by Davey Coombs
30 Day Countdown to A1: #29 Mike Kiedrowski
Friday, December 7, 2012 | 4:25 PM
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PrintWelcome to the second day of the Monster Energy 30-Day Countdown to the Anaheim season opener, set for January 5, 2013. We are marking each day by counting down our 30 Best Supercross Racers of All-Time, as voted on by the Racer X editorial staff and our contributors like Eric Johnson, Steve Matthes and more. And at 29 days until Anaheim, we turn to our #29 Supercross racer of all time, Mike Kiedrowski.
Starting in 1990 and stretching over the next half-dozen years, Canyon Country, California's Mike Kiedrowski was a regular threat on the AMA Supercross circuit. A member of Team Honda at first, then Team Kawasaki, and eventually Honda of Troy, Kiedrowski was at his peak during a time when the sport was in a generational transition. We were going from the era of the Ricky Johnsons and Jeff Wards, into the time of Jeff Stanton, Damon Bradshaw and Jean-Michel Bayle, and then the outset Jeremy McGrath's reign.
They called him the “MX Kied” not just for his name but for the fact that he was a much more successful outdoor racer than stadium rider, winning four AMA Motocross Championships. But he was strong enough indoors, and against all that competition, to bang out five main event wins and finish the series ranked fourth three different times (1990, '91, '92), second ('93), third ('94) and fourth again ('95). He was especially lethal at Daytona—not a surprise considering his outdoor prowess. But after the '95 season, while still a podium threat, he decided to take a break. After a one-year hiatus Kiedrowski came back in 1997, riding for Honda of Troy, but his best days were behind him. Still, it was enough to get him to #29 on our list, one above yesterday's first man on the list, Marty Tripes.
Kiedrowski finished with five main event wins and ranked fourth three different times in the series during his career.
Racer X Archives photo
Kiedrowski next ventured into off-road and enjoyed a solid career there. He was elected to the AMA Motorcycle Museum Hall of Fame in 2007. He is currently working on a brand new gig that should be just as exciting as racing—Mike Kiedrowski is going to be a fireman.
To see all of Kiedrowski's results in SX/MX, check out the Racer X Vault.
Join us tomorrow when Monster Enery Countdown to Anaheim unveils the #28 Best Supercross Racer of All-Time.
The 30 Best Supercross Racers of All-Time Tracker:
#30 Marty Tripes
#29 Mike Kiedrowski
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The MX-Kied.
Mr. Underrated: Mike Kiedrowski
One of my favorite racers of the era. I had the jersey, pants, boots, and a similarly painted helmet from the pic up there, still love that look.
The guy beat McGrath in his prime every year at Daytona - 1993, 1994 and 1995. Also knocked off the previous "Mr. Daytona" Jeff Stanton at that track.
Really great rider, 4 national titles, and 125cc/250cc/500c US MX champ
Mike Kiedrowski career pics: http://www.vitalmx.com/forums/Moto-Related,20/My-Favorite-pics-of-the-MX-Kied-Mike-Kiedrowski,1224067
And of course one of the Daytona Supercross Kings with Stanton and RC
Always the workman kind of guy, never flashy, just rode hard each timed out. While he may have had the wholesome look, short hair and a big smile, but he took his racing very serious. At the end of an Outdoor National, did he not ghost ride his KX right into his team mate Larocco as they pulled of the track in frustration from a move the Rock had put on him ???
Great rider, I think he made the biggest jump in numbers from 761(?) to #1.
I remember when MC first started staying lower off jumps Mike didn't embrace the technique and was sometimes 10' higher. Was always a fan but the the new style of racing was not his cup of tea. Wouldn't shock me if he qualified for a national.
Suprised Mike Kiedrowski is #29 he should be up higher on this list.
Keidrowski was solid, but cannot necessarily be listed above Marty Tripes on this list. Remeber 1978 when Tripes nearly toppled Hannah for the title? Tripes was a pure natural - - a virtuoso on a bike. Tripes should be at least in the top 20.
My favorite Keidrowski moment came at troy ohio. I know it's not suppercross but if you were at the track you might wander. The ground was so wet it was spungey
the temp was in the mid ninties and the canopy of trees allowed no breeze and held the humidity in. Keidrowski won because he was so tuff and fit but when he got to the podium he just passed out. I just thought what a stud used his last bit of energy
while flying around that
@skycooper, Kiedrowski holds the record for largest jump to #1, 762 to 1, but the largest jump in pure numbers was Larry Ward, 971 to 17, the same year, 1989. This all became irrelevant after the new numbering system of the 2000's.
kiedrowski was a GOD!!!! The most under rated rider of all time!!!-----he should be much higher-------supercross is awsome, but it's for 140 pound boys!!! REAL MEN HOLD IT ON LONGER OUTDOORS!!!!!!!!!
@wstewart34 - I think the largest jump in # was actually Richard Coon from '79 - '80. I believe Richie raced with #989 in '79 and then was #31 in '80 riding an LOP Yamaha. Unfortunately I haven't found the '79 and '80 national numbers to prove this.