by Chase Stallo
Bench Racing Ammo: King of the Podium
Thursday, April 21, 2011 | 9:45 AM
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During the 1990s, the world of supercross had been brought to its knees in the form of a dominant superstar. At the head of the roundtable sat a Southern California kid with a flair for the dramatic named Jeremy McGrath. McGrath would take the supercross world by storm with a style and consistency that had never been witnessed. Recording a record 72 Supercross class wins by the time his career was over, McGrath was deservingly anointed “King of Supercross.”
But what many forget is that while McGrath was mowing down wins faster than cupcakes at fat camp, he was also racking up podiums at a record rate, one hundred and eleven to be exact, and that would stand the test of time—until this past weekend in Seattle that is.
The model of consistency.
Photo: Garth Milan
While McGrath was tearing up the supercross world throughout the decade, a young boy a world away was modeling his style after one of the greatest to ratchet up a pair of boots.
Chad Reed’s humble beginnings would begin half way around the world but the native Australian always knew where his career would one day end. After a brief stop in Europe to compete in the Grand Prix tour Reed would embark on his life-long dream of heading to the United States to compete on the biggest stage in the world.
Signing with the now defunct Yamaha of Troy in 2002, Reed, much like McGrath, took the supercross world by storm winning all but two races in his rookie season en route to 125cc East Coast Lites Championship. The following year Reed moved to the Supercross class and began to rack up podiums. Reed would finish his rookie season a mere seven points behind Ricky Carmichael despite taking eight wins to Carmichael’s seven. With fourteen podiums, including eight wins, a star was slowly blossoming.
Now almost nine years later Reed has come full circle. Gone are the days of private jets and factory tents. Reed now stands alone with his own team, TwoTwo Motorsports. Yet the results continue to remain the same.
Reed (left) celebrating his all-time record 112th podium.
Photo: Garth Milan
Consider this. With nine podiums this year (60 percent) Reed is well off his blistering 83.8 percent podium percentage (through 2010), yet is still in the thick of another championship hunt. He’s only won one race, but consistency, as always, moves him forward. Check out his record:
2003: Podium finish in 14 of 16 races
2004: Podium finish in 16 of 16 races (The AMA record book shows Reed received zero points in Dallas due to a penalty for illegal fuel. But he did finish on the podium in that actual race)
2005: Podium finish in 14 of 16 races
2006: Podium finish in 14 of 16 races
2007: Podium finish in 15 of 16 races
2008: Podium finish in 13 out of 17 races
2009: Podium finish in 16 out of 17 races
2010: Podium finish in 1 out of 6 races
Reed has been the model of consistency throughout his entire career and on Saturday night in Seattle he was rewarded. Passing his hero, McGrath, for most career podiums (112) is an achievement that probably seemed unreachable in his wildest dreams. Now, maybe his headstone should read, “King of the Podium.”
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Way to go Reedy! Through the years I wasn't the biggest fan, but the last 2 seasons I've warmed up a bit. This is a huge accomplishment that I wouldn't have guessed he'd achieved. You just can't argue with those numbers. "King of the Podium" is absolutely fitting. Now go WIN THIS FREAKIN' CHAMPIONSHIP!
ε(⊙__⊙)з
Uh, that would be FLAIR for the dramatic, not FLARE. Otherwise a good article. Go 22!
In 2011 Dungey has been the king of the podium- 11 times.
So suck it Reed!
when MC was racing, there was no such thing as the horribly named "supercross class".
it was the 250 class, yo.
BYRNER99 "Through the years I wasn't the biggest fan, but the last 2 seasons I've warmed up a bit" I feel the same way. But yesterday someone said Reed went off On RV after the race in Seattle for bumping him on the last lap. "IF" that is true Reed takes a few steps back again for me. @Fingersmeller.. try putting your whole head up there then your finger wont smell.
