How's everything going today?
Hey man! Great! I have had a solid week at home. It’s weird being home on a Monday from a GNCC. Kind of nice for a change! (laughs)

So how did your race go at The Mammoth this past weekend?
Mammoth was good. The new venue was good. It puts everyone on a even playing field. I had a good start up front, put it on the ground a couple of times, came back and had some awesome battles, and won my class and a 21st overall finish.

How did it feel to grab that win?
It felt great man! I was pretty happy with how my first 3 rounds went. I was solid 20's overall, and was all 2nd's. But South Carolina really brought me down. I felt great, but apparently wasn’t. So it was good to kick that mood straight away.

What did you think of the new track?
It was actually really good for as many rocks as there were. I’m not usually a big fan of them, but I had a blast with the track, and battling with Chris Douglas and Hunter Williams made it even more fun. I feel like Barry has really tried to add more dimension to the tracks so far this year. They've had technical sections, fast sections, and really make you think sometimes rather than just pin it. Really does let the best man win you know?

How has your 2012 season been going?
Great! I’ve got the points lead already, which is great, but I'm much more concerned with my overalls. Last year I was going for class wins and it got me pretty close to Grant Baylor, who KILLS it by the way, but I snuck a few top am's in late last year and I'm definitely looking for that top amateur award. I'm light years ahead of where I was last year at this point, so I want to stay consistent, but at the same time, it’s time to light the fire and get up there in overall results!

What is it going to take for you to maintain the points lead?
Consistency really pays off at this point. Everyone has the speed on any given day. But conditions aren’t always in everyone's favor, so to be up front in the top 3 every round is huge. It’s great to have the speed, but it doesn’t do anyone any good to quit races.

What is the competition like in the Open-A class?
It’s unreal! Douglas, McDonald, Williams, Mullins, Sode, Wozny, Belue, the list goes on man, and it’s all different every race. I never know which one I'm battling, until that lap, and it’s always a battle.

Have you given any thought to what your plans for 2013 might be?
Well as of right now, it’s just work and racing for me. My job pays for my hobby. I wish that wasn’t the case, but I have to make the bike payments.(laughs) I already have quite a few great people behind me, but I would love to get the help with bikes, parts, or gas! To ride every day, or at least not have to drive all the way back home to Illinois to punch a time clock on Monday. It would sure be nice to stay with a few friends out east and ride more. But, I’m just going to keep at it and hope that I can step it up enough to impress someone.

So going back, how did you get started in the off-road world?
It all started on my Dads Utility quad on the farm. He got tired of me breaking it, so he bought me a bike. From there Bill Gusse's Local series (MXC Series) and other local Districts did it for me. Then we started following Bill's OMA series, up until the past 2 years, then I started in on the GNCC's.

What attracted you to start racing the GNCC Series?
The possibility of making this a job! The XC1 guys might not make a fortune doing this, but they are athletes. Better than a desk jockey job and it’s no secret that the GNCC's are where you need to be in this line of work. They carry a lot of prestige, and for good reason, the depth of talent is second to none.

What is it like juggling all the various series you race, along with working a full-time job?
It is exhausting. (laughs) I get home Sunday night around 2 am. Up at 6 am, clock in, off at 3 pm. Wash Bike, start bike work, finish in shop about 9, supper, sleep. Repeat, exception of bike work could be the following: riding, gym, cleaning vehicle, helping parents on the farm, e-mails. Packed up Thursday night, I might go in early to work early Friday (3 am) to get off early so I can leave early. Pick up Kayleigh, Track walk, sign up Saturday, bed early, up early, race, pack up and drive. Repeat over and over!

So what exactly is it you do for work?
I pack out sweetener. A couple of different kinds. Stuff you find in like toothpaste, gum, mints, but its man-made. I'm in packaging, so we do things in bulk. 1000 kg bags, 90 kg drums, 20 kg bags and boxes. Fork trucks and manual labor. It gets taxing when you’re still sore from the race, and stiff from the drive. (laughs) It’s a big company, lots of good benefits. Pretty lucky to have such a laid back company to work with.

Sounds like a pretty good gig!
It is, we have cook outs like once a month, and showers in locker rooms, events like golf outings, and baseball games.

What do you hope to accomplish in your racing career?
Racing is such a short term career, but I will always be involved with it. If you can do what you love as a job, it’s not really work then is it? I think being manager of a team, or owning or being a part of solid company would be a good way to keep involved for many years to come.

What is it going to take to get there?
More than just results I think. I mean you have to be respected in the community as a whole, and not just with your attitude on the track. To build strong relationships with the people that matter and have been around awhile is very important, as well as respect. Show commitment, and to do it, because you want to, not because you have to.

Who would you like to thank? 
Mom & Dad, I can not thank them enough for everything they do for me and put up with week in and week out. Love you both.
Kayleigh, puts up with just as much, and sacrafices more. She is always by my side all weekend, and helps me out more than she'll ever know. 
The Wiersema's & The Remley's. 
Now for all the support with racing, these people have really stepped up to help me the past few years, and have really been a major part of my success: 
FLY Racing, Ride PG, EKS Brand, Nytro, Sidi, G2, Kenda, Dirt Tricks, FMF, Race Tech, and anyone else who has helped me along the way. Thank you.