AMA Motocross Championship
The AMA Motocross Championship (commercially known as Lucas Oil Pro Motocross) is an American motorcycle racing series. The motocross race series was founded and sanctioned by the American Motorcyclist Association (AMA) in 1972.[1] The series is the major outdoor motocross series in the United States and is sanctioned by AMA Pro Racing and managed by MX Sports Pro Racing.
With respect to the MXGP holding the discipline's worldwide title, and the advent of the FIM Supercross World Championship resulting in the AMA Supercross Championship losing its world title status, the two series will form the SuperMotocross World Championship from 2023.[2][3][4]
Series history
The series began in 1972 with the introduction of two classes based on 500 cc and 250 cc engine displacement formulas.[5] A 125 cc class was added in 1974. As motocross technology developed, 500 cc two-stroke motocross bikes became too powerful for the average rider and, faced with diminishing numbers of competitors, the AMA discontinued the 500 cc class after the 1993 season. A women's national championship series was introduced in 1996.[6]
Facing tightening federal emissions regulations in the United States, the A.M.A. increased the allowable displacement capacity for four-stroke engines in 1997, in an effort to encourage manufacturers to develop environmentally friendlier four-stroke machines.[7] Due to the low relative power output of four-stroke engines, compared to the then-dominating two stroke design, the AMA had increased the allowable displacement capacity for four-strokes. By 1994, the displacement limit of a four-stroke power motocross bike was up to 550 cc in the 250 class, to incentivize manufactures to further develop the design for use in motocross.[8]
In 2006, the 250 cc division was renamed the MX Class, with an engine formula allowing for 150–250 cc two-stroke or 250–450 cc four-stroke machines.[9] The 125 cc class was renamed the MX Lites Class, allowing 0–125 cc two-stroke or 150–250 cc four-stroke engines. In 2009, the MX class was renamed the 450MX Class and the MX Lites Class was renamed the 250MX Class, to reflect the fact that all the competing manufacturers had adopted four-stroke machinery.
National champions
| Year | 500cc (2-stroke) | 250cc (2-stroke) | 125cc |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1972 | Brad Lackey (Kawasaki) | Gary Jones (Yamaha) | |
| 1973 | Pierre Karsmakers (Yamaha) | Gary Jones (Honda) | |
| 1974 | Jimmy Weinert (Kawasaki) | Gary Jones (Can-Am) | Marty Smith (Honda) |
| 1975 | Jimmy Weinert (Yamaha) | Tony DiStefano (Suzuki) | Marty Smith (Honda) |
| 1976 | Kent Howerton (Husqvarna) | Tony DiStefano (Suzuki) | Bob Hannah (Yamaha) |
| 1977 | Marty Smith (Honda) | Tony DiStefano (Suzuki) | Broc Glover (Yamaha) |
| 1978 | Rick Burgett (Yamaha) | Bob Hannah (Yamaha) | Broc Glover (Yamaha) |
| 1979 | Danny LaPorte (Suzuki) | Bob Hannah (Yamaha) | Broc Glover (Yamaha) |
| 1980 | Chuck Sun (Honda) | Kent Howerton (Suzuki) | Mark Barnett (Suzuki) |
