For the last few years it was just getting harder and harder to make a full commitment each week.But even when I was down on my results, I always had GREAT people around me that kept me going. My family, sponsors and friends I had around me is what allowed me to stay competitive.Q. You became a crowd favorite at more than your fair share of races with the longest autograph lines. Why do you think the fans picked you as their favorite rider?Joe Kopp: I have always made it a point to really try and be fan friendly with the fans but more importantly with the kids at the races and I think that really started to show in the last couple of years.I have young kids at home and I know how much they look up to a racer such as myself, so if you take the time and chat with them while signing an autograph, you would be amazed with what kind of memory it leaves with that young child. I’ve always believed, you should treat someone the way you would like to be treated. Pretty simple really. I just always wanted to be known as a good guy on and off the track and I feel like I have accomplished that.Q. Although you announced your retirement, you also stated there will be a couple times you may get the bikes dusted off to hit some races next year. Any idea which events you may plan to attend?Joe Kopp: I’m thinking somewhere like Daytona and maybe the Springfield TT since those were always two of my favorites. Plus I would like to do something like Pikes Peak ,maybe a few Endurocrosses, or what ever else comes along that would be fun to do.Q. It appeared during your announcement speech at the awards ceremony it all was becoming a reality. That must have been tough.Joe Kopp: I knew it was going to be tough! I really could not even think too much about it in the days leading up to the awards ceremony without getting choked up. There were so many more things I wanted to say but I couldn’t because I just was not able to talk. I wanted to congratulate Jake and his crew because I saw how hard they worked all year.I also wanted to thank all of my fans, friends and sponsors over the years. It was an emotional moment, but I guess people understood just what flattrack has meant to me over the years. It is and has been my life and my family’s life!Q. The saying goes…behind every great man, is a great woman. How has Deedee played a role in your racing?Joe Kopp: Where do I start? DeeDee has always played a major role in my career. Non stop, week in and week out she has helped me through the good and bad times. Now it’s time for me to join her in doing things she loves to do like horse back riding or what ever she has planned. For years we have talked about maybe getting into team roping together.All I can say, if that is the direction we want to go…. those cowboys better watch out. DeeDee gets as serious as I do when it comes to being competitive. I really look forward to all the new things we will do together.Q. Are the kids and Deedee ready to have you home?Joe Kopp: This is something we have all discussed over time, so I think everyone is ready. With all the traveling we have done over the years we will probably get ants in our pants to get back on the road and go somewhere. I don’t see us just sitting home.Q. Many sports figures have a hard time adjusting after retiring. How is Joe Kopp going to handle the slower pace and less stress?Joe Kopp: I’m not sure if I will slow down that much as I have lots of ideas. I can’t financially retire, so I will need to find something fun and rewarding to do. But yea, I am not sure about less stress or slower pace, but I would say that safer is more like the word for the job I am looking for. ha-haQ. Any regrets along the way that stands out?Joe Kopp: I have no regrets along the way. Sure there are the things here or there that you think about, but really I have had such a GREAT time out there racing full time on the AMA GNC circuit, I would not trade it for anything!There were some battles on the track that were maybe left unfinished, but ya know what comes around goes around in my book. I love good carma and bad carma! ha-haQ. Congratulations on your successful racing career and we look forward to seeing you with your induction into the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame.Joe Kopp: WOW! The Hall of Fame would be amazing! I’m not sure if I will fall into that group, but if I do, I guess that would be like winning another championship. Thank you!
AMA Flat Track: Kopp Retirement Interview
For the last few years it was just getting harder and harder to make a full commitment each week.But even when I was down on my results, I always had GREAT people around me that kept me going. My family, sponsors and friends I had around me is what allowed me to stay competitive.Q. You became a crowd favorite at more than your fair share of races with the longest autograph lines. Why do you think the fans picked you as their favorite rider?Joe Kopp: I have always made it a point to really try and be fan friendly with the fans but more importantly with the kids at the races and I think that really started to show in the last couple of years.I have young kids at home and I know how much they look up to a racer such as myself, so if you take the time and chat with them while signing an autograph, you would be amazed with what kind of memory it leaves with that young child. I’ve always believed, you should treat someone the way you would like to be treated. Pretty simple really. I just always wanted to be known as a good guy on and off the track and I feel like I have accomplished that.Q. Although you announced your retirement, you also stated there will be a couple times you may get the bikes dusted off to hit some races next year. Any idea which events you may plan to attend?Joe Kopp: I’m thinking somewhere like Daytona and maybe the Springfield TT since those were always two of my favorites. Plus I would like to do something like Pikes Peak ,maybe a few Endurocrosses, or what ever else comes along that would be fun to do.Q. It appeared during your announcement speech at the awards ceremony it all was becoming a reality. That must have been tough.Joe Kopp: I knew it was going to be tough! I really could not even think too much about it in the days leading up to the awards ceremony without getting choked up. There were so many more things I wanted to say but I couldn’t because I just was not able to talk. I wanted to congratulate Jake and his crew because I saw how hard they worked all year.I also wanted to thank all of my fans, friends and sponsors over the years. It was an emotional moment, but I guess people understood just what flattrack has meant to me over the years. It is and has been my life and my family’s life!Q. The saying goes…behind every great man, is a great woman. How has Deedee played a role in your racing?Joe Kopp: Where do I start? DeeDee has always played a major role in my career. Non stop, week in and week out she has helped me through the good and bad times. Now it’s time for me to join her in doing things she loves to do like horse back riding or what ever she has planned. For years we have talked about maybe getting into team roping together.All I can say, if that is the direction we want to go…. those cowboys better watch out. DeeDee gets as serious as I do when it comes to being competitive. I really look forward to all the new things we will do together.Q. Are the kids and Deedee ready to have you home?Joe Kopp: This is something we have all discussed over time, so I think everyone is ready. With all the traveling we have done over the years we will probably get ants in our pants to get back on the road and go somewhere. I don’t see us just sitting home.Q. Many sports figures have a hard time adjusting after retiring. How is Joe Kopp going to handle the slower pace and less stress?Joe Kopp: I’m not sure if I will slow down that much as I have lots of ideas. I can’t financially retire, so I will need to find something fun and rewarding to do. But yea, I am not sure about less stress or slower pace, but I would say that safer is more like the word for the job I am looking for. ha-haQ. Any regrets along the way that stands out?Joe Kopp: I have no regrets along the way. Sure there are the things here or there that you think about, but really I have had such a GREAT time out there racing full time on the AMA GNC circuit, I would not trade it for anything!There were some battles on the track that were maybe left unfinished, but ya know what comes around goes around in my book. I love good carma and bad carma! ha-haQ. Congratulations on your successful racing career and we look forward to seeing you with your induction into the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame.Joe Kopp: WOW! The Hall of Fame would be amazing! I’m not sure if I will fall into that group, but if I do, I guess that would be like winning another championship. Thank you!