FINGERSMELLER.... I don't know where your finger has been but you must be high! Dungey did very well last year because he had no competition. This year he does well getting on the podium but still only one win. For you to compare one competitive season to a whole career is premature at best.
I was not always a Reed guy, but I have really grown to respect him as a racer. Nothing good comes out of hating!
That tittle for Chad reed is very honorable. It shows his dedication to the sport that he truley loves. I tried flat tracking in the 70s for a while won everytime exept when the engine blew up. I was bored of turning left so I quit. I just wanted to race Moto and flat track interfeared with that.
Go Chad and win this tittle!!!!
Bill C .... You know how Reed is...he can dive under guys ....take them out .....ride them high in berms....."for points"....but you better not do it to him or he'll piss and moan about it
I saw Reed throw the back flip on fuel channel on an old episode of thrillbillies last night, when he was riding for suzuki a couple years ago. He landed it to dirt like his third try. He is a bad dude.
welker.. is that you taking a chance to toot your own horn? i mean really what does that have to do with anything?
Congrats to Reed and the best of luck on the championship! (which i am torn on being im a MN native but reed was my childhood hero)
Anyone have a complete list of podium finishes? Windham has to appear somewhere on the list...guy has been round forever and finished on the podium a bunch of times over his career...
Danny, is that Stewie? Thats pretty cool! Sorry, easily amused. Good article. I didn't even know who Chad was until I saw a twmx mag in Vons in 03 with Reed on the cover and the words "Fastest Man on the Planet". I'm like "what???". Is Ricky in trouble? He wasn't.
I SAID IT FIRST. CHRISTOPHE POURCEL ON HONDA. TESTING TODAY AT PALA
Hey Acejas. It is important to note that even when Ricky won against JS7. Ricky never had lap times that was faster than JS7 best time. Thats why he is called the fastest man on the planet. RC had consistent laps and made less mistakes and thats how he won races. JS7 had been posting the days fastest lap back when he was on 125.
Um...ok.
Dgizzy ---- Old news buddy....there were/are photos yesterday of Pourcel on the Geico Honda at Vital mx, Supercross.com and transworld......
Windham - Factory Honda
Pource - Factory Connection
Jake Moss -Factory Connection
Reed - no confirmation, but sounds like Two Two bike under the Factory Tent
This King of the Podium moniker is for supercross. What about mx? And sx/mx combined? Surely, it must be RC in MX and combined, but who's next? Windham? I suppose Reed could still be in there, too.
Well RC has 150 wins so he must be over 200 combined!!
@dgizzy, that was yesterday dude, CP377 is at Perris Raceway today testing a Valley Motorsports Yamaha.
IMO, Geico is the better bike for CP, but he is testing the Yami anyways as we speak
I apologize if I missed something on this one. I notice Yamaha no longer uses Stewart in its commercials. I also read an article indicating Stewart was "negotiating" with KTM and Honda.
Are Stewart and Yamaha parting ways post SX or post MX season?
JonR290... Seriously? I will ask a good friend of mine who is also a regional sales manager at KTM if there is any truth in this.. I know KTM has the $$.. And that will also be a incentive for Stewie.. Knowing his legal woes with Brooks regarding the purchase of L&M racing.... And Redbull is already a sponsor to Stewie... Knowing Redbull scaled down or withdrew their sponsoship to the Honda team as well...
As for Honda.. Hum.. Seems less likely... They have a good program already with a young and way, way cheaper rider in the form of TC!
But knowing yamaha.. They have no other potential good rider to ensure the brand to be represented up front in SX or MX... JGR is already scratching their heads with a expensive, and a utter waste of space in their motorhomes or training facilities.. Rider names Milsaps...
Any which way.. It would be good for stewie to change.,. He's not too young anymore and the yamaha has always been a bit of a weird bike.. (2010 onwards... )
I will be honest i don't care too much for JS7 since he left kawi he just isn't the same rider and maybe to part ways from yamaha would be best for him.... But can't wait to see Reed with factory parts and basically a factory bike for the last two rounds of sx
I thought Stewart disappearing from the Yamaha commercials was curious, especially since I thought they were well done. Who knows, maybe the potential parting of ways with Yamaha has something to do with the Brooks legal issues and certain contractual provisions.
