In case you’ve been living under a rock, you know that the U.S. Open is coming up this weekend. In the early years we saw some heavy underdogs win the race and the 100K that goes with it. Damon Huffman and Jeff Emig were the epitome of underdogs. As a matter of fact, if you looked up “underdog” in the dictionary you would see a shot of Jeff Emig on a Yamaha.
Last year we almost saw another huge upset when Hart and Huntington’s Josh Demuth was in position to win the whole damm thing until late in the race when Michael Byrne went down. This allowed Grant Langston to get the one spot he needed to capture his first U.S. Open victory. Demuth is a two-time arenacross champion and is obviously used to the tight confines of the MGM Grand Garden Arena. Josh is coming back this weekend and everybody should keep an eye on the friendly Texan. We decided to call him up and see if he thinks he can do it again.
Racer X: Josh, it was around one year ago that you almost made history at the U.S. Open. What are your thoughts on last year’s race?
Josh Demuth: I mean expectations are pretty good, I’ve gotten back into pretty good shape and have been riding a lot and feeling good. I don’t know how it’s going to go. Last year I felt pretty good going into the race also; my goal was to get top ten and then I ended up getting third and almost winning the thing. I feel good again and have a great team behind me with great bikes and everything. I plan on keeping my goals the same again and hoping for the best.
Let’s talk about your 2008 season. It wasn't one of your best, right?
No, it wasn't. I was coming off that U.S. Open ride and getting ready for the upcoming supercross season and feeling pretty good when I broke my wrist practicing. I came back early for sure, like about two months early. I tried to do whatever I could do to try and come back to help the team out. I came back too early and it was tough. I wanted to get a few races in and help the team out but then I got hurt again and didn’t do the team or myself any good.
What about 2009? What are your plans?
For 2009, I think I’m going to be on the same program. Hart and Huntington Honda for supercross only. I haven’t yet signed my contract but everything is going as planned so far.
What are your goals for 2009?
To be honest, they're the same as they were last year. I want to get top ten in the points and try my best every weekend; I want to do the best I can. I’m getting older and I’m not going out there to kill it every time I’m on the track and try to win the race. I know what the deal is, I want to stay healthy and consistent. That’s the way to make it a good season. Last year I didn’t get to race really anything and it was kind of a bummer. I got to focus on keeping it on two wheels and I’ll have a good year.
You’ve had some real highs like last year’s U.S. Open, the two arenacross championships and also some real lows where you weren’t even racing at all. Talk about your career so far.
You know it’s been a struggle from time to time for me. I’ve been doing it for a while and sometimes things are good and sometimes things are bad, the way everything works out you’re only as good as your last race. You’re right, it has been a rollercoaster up and down ride for me, but I try to make the best out of every situation that I’m in. I’m getting older and it’s hard to say how much longer I’ll be racing, but as long as I can still get there or still be competitive I’ll be there racing. Whether that is supercross, motocross or arenacross, I can’t say for sure.
Lately I’ve started looking into the doing some WORCS or GNCC racing, that might be fun. I enjoy those longer races and I’ve been racing some local cross country series events here in Texas and have a ton of fun doing those. I’m keeping my options open and maybe that’s something I can look forward to doing more of in the future. As far as the racing indoors, I’m going to keep doing that until I can’t win anymore or at least be competitive. After that I believe you’ll see me in the woods.
Who do you want to thank, Josh?
Rockstar Energy Drink, Hart and Huntington Tattoo, Honda, Fox Racing, my wonderful girlfriend Danielle, my dad and everybody that helped me out along the way. My personal stuff is really big to me, all my friends and family that have pushed me in my racing are a huge help and thanks again to my girlfriend and dad again for being my backbone out there.
