May 2006, Salinas, California.
Casey Hinson from the Central California farming community of Madera, has long been a force in that region as well as the Amateur National circuit. He has more than his share of California Motorcycle Association (CMA) titles, as well as many top finishes in the Amateur National circuit. Hinson has attracted a lot of attention over the past few years, notably being a guest on online radio shows and a frequent subject for race track interviews. He has trained intermittingly at Southern California tracks such as Cahuilla and Lake Elsinore with racers like Michael Young. One of his highlights after turning Pro in late 2005 was racing to several top ten finishes in 2005-06 Boo Koo Arenacross series, in both the 450 and 250 Pro class. His best finish was a fourth in the Friday night 450 Pro main event in Reading, Pennsylvania, as well as two top five finishes in the Dash for Cash. He still managed a tenth overall in the 450 Pro standings despite messing several rounds after getting injured, capping the series off with Rookie of the Year honors.

Saddled on Honda’s, he is on the comeback trail after suffering an injury at the 2006 Indianapolis Supercross qualifiers in the SX East Lites class, he is now hitting CMA’s Bounty Hunter series, local races, and plans on testing the National Outdoors circuit soon. I had the honor of kicking back with him after round one of the CMA Bounty Hunter series in Salinas, California. On this night he raced to third in the 125 Pro, second 250 Pro, and fourth in the Bounty Hunter Main event. Hinson would like to thank Clawson Motorsports of Fresno, Team Bloodshot, Osiris Shoes, his family, Shae Bentley, Al Gerkey, and everybody who has and continues to support him throughout his career.

Sxdirt.com: When did you turn Pro?

Hinson: I turned Pro around September (2005), and then in November I hit the Arenacros.

Sxdirt.com: How is your first year of Pro going?

Hinson: I went and did a couple of races, then I went and did the Boo Koo Arenacross series. I ended up getting rookie of the year in that. Had an injury half way through the season, broke my scapula. Missed about eight mains, but ended up tenth overall (450 Pro). It wasn’t too bad of a deal, it was my first year so it was pretty cool.

Sxdirt.com: What happened after that injury?

Hinson: Myself, and Shae Bentley, (who is) my agent, trainer, and good friend. Put our heads together, came up with a pretty good program. Loaded my van and went to the East coast Supercross series. Showed up at the first round, went out in practice and had the second fastest lap time in practice, at my first ever Supercross. Everything was cool, felt good. Went out for my day qualifier, and Dusty Klatt came up short on a triple, had nowhere to go and landed on him. I wasn’t wearing a chest protector, which I do now. Got a handlebar in the chest, broke my sternum, separated two ribs and broke two ribs, kind of a bum deal.

Sxdirt.com: How is your recovery going?

Hinson: Recovery is getting better. Had to have to surgery to get everything repaired, everything wired. Went five weeks on bed rest, which I have to do with my sternum, after those five weeks, I got released to start training. Between weeks five and six I started training. Between weeks six and seven, which is when Dr. Cohen, my doctor and good friend released me to start riding, just kind of took it easy. Showed up with my dad, and came here to race, and kind of race myself back to shape. Wasn’t too bad of a deal, struggling with some arm pump.

Sxdirt.com: What’s in store for the rest of the year?

Hinson: Myself, and Shae Bentley working on a deal to ride outdoors, anybody who knows how outdoors is, very tough to do on your own. There are a couple of teams I am talking too, I won’t be ready until about the third or fourth round. That’s when I will be close to 100%. I can’t wait until then to see how things go. Hopefully break the top twenty and get some experience for next year.

Sxdirt.com: What are the plans for 2007?

Hinson: SX, MX, not sure about AX, see how everything goes. No more Amateur Nationals, I am over that!