| 1981 | Broc Glover (Yamaha) | Kent Howerton (Suzuki) | Mark Barnett (Suzuki) |
| 1982 | Darrell Schultz (Honda) | Donnie Hansen (Honda) | Mark Barnett (Suzuki) |
| 1983 | Broc Glover (Yamaha) | David Bailey (Honda) | Johnny O'Mara (Honda) |
| 1984 | David Bailey (Honda) | Ricky Johnson (Yamaha) | Jeff Ward (Kawasaki) |
| 1985 | Broc Glover (Yamaha) | Jeff Ward (Kawasaki) | Ron Lechien (Honda) |
| 1986 | David Bailey (Honda) | Ricky Johnson (Honda) | Micky Dymond (Honda) |
| 1987 | Ricky Johnson (Honda) | Ricky Johnson (Honda) | Micky Dymond (Honda) |
| 1988 | Ricky Johnson (Honda) | Jeff Ward (Kawasaki) | George Holland (Honda) |
| 1989 | Jeff Ward (Kawasaki) | Jeff Stanton (Honda) | Mike Kiedrowski (Honda) |
| 1990 | Jeff Ward (Kawasaki) | Jeff Stanton (Honda) | Guy Cooper (Suzuki) |
| 1991 | Jean-Michel Bayle (Honda) | Jean-Michel Bayle (Honda) | Mike Kiedrowski (Kawasaki) |
| 1992 | Mike Kiedrowski (Kawasaki) | Jeff Stanton (Honda) | Jeff Emig (Yamaha) |
| 1993 | Mike LaRocco (Kawasaki) | Mike Kiedrowski (Kawasaki) | Doug Henry (Honda) |
| Year | 250cc (2-stroke) | 125cc men's (2-stroke) | 125cc women's (2-stroke) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1994 | Mike LaRocco (Kawasaki) | Doug Henry (Honda) | |
| 1995 | Jeremy McGrath (Honda) | Steve Lamson (Honda) | |
| 1996 | Jeff Emig (Kawasaki) | Steve Lamson (Honda) | Shelly Kann |
| 1997 | Jeff Emig (Kawasaki) | Ricky Carmichael (Kawasaki) | Tracy Fleming |
| 1998 | Doug Henry (Yamaha)*YZM400F | Ricky Carmichael (Kawasaki) | Dee Wood |
| 1999 | Greg Albertyn (Suzuki) | Ricky Carmichael (Kawasaki) | Stefy Bau |
| 2000 | Ricky Carmichael (Kawasaki) | Travis Pastrana (Suzuki) | Jessica Patterson |
| 2001 | Ricky Carmichael (Kawasaki) | Mike Brown (Kawasaki) | Tania Satchwell |
| 2002 | Ricky Carmichael (Honda) | James Stewart Jr. (Kawasaki) | Stefy Bau |
| 2003 | Ricky Carmichael (Honda) | Grant Langston (KTM) | Steffi Laier |
| 2004 | Ricky Carmichael (Honda) | James Stewart Jr. (Kawasaki) | Jessica Patterson |
| 2005 | Ricky Carmichael (Suzuki) | Ivan Tedesco (Kawasaki) | Jessica Patterson |
| Year | 450cc (4-stroke) | 250cc men's (4-stroke) | 250cc women's (4-stroke) |
| 2006 | Ricky Carmichael (Suzuki) | Ryan Villopoto (Kawasaki) | Jessica Patterson |
| 2007 | Grant Langston (Yamaha) | Ryan Villopoto (Kawasaki) | Jessica Patterson |
| 2008 | James Stewart Jr. (Kawasaki) | Ryan Villopoto (Kawasaki) | Ashley Fiolek |
| 2009 | Chad Reed (Suzuki) | Ryan Dungey (Suzuki) | Ashley Fiolek |
| 2010 | Ryan Dungey (Suzuki) | Trey Canard (Honda) | Jessica Patterson |
| 2011 | Ryan Villopoto (Kawasaki) | Dean Wilson (Kawasaki) | Ashley Fiolek (Honda) |
| 2012 | Ryan Dungey (KTM) | Blake Baggett (Kawasaki) | Ashley Fiolek (Honda) |
| 2013 | Ryan Villopoto (Kawasaki) | Eli Tomac (Honda) | Jessica Patterson (Honda) |
| 2014 | Ken Roczen (KTM) | Jeremy Martin (Yamaha) | Marissa Markelon (Kawasaki) |
| 2015 | Ryan Dungey (KTM) | Jeremy Martin (Yamaha) | Kylie Fasnacht (Kawasaki) |
| 2016 | Ken Roczen (Suzuki) | Cooper Webb (Yamaha) | Kylie Fasnacht (Kawasaki) |
