Words with Factory Honda's Josh Grant
Photos: Scott Hoffman

Motocross.com: New bike, new color, new team.
JG: Yeah, everything's new. New family. New gear. New sponsors. I've got Dragon, Osiris, Honda so I'm stoked. There are a lot of new changes.

What's going on in your head with riding and your career? What's your mindset?
Just positive. I'm stoked to be back home. I was back in North Carolina for a while and to be back here with the family and back to a bike that I'm familiar with, everything's going great.

Does it make that much of a difference to be here as opposed to where you were? Was it an uncomfortable situation and were you out of your comfort zone or element?
It's got to be both. You're definitely out of your element just because I've grown up out here but it wasn't bad. There are pros and cons to everything but at the same time it's what you're comfortable with and what you're familiar with that ultimately makes you happy.

Who do you predict will get second in the championship?
Second? I don't know. I'm not really worried about second. Anybody can go out there and win a race. Everybody is really riding really good right now. Hopefully James gets second.

How long did it take you to get acquainted with this Honda motorcycle and get up to Josh Grant speed?
Not very long. I've been on a Honda even through amateurs and even with GEICO a couple years ago so being back on a Honda just instantly felt comfortable right off the bat. It's a bike I've been really familiar with. I've rode one for over 6 years so I'm just glad to be back riding red.

Have you changed anything in your program in the last 6 months to ensure you're healthy and solid for the entire season?
Yes, I hired on Randy Lawrence as a trainer. He had worked with Villopoto a few years back when they were winning championships and whatnot so I've had him in my corner. We've done a lot of work so I think with him there and me feeling comfortable on the bike and all the things in a row I think we have a possibility of winning.

How hard is it to feel that you are going to win against some of this tough competition and in spite of unforeseen injuries that you've had over the last couple of years?
Well injuries are injuries but as long as you are doing the work, you should feel confident that you can go out and win. With Randy in my corner, I feel confident that we're capable of winning so it's just a matter of putting all your ducks in a row, because I know the hard work is done.

Have you changed your riding philosophy or technique in the last year or so?
No, I don't ever change anything. I'm just a wild child so I go out and do whatever I can and try my hardest. I'm always the guy who just goes out and wings it and wants to win and that's what's going to happen.

Do you even think about some of the new rookies coming into the 450 class now?
That's something I've kind of dealt with in the past where I've worried about what other people are doing and who is riding what and who all is racing and whatnot so that's something I switched up this year. My mentality coming into the races is to just worry about myself and worry about my program that I need to do and I think that's really helped me carry on through practice and do my stuff. Yes, there's always going to be new talent that comes into the class every year, people have to move up, but for the most part it's a rookie season and you never know what to expect from them on a big bike.