I don't have a clue but thought someone here might know something.
Great read, Chase
I have to say I have alot of respect for Reed for what he has accomplished as a rider. Ther isnt one person here who knows him personally, so its hard to judge that part. Its funny how guys who arent fans of him say he sucks and cant ride, and yet look at what he has accomplished in his career. I havent had kind words for Stewie lately either, but I mostly blamed Brooks for ythat, look how Reed changed while he raced for Brooks also. Maybe Stewie will go back to being his normal self soon like Reed has. Now that he has parted ways with Brooks. Lets hope so, all the race fans miss that happy go lucky kid Stewie used to be. Instead of the arrogant one he is now.
all you haters are douches
Reed is a bad mofo. One on the handful of riders to consistently match and sometimes beat RC and JS in their prime. Amazing style and a straight shooter. Rode RC to the ground in Daytona (where RC could lap almost the entire field).
If he pulled up stakes and went to Australia tonight, he'd have ABSOLUTELY nothing to be ashamed of, and plenty to smile about.
Hope he wins this championship!!!! GO 22
I should have said only rider to consistently match RC and JS, and occasionally beat them in their prime....
It is the nature of competitive sports that the desire to win engenders hard feelings between participants as well as fans. Even team members have exhibited obvious dislike for each other...'Droopy' and JMB are a prime example that comes to mind, and they had nowhere near the history JS7 and Chad have. The Unadilla dis 'way back that James put on the two two still burns Chad's heart. Hate on...
Chad Reed...the Kevin Windham of Supercross.
Maybe King Of Consistency. Good job CR22.
bd200.. Good point there... I have respect for Reed starting his own team and his talent... Call it whatever you want.. The guy is good.. And the stats will do the talking for Reed.. regardless of the circumstances... He's good.
As a person.. Well.. You do not necessarily have to get to know the person Reed on a personal level.. He seems like a dickhead.. Even though he has "warmed" up lately... Which I suspect he did so, realizing he's a team owner... He has to be open and someone accessible.. Hopefully to attract more fans and therefore sponsors?
As for the Brooks issue... Well, there is a character who seems to be pretty disliked... Reed thinks he was stabbed in the back by Brooks and the latrer one still owning him $$... We will know more about it when Reed's book comes out later this year... But on a manager's level... Brooks get the job done.. How he does it... Results are what defines a manager,, (Mostly)...
I can only suspect that there are legal issues between JSE & Brooks regarding the sale of his stake or a hostile take over by the JSE group.
I, presonally think it is a stupid move by Stewie... But again... If this enables stewie to do the outdoors... Then all is forgiven and Brooks better comes up with a good explanation.
Just watched the 2006 Detroit Supercross again yesterday. It was an epic battle between Reed and Carmichael. #4 made a great block pass on #22, standing him up in the corner and bringing them both to a complete stop, before motoring off again! Like was said earlier, its OK for Reed to do that, but when he is on the receiving end, he gets really riled up! Carmichael made a couple uncharacteristic mistakes, allowing them to swap positions back and forth.
Oh, BTW, this was all for 2nd and 3rd, as Bubba grabbed the holeshot and rode on to the checkers.
@Rick Melon
You're a gay! In almost all of the message boards, you keep on bashing Reed!!! I think you're a JS Guy, and it seems he is God to you... If reed sending someone high on the berm, how do you call JS sending Reed high, making his own teammate a berm.
Im not a fan of his, but I have lots of respect to guys who has balls to compete in this sport even if it cost him his own money.
@Rick Melon, do you race? An observer is totally different to someone who actually race on dirts... Or simply you are just a gay!!!!
Go and get a life dude!!!!