| 2017 | Eli Tomac (Kawasaki) | Zach Osborne (Husqvarna) | Kylie Fasnacht (Kawasaki) |
| 2018 | Eli Tomac (Kawasaki) | Aaron Plessinger (Yamaha) | Jordan Jarvis (Yamaha) |
| 2019 | Eli Tomac (Kawasaki) | Adam Cianciarulo (Kawasaki) | |
| 2020 | Zach Osborne (Husqvarna) | Dylan Ferrandis (Yamaha) | |
| 2021 | Dylan Ferrandis (Yamaha) | Jett Lawrence (Honda) | |
| 2022 | Eli Tomac (Yamaha) | Jett Lawrence (Honda) |
Most wins by rider
Source:[12]
- Most Championships
- Most overall wins
| 450/250 Class | Wins | 250/125 Class | Wins | 500 Class | Wins |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ricky Carmichael | 76 | James Stewart Jr. | 28 | Broc Glover | 19 |
| Ryan Dungey | 39 | Ricky Carmichael | 26 | Pierre Karsmakers | 16 |
| Eli Tomac | 32 | Mark Barnett | 25 | Brad Lackey | 16 |
| Bob Hannah | 27 | Steve Lamson | 20 | David Bailey | 15 |
| Ricky Johnson | 22 | Jeremy Martin | 20 | Jeff Ward | 12 |
| Ken Roczen | 21 | Ryan Villopoto | 19 | Ricky Johnson | 11 |
| James Stewart Jr. | 20 | Guy Cooper | 16 | Jimmy Weinert | 9 |
| Kent Howerton | 18 | Blake Baggett | 14 | Jeff Stanton | 8 |
| Jeff Emig | 16 | Broc Glover | 14 | Chuck Sun | 7 |
| Jeremy McGrath | 15 | Jett Lawrence | 14 | Mike Bell | 6 |
| Jeff Ward | 13 | Jeff Emig | 13 | Rick Burgett | 6 |
| Ryan Villopoto | 12 | George Holland | 13 | Danny LaPorte | 5 |
| Mike Kiedrowski | 12 | Eli Tomac | 12 | Kent Howerton | 5 |
| Jeff Stanton | 12 | Jeff Ward | 11 | Jean-Michel Bayle | 4 |
| Mike LaRocco | 11 | Mike Kiedrowski | 10 | Danny Chandler | 4 |
| Chad Reed | 10 | Ron Lechien | 10 | Mike Kiedrowski | 3 |
| Kevin Windham | 10 | Dylan Ferrandis | 9 | Gary Semics | 3 |
| Doug Henry | 7 | Grant Langston | 9 | Darrell Schultz | 3 |
| Pierre Karsmakers | 7 | Micky Dymond | 8 | Goat Breker | 3 |
| Jimmy Weinert | 7 | Bob Hannah | 8 | Mike Hartwig | 3 |
| John Dowd | 6 | Marty Smith | 8 | Bob Hannah | 2 |
| Damon Bradshaw | 6 | Mike Brown | 8 | Mike LaRocco | 2 |
| Ron Lechien | 6 | Aaron Plessinger | 8 | Ron Lechien | 2 |
| Marty Tripes | 6 | Ryan Dungey | 7 | Marty Smith | 2 |
| Marvin Musquin | 6 | Travis Pastrana | 7 | Tony DiStefano | 2 |
| Dylan Ferrandis | 6 | Kevin Windham | 7 | Gaylon Mosier | 2 |
| Chase Sexton | 6 | Doug Henry | 7 | Rex Staten | 2 |
| Greg Albertyn | 5 | Erik Kehoe | 7 | Barry Higgins | 2 |
| Jimmy Ellis | 5 | Johnny O'Mara | 7 | Mike Runyard | 2 |
| Tony DiStefano | 5 | Adam Cianciarulo | 7 | Steve Stackable | 2 |
| Justin Barcia | 4 | Joey Savatgy | 7 | Tommy Croft | 2 |
| Zach Osborne | 4 | Cooper Webb | 7 | Marty Tripes | 1 |
| David Bailey | 3 | Christophe Pourcel | 7 | Alan King | 1 |
| Donnie Hansen | 3 | Tyla Rattray | 6 | Bill Grossi | 1 |
| Grant Langston | 3 | Mike LaRocco | 6 | Rich Thorwaldson | 1 |
| David Vuillemin | 3 | Zach Osborne | 6 | Bryan Kenney | 1 |
| Sebastien Tortelli | 3 | Ryan Hughes | 5 | Denny Swartz | 1 |
| Ezra Lusk | 3 | Robbie Reynard | 5 | Eric Eaton | 1 |
| Jean-Michel Bayle | 2 | Ben Townley | 5 | Wyman Priddy | 1 |
| Johnny O'Mara | 2 | Dean Wilson | 5 | ||
