For years, Aaron Plessinger lived between two worlds. Many thought he would turn pro in the woods. Plessinger’s dad, Scott, is a four-time national champion—two GNCC titles (1994 and 1995) and two National Hare Scrambles titles (1989 and 1992)—and Aaron was fierce in the GNCC Youth and Amateur ranks. But he also raced moto and showed considerable potential. His career path would change in 2013. He dedicated himself full-time to motocross for the first time, had a breakout performance at Loretta Lynn’s, sweeping the 450 B and 250 B Classes, and earned a spot on the Yamalube/Star Racing Yamaha team. The following year, Plessinger was one of the first graduates of Ricky Carmichael’s Road to Supercross, winning two Amsoil Arenacross main events and one Arenacross Lites main event.
Plessinger entered Loretta’s this year as a Horizon Award favorite, but an early crash ended his chances. He bounced back at the Monster Energy Cup, winning his final amateur race, sweeping the Amateur All-Stars event. We caught up with the Ohio native earlier this week as he prepares for his first Monster Energy AMA Supercross season.
Racer X: You’re getting close to the beginning of your first year in supercross. How are you feeling?
Aaron Plessinger: I’m feeling good, going into the last month of training. I just got off a broken ankle, so I’m trying to get back to the level I was at after Monster Cup. But, I’m feeling good and fresh. I just need to get out on the supercross track and get my flow back. Come supercross I think I’ll be ready.
Your last year at Loretta’s didn’t go the way you wanted. How important was it to get right back into racing at the Monster Energy Cup and come away with a win?
It was definitely a good thing. Loretta’s didn’t go the way I planned. I had a few mishaps. I still got third in the 450 class and keep a smile on my face. I came to Monster Cup, and I prepared a lot for it. It definitely showed. I went 1-1, and it was a great feeling to come out on top.
Your background is a little different in that you grew up racing GNCC and evolved into motocross. For those that aren’t familiar with your background, take us through your early years.
My first race ever was in the wood on a PW50. I have always ridden the woods. I got into motocross around 8 years old. My first year at Loretta’s didn’t go well, but the second year I actually won a moto. From then on, 85s and up, I went back and forth from motocross to GNCCs. I really think it improved my skills on the bike. Riding every kind of dirt, every kind of mud, anything you can think of, GNCC has it. Riding for three hours definitely got my endurance up. I think it was 2010, and I was really only racing GNCCs. I think I only did Loretta’s and Mini Os. In 2012, I kind of got back in the motocross scene. Then in 2013, I really got back into it. I went to every amateur national and pretty much got all top-fives. Then at Loretta’s I went six for six [won all six motos], and that was an awesome feeling. I think going back and forth from motocross to GNCC has really made me an all-around rider.
At the time, I think a lot of people thought you would turn pro in GNCCs. Did you ever see yourself taking that route?
Yeah. We had a few offers in GNCC, but we look at it in the long run, and it was almost better to go pro in motocross if I could, which now I’m doing. We just looked at it long term and went from there. I actually went to the Steele Creek GNCC and I won the XC2 class, and I went to the next one, I believe at Big Buck, and got third. So, we thought about going pro in GNCC. I think it was 2011, and I got a few offers, but I just wanted to go motocross.
Was 2013 the turning point for you, where you decided that motocross was your future?
It was definitely that year. I really picked it up [that year]. I started training with Matt Walker, and I think it really improved myself—focusing on just motocross instead of both. That was really the first year I just focused on motocross. I really was able to improve my speed.
For someone who grew up racing in the woods and maybe didn’t take the traditional route, do you feel arenacross helped you hone your supercross skills?
I think so. It’s a mix between my height and doing that. Arenacross helped me get my flow down for supercross. I never really rode a supercross track. Training for arenacross, that’s really all I had to ride. So it really helped me get a flow and helped me win a main event.
You’ve been East Coast based, how has the transition to California been?
The transition has been pretty good. I moved out here probably two, three months ago. I’ve just been riding and training with Cooper [Webb] and Gareth [Swanepoel, Plessinger’s trainer] and making a few friends along the way. I’m really starting to like it out here, but the East Coast will always be my home. I can’t let go of the East Coast.
Your team last year, Yamalube/Star Racing Yamaha, had a breakout year. Cooper won races and Jeremy Martin won a championship. Does that put added pressure on you coming into next year?
Yes and no. The team was awesome last year. Jeremy won the championship, and I think Cooper was in second most of the year. So, yeah, it kind of does put pressure on me, but knowing that I have a good team and a good trainer really helps my confidence.
You said you were spending a lot of time with Cooper. Not long ago he was a rookie himself. Has he given you any advice?
Just keep your cool. Don’t let it get to your head and stay relaxed.
