This Eli Tomac report was written and compiled by Clinton Fowler of 3 Laps Down. Follow him on Instagram and Twitter.
Welcome to the second edition of Fast 3, three statistical nuggets from a recent