Joey Crown Built A Foundation For Improvement At Unadilla

Joey Crown Built A Foundation For Improvement At Unadilla

Joey Crown did not have an earth-shattering debut in Pro Motocross at Unadilla, but he laid the groundwork for improvement.

Aug 18, 2017 by Dan Beaver
Joey Crown Built A Foundation For Improvement At Unadilla
By Race Chapman

Earlier this week, we caught up with Justin Cooper and his Pro Motocross debut at Unadilla in New Berlin, New York. Joey Crown also made his pro debut in that same race.

During our first conversation with Crown, he was still an amateur with some of the biggest events ahead of him. Today, Crown is coming off solid results at Mammoth Motocross and Loretta Lynn Amateur Nationals and is officially a pro motocross racer.

His performance at Unadilla may not have been the most earth-shattering entrance into the fold, but it was a promising ride by a very talented young racer. After some bike troubles during his first moto, he managed to finish 18th. During the second moto, on a slippery track saturated with water, he held out for 15th on a backup motor.

These efforts earned him a 16th overall -- comfortably in the top 20, which was certainly a respectable achievement. Indeed, most racers would be doing cartwheels after such a performance.

Crown most likely didn't do any cartwheels, but he did have a very mature, measured outlook on his first weekend.

FloRacing: Where did you expect to be before this race?

Crown: Going into that race, I was thinking that my goal was to be top 10. I believe that I'm capable of being top 10. But I would be content with finishing top 20, since it was my first one, and you know, the nerves and everything. But I was surprised, I wasn't too badly nervous going in like what I was thinking I was going to be... So I'm pretty happy with that for my first one, and hopefully this weekend I can get in the top 10.

null

Talk me through the race day.

In my first moto I think I started like 18th or something, but I came up and ran up to like 15th. I ran a little bit tight, to be honest, and got a little arm pump and started fading a little bit. And towards the end of the moto my motor started to go on my bike -- it started overheating and kind of losing power -- but I was able to finish 18th in that one.

And then in between the break, my mechanic and my dad and a couple friends were trying to do a motor swap. So they were under the E-Z Up in the pouring rain swapping motors. [laughs] Put my practice motor in and then they end up -- got right up to the line, had just got my gate picked -- and then they end up delaying it. So after being on the line ready to go, then a two-hour delay, then some more rain, and then we got to play in the mud. In the mud -- man that was just kind of a nightmare, I guess tried to make the least amount of mistakes. I was just pretty happy to, you know, just have fun, finish that whole race and survive my motos. So I was pretty happy with that because it was pretty gnarly out there!

What surprised you about the race day that you might not have expected?

Probably the biggest surprise I guess for me was just how close the races are. Even though they did -- we did end up having that delay, we still had to within the hour be back on the line. We were on the line ready to go, and they end up delaying it. But that break goes by so fast, you know, on TV and stuff, so you don't realize it until you're racing. And I got done with my first moto, got rinsed off, got undressed, ate something, and then basically got my gear back on again and went back up there racing again. But that was probably the biggest thing. And then just figuring out timed practice is a little bit difficult, but that's probably the biggest thing right there. I knew coming in a lot of things, but I think that's definitely the biggest.

What might you change for the next event?

First off, just try to get a better start. The starts are really key. Try to hopefully for practice get out with them guys. Last weekend, I waited and then went and tried to stay on my own. But maybe this time get out with the top guys and follow their lines and pick up on some of things that they're doing and take advantage of their experience, so to speak. And hopefully that will help -- help me with getting a better qualifying time and get the track figured out. I've just spent time kind of maintaining during the week and working on little things like starts and sprints to get ready for the weekend.

What are you goals for the next couple races?

My goal is top 10, but I mean... if I'm top 15 I'll be happy with that. I just try to keep it up on two wheels and put in some solid results and hopefully open up some eyes with some teams I guess and get ready for next year!

Weekly Articles from Race Chapman

Justin Cooper, Fifth In First Pro Race 
Tomac Will Earn Title, But Not Ambassadorship 
Keep The Loretta's Competitive 
Eli Tomac Extends Lead In Spite Of Challenges 
Motocross Is A War Of Attrition 
The Beginning of a Beautiful Rivalry 
Justin Cooper's Successful Amateur Swan Song 
Exclusive One-On-One With Joey Crown Before The Mammoth Mountain MX