When the red plate was first introduced in Monster Energy Supercross, it actually was assigned to the defending champion rather than the points leader after each round. That's because ten years ago the top riders very seldom wore the #1 plate they had earned as series champion. Ricky Carmichael preferred to race with his signature #4 while defending titles in 2002, 2003, 2006, and 2007, and Chad Reed stuck with his #22 in 2005. The idea was that fans could ID the defending champion by the red plate since they weren't wearing #1, so in 2007, the defending champion, Carmichael, was assigned to wear red behind his signature #4. Then came James Stewart with a red background behind his #7 in 2008. In 2009, the AMA decided to make it mandatory that series champions wear the #1, so it was Chad Reed had to switch from his trademark #22 to #1 as the defending SX Champion (something he did not do in 2005). The red plate stuck with the champ, too, which is why Reed had a red #1 in 2009, Stewart a red #1 in 2010, and Ryan Dungey ran red in 2011.
Starting in 2012, the champion started running the #1, and the red plate now goes to the rider who is leading the points after any given round. That's the rule as we know it today. So far this season we have had two different points leaders: Ken Roczen and now Ryan Dungey.
Watching the red plates switch between Kenny and Ryan this year got us to thinking: During this four-year span of the points leader running red, how many riders have reached that mark? Fewer than you think. Here's the entire list of 450SX points leaders (and red plate holders) since 2012.
So that's it, only five riders have ever held the distinction of a red-plate points leader in 450SX. For a guy like Davi Millsaps, the red plate wasn't the goal—the title was. But if Davi never gets one, the red plates he ran for half of 2013 might stick out as a career highlight. Also, do you notice who is missing from this List? James Stewart hasn't led the 450SX points since early in 2011, so he's never run red as the points leader.
FAQs
The reigning champion must race with the number 1 plate when competing in the region or class in which the plate was earned, while the assigned professional number is used when competing outside of the champion's region or title class.
Why does Jett Lawrence have a purple plate? ›
・To recognize his status as reigning SuperMotocross 450 Champion, Jett ran a purple number plate with a fluorescent-yellow number 18 on his CRF450RWE. The Australian will run the yellow digits all season, although the background will switch to red next week in San Francisco, designating him as the series points leader.
What does the red plate mean in supercross? ›
So the AMA decided to signify the SX Champion by having them wear a red number plate all times, no matter who the points leader was.
What is Jett Lawrence's number? ›
It's been confirmed that new 250MX national champion Jett Lawrence will retain 18 for his career, rather than choosing any of the few single-digit numbers available.
Who is number 96 in motocross? ›
Once in the premier class, Hunter Lawrence will run his career number #96 in SX, MX, and SMX.
What is the highest salary in motocross? ›
Professional Motocross Salary
| Annual Salary | Hourly Wage |
|---|
| Top Earners | $80,500 | $39 |
| 75th Percentile | $48,500 | $23 |
| Average | $44,393 | $21 |
| 25th Percentile | $27,000 | $13 |
Ryan Dungey won his first 450 MX National at 20 years, 6 months, and 1 day. Ricky Carmichael won his first 250/450 MX National at 20 years, 6 months, and 15 days. Ryan Villopoto won his first 450 MX National at 20 years, 9 months, and 10 days. Mike Alessi won his first 450 MX National at 21 years, and 11 days.
Who invented Supercross? ›
If you do, then you'll know that these terrifying events were orchestrated by another industry giant in the world of automotive racing, Mike Goodwin. This man was the father of modern supercross and now serves behind bars for the horrible atrocities his former business partner committed.
Did Supercross and motocross merge? ›
Conceived in 2023 after the AMA Supercross Championship lost its FIM World Championship status, the series consists of the aforementioned Supercross series and the AMA Motocross Championship, followed by two playoff races and a final to determine the SuperMotocross world champion.
What does SX mean in Supercross? ›
This type of motorcycle racing carries several abbreviations. “SX” is widely used to represent the sport of supercross, “MX” for motocross, “SMX” for SuperMotocross. The two racing classes are known as the 450 Class and the 250 Class, which references the displacement (engine size) of the motorcycles.
MONSTER ENERGY SUPERCROSS TRACK MAPS & DETAILS
The 250 Class list is fifteen motorcycles: seven standard 250cc four-strokes, four “edition” 250cc four-strokes, and four 125cc two-strokes.
Do Supercross riders wear a cup? ›
Some riders do, some riders don't. It is more common to see them wearing under jersey protection outdoors, the roost is more brutal.
Who is number 7 Supercross rider? ›
Aaron Plessinger, Patriot 🇺🇸,Ohio native, Professional Dirt Biker.
Who is number 929 on Supercross? ›
Julien Beaumer - Supercross Live.
Where is Ty Masterpool from? ›
Paradise, Texas native Ty Masterpool will join Justin Texas' Grant Harlan and the remainder of the 450 division this week when the series returns to action in their home state.
What does A1 mean in motocross? ›
In dirt bike terms A1 means Anaheim 1. This is traditionally the first race of the American Supercross season and the first pro race of the dirt biking year. The Supercross series usually makes multiple visits to the Angel Stadium in Anaheim California throughout the season, hence the 'A1' moniker.
How do number plates work in Supercross? ›
Rider Numbers
Riders who have won national Supercross or motocross championships earn the right to single-digit career numbers, although they can also choose a two-digit career number. Riders who finished in the top ten overall in a combined Supercross/motocross season earn the right to claim permanent numbers as well.
What does MX1 mean in motocross? ›
MX1 is known as the big bikes and are usually 250cc 2Strokes and 450cc 4 strokes, but realistically MX1 is anything above 145cc 2Stroke and 251cc 4stroke. MX2 is the smaller adult bike capacity class, usually 125cc 2strokes or 144cc 2strokes, and 250cc 4Strokes. MX2 is known is America as the 'lites' class.
Who is the number one motocross rider in the world? ›
Ricky Carmichael
The nickname he has even earned for himself is the G.O.A.T. (Greatest of All Time). Born in 1979, Carmichael is the winningest motocross racer in the history of the sport.
