Monday Conversation: Kevin Windham
Monday, December 10, 2012 | 10:20 AM
Alpinestars has been delivering performance of the highest level on the motocross tracks of the world for almost 50 years. Racing on Sunday and developing on Monday is a way of life at Alpinestars. Welcome to the Racer X Monday Conversation.
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PrintIf you're going to talk to Kevin Windham, come armed with a recorder. Small talk to him sounds like poetry to us. For example, when we called him to get some analysis of the Phoenix Supercross track for the 2013 Monster Energy Supercross program, we ended up drifting to a variety of other topics, each one loaded with insight. It got so good that we just kept recording and made it this week's Monday Conversation!
Racer X: Hey K-Dub I need to talk to you about the Phoenix SX for the program.
Kevin Windham: Oh yeah, Phoenix has been a good town for me, really. It wasn't as talked about like the transfers of today, but that was the first place I ever did a transfer. Great town, great energy there.
Whoa, whoa, the transfer started in Phoenix?
Yeah!
So do you actually remember what year it was?
Not sure, but I think it was '08.
You've been doing the transfers for that long? Four years?
Yeah! It hadn't caught on yet like it has now, but I remember that first one pretty well. If I saw the blueprints of each year's Phoenix track I could show you what year it was, and exactly what I did. But now I might have to find a way to tone these transfers down. The ones I've been doing recently, they're probably averaging 70 feet, so that's basically bigger than any obstacle on the track, and I'm doing it in the dark!
After a big crash a the Monster Energy Cup Windham took five weeks off.
Simon Cudby photo
Yeah you've kind of set yourself into a bad position now.
It scared me when I wanted to talk to Feld about it one year and they said, “If you crash and get hurt in opening ceremonies, here is how we're going to handle it.” They had to put a whole plan together to figure out what would happen if I got hurt! I figure you could just keep the lights turned off and no one would really see what was going on.
[Laughs] Was that first one in '08 pretty lame compared to what you're doing now?
In my head it was so gnarly but it was a joke compared to the ones I'm doing now!
Hey so how are you doing? Last time we saw you, you had a big crash at Monster Energy Cup.
I took five weeks off. I was kind of bummed with the level of the crash and the injuries I sustained from it. I've had crashes where I thought I should have just died, and I get up and everything is okay. Everyone knows why I'm out here at this point in my career, and when I go from a crash at Houston that takes me out for awhile, and then a crash at Vegas that takes me out again, everyone starts to wonder if I should still be doing this anymore. And I certainly understand that, and I've had to think about it myself. I've just got to find some consistency and keep it on two wheels. And in supercross, it seems like stuff can just happen at anytime. So I had to think about it quite a bit, and in the end, I realized the thing to do is not really overanalyze it.
How did you feel once you started riding again?
Once I got back on, I was happy with my cardio, because I've hooked up with a good group of guys back here at home to do some road bicycling. So I was good there. I felt good on the bike, so I don't think the time off really set me back or anything as far as how I will feel when the season begins.
How's the 2013 Honda? I know at Monster Cup you had just gotten on it, but you felt the transition would go smoothly.
The transition was great, which is good because I'm almost ready to go racing right now, and we still have time. Also, I ended up back near a '12 spec with the settings, and that usually doesn't happen when you have a new bike. It usually takes a long time to figure out where you need to be and what you want it to do. At this point in my career I wasn't looking forward to a whole new transition, so I'm happy the new bike felt so much like the other one. I look forward to that being the last of those transitions for my career. I don't anticipate the '14 being that much different!
K-Dub laying it flat at the GEICO Honda photoshoot.
Simon Cudby photo
Okay, so through all this, the retire-after-2014-goal is still there.