| Broc Glover | 2 | Trey Canard | 5 | ||
| Marty Smith | 2 | Broc Hepler | 5 | ||
| Gary Bailey | 2 | Stephane Roncada | 4 | ||
| Gunnar Lindstrom | 2 | Damon Bradshaw | 4 | ||
| Sonny Defeo | 2 | Justin Cooper | 4 | ||
| Blake Baggett | 2 | Larry Ward | 4 | ||
| Adam Cianciarulo | 2 | R.J. Hampshire | 4 | ||
| Mike Alessi | 2 | Danny LaPorte | 3 | ||
| Tim Ferry | 2 | Justin Barcia | 3 | ||
| Jason Anderson | 2 | Jake Weimer | 3 | ||
| Matt Goerke | 1 | Andrew Short | 3 | ||
| Josh Grant | 1 | Damon Huffman | 3 | ||
| Jeffrey Herlings | 1 | Donny Schmit | 3 | ||
| Ivan Tedesco | 1 | Mike Alessi | 3 | ||
| Jimmy Button | 1 | Jean-Michel Bayle | 3 | ||
| Mickael Pichon | 1 | Jeremy McGrath | 2 | ||
| Jeff Matiasevich | 1 | Eddie Warren | 2 | ||
| Alan King | 1 | Keith Bowen | 2 | ||
| Billy Liles | 1 | Brian Myerscough | 2 | ||
| Kenny Keylon | 1 | Tim Hart | 2 | ||
| Steve Wise | 1 | Ken Roczen | 2 | ||
| Ken Zahrt | 1 | John Dowd | 2 | ||
| Bill Grossi | 1 | Shane McElrath | 2 | ||
| Rich Thorwaldson | 1 | Ivan Tedesco | 2 | ||
| Tim Hart | 1 | Alex Martin | 2 | ||
| John DeSoto | 1 | Broc Sellards | 2 | ||
| Jim Pomeroy | 1 | Jo Shimoda | 2 | ||
| Cooper Webb | 1 | Nick Wey | 1 | ||
| Justin Bogle | 1 | Tallon Vohland | 1 | ||
| Brett Metcalfe | 1 | Scott Sheak | 1 | ||
| Trey Canard | 1 | Tim Ferry | 1 | ||
| Tommy Hahn | 1 | James Dobb | 1 | ||
| Brian Swink | 1 | ||||
| Jeff Matiasevich | 1 | ||||
| A.J. Whitling | 1 | ||||
| Gaylon Mosier | 1 | ||||
| Warren Reid | 1 | ||||
| Steve Wise | 1 | ||||
| Jimmy Ellis | 1 | ||||
| Austin Forkner | 1 | ||||
| Danny Smith | 1 | ||||
| Josh Grant | 1 | ||||
| Craig Anderson | 1 | ||||
| Chad Reed | 1 | ||||
| Jalek Swoll | 1 | ||||
| Hunter Lawrence | 1 | ||||
| Kelly Smith | 1 |
Venues
| Venue | Town/City | State | Period |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unadilla MX | Unadilla | New York | 1972-1973, 1976-1977, 1989-1991, 1993-2019, 2021–present |
| Hangtown Motocross Classic | Rancho Cordova | California | 1974-2019, 2021–present |
| Red Bud MX | Buchanan | Michigan | 1974, 1976–present |
| The Wick 338 | Southwick | Massachusetts | 1976-1982, 1986-2013, 2016–2019, 2021–present |
| High Point Raceway | Mount Morris | Pennsylvania | 1977-2019, 2021–present |
| Washougal MX Park | Washougal | Washington | 1980-1986, 1988-2019, 2021-present |
| Spring Creek MX Park | Millville | Minnesota | 1983–present |
| Budds Creek Motocross Park | Mechanicsville | Maryland | 1989-1992, 1994-2019, 2021-present |
| Thunder Valley Motocross Park | Lakewood | Colorado | 2005–present |
| Fox Raceway at Pala | Pala | California | 2010-2011, 2019–present |
| Ironman Raceway | Crawfordsville | Indiana | 2014–present |
| WW Ranch Motocross Park | Jacksonville | Florida | 2019-2020 |
| Loretta Lynn's Dude Ranch | Hurricane Mills | Tennessee | 2020 |
| Glen Helen Raceway | San Bernardino | California | 1993, 1996-2009, 2014-2018 |
| Muddy Creek Raceway | Blountville | Tennessee | 2013-2018 |
| Miller Motorsports Park | Tooele | Utah | 2013-2015 |
