Going into the event I kept a positive attitude, I've always thought I could win a title at the World Finals. My goal was for the racing championship, because I assumed that if Max D or Grave Digger, who runs at the end of the freestyle line up, would come out on top. When I received the number 16 position in freestyle I felt I had a shot at it and that I was going to push it really hard.

What was going through your head just as you were about to take your freestyle run?

Not to get bitten like I have the last 3 years. My plan was to go out there and attack the big obstacles to the outside of the track and stay away from the car stacks in the middle that could throw you into the side of the big hill. In the past several years, I always seem to catch one tire on the hill and turn over prematurely.

Did you plan your run in advance? How much of it was just 'as you go'?

Yes, but my plan got blown out of the water. While El Toro Loco was being towed off of the track, they reset obstacles. Originally I was going to start by jumping the fountain over the boat. When they set the ice cream truck up on top of the boat that was on top of the fountain that pretty much blew my plan out the window. I didn't want to start out with something that could potentially be the only obstacle that I got to hit, because that was a big obstacle. It was a HUGE obstacle. So I rapidly came up with a new plan. But it is hard to follow a plan when freestyling a monster truck, because you may land in a different direction than anticipated. I've never made a habit of dodging an obstacle; I'll head for whatever is in front of me. So the best thought out plans never works for me.

What did you think of the track layout for freestyle?

When I saw the track for the first time on Tuesday night, I was sitting in the stands looking down at it thinking - this is unreal; these are the biggest obstacles ever attempted in Monster Truck history. This track is going to be difficult to navigate and it's getting close to the limits of abuse that both truck and driver can take. It was at the edge, it really was. The big double bus lane appeared outside the boundaries of being able to be cleared. It made for a good obstacle, but it did exactly what I thought it would. It tore up a bunch of trucks and made for some good wrecks.

Were you happy with your overall freestyle run?

Absolutely, I was ecstatic about filling the 90 second clock before ending up upside down. I have competed in 7 World Finals. In the past 5, my runs ended less than one minute into them. Overall I was very happy, I was ecstatic with my run. If I could do it again, I'd probably change a couple of things.

Were you happy with your results in racing?

Fairly happy. I would have loved to have gone one more round obviously; and been in the finals. That's my goal for next year; to win the racing championship.

What do you think of the Captain's Curse truck and design?

I think Neil (Vandenburg, Live Nation Graphic Designer) did an incredible job with the graphics. We love it and hope it is a big hit with the fans. The hood design is my favorite. At the awards banquet on Sunday, they had my hood hanging from a tower built on stage; I looked up at it and was thinking how awesome. It was a last minute decision to go with a pirates theme and I am very impressed with the amount of imagination and detail that was put into it. It's just incredible and I love it.

Do you think this new truck design provided any good luck to you?

I don't believe the change brought me luck. The Kid's Wish Network brought a fan to visit me. His name is Riley; he gave me gold token "The Official Guardian Angel". I kept the coin in my pocket the whole time. If I thought anything was a lucky charm piece or that something brought me luck, it would be items like that.

Oh really, see those are our lucky pieces there. We are lucky to get to meet and visit with children like Riley, to have them cross paths with our lives.

What are your goals for the coming year as a result of this win?

I, myself, as Pablo Huffaker would like to defend the title of freestyle champion. Whether or not I'll be driving the Captain's Curse truck is unknown at this time. That is up to all the brass at Live Nation Motor Sports - Charlie Mancuso, President. For myself, every time I go out, regardless of what I am driving, I will be defending my title as Freestyle Champion.

Finally, you have a new grandson, tell me about that.

Absolutely, March 7, 2007, was one of the greatest days of my life; I was filled with joy and a lot of emotion on that morning. I'm not an emotional guy but I was able to be at the hospital for his birth. As the excited new Dad escorted us to the delivery room with the details, I had tears in my eyes, then, I was the first to hold him after Mom and Dad (I couldn't wait to get my hands on him, Tina had to be patient and wait). We've been told that a grandchild changes everything and how true it is. As Tina says, when you have your own children you are generally so busy getting established in life and trying to provide for your family that so much passes by. Reality sinks in when your kids are all grown up and it seems as though time has flown by; then you get a grandchild - a second chance to experience the joy a child brings. I will forever be on cloud 9!

And the Hot Seat is his?

Yeah, that hot seat is his first high chair. I'm not sure how we'll set it in the kitchen, we may have to get some higher stools but that's his first high chair at Nana and Pappy's house.

What did you think about the overall event in Las Vegas this year? Especially from the perspective of someone who has been to the event before.

The whole production is unbelievable. Too bad we can't put 80,000 in Sam Boyd Stadium so that 80,000 of our fans can experience the Monster Jam World Finals in Las Vegas. Our fans would be thrilled from the moment they pulled into the gates. The event (trucks performing, pit parties, activities for kids, side shows, etc) has grown so much that as you drive down Russell Road you can see Ford trucks elevated in the sky on turn tables, a Max D hanging from a huge crane. The first Grave Digger was there on display, heck there were Diggers everywhere - Silver Digger, Digger upside down, Digger in a trailer, Digger on trailer tires - it was a huge celebration of the 25th anniversary.

What a spectacle! I think people should come out and go to this pit party whether or not they go to the event. Not sure if that's possible without a ticket, but it's just amazing.

Any one particular thing that stood out the most?

Well obviously the one thing that stood out the most for me was getting to capture the 2007 Freestyle Championship and getting to share that with my wife, Tina; along with team mate Aaron Basl. I just wish my son, daughter-in-law and long time crew member Joey Newman; and everyone that normally has been with us for the past 7 World Finals could have been there. I did have two good friends and fellow racers that joined our crew to help get us through this event; Dan Rodoni and Mike Pappas - Thanks Guys!

Any Final Comments?

I want to thank all the fans across the country that come out to their hometown shows and support us as we make our way to the World Finals Event. I especially want to thank those fans that spend hours making banners and cheering me on. Without those guys it wouldn't be possible. Thanks from the bottom of my heart.