The 53rd running of Daytona Supercross is at hand.
On March 4, Monster Energy AMA Supercross riders will arrive at Daytona Int’l Speedway for the ninth round of the season and one of the most iconic races on the circuit. The tradition of racing dirt bikes at the Florida venue dates back 52 seasons, though the inaugural AMA Supercross race was held on March 9, 1974.
For the 16th consecutive year, the track has been designed by motocross legend Ricky Carmichael.
As for the current crop of competitors, Saturday will be a pivotal day for several 450SX class riders as the top three in the championship enter the weekend separated by a mere five points. Star Racing Yamaha’s Eli Tomac leads the title fight, Red Bull KTM’s Cooper Webb is two points behind and Honda HRC’s Chase Sexton is at a five-point deficit.
Tomac Has Another Chance At Making History
Tomac is undoubtedly the most successful Supercross athlete to set foot on the sand in Daytona.
Last year, he became the winningest rider at the venue by claiming his sixth victory in seven years, surpassing Carmichael’s five triumphs — which was the previous record that held for 15 seasons. Next on the list of Daytona conquerors are Jeff Stanton and Ryan Villopoto, who have each taken four trips to victory lane at the World Center of Racing.
Ironically, Tomac and Carmichael’s names have crossed paths again as the Star Racing Yamaha rider recently tied Carmichael for third on the all-time Supercross wins list with victory No. 48, which he earned on Feb. 18 at RingCentral Coliseum in Oakland, Calif.
If Tomac were to stand atop the podium for a seventh time at Daytona, he would move into sole possession of third on the all-time wins list, giving him yet another opportunity to make history.
The Door Is Open For First-Time Winners
Other than Tomac, no rider on the current 450SX roster has won at Daytona — including his two closest pursuers in the title chase.
Webb has come tantalizingly close, earning five consecutive podiums finishes from 2018-’22. And yet, the allure of a Daytona victory has slipped from his grasp and into the hands of Tomac the last four years.
Sexton’s best finish at the Florida facility came last year when he arrived at the checkered flag third.
A few other 450SX riders who have knocked on the door at Daytona in recent years include Red Bull KTM’s Aaron Plessinger who finished third in 2021 and H.E.P. Motorsports’ Ken Roczen, who finished second in 2020.
Who Was The Last Rider To Beat Tomac At Daytona?
Justin Brayton, now retired, disrupted Tomac’s win streak in 2018 by earning an emotional victory at the speedway.
It was Brayton’s first career main event victory, and he also went down in the record books as the oldest winner in the history of Supercross at 33 years old. The Iowa native continued to race four more seasons before he called it a career.
However, Brayton will be back for the 53rd running, making an appearance as the event’s first grand marshal.
Broadcast Schedule
On Saturday, March 4, qualifying for Daytona Supercross will begin at 1:30 p.m. (ET) on Peacock.
The night show will be broadcast live on Peacock as well, starting at 7:00 p.m. (ET).
Bike Week
Saturday’s 53rd Supercross event at Daytona Int’l Speedway kicks off eight days of motorcycle racing at the world renowned race track.
American Flat Track racers will hit the Daytona Short Track for two days of competition March 9-10, while the 81st Daytona 200 will be run on the Daytona Int’l Speedway road course on March 11. The event will be sanctioned by MotoAmerica.