GNCCRacing.com: First off, congrats on the win! That has to feel awesome!
Johnny Gallagher: Yeah, it feels pretty good. You know, it’s 23 years in the making. Some people think it’s overdue, but I’m just glad it finally happened.

Were there times you doubted that it would?
Sure! You chase a dream for that long, it’s bound to happen. There’s points where you start to think about retiring, moving on to different points in your life…. and then one day it all comes together. 

In the end, was it worth it? Does finally being able to stand on that top box and say you did it make up for all the time and energy and heart you had to put into it over the years?
It was worth every second of every effort, every penny of the millions that I’ve spent, all the pain, all the sacrifice, all the heartbreak. I can say without a moment’s hesitation that it was all worth it to stand in the middle of the podium, even just one time!

I don’t know you very well outside of the track. Where do you live? Do you do anything besides race?
I’m from Aurora, Ohio, lived there my whole life. I spend winters in Florida, but the rest of the year I’m back there. I’ve raced 4-wheelers full-time as a profession for about 14 years now. Not really much other than that. Just a kid from Ohio chasing the dream. 

Walk me through your race this weekend. Are you usually good in muddy conditions, did something finally click for you – what’s your secret?
Yeah, I’ve always been known as a mud rider. Typically I’ve had a lot of podiums and top-five finishes in the mud. In previous seasons I’ve sometimes not even been running in the top 10, but this year I came in with a few top-five’s already under my belt [before this weekend]. I was hoping for a podium this weekend, and I actually ended up with a little bit better. 

What was your best finish before this race?
Third was my best finish previously. I’ve had a handful of them over the years – been on the podium four times, I think. I ended jumping right over that second place spot. 

Did you take the lead right off the start, or was it a battle to get up there?
No, I actually managed to run Big John over in the second turn and ended up last going into the woods. I worked my way up into the lead on the first lap, but made a stupid move and ended up back in tenth. I slowly worked my way back up into second again, and battled with Walker and McGill for most of the last lap. In the final few miles I saw an opportunity to make a break for it. Walker and I split a lapper. He went around one way and I went the other out in the field. I got around him and ran like a scared rabbit to the finish line! 

I totally understand that! I’m sure you have a lot of people who have supported you over the years. Who would you like to thank?
For sure. I’d like to thank everybody who makes this happen for me, especially GBC motorsports, Fly Racing, HMF, Yamaha, and all the other sponsors that kept me going throughout my 23-year career. I’d also like to thank Racer Productions for putting on such an awesome series, as well as my crew - Becca Sheets and Tyler Rosshirt, and all my fans, friends and family that have supported me through this long career that’s still going!