Justin Cooper Interview: Glendale Press Day
January 31, 2025
Image from Feld Motor Sports, Inc.
Impressive turnaround last weekend between the heat race, LCQ, and main event—what were your thoughts after the heat race?
Yeah, it was pretty rough, to be honest. It didn’t go to plan—I got a terrible start and was getting shuffled around. I didn’t even realize I was out of a qualifying position. I just thought it was a bad heat race, but then I came across in tenth. My mind was flustered all the way up to the LCQ, and even during the LCQ, I was still mad about the heat race. But I went out there a little fired up for the main event. Then it rained, which I think was a bit of a blessing. I got some good traction out of my gate, and it felt exactly like the LCQ—just trying to put my head down and do some sprint laps right away.
How crazy was that mindset shift—going from the LCQ and an outside gate to leading for the first quarter of the race?
Yeah, in the first rhythm section, I was like, "Alright, we’re back to square one, but now we’re out front in the main." Everything that happened before didn’t matter anymore. I just tried to put my head down and focus.
Now that you’ve done it—led for a bit—what’s the next step? Did you learn anything from being up front?
Yeah, of course. It’s a confidence booster. I know I’m capable of doing it, but it’s tough to start up front in this class—there are a lot of great starters. Being consistent off the gate is super important. If you can get a good start, it puts you in a solid position for the race.
What went into your decision to jump the whoops instead of skimming them?
Honestly, I was getting pretty eaten up there. In the beginning, it was working because of the rain—everyone was kind of timid around the track, and I was really trying not to be. At first, it was definitely working. The other guys were struggling with skimming because it was so wet. But after lap six or seven, it was like a light switch—the track started getting really good traction. I never switched to blitzing the whoops, and ultimately, I think I just got too comfortable jumping them.
Last question—how would you grade your start to the season? Average, disappointing? What are your expectations?
I think it’s been a good start to the series—I'd say average so far. I’d like to have more of those flashes where I show what I’m capable of. I definitely think I can get on the podium, but it’ll take a good holeshot and me being comfortable. Last weekend, I was in a position to get on the podium, but then a pack caught up to me, and I made one or two mistakes. All of a sudden, they were all past me. That was tough. I was in fifth for most of the main and got passed with a few laps to go, but it was still a good step in the right direction, especially considering how the night started. Now, we reset for a new weekend. We’ve got a Triple Crown this weekend, so that should shake things up.
