Bench Racing Ammo: Triple Digits

Before 2013, when was the last time an entire season passed without a rider wearing a three-digit number taking a race win? The highest numbered-riders in 2013 to win in either class in Monster Energy Supercross and Lucas Oil Pro Motocross were 250 Class contender Ken Roczen (#94) and 450 Class contender Justin Barcia (#51).

As you’ll see from the list below, wins by three-digit riders are actually pretty common. But with all of 2013 going by without one, and so many second-year riders changing their numbers—Justin Hill is now #35, Cooper Webb is changing to #37, Joey Savatgy #43, Adam Cianciarulo #46, Zach Bell #71, Shane McElrath #87, and Matt Bisceglia #96—it's unlikely to happen again in 2014. Even Zach Osborne is down to double digits, having chosen #16 for 2014, effectively handing #338 back to you-know-who, should he surface and race again.

Is it now all down to #800 Mike Alessi to get three digits in the winner’s circle? There are some fast privateers and incoming freshmen, but are any of them equipped to win a main event or outdoor national?

James Stewart’s #259 graced the front of his plate through the first four years of his pro career.

It’s a far cry from the 2003 AMA 125 National Motocross Championship, when nine of the eleven rounds were won by three-digit riders: #105 Ryan Hughes, #109 Craig Anderson, and seven-race winner #259 James Stewart. Ironically, the title went to #111 Grant Langston—who didn’t actually win a race! The only single-digit winner was Mike Brown, who wore #3 that season.

Here are all of the three-digits winners, from the year 2000 on, in Monster Energy Supercross and Lucas Oil Pro Motocross. Let us know if we missed anyone!

#100 Josh Hansen

#100 Mike Brown

#101 Ben Townley

#101 Ricky Carmichael