Denver
Denver
Nicknamed the Mile High City because of its elevation above sea level measuring exactly 5,280 feet, Denver’s Supercross history didn’t begin until 1996 and didn’t continue until 2019. In ‘96 it was a mid-May season finale and since its return to the schedule, it has been a late season event.
Fast Facts
Denver Venues
The 1996 Denver Supercross happened at the original Mile High Stadium, which closed in 2001 and was demolished in early 2002.
The series returned to Denver in 2019 to Empower field, a 76,000 capacity football venue, home of the NFL’s Broncos since it opened in August 2001.
The season finale (round 15) happened three weeks after the previous race and it was a bit of an anti-climactic affair given that Jeremy McGrath wrapped up the championship at round 12, five weeks earlier AND his perfect season came to an end in St. Louis (Rd. 14). McGrath said he started in first gear because of the altitude but felt his Honda ran great. He led all 20 laps to win his 43rd career Supercross main. One funny detail: only 24 250cc riders entered the event. According to Cycle News, the AMA “rounded up” 18 more riders for the program.
Who doesn’t love a little Supercross in the snow? Temperatures were just above freezing and flurries filled the sky at the start of qualifying. Returning after 23 years, it was fitting that Cortez, Colorado’s Eli Tomac won his home state race, his 5th victory of the season. Tomac round the first turn in 6th and stormed through riders, including series leader, Cooper Webb, who started right in front of him. Tomac passed race leader Marvin Musquin less than five minutes into the main and won by 7.7 seconds. Leaving Denver, two rounds remained and he trailed eventual champion Webb by 18 points.
Eli Tomac entered Denver, the penultimate round of the series with an 18 point lead over Chase Sexton. It was an injury-depleted field, most notably, Cooper Webb, who suffered a concussion a week earlier. On lap four, while leading and un-pressured, Tomac’s left Achilles ruptured when he slightly over-jumped in the rhythm section. Watching live–in person or on TV–it was shocking to process. Tomac didn’t crash but he pulled off the track, shook his head over and over and held out his left leg away from the bike. Sexton won the race and left Denver with the points lead.
This interactive table details the all-time leaders in Denver. Who has the most starts, wins, podiums and points. Filter by class. On mobile, slide left to access more columns.
All-Time Leaders
This interactive table details the winner history in Denver. Who won in what year and what round was this venue. Filter by class. On mobile, slide left to access more columns.