American outdoor racing
Motocross is the outdoor foundation of American professional dirt-bike racing. Its long, rough natural-terrain tracks test speed, fitness, line selection and adaptability across two motos. This guide traces the sport from its European roots to the modern AMA Pro Motocross Championship.
From scrambles to the Nationals
The history of motocross
European roots and an American audience
Modern motocross grew from European off-road “scrambles” competition in the early twentieth century. Purpose-built motorcycles, mass-start racing and closed dirt circuits gradually defined the discipline. International races and visiting European stars helped the format gain traction in the United States during the 1960s.
The AMA national championship begins
The American Motorcyclist Association launched the national championship in 1972. Early schedules featured displacement-based 125cc, 250cc and 500cc divisions. The premier class evolved from 250cc two-strokes to today’s 450cc four-strokes, while the smaller class evolved from 125cc two-strokes to 250cc four-strokes.
The modern Pro Motocross era
American motocross matured into a summer national tour built around established outdoor venues and two-moto racing. Today, the championship remains distinct from AMA Supercross, but both feed the combined standings used to seed the SuperMotocross Playoffs.
Race-day basics
How Pro Motocross racing works
Each class generally contests two scored motos. Riders earn points in each moto, and their combined results determine the event overall. Because the same track becomes rougher throughout the day, consistency matters as much as outright speed.
450 Class
The premier division features the sport’s most established professionals and higher-powered motorcycles.
250 Class
The 250 division is a proving ground for developing professionals, though its races and championship are fully contested national titles.
1972–present
Past AMA Pro Motocross champions by year
The table follows the lineage of today’s 450 and 250 classes. Historical class names and engine rules changed over time; the table groups them by modern championship lineage for easier comparison.
| Year | Premier / 450 lineage | Support / 250 lineage |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | Hunter Lawrence | Cole Davies |
| 2025 | Jett Lawrence | Haiden Deegan |
| 2024 | Chase Sexton | Haiden Deegan |
| 2023 | Jett Lawrence | Hunter Lawrence |
| 2022 | Eli Tomac | Jett Lawrence |
| 2021 | Dylan Ferrandis | Jett Lawrence |
| 2020 | Zach Osborne | Dylan Ferrandis |
| 2019 | Eli Tomac | Adam Cianciarulo |
| 2018 | Eli Tomac | Aaron Plessinger |
| 2017 | Eli Tomac | Zach Osborne |
| 2016 | Ken Roczen | Cooper Webb |
| 2015 | Ryan Dungey | Jeremy Martin |
| 2014 | Ken Roczen | Jeremy Martin |
| 2013 | Ryan Villopoto | Eli Tomac |
| 2012 | Ryan Dungey | Blake Baggett |
| 2011 | Ryan Villopoto | Dean Wilson |
| 2010 | Ryan Dungey | Trey Canard |
| 2009 | Chad Reed | Ryan Dungey |
| 2008 | James Stewart | Ryan Villopoto |
| 2007 | Grant Langston | Ryan Villopoto |
| 2006 | Ricky Carmichael | Ryan Villopoto |
| 2005 | Ricky Carmichael | Ivan Tedesco |
| 2004 | Ricky Carmichael | James Stewart |
| 2003 | Ricky Carmichael | Grant Langston |
| 2002 | Ricky Carmichael | James Stewart |
| 2001 | Ricky Carmichael | Mike Brown |
| 2000 | Ricky Carmichael | Travis Pastrana |
| 1999 | Greg Albertyn | Ricky Carmichael |
| 1998 | Doug Henry | Ricky Carmichael |
| 1997 | Jeff Emig | Ricky Carmichael |
| 1996 | Jeff Emig | Steve Lamson |
| 1995 | Jeremy McGrath | Steve Lamson |
| 1994 | Mike LaRocco | Doug Henry |
| 1993 | Mike Kiedrowski | Doug Henry |
| 1992 | Jeff Stanton | Jeff Emig |
| 1991 | Jean-Michel Bayle | Mike Kiedrowski |
| 1990 | Jeff Stanton | Guy Cooper |
| 1989 | Jeff Stanton | Mike Kiedrowski |
| 1988 | Jeff Ward | George Holland |
| 1987 | Ricky Johnson | Micky Dymond |
| 1986 | Ricky Johnson | Micky Dymond |
| 1985 | Jeff Ward | Ron Lechien |
| 1984 | Ricky Johnson | Jeff Ward |
| 1983 | David Bailey | Johnny O’Mara |
| 1982 | Donnie Hansen | Mark Barnett |
| 1981 | Kent Howerton | Mark Barnett |
| 1980 | Kent Howerton | Mark Barnett |
| 1979 | Bob Hannah | Broc Glover |
| 1978 | Bob Hannah | Broc Glover |
| 1977 | Tony DiStefano | Broc Glover |
| 1976 | Tony DiStefano | Bob Hannah |
| 1975 | Tony DiStefano | Marty Smith |
| 1974 | Gary Jones | Marty Smith |
| 1973 | Gary Jones | — |
| 1972 | Gary Jones | — |
Sources: Pro Motocross and the AMA Motocross Championship historical table. Verify newly completed seasons against official results before publication.
Quick answers
Frequently asked questions
What is motocross?
Motocross is closed-course off-road motorcycle racing on a natural-terrain dirt track with elevation changes, jumps, ruts and changing surfaces.
When did professional motocross begin in the United States?
The AMA established its national motocross championship in 1972, after European-style motocross gained an American following during the 1960s and early 1970s.
How is a Pro Motocross overall winner decided?
Each class normally races two motos. Finishing positions are converted to moto points, and the rider with the highest combined points earns the overall win; the second-moto result breaks an overall tie.
What is the difference between 450 and 250 motocross?
The names identify the two principal motorcycle classes. The 450 class is the premier division, while the 250 class is commonly the development path for younger professional riders.
How does Pro Motocross connect to SuperMotocross?
Points earned in Pro Motocross combine with Supercross points to determine seeding and eligibility for the SuperMotocross postseason.