Historical Notes From The Houston SX

Historical Notes

450SX Class: Houston Facts

On March 15th-16th, 1974 the Houston Astrodome hosted the second round of the first official
Supercross Championship. There were two motos held on each night, all counting towards the
overall results. Jim Pomeroy (Bultaco) won the weekend’s overall with a 3-1-1-2 finish, but
Pierre Karsmakers (Yamaha) clinched the Championship with a 2-2-2-5 overall.

The Astrodome hosted 36 total Supercross rounds from 1974-2002, including multiple rounds
from 1977-1983. The Astrodome is fourth all-time in races held, only behind Angel Stadium,
Daytona International Speedway, and the Pontiac Silverdome. NRG Stadium took over hosting
duties for the Houston Supercross in 2003.

NRG Stadium hosted Supercross races from 2003-2015 before Houston’s 42 consecutive
seasons with a Supercross round streak came to an end in 2016. The series returned to NRG
Stadium in 2018 and 2019 but was unable to host in the 2020 season. With three rounds on the
docket for 2021, NRG Stadium looks to move into 12th all-time in 450SX Class races held with
18. The total number of 450SX Class races in Houston would be 54 once all three are complete.
In 1975 the season opener was held in Texas Stadium (Irving) and Jimmy Ellis won on a Can-am.
In 1988 the season opener was held in the Astrodome (Houston) where Jeff Ward won on a
Kawasaki. In 2021 the season opener will be NRG Stadium (Houston) as Texas is set to host their
third Supercross opener of all-time, Houston’s second, and NRG Stadium’s first.

Manufacturer Wins in Houston/Manufacturer Wins in NRG Stadium (Last Win in City)

Kawasaki: 14/7 (’14)
Yamaha: 14/3 (’14)
Honda: 12/3 (’15)
Suzuki: 6/0 (’83)
Can-am: 2/0 (’77)
Husqvarna: 1/1 (’18)
KTM: 1/1 (’19)
December 29, 2020 2
Bultaco: 1/0 (’74)

Top Winners in Houston

1) Mark Barnett: 5 (’81, ’81, ’82, ’82, ’83)
1) Bob Hannah: 5 (’78, ’78, ’79, ’79, ’83)
1) Jeremy McGrath: 5 (’94-’96, ’99-’00)
4) James Stewart: 4 (’05-’07, ’09)
4) Ryan Villopoto: 4 (’10, ’12-’14)
4) Jeff Ward: 4 (’85-’88)
7) Damon Bradshaw: 3 (’90, ’92-’93)
8) Chad Reed: 2 (’03-’04)
8) Ricky Carmichael: 2 (’01-’02)
8) Jimmy Ellis: 2 (’75, ’77)

450SX Class: First Time Winners in Houston

1974: Jim Pomeroy, Bultaco

1976: Jim Weinert, Kawasaki
1980: Broc Glover, Yamaha
2011: Trey Canard, Honda
2015: Cole Seely, Honda

250SX Class: Houston Facts:

The first 250SX Class race held in Houston was a 250SX Class East/West Showdown on April 20,
1985, won by Eddie Warren (Eastern). Houston would remain an East/West Showdown through
1996 before converting into a Western Regional from 1997-2002, concluding the Astrodome’s
Supercross history.

NRG Stadium hosted its first 250SX Class race in 2003, also the first year Houston was an
Eastern Regional-only round. From 2003-2013 Houston hosted eight Eastern Regionals and
three Western Regionals. From 2014-2019 NRG hosted only Western Regional rounds, but in
2021 all three rounds will be Eastern Regionals.

This will be the eighth time Houston has hosted the opening round of Eastern Regional racing
and third time in NRG Stadium. In 1988 Houston was the season opener and a Showdown,
meaning it was the opening round for all three Championships.

The winner of Houston has gone onto win a 250SX Class Regional Championship that same
season in 20/33 races, including the last four (Jason Anderson 2014, Cooper Webb 2015, Aaron
Plessinger 2018, and Dylan Ferrandis 2019).

Manufacturer Wins in Houston/ Manufacturer Wins in NRG Stadium (Last Win in City)
Kawasaki: 12/5 (’10)
Yamaha: 8/4 (’19)
Suzuki: 6/1 (’13)
December 29, 2020 3
Honda: 4/3 (’11)
KTM: 2/2 (’14)
Husqvarna: 1/0 (’01)

Top Winners in Houston

1. Kevin Windham: 2 (Astrodome)
1. Dylan Ferrandis: 2 (NRG Stadium)

250SX Class: First Time Winners in Houston
1986: Willie Surratt, Honda

1990: Jeff Emig, Kawasaki
1993: Jimmy Gaddis, Kawasaki
2000: Shae Bentley, Kawasaki
2002: Matt Walker, Kawasaki
2005: Andrew Short, Honda
2008: Austin Stroupe, Kawasaki

450SX Class Past Winners in Houston

1974: Jim Pomeroy, Bultaco
1975: Jimmy Ellis, Can-Am
1976: Jimmy Weinert, Kawasaki
1977: Tony DiStefano, Suzuki
1978: Bob Hannah, Yamaha
1978: Bob Hannah, Yamaha
1979: Bob Hannah, Yamaha
1979: Bob Hannah, Yamaha
1980: Broc Glover, Yamaha
1981: Mark Barnett, Suzuki
1981: Mark Barnett, Suzuki
1982: Mark Barnett, Suzuki
1982: Mark Barnett, Suzuki
1983: Bob Hannah, Honda
1983: Mark Barnett, Suzuki
1984: David Bailey, Honda
1985: Jeff Ward, Kawasaki
1986: Jeff Ward, Kawasaki
1987: Jeff Ward, Kawasaki
1988: Jeff Ward, Kawasaki
1989: Jeff Stanton, Honda
1990: Damon Bradshaw, Yamaha
1991: Jean-Michel Bayle, Honda
1992: Damon Bradshaw, Yamaha
1993: Damon Bradshaw, Yamaha
1994: Jeremy McGrath, Honda
1995: Jeremy McGrath, Honda
1996: Jeremy McGrath, Honda
1997: Jeff Emig, Kawasaki
1998: Ezra Lusk, Honda
1999: Jeremy McGrath, Honda
2000: Jeremy McGrath, Yamaha
2001: Ricky Carmichael, Kawasaki
2002: Ricky Carmichael, Kawasaki
2003: Chad Reed, Yamaha
2004: Chad Reed, Yamaha
2005: James Stewart, Kawasaki
2006: James Stewart, Kawasaki
2007: James Stewart, Kawasaki
2008: Kevin Windham, Honda
2009: James Stewart, Yamaha
2010: Ryan Villopoto, Kawasaki
2011: Trey Canard, Honda
2012: Ryan Villopoto, Kawasaki
2013: Ryan Villopoto, Kawasaki
2014: Ryan Villopoto, Kawasaki
2015: Cole Seely, Honda
2018: Jason Anderson, Husqvarna
2019: Cooper Webb, KTM

250SX Class Past Winners in Houston

1985: Eddie Warren, Kawasaki
1986: Willie Surratt, Honda
1987: Keith Turpin, Suzuki
1988: Jeff Mataisevich, Kawasaki
1989: Mike LaRocco, Yamaha
1990: Jeff Emig, Kawasaki
1991: Tallon Vohland, Suzuki
1992: Brian Swink, Suzuki
1993: Jimmy Gaddis, Kawasaki
1994: Ezra Lusk, Suzuki
1995: Damon Huffman, Suzuki
1996: Kevin Windham, Yamaha
1997: Kevin Windham, Yamaha
1998: David Vuillemin, Yamaha
1999: Nathan Ramsey, Kawasaki
2000: Shae Bentley, Kawasaki
2001: Travis Preston, Husqvarna
2002: Matt Walker, Kawasaki
2003: Brock Sellards, Yamaha
2004: James Stewart, Kawasaki
2005: Andrew Short, Honda
2006: Davi Millsaps, Honda
2007: Ryan Villopoto, Kawasaki
2008: Austin Stroupe, Kawasaki
2009: Christophe Pourcel, Kawasaki
2010: Christophe Pourcel, Kawasaki
2011: Justin Barcia, Honda
2012: Ken Roczen, KTM
2013: Blake Wharton, Suzuki
2014: Jason Anderson, KTM
2015: Cooper Webb, Yamaha
2018: Aaron Plessinger, Yamaha
2019: Dylan Ferrandis, Yamaha