| Lake Elsinore MX | Lake Elsinore | California | 2012-2013 |
| Steel City Raceway | Delmont | Pennsylvania | 1988-2012 |
| Freestone County Raceway | Wortham | Texas | 2007-2012 |
| Broome-Tioga Sports Center | Binghamton | New York | 1979-2006 |
| Kenworthy's Motocross Park | Troy | Ohio | 1987-2002, 2004 |
| Gatorback Cycle Park | Gainesville | Florida | 1983-1997 |
| Lake Sugar Tree MX Park | Axton | Virginia | 1975-1977, 1987-1991 |
| Lakewood Sportcycle Park | Lakewood | Colorado | 1979-1980 1983-1988 |
| Good Times MX Park | San Antonio | Texas | 1987-1988 |
| Secession MX Park | Anderson | South Carolina | 1987 |
| Hollister Hills | Hollister | California | 1986 |
| Six Flags Atlanta | Atlanta | Georgia | 1984-1985 |
| Las Vegas Motocross Park | Las Vegas | Nevada | 1985 |
| Saddleback Park | Orange | California | 1972-1973, 1980-1984 |
| Lake Whitney Cycle Ranch | Lake Whitney | Texas | 1973, 1975, 1977-1978, 1981-1983 |
| St Louis International Raceway | Madison | Illinois | 1983 |
| Road Atlanta | Braselton | Georgia | 1972-1973, 1981-1982 |
| Carlsbad Raceway | Carlsbad | California | 1972, 1981-1982 |
| Sunshine Speedway | St. Petersburg | Florida | 1976-1982 |
| CDR Tech Track | Castle Rock | Colorado | 1981-1982 |
| Atlanta Motor Speedway | Hampton | Georgia | 1978-80 |
| Sonoma Raceway | Sonoma | California | 1978-1980 |
| Rio Bravo MX Park | Houston | Texas | 1972-1973, 1976-1979 |
| Omaha Moto Park | Herman | Nebraska | 1975, 1977-1979 |
| Metrolina Speedway Park | Charlotte | North Carolina | 1977-1979 |
| Racing World | Trabuco Canyon | California | 1978-1979 |
| Canyon Raceway | Phoenix | Arizona | 1979 |
| Cycle World USA | St. Peters | Missouri | 1976-1978 |
| Agency Motocross | St. Joseph | Missouri | 1977-1978 |
| Pine Top Motorcycle Park | Escoheag | Rhode Island | 1978 |
| Cycle-Rama | San Antonio | Texas | 1975-1977 |
| Midland Motocross Park | Midland | Michigan | 1975-1977 |
| Burnt Hickory Motocross | Dallas | Georgia | 1977 |
| Hillside Park | Nashville | Tennessee | 1977 |
| Sandy Oaks Raceway | Keithsburg | Illinois | 1977 |
| Delta Motorsport Park | Delta | Ohio | 1973-1976 |
| Motocross West | New Orleans | Louisiana | 1973-1976 |
| Moto-Masters Park | Mexico | New York | 1974-1976 |
| Castle Point Moto Sport Park | New Castle | Kentucky | 1975-1976 |
| Appalachian Highlands Motorsport Park | Keyers Ridge | Maryland | 1976 |
| Fastrack Motocross Park | Phoenix | Arizona | 1976 |
| Pennsylvania Motocross Park | Allentown | Pennsylvania | 1976 |
| Towaligo River Park | Forsyth | Georgia | 1976 |
| Baldwin Motoross Park | Baldwin | Kansas | 1973-1975 |
| Appalachia Lake Park | Bruceton Mills | West Virginia | 1974-1975 |
| Ohio International Raceway | Ravenna | Ohio | 1975 |
| Mid-Ohio MX Park | Lexington | Ohio | 1972-1974 |
| Manning Cycle Park | Tooele | Utah | 1973-1974 |
| Baymare Cycle Park | Moorpark | California | 1974 |
| Gran-Am Motocross Park | Hamersville | Ohio | 1974 |
| Highland Hills | HIllsboro | Ohio | 1974 |
| Talladega Superspeedway | Talladega | Alabama | 1972-1973 |
