NBC.com

Dominic Grubb is the newest Fear Factor champ. Here's his exclusive NBC.com interview.

How and why did you get involved in Fear Factor?
I have watched Fear Factor since the show came on. I heard that there were open casting calls in New York and I decided that I would give it a try, but it snowed the day of and I didn't go. Then when my girlfriend and I went down in Las Vegas for vacation, they happen to be there so I went for the open casting calls there. It was all luck from there.

On the first stunt (with the helicopter), it seemed like your main goal was to "squash" Big Dog Josh. Why him more than the others?
It had more to do with the fact he came across cockier than the others. Like his s@*# didn't stink. All he did was talk s*%! and more trash about how he was going to take the prize home and that we should just give it to him. I couldn't let myself let him take it home or send me home either. I am just happy that I tied him and got to advance.

When you arrived at the creepy location on day two, what was your first thought?
I was trying to think of what they were going to make us do. Before the day started the crew walked us all around this old warehouse and there was this really weird smell. Something that I really didn't want to know what it was.

Then, the stunt's revealed: cod liver oil, cow hoofs, maggots! What were you thinking?
All I could think of is "just picture in your mind a good old fashion southern dish." That made it much easier to deal with.

You kept taking mouthfuls of maggots even though you beat Josh's time - why?
I really got it in my head that I was going home if I didn't go all out. When Joe said, "Go!" I didn't hear anything else until he said time.

Were you excited about the final car stunt?
I could not have asked for a better stunt to do for the last stunt of the game.

Did you have any strategy going into it?
I really had no strategy at all. I power braked the car and when the flag went down and Joe said, "Go!" all I could think of was hitting the car and hitting it hard.

Did you think Gina and Sean were tough competitors?
I did and I couldn't have thought of two better people to be in the finals with. I really thought that after Gina went and beat Sean's distance I was done for. I mean she went 10 feet more than Sean and she seem to hit the ramp just right. I really thought that she got it.

You mentioned you were playing for your father...how is he doing? Has it been tough keeping your win a secret until the show airs?
My father is doing ok. Since the show he has lost about 70% of his nerves in his legs and it is getting harder for him to get around. Before I went out to do the show my family all got together for a family dinner. My father is a diabetic and it happened that on that day he had a really bad attack that put him in the hospital. I was thinking of not going but I wanted him to see me do this. I couldn't have thought of a better reason. It has been tough keeping it a secret but the money that is coming to you helps you keep it that way.

Any big plans for the $50,000?
So many things have entered my head about what to do with the money. I really have no idea just yet. I would like to somehow say thank you to someone for putting a smile on my dad's face and he knows who he is. All I can say to him is thank you.