.
He was crawling around and yelling at his mechanic, or at least one of the JGR guys.
I still say its Karma on his part, when he did that deliberate take out move on Alessi, which was to injure an already injured rider.....I lost complete respect for him. And I'm not even a Alessi fan, it was just tasteless. You reap what you sow.
I'd be a little upset if I were JWR to hear he gave a half-ass effort. It sounds like he mailed it in in 2012.
big ugly i disagree, thats what makes life fun. gettin even&keepen; score.but i aint the biggest j.g. fan we will see?
It seems there's more to the story about JWR telling Josh he might want to "go look elsewhere" than he's letting on.I hope that Yamaha 450 does not end his racing career.
Before I ever rode my 2013 YZ 450, I bought two things. Cycra's powerflow shrouds (thinner than stock, and solid piece front) and Dubach Racing's engine relocation kit. I also had Jason McCormick do the suspension. That's an investment of under $600. The suspension would have been done no matter what bike I went to. I am turning faster laps than I did on my 2012 KX 450. I feel great on it!
This bike has received a bad wrap because of Stewart, imo. Take Stewart out of the mix and you'll find plenty of happy owners. The bike doesn't fit everyone, just as other bikes don't fit me. I don't like the feel of the 2013 Honda 450.
Brayton and Grant obviously weighed that into their equation when they chose to come back, if the bike was as bad as everyone says, no amount of money would have brought them back. Be realistic. If you don't like the bike fine, that doesn't mean others don't like as well.
Josh. Go out and kick some but this coming year. Show the Pencil Pushers on here it take 40 riders to make the gate and getting a top 5 or even top 10 is something they will never do.
@texag, I disagree, you cannot ride to your full potential if your are not ready, that is just stupid, trying to ride over your head is how injuries happen, it is a long road back from injury, you have to have the confidence, fitness & on your game @ 100% before you twist the throttle wide open. I beleive Grant will get some good results on the YZF450 if he follows the program he's on & stays healthy.
Josh has talent and speed, that has never been questioned. Josh has personality, no cookie cutter here, he always spoke his mind and did things his way. Non conformity is not a bad thing, unless it is coupled with immaturity, together that can lead to being misunderstood and being disliked.
I think we are looking at a new Josh, who has a improved attitude. Being a father and putting in the effort to return for a series of injuries shows a maturity and dedication he may have lacked before. Josh could definitely could be a player at times and help make the 2013 Supercross Series even more interesting. I wish all the best to JGR and JG33 .
Hopefully Grant does not collide with his massive ego and get injured. From the first question "Yeah, I think that tells you something, you don't see it happen very often with most riders, but I think it shows what this team thinks about me as a rider."
Grant's a douche. A talented douche, and that's why he keeps getting good rides. Nowhere in this interview does he ever thank JGR for giving him another chance.
Now is Grant sponsore by G UNIT. I could see a 50 cent co sign. LOL
@tricky
I would never expect him to ride over his head but as a team owner I would expect a 100% effort. Do you think Jeff Ward ever only gave 90%? Can you imagine RC riding at 90%? In the end that's why there's only one GOAT, and why there are very few riders like, RV, RD, BB, JB etc. with the drive and determination to be the best. JG is very talented but I think he is a member of the happy to be here club like many in the top 20.
So the owner of JWR tells Josh that there might not be a team and that he might need to shop around for a new ride.Then when he gets a new ride JWR gets a buttload of money and hires Dean Wilson.Hummmm!
Carma, what goes around comes around! Josh is a dirty rider or was a dirty rider?? I hope he has grown up in the last couple of years. Good luck Josh.
Problem with JG is that he's constantly hurt. If I were a team owner I wouldn't risk the salary cost in the hopes that he might actually race even half the season. He's fast, but fast doesn't sell if its only 1 out of every 5 or 6 races and you only complete 6 or 7 races out of 28 for the season. Personally I wish the kid would retire.
DeathToRalphShaheen wrote:
Same punk as always. No chance in hell that he will even be in the top 5 on a regular basis. Never been a fan
Your a f#$@head!
.
The question becomes
Who crashes themselves out first Canard or Grant?
everyone pisses and moans when people give cookie cutter interviews, then when someone gives an honest interview and you all bug out. the dude says it like it is, be grateful
I have always liked this kid. He's always been fast....but injury prone. Unfortunately, he missed his time frame to be a podium guy week in and week out. The entire 2013 450 classes will be a fight between Reed, Villopoto, Dungey and Stewart. And that's just the way it is. The rest of these guys will battle for fifth on down. It's not that they are slow it's just the other four are beyond fast. Next year could be just like this year with the top three of four getting injured and all of the sudden Alessi and Grant could be get podium finishes all year.
I can't get over his comment over not giving it 100% all the time. Building up speed while taking full pay? This type of rider can only be employed based on his performance. You give a slacker room to slack, and you will never get results. JWR licked their wounds and got rid of this parasite. I hope Deano gives them his best shot. I'm betting Ward gives 100% all the time. Advise to Grant, you'd best get all the tatoos done this season, cause you're easy money is all but over.
Quite the brain trust over at JGR...
@ dash ..... In most cases nothing less than 100% should be expected, after YEARS of bad injuries back to back while never getting back to your full form, maybe 100% is too risky/dangerous without comfort. That is the James Stewart approach and look how that works...
How this turd got a ride is beyond me. What a fraud.