| Arizona Cycle Park | Phoenix | Arizona | 1972-1973 |
| Carnegie Cycle Park | Livermore | California | 1972-1973 |
| Desoto Cycle Ranch | Olive Branch | Mississippi | 1972-1973 |
| Orlando Sports Stadium | Orlando | Florida | 1972-1973 |
| Puyallup Raceway Park | Puyallup | Washington | 1972-1973 |
| Snyder Park | Washington | Indiana | 1972-1973 |
| Amelia Earhardt Park | Hialeah | Florida | 1973 |
| Cherokee MX Park | Opelousas | Louisiana | 1973 |
| Cycle-Rama Recreational Park | Sligo | Kentucky | 1973 |
| Pocono Raceway | Long Pond | Pennsylvania | 1973 |
| Zoar Motor Park | Springville | New York | 1973 |
| Cal-Expo | Sacramento | California | 1972 |
| Honda Hills | Columbus | Ohio | 1972 |
| Mid-American Motocross | St. Peters | Missouri | 1972 |
| Moto-sports Racing Circus | Elkhorn | Wisconsin | 1972 |
| Owyhee M/C Clubgrounds | Boise | Idaho | 1972 |
| Straddle Line Park | Olympia | Washington | 1972 |
| Tahoe Recreation Park | Tahoe Vista | California | 1972 |
Television Coverage
Current
In 2023, there are three broadcast partners from the NBC family of networks: NBC, USA and Peacock.
| Network | Coverage |
|---|---|
| NBC | Two races live |
| USA | Two races on delay |
| Peacock | Every race live, including exclusive coverage of seven rounds |
Source:[14]
AMA Supercross
In the 1970s promoters such as Bill France started bringing motocross races in from the country to stadiums within cities. Instead of being built upon natural terrain, dirt was imported into the stadiums where promoters tried to emulate the motocross tracks. In 1972 Mike Goodwin and Terry Tiernan, the president of the AMA, put on one of these stadium races in the Los Angeles Coliseum. The race was dubbed as the Super Bowl of Motocross. Eventually this form of racing evolved into its own sport and series with the name Supercross which was a shortening of the original "Super Bowl of Motocross". American motocross racing distinguished itself from European motocross by having two different season championships run each year for each class both sanctioned by the AMA. Currently[when?] the AMA runs their 17-round Supercross championship from the first weekend in January to the first weekend in May and then the 11-round outdoor Motocross championship from mid-May through late August.
Whereas AMA Motocross is two 30-minute plus 2 lap motos per each round with the winner being the rider with the highest combined points total for the two motos, in Supercross there is only one points-paying race per round. Around 40 riders qualify for each Supercross round. Heat races and LCQs are used to bring the field down to 22 riders for a points-paying main event for each round. A main event is 20 minutes plus 1 lap for the 450 class and 15 minutes plus 1 lap for the 250 class. There is no 250 Supercross national champion like there is for motocross. The 250 class in Supercross is split into East and West divisional rounds with an All Star race combining the top riders of each division at the final round in Las Vegas.