In motorcycle-racing circles, the mere utterance of those words (American Honda) inspires awe and reverence that can only be earned through decades of racing success on legendary circuits the world over.

In American motocross, Team Honda’s tale began in 1973, when Gary Jones rode the manufacturer’s first production motocrosser—the CR250M Elsinore—to the national title.

The list of Honda-mounted supercross and motocross champions grew steadily, including heroes like David Bailey, Jean-Michel Bayle, Ricky Carmichael, Donnie Hansen, Doug Henry, Rick Johnson, Jeremy McGrath, Johnny O’Mara, Marty Smith, Jeff Stanton, Chuck Sun and others.

The current AMA supercross champion, Jett Lawrence has also won an AMA 450 motocross championship, two AMA 250 motocross championships, two 250 regional supercross championships and two SMX World championships. That’s a total of seven titles for the Honda brand.

Of course, in the past, names like Ricky Carmichael, Jeremy McGrath, Ricky Johnson, Jeff Stanton, J. M. Bayle and David Bailey have also logged up number one plates for Honda.

Jeremy McGrath won four AMA supercross championships, an AMA 125/250 motocross championship and two regional supercross titles. So, also seven in total. McGrath, was probably, like Johnson, one of the most celebrated riders for Honda, but disputes with the brand saw him go elsewhere.

Ricky Johnson won six titles for Honda, and right across the board. One of the most charismatic riders in the sports history, RJ won two AMA supercross championships, and three AMA motocross championships, two in the 250 class and one in the 500cc class. A major injury, in the peak of his career, robbed Johnson of more titles.

While one of his biggest rivals, Ricky Carmichael also won big on the red machines. RC won two AMA supercross championships for Honda, and added three 450 motocross championships, for a total of five number one places for Honda. Carmichael of course become the greatest rider of all time in America, which included titles for Kawasaki and Suzuki.

David Bailey won four times for Honda, once in the AMA 250/450 supercross, one in AMA 250 motocross and twice in the 500cc class in motocross. His legacy was cut down in his peak, when he broke his back in his prime.

Jeff Stanton also produces a lot of wins for Honda, taking three AMA supercross championships and three AMA 250/450 motocross championships for a tally of six for Honda. J. M. Bayle spent two years on Honda in USA and won himself an AMA supercross title, AMA motocross title and an AMA 500cc title.

My hero and the first ever Honda superstar, Marty Smith won three times for Honda, twice in the 125cc motocross championship and one in the AMA 500cc motocross championship.

Honda SuperMotocross Champions

2024: Jett Lawrence (CRF450RWE)

2023: Jett Lawrence (CRF450RWE)

Honda AMA Supercross 450SX Champions (250 two-stroke)

2024: Jett Lawrence (CRF450RWE)

2023: Chase Sexton (CRF450RWE)

2003: Ricky Carmichael (CR250R)

2002: Ricky Carmichael (CR250R)

1996: Jeremy McGrath (CR250R)

1995: Jeremy McGrath (CR250R)

1994: Jeremy McGrath (CR250R)

1993: Jeremy McGrath (CR250R)

1992: Jeff Stanton (CR250R)

1991: Jean-Michel Bayle (CR250R)

1990: Jeff Stanton (CR250R)

1989: Jeff Stanton (CR250R)

1988: Rick Johnson (CR250R)

1986: Rick Johnson (CR250R)

1984: Johnny O’Mara (RC250)

1983: David Bailey (RC250)

1982: Donnie Hansen (RC250)

Honda AMA Pro Motocross 450 Champions

2023: Jett Lawrence (CRF450RWE)

2004: Ricky Carmichael (CRF450R)

2003: Ricky Carmichael (CR250R)

2002: Ricky Carmichael (CR250R)

1995: Jeremy McGrath (CR250R)

1992: Jeff Stanton (CR250R)

1991: Jean-Michel Bayle (CR250R)

1990: Jeff Stanton (CR250R)

1989: Jeff Stanton (CR250R)

1987: Rick Johnson (CR250R)

1986: Rick Johnson (CR250R)

1983: David Bailey (RC250)

1982: Donnie Hansen (RC250)

1973: Gary Jones (RC250 Elsinore)

Honda AMA Pro Motocross 250 Champions

2023: Hunter Lawrence (CRF250R)

2022: Jett Lawrence (CRF250R)

2021: Jett Lawrence (CRF250R)

2013: Eli Tomac (CRF250R)

2010: Trey Canard (CRF250R)

1996: Steve Lamson (CR125R)

1995: Steve Lamson (CR125R)

1994: Doug Henry (CR125R)

1993: Doug Henry (CR125R)

1989: Mike Kiedrowski (CR125R)

1988: George Holland (CR125R)

1987: Micky Dymond (CR125R)

1986: Micky Dymond (CR125R)

1985: Ron Lechien (RC125)

1983: Johnny O’Mara (RC125)

1975: Marty Smith (RC125)

1974: Marty Smith (RC125)

Honda AMA Supercross 250 Regional Champions

2023: Hunter Lawrence – East (CRF250R)

2023: Jett Lawrence – West (CRF250R)

2022: Jett Lawrence – East (CRF250R

2020: Chase Sexton – East (CRF250R)

2019: Chase Sexton – East (CRF250R)

2016: Malcolm Stewart – East (CRF250R)

2014: Justin Bogle – East (CRF250R)

2013: Wil Hahn – East (CRF250R)

2012: Justin Barcia – East (CRF250R)

2012: Eli Tomac – West (CRF250R)

2011: Justin Barcia – East (CRF250R)

2008: Trey Canard – East (CRF250R)

2006: Davi Millsaps – East (CRF250R)

2002: Travis Preston – West (CR125R)

1993: Doug Henry – East (CR125R)

1992: Jeremy McGrath – West (CR125R)

1991: Brian Swink – East (CR125R)

1991: Jeremy McGrath – West (CR125R)

1990: Ty Davis – West (CR125R)

1986: Keith Turpin – East (CR125R)

Honda AMA Motocross 500 Champions

1991: Jean-Michel Bayle (CR500R)

1988: Rick Johnson (CR500R)

1987: Rick Johnson (CR500R)

1986: David Bailey (CR500R)

1984: David Bailey (RC500)

1982: Darrell Shultz (RC500)

1980: Chuck Sun (RC500)

1977: Marty Smith (Type II RC400)