The '14 goal is still there. When you get to a certain level of you career, everyone is saying, “Whenever you decide it's time to go, you can go.” There are certain people on the team who are my bosses, but they're my friends, and they'll even say, “We're tired of seeing you hit the ground. Maybe you need to just stop the 2014 thing and just end it at 2012!” But I feel good, I still feel competitive, and I still feel I may have wins left in me. I really love what I'm doing so I don't want to stop. I tell the people around me there are basically three things I don't like with my career right now: First, new kids coming in and being fast, which could make me not competitive. Second is getting hurt. And then the third thing are those carts at the airport!
What?
You know those carts, Weege. You're walking to your gate and they come charging up behind you, beeping the horn, and almost take you down. And half the time, they'll go flying past you just to stop short at the next gate, and then I'm almost running right into them! It's like they start needing to get out of the way of the walker.
[Laughs] And what I don't get is, what are the standards for getting in those things? I've seen the widest variety of people riding in those carts.
Right. Look, I understand someone who is elderly and will have a tough time getting to their gate on time. But nine times out of ten the guy getting a ride looks like a running back for the Saints.
[Laughs] And where do they stage those things? I've never seen the cart parking lot, or even a place where you can go sign up for one. They just seem to come out of nowhere in the middle of the hallway.
I think what it is, is when you're booking a flight, you need to check that box that says special needs. I think we have to start checking that and we can get a ride to the gate.
And I like that because I'm sure they don't even charge you for it. It's like free valet.
If I could figure out how to get on those carts I might be able to race until '16.
[Laughs] This is good stuff. Seriously how is the riding going?
I just got back from California where I got to ride with my GEICO Honda teammates. And even though they're on 250Fs, they are going fast. I'm happy where I'm at. Also, I got to ride with the 41, Trey Canard, and that was good. I feel good about my riding and where I stack up, I just need to be consistent and keep it on two wheels. But I have additional goals; it's not all about winning. I'm just building a legacy, and trying to enjoy this incredible journey I'm on. You get to the point where you want to give back to the fans, help make future fans, really just be good to the sport.
Windham still plans to race another two years.
Simon Cudby photo
Well, yeah, we know your goals might be different than most others, but at the same time, you've maintained that you won't do this just to say you did it. You're not going to keep racing if all you can do is scratch out a top ten, or just make the main event.
Yeah, I am a racer. You have to stay competitive. And today, the difference between a win and a tenth, it could be something out of your control. When all the guys are on their game, it's tough, everyone is so close and pushing it so hard. But I'm not going to go out there and just be pumped to make the mains. I've seen riders push way past the point where they should be retired, and that's not a good place to be. If I get to that point, I'll know. By now, with my age, we're getting to the point where we are in uncharted waters, but luckily one of the only guys who has ever been there, as far as the number of main events, and the age, is Mike LaRocco, and he's the team manager over here right by my side. So I have some good guidance there. And I feel like I have something left. You know, at Monster Cup, the champion [Ryan Villopoto] crashed as well and basically had the same thing happen to him as happen to me. So it can happen to anyone. But everytime something bad happens to me, I start over thinking if I should be doing this anymore. It's weird too, I have a meeting today. I started doing some other stuff, some investments, and they're taking off. The plan was to really focus on these once the racing career ended, but they've just been growing almost out of control. I really don't have time for two jobs right now! We just opened our third Planet Fitness health club, and it looks like I'll be up to five soon. You know, throughout your life you end up seeing a lot of opportunities like that, and you pass a lot of them up and wonder why. Luckily I've been associated with some good people and this one worked out really well. But that makes me a pretty busy guy sometimes. I still need some time to keep focusing on this racing thing.
Okay then, we'll let you get back to it, Kevin. Always good talking to you.
Thanks, Weege.
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K Dub is a great ambassador for the sport! It is very easy to see why he gets the biggest ovation from the crowds across the country.
Fan favorite for a multitude of reasons. No ego, no trash talking and down to earth and realistic. Don't ever see another K-dub in the future. He will continue to race as long as James is racing. Seems to be some sort of rivalry there. So this will probably be his last season. Love to see him race until Honda has a all new bike though. K-Dub rules!!!!!
Class Act all the way! I hope he stays healthy...the races are much better with K-Dub around! Would love to see a mud race this year and see him win!
