Pre-Houston Report: Injury News, Track Map and Historical Facts

Monster Energy AMA Supercross is BACK in Houston and we here at Vurb are spitting facts, stats and more, jack. The 250SX East Region kicks off this weekend, so make sure to check out Team Guide.

Injury News

Marvin Musquin: Out for another round due to a wrist injury.

Malcolm Stewart: Underwent knee surgery this week and is out.

Seth Hammaker (250 Class): Fractured his arm during testing and is out for the weekend.

Nick Romano (250 Class): Suffered an injury prior to the start of the East Region and will miss this weekend.

Jo Shimoda (250 Class): Sustained a shoulder injury during testing and is out for this weekend.

Jalek Swoll (250 Class): Broke his arm prior to the start of the East Region and it out.

Track Map

450 Class: Houston Historical Facts

History Lesson: On March 15th-16th in 1974 the Houston Astrodome hosted the second round of the first official Supercross Championship, the “Yamaha Super-Series of Motocross”. 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.

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

NRG Takes Over: NRG Stadium hosted Supercross races from 2003-2015 before a 42-year streak of Houston hosting Supercross came to an end in 2016. The series returned to NRG Stadium in 2018-2019 and in 2021 became the first venue in Supercross history to host the first three rounds of a season. 2023 will be the 19th 450SX Class race held in NRG Stadium and 55th held in Houston.

2021 Houston Recap: Opening the season with three races in 2021 gave room for plenty of action in Houston. Justin Barcia (GASGAS) nabbed his third straight opener victory in Houston 1 before Eli Tomac (Kawasaki) cruised to the Houston 2 victory. Eventual champion Cooper Webb (KTM) scored his first of eight wins on the season in Houston 3. Ken Roczen (Honda) scored runner-up finishes in Houston 1 and 2. All four of these riders look to replicate their success in Houston 2023.

450 Class: Houston Winners

Manufacturer Wins in Houston/NRG Stadium (Last Win)

1) Kawasaki: 15/8 (’21)
2) Yamaha: 14/3 (’14)
3) Honda: 12/3 (’15)
4) Suzuki: 6/0 (’83)
5) KTM: 2/2 (’21)
5) Can-am: 2/0 (’77)
7) Husqvarna: 1/1 (’18)
7) GASGAS: 1/1 (’21)
7) 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) Cooper Webb: 2 (’19, ‘21)
8) Three others with 2

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

250 Class: Houston Historical Facts

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

NRG Takes Over: NRG Stadium hosted its first 250SX Class race in 2003, also the first year Houston was an Eastern Regional-only round. From 2003-2021 NRG Stadium hosted 11 Eastern Regionals and seven Western Regionals. 2023 Houston is the Eastern Regional Opener, 19th time 250SX Class racing has visited NRG Stadium, and 37th time in Houston.

East Opener: This will be the ninth time Houston has hosted the opening round of Eastern Regional racing and fourth time in NRG Stadium. In 1988 the Houston Astrodome was the season opener and a Showdown, meaning it was the opening round for all three Championships (450SX, 250SX Eastern and Western Regionals).

Winner’s Circle: The winner of Houston has gone onto win a 250SX Class Regional Championship that same season in 21/34 (62%) races, including the last five (Jason Anderson 2014, Cooper Webb 2015, Aaron Plessinger 2018, Dylan Ferrandis 2019, & Colt Nichols 2021).