Tuesday Toolbox with ....
Charlie Mullins!
Finally, Charlie “Hot Rod” Mullins has broken through for a GNCC win. He enjoys texting more than talking on his phone, but he answered our call for this interview.
Okay Charlie, has life changed for you at all since this win? What ran through your mind Sunday night and Monday morning?
Sunday night, it was a nice drive home. It made the drive easier. It just kind of set in, and it was all good. It kind of feels like it was all just another race, even though I won. It really doesn’t seem like a big deal.
 Charlie finally got the vase. |
Well, is it kind of a bummer when it works out like this? It seems like riders work so hard trying to figure out how to win, but then, when they finally win, they don’t even figure anything out at all. They don’t change anything, but all of a sudden they win!
That’s the thing, I didn’t wreck once, I didn’t make any mistakes. I just got a good start and rode my race the whole day.
The TV guys told me you wanted to wear the helmet cam, because you wanted everyone to see what has been happening to you with lappers. How bad does it get?
Yeah. There’s been a few races where I’ve had some run ins with lappers. But, if I had worn the helmet cam at this race, they wouldn’t have seen anything, because nothing happened like that.
How come? We didn’t really have any battles or passing in your class on Sunday, and lappers weren’t a big factor. What happened?
I definitely like a longer track with less laps. It seems like the race goes by a lot faster for me. Except for the last lap, when I wish I had a shorter track! But the long track, it seems like you don’t run into lappers as much because it spreads everyone out.
We heard riders rave about the track, especially the tight single track Penton section. What did you think?
I really enjoyed the track. The first lap, I knew they had the Penton section, but we didn’t go through that the first lap. So I just figured that what we saw on the first lap was the track we were going to race on. I didn’t listen to the riders meeting or anything, because I was talking to people, so I didn’t know that on the second lap, we would run through it. We went through all this virgin track, and it was fun. It got worn in real well.
In a bunch of other races, you’ve gotten out front like you did here on the first lap. Are you happy when you do that? Or does it not really matter because it’s a long race?
That’s what I try to do on the first lap, is get a good start and try to pull away. This race was the same as it was at Big Buck. I got a good start and I tried to pull away. But at this race, I kept telling myself, you got the lead and just hold on to it. I was a lot more mentally strong for this race. I didn’t let anything get to me on the last lap.
Have you learned from races like Big Buck, or Missouri last year?
I don’t know. It just seems like, I don’t know if the outcome would have been that different if Barry was there on the last lap. I might have felt more pressured. Factors like that could play in. But I think I’ve matured a little bit from last year on last lap situations, and I think I’m starting to figure out how to stay mentally focused.
Did you even realize you had taken the points lead after the race?
Uh, I try not to check all that stuff out, I try to stay away from it, but I found out I was in the points lead on Monday. I don’t want to let it eat at me. I’m not getting too anxious or anything. It’s still a long season.
 Hot Rod is getting the mental game down. |
They always say when a guy wins one, he starts to win a lot more quickly. Could this be the start of a streak?
I sure hope so. I definitely know what it takes and what you need to do to win and everything like that. I really think I’m capable, but Barry and David, there are still a bunch of guys that are pretty tough. I feel like I’m starting to figure the game out, and it’s coming easier to me.
It might have been frustrating to have gotten so many podiums and not get any wins, but does anyone ever say to you, “Hey, you’re only 21, you’ve got plenty of time?”
Yeah, I just looked back, and I don’t even know how many second or third places I have. It’s a lot. But I just realized today that I just turned 21 years old, and I could keep riding for another 10 or 15 years. I think that’s what I’m trying to focus on now, more long term.
One thing I have heard you’ve really improved on is testing.
Yeah, it’s starting to come to me, the more I’m around it and everything. Randy and Barry, and Zack from Factory Connection, they have explained a lot about what is actually working inside the suspension. I’m able to tell when a bike’s not working. That’s what Randy said, that over time I will slowly get a feel for it.
Did you make changes between Loretta’s and this race?
Yeah, Factory Connection was at Barry’s house last week, and I went up there for a day, and they worked with me. It’s starting to pay off.
So you’ve got the Jason Raines training program, suspension working, a win, the points lead. This is a pretty good feeling for you right now.
I can’t complain. It’s perfect right now. I’m going to do an OMA during the month off. I don’t think I’m going to do Loretta Lynn’s, since I’m in championship contention, I don’t want to risk anything. It’s not my job to win Loretta’s, that’s not what Yamaha pays me to do. I think I’m going to come up to High Point for the National next weekend, and race motocross amateur day on Friday, and the Moto-X-Country on Saturday. Then I’ll watch the race on Sunday, hang out, have a good time.
One last thing. You’re 21 and you won a race. Was there a 21-year-old level celebration?
I had no one to celebrate it with!
Get out of here!
I have no friends!
Whatever dude! You had a big posse at the podium!
Yeah but none of those guys are 21. But I will say, if I win the championship, I am planning on getting wasted.
Well if you’re feeling antsy you should come to the Racer X High Point party at Bent Willy’s next Friday. Although that might hurt your Moto-X-Country skills.
(Laughs) Thanks.
See you next weekend at High Point, Charlie.
Okay see you then.