A guy that understands how to market yourself. Never says a bad word about anyone, always positive, and as @Sharff150 said, a great ambassador for the sport. I was in the Windham line at Millville and spoke with a guy and his wife. They travel to most of the SX and MX events throughout the year. Some years prior, Windham had remembered them from the prior autograph signing and even remembered the event. They said he is like that with many “repeat” people in his autograph lines. Truly unbelievable.
RC is and forever will be the GOAT, due to all the victories he earned during his career, but Kevin Windham is and forever will be #1 in the hearts of fans, due more to his friendly down home personality, than his amazing talent on a dirt bike!! K-Dub is living proof, that you don't have to win all the time, to be one of the best all time!!
K-Dub should start giving seminars to the young riders who have a hard time saying anything in an interview except a rattled off list of their sponsors. He is a "real" guy, just like one of your best buds ( excepts that he is amazingly fast...), and he makes you feel that when you hear him interviewed. K-Dub is a throwback of sorts, kinda like when Tony D, Lackey, Gaylon Mosier, and others rode the nationals. A fan could talk to them...like real people...and not expect to get B.S. responses to actual questions. JB51...take some lessons!!
Gota give it up to the guy, To be at that level still is crazy. It's going to be a very hard year for him though. The class is stacked like never before. You have 6 guys who can win and a few more that can win if things fall the right way. Would love to see K-Dub win another but damn i just don't see it.
What year did he stop raceing? 1999? 2000? He took a few years of at one point to clear his head.
I was on one of those carts once. I was 19 and in my Class A dress uniform. They changed the gate on my flight to the other side of airport while I wasn't there and I told the clerk that my leave was going to run out and I would be AWOL if I didn't get my base that day. They got me on the cart and rushed me to the gate. It was embarrassing
Yes Windham has been at it a long time! My first memory of him is at Whitney, one of the big GNC races, I was talking to Hawthorne by the track and after Dennis left this kid came up and asked me if I knew Hawthorne? Then he starts asking me questions about the track? He told me he raced the 80's and when he left his jersey said Windham. I told him good luck! Well then in the 80 class I looked for him. I dont remember who all was there but think he won! A very modest young man even at that age.
What makes Kevin so great right now is that he is truly racing because he wants to be. He doesn't need the money, he doesn't need to please anyone else, he doesn't need to prove anything. He's there because he wants to be there, plain and simple. He's not chasing a dream. He's living it now!
Off of the Windham subject---I just read the article about Marty Moates and have tears in my eys..... I can relate to the pain pils and all that Marty had to take. Hope everyone read the Racer X article about Mike Healey?? It explains a lot! You have to be carful with them. AS I told my Doctor they are only to make the pain better not go away, Because if you try to make the pain go away it will only get worse. He was trying to up my pain meds and I did not want to. It can be a very dangerous route. Everyone needs to understand and know when they cross the line from use to abuse! That is the beginning of the downfall. One you cross that line I have saw people never make it back! WE Motocrossers have had a lot of injuries but we love what we do or did.
Hope I did not upset anyone?
Take care all and Merry Christmas!
Here come A1...... LETS RACE!!!!
It sucks for Kevin that he had to face the two most successful racers ever thru his career or he would have had way more success.
Both Larocco and windham had the goods to win everything, except mcgraths holeshot ability and RCs psycho mentality were just too difficult to compete with.
I hate to say this, but I would be WAY MORE entertained watching old timers race supercross than the Open class. Larocco, McGrath, Emig, windham, ward, Craig, stanton, etc etc.. I get goosebumps wishing I could watch them do battle again. (On 250r's of course).
On a side note, windham would make a kickass test rider for Honda. That's a huge asset to a team for results. I know when Decker left Kawasaki they had struggles until Ferry came to help.. (Last time Stewart won on a Kawi was with Deckers setup, it makes a difference). So I would imagine Honda has plans after racing for Kevin if he chooses.
I think Larocco does some testing too, but he likes stuff pretty gnarly so I sure wouldn't want to ride his stuff!!
If it wasn't Mcgrath or RC it would have been someone else... Doug Henry, Greg Alberten, Chad Reed, they all had a little more than him.
Looks like we all share the same sentiment. What's there not too like? I was at the Houston SX this past spring. My God, what a battle that was with Stewart in the heat. THAT'S WHAT RACE FANS WANT....except for the crash. That sucked. Hated to see that. Go get 'em and give those youngsters some hell!!!
@Please don't ......no there most likely wouldn't ....guess you never saw him on a good day....as good as it gets and a BETTER riding style than anyone.......it is what it...some bad luck and some close calls haven't stopped him yet....Go KW.
@ Please don't hate us -
"I was on one of those carts once. I was 19 and in my Class A dress uniform."
Thx for your service
Dear Kev, and readers- true airport cart story:
Flying NY to Chicago, connecting through Detroit. Plane late, 15 minutes to make next connection, from B concourse to F in Detroit, before reconstruct. LONG walk. Took 10 minutes to get to connecting flight. Info wrong on kiosk. Gate changed. "To what?" you ask. THE SAME GATE I JUST LEFT! They moved the plane I arrived in and parked the alternate there. Said "HEY! CART GUY! Need a lift, emergency." Response: "You don't look like you need a cart to me". Explained situation, gave me a ride back, made it as doors were closing, sweating of course. Thanks Cart Guy in Detroit, 1992.
I'm a JS7 fan, but #14 was robbed of a dominating Vegas SX win when Bubba saw the old man was doing the quad-quad, too, then proceeded to add to this crash footage reel. That could've been his best chance of victory in the waning years.
PS: Phoenix SX is KDub's best takeout ever. Hellooooo DV12. Blam-O!
@CR500AF
Appreciate that. It's been a privalage to me.
Wasn't it K-Dub (or was it Lusk) who broke his femur really badly back in the early 2000's at a Super-X on a Suzuki and thought he was going to die.... Scared himself to death and he quit racing for a season or two? Anyone know the details?
kw's bad year was 02 on the suzuki at Atlanta. Class act guy for sure!!
KDub, you are the people's Champ!!!
BillC--you say the same thing about K-Dub every year.. And he had a win in the bag last season and had a silly mistake...
If we could all be as cool as K-Dub for just one day it would be awesome..
Great to see Windham racing for another season and mixing it up with the best.
Anybody know what his personal plane he fly's to the races in ?
He's had about 13 years between his first win and his last (so far) win, about the same as Larocco. I noticed a lot of guys on the all-time SX Wins list had a very narrow range of seasons between their first and last wins. That's almost like Nolan Ryan throwing no-hitters in his 40s (yeah I know, baseball is g*y. Maybe Favre would make a better analogy, minus the texting thing).
I hope he has one more win left in him. A holeshot at a mud race, and he'd be looking good. He's crashed pretty hard a few times last season. Hard to say if that might take a bit of the edge off. His technique and preparation is never in doubt.
Windham took notes when he witnessed T Pastrana at work with the fans. Those 2 guys have showed what the fans really mean to the sport. Windham is a sincere man, fast day slow day, he's just a solid man. RC has always admitted that Kdub was smoother and had better style than him, but the redhead developed his mental game to another level. When I got to races now, I never get autographs from the riders (especially the young punks). I will stand back and watch Kdub at work with the kids and fans and wish like hell I could stand in his shoes for a short time...thanks Kevin and thank your family for sharing you with us moto guys...
Needs to drop the transfers. It's one thing to get hurt racing in the twilight of your career, but to very potentially sustain a 'life-changer' just for a little applause would be silly. Thanks for all the memories Kevin.
Rt 14 in CT runs through the center of the Town of Windham.
But he is not going to do well this year unless a lot of guys drop out like last year.
Agree Tracks, KW please dont do the transfers anymore. A dumb way to get hurt.
RC may be the GOAT but Windham is the people's champ.