Bench Racing Ammo: Title Gaps
Wednesday, December 19, 2012 | 3:15 PM
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PrintMotocross is still a young man's sport. The current top o' the hill in Monster Energy Supercross, Ryan Villopoto, is 24, only one year older than NFL rookie sensation Andrew Luck. Luck, with any luck, will be hitting his prime in five years and will be producing big numbers for 15. By then, RV will be sitting in a cabin working on the world's largest red beard and a record-breaking deer antler collection.
But, the demographic of the top contenders has skewed older. If you yourself are old enough to have sen the classic 1986 film Winner's Take All you'll know that supercross superstar “Bad” Billy Robinson was considered over the hill at age 24—and that, folks, was about the only accurate part of supercross knowledge in the movie. In the '70s, '80s and '90s, you were bordering on decrepit by your 25th birthday, and by 30, you aged in dog years. Yeah, Jeff Ward kept it going through age 32, and John Dowd was even older, but their performances were legend because they were such an exceptions.
Reed is seeking his first 450SX title since 2008.
Simon Cudby photo
But today, we've got vet-eligible riders up front, and no one bats an eye. Andrew Short turned 30 last month, does anyone think he magically lost a second per lap the second he blew out the candles? No way. Guys like Tim Ferry, Chad Reed and Kevin Windham blasted through that mark and won races, no worries. Heck, Jeremy McGrath won the SX title at 29.
Age is now such a non-issue in the sport that it might be time to reset expectations. Today's subject is the SX record book, which lines up a strong case against either Chad Reed or James Stewart winning this year's supercross title. Ready?
Chad Reed won his first AMA Supercross Championship in 2004. If he were to win this year, that would mark a ridiculous eight seasons between his first and last championships, which would break McGrath's mark of six seasons (first in 1993, last in 2000).
But remember, MC was pretty much winning the title every year during that span. Reed hasn't won the title since 2008, so this time he would have four seasons between titles, also a new record. The previous record distance between a title? Well, it was already set by Reed himself. He went three seasons ('05, '06, '07) between those 2004 and 2008 triumphs.
Meanwhile, Stewart is looking for his first 450SX title since 2009.
Simon Cudby photo
Stewart will only turn 27 on Friday, so he's not part of the age debate. But, his last title came in 2009, so a 2013 title would mark a three-year gap ('10, '11, '12). Except Reed's 2004-2008 gap, no one else is even close to that. To witness: Bob Hannah won all three of his SX titles in a row, and no more. Ricky Johnson won his two titles in three years, same for Ward. Jeff Stanton won three in four years. McGrath won seven in eight years. Ricky Carmichael won five in six years. Until Reed in 2008, no champion had ever gone even two full seasons not winning the supercross title before winning another. By that crazy standard, even 2010 Champion Ryan Dungey is getting long in the tooth after missing both the 2011 and 2012 Championships.
The record book says once riders lose the number one plate for more than a year, their chances of getting it back are pretty much over. But the sport has clearly been resetting marks for longevity lately. Is this another old standard that is about to go by the wayside?
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The biggest problem with age is usually injuries. Hannah was still blazing fast, he just couldn't stay healthy any longer. RJ had his wrist issues. One of the most amazing things about RC's career was it was mostly injury free, with the exception of his knee injury. If JS7 can stay off the ground, there is no doubt he has the speed to win more titles. His biggest challenge seems to be not only hitting the ground too often, but the nagging injuries that come along with that.
Man, the weeks leading up to A1 are so quiet...So we get these random " fill the void" write ups...I still enjoy the read dont get me wrong.....Some pretty interesting facts of record there...but as they say, records are meant to be broken, so we'll have to see what happens. Craziest stat is the last one regarding Dungey....if history is proven fact, then the Dunge will only nab one SX title in the big boy class.....Proving history wrong can be done, but will it be done by Reed or Stewart.....tough to call.....I'd like to see it....Then again the 3-peat from RV would be history in itself as well......Stewart is 27 in a few days...Holy Crap!!! I remember seeing Bubba ripping around the World Mini on his 60cc.......damn, time is a flying by
Both these guys are so capable of having insane years. I hope they do.
CR22 and JS7 definitely have some wins left in them...hopefully, everyone stays healthy for an awesome SX season.
RC'S and MC's records are safe I highly doubt with the level of competition that anyone will ever dominate like they did, they were clearly ahead of their time there are just to many guys who can win on any given night
I wouldnt count out RD & RD & KTM just yet..............I t would be nice to see some bar to bar racing but if any lessons to be learned from past history usually 50% of the top guys are not even a factor after a few rounds they are hurt knocking them self out, so lets just sit back and see the show 2013 A-1 baby !
Stewy's lookin more like Bob Marley every day..LOL!
I don’t think JS will see another title if the field stays stacked and healthy they way it is now for the next few years’ he is not mentally strong when he has competition, and rides over his head = on the ground Blaming the bike, team, photographers, tires, track....well everything but him. Hes a great rider and will win races for sure but titles ?? nope. History has already told you how the future will play out………
RC's supercross record will be broken this year.
@ thetoothperry116
You better have Santa get you a stronger perscription for them glasses you want real bad.. No way Jose ! Mighty tall task with the crowd out there . Good luck on that one !
Jeremy McGrath (72)
Ricky Carmichael (48)
Chad Reed (35)
Rick Johnson (28)
James Stewart (28)
Bob Hannah (27)
the easiest way RC's record can be broken is for JS to win 5 races. I don't think we will see it happen- but it could. I see him winning two, CR winning two, RD two, Barcia and TC getting one each and RV knocking down eight wins.
2013 = the most anticipated season yet !!!!
Mr mx I think your stats are out of date, I think CR has 40 sx wins and JS has 44- or something close
i was talking titles not race wins
@ davidl This is up to date thanks for the correction ! I guess he sits in better light now 47 total .. Still cant see him takin down the Goat !
Number of Supercross Won (since 1974)
Rider Total 500cc SX (450/250) Lites (250/125)
Jeremy McGRATH 85 72 13
James STEWART 62 44 18
Ricky CARMICHAEL 59 48 11
Chad REED 47 41 6
Ryan VILLOPOTO 35 24 11
Kevin WINDHAM 29 18 11
Ricky JOHNSON 28 28
Bob HANNAH 27 27
@toothfairy. What
supercross record" that RC has arfe you talking about?? Mcgrath holds the record of titles with 7.. and Ricky Carmichael is in 2nd with 5.. Stewie only has 2 titles, so how will he catch RC this year?? Unless you mean wins.. He may or may not, but those mean NOTHING unless you win titles.. That number one plate is everyones goal, not individual wins.. Titles, and I think RC and Mcgrath are just fine from the past seasons your boy Stewie has had..
@bd200 no, someone said he wouldnt top RCs SX wins. Go read a little deeper. And wins are still wins. Cant take that away from anyone.
Statistics!!
Gotta love 'em.
Me, I don't, I also walk under ladders, haha.
I mean if you buy in to most, why even get up in the morning.
For the 22, it was an injury, period!
Or you'd be singing a much different tune.
Me, I sing all the time........ :)
It won't be age that stands in the way of Reed and Stewart from collecting another title, as both posses the speed to win. It will be the stiff competition they will face, from a very deep field. As a long time fan, it is hard to remember a time when we had 4 former champs in the field, ten previous event winners and young guns capable of winning right out of the gate. 2013 is shaping up to be one for the ages!!
As far as history and stats go, James needs to win 5 to pass RC, Chad 7, while any thing is possible, my guess is, it will be next season before either does the deed. I do, however, see RV collecting the 5 wins he needs to move past RJ for 5th on the wins list.
While we are what ifing...What if RC raced for another 3 o4 4 years? I don't think he would've been challenged outdoors until 2011. His already incredible career would've been out of sight.
I remember when JS7 signed with JGR 14 months ago (seems like it's been longer than that) to a 3 year deal and was quoted saying that his goal was to win 73 SX races. I like that he's laying low this year, started racing the RMZ in May and has been back on the bike for a while now. My $ is on RV for the championship, but I still think JS7 has the next best chance to win a main on any Saturday night. That and a yard sale of course. . .
As I keep reading the posts one thought popped into my mind. With all the winners on the gate, who will have the misfortune of being the first one to get lapped?
Right, bd200, wins mean nothing. NOTHING. That's why Stewart has said he wants McGrath's win-record, and that he would die before he let anyone beat him. That's why Barcia was crying and throwing a fit earlier this year after surrendering first place tangling with a lapper. That's why they keep a record of wins, and that's why people, like Mr Mx, reference the stat time after time in message board comments, which comments by the way are just as meaningful as supercross wins, I think. Don't you?
I've made probably over a thousand message-board comments, and every time I click that little 'submit' button there's these steel nozzles mounted to the top of my monitor that belch awesome twin plumes of fire like six feet in the air, and I feel a tremendous rush of adrenaline and simultaneously this intoxicating mixture of joy and relief that lets me know all the hard work and sacrifice is paying off.
Now if you'll excuse me, I have to go spray the new dog with champagne.
@blackjack- James is obviously the likeliest candidate.. see Salt Lake 2011 for a preview of what it might look like. I'm really surprised it didn't happened this year, actually. At least I don't think it did. Maybe when he got stuck under that wire in San Diego haha. Classic Stewart.
OH YEAH THAT FEELS GREAT.
The GOAT and the KING are safe. This years class of 450 riders is nasty. RV1 is the man to beat but CR22 and JS7 are ready to go and i look for one of them to take the title. Age is not a thing anymore because of the level that everyone is on. So many different guys could win this year. It is going to be a great season no matter if there are injuries or not.
@whoopsblitzer--I didnt say they were meaningless.. But to me all those wins dont really mean alot compared to titles.. Stewie may very well pass RC on the supercross wins list, and STILL only have 2 titles compared to RC's 5.. Which do you think means more??
right now I say RC and JM's title records are safe but the overall win record of RC could be passed by JS or even CR - I say its not going to happen this year.
I also dont see RV beating it in the next 3 years even if he takes the next 3 titles and ties RC's title record. I see the comp as too stiff to have total runaway's for a good while like we have had in the past.
IF RV takes the next three titles (big if) I say he does it with 5-7 wins per season and rarely close the deal before Vegas
Those individual wins mean more to the Stewtards than anyone else.. Because when it comes down to it, Stewart has the SAME number of titles as REED.. And the Stewtards hate that.. So they throw out the number of wins to make thier guy better.. And if or win Stewart passes RC this board will explode with Stewtards saying he is better than the GOAT based on wins.. They have too, its all they got, because Stewart will not get 3 more supercross titles to catch RC in the more important catagory, TITLES...So the Stewtards jump on the win list, because they have too..
Its like Jordan said the year the Bulls had a record of 72-and 10.. "It dont mean a thing if you dont get the ring"....
I always thought it was
If the Gloves Don’t Fit, You Must Acquit!
@therealmofo Correction Stewart and Reed don't have same amount of titles.
Stewart: 02 125 MX Reed: 02 125 East SX
03 125 West SX 04 450 SX
04 125 East SX & 125 MX 08 450 SX
07 450SX 09 450 MX =4 Titles
08 450 MX
09 450 SX = 7 Titles
Learn your moto history before you open your mouth!!!