Seattle
Seattle
Seattle is a top five market for most Supercross races held all-time, thanks to an eleven year long string of doubleheaders in the Kingdome. The Emerald city’s streak ended after 1999 when the Kingdome was demolished to construct a new open air stadium. Since 2005, Lumen Field has been the home of Supercross in Seattle.
Fast Facts
Seattle’s Venues
Two venues have hosted Supercross in Seattle: The Kingdome (1978-1999) and Lumen Field (2005-present, with a two year hiatus during the pandemic). Lumen Field was originally known as Qwest Field, then Centurylink Field. The Kingdome held 33 rounds of AMA Supercross, 22 of them happening on doubleheader weekends, typically in January/February. Seattle’s round on the schedule has been all over the place; it’s served as rounds 1-7 and 11-16.
Honda’s new hires, Jimmy Ellis and Marty Tripes, dominated the inaugural Seattle Supercross, which was the first round of the season. Defending champion, Bob Hannah, was a distant third. Ellis, the 1975 Supercross champion won his 8th career 450SX (he was, at the time, the all-time SX wins leader) and appeared to be a serious challenge for Hannah but the Seattle race ended up being the last SX win of his career and his season derailed a few weeks later in Houston (dislocated shoulder).
In a sign of legendary things to come, 1984 started off with three riders winning their first ever Supercross main events. First it was Johnny O’Mara at Anaheim winning his first SX in his 34th career start. In Seattle, two weeks later, two more future hall of famers won their first SX races. Jeff Ward won on Friday night, his 48th career start. Ricky Johnson won Saturday night’s final, his 26th career start.
Hometown hero Larry Ward wins two of his three career 450SX finals in Seattle, including the last ever SX in the Kingdome. In 1990, Ward, a 19-year-old premier class rookie, chased down another rookie, Jeff Matiasevich, to win his first career race. He said he was exhausted but spurred on by the crowd he knew was in his favor. It was also Suzuki’s first 450SX win since Mark Barnett in 1983.
Nearly 50,000 people turned out for the first race at the new home of the Seattle Seahawks (then called Qwest Field). James Stewart lapped up to 5th place and won the second main event of his career. It was Chad Reed who had the more memorable ride, however. He needed a win to stay in the title hunt. Instead he got punted in the first turn and came back from 19th to fourth, finishing just behind Kevin Windham and Ricky Carmichael who were second and third.
On a track so rutty riders foot-paddled their way through the whoops, Kevin Windham won his first race in two years (which was also Seattle) and the second to last 450SX of his career. It was Ryan Dungey’s day, however. He wrapped up the championship two rounds early and became the second rookie to win the 450SX title.
This interactive table details the all-time leaders in Seattle. 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 Seattle. Who won in what year and what round was this venue. Filter by class. On mobile, slide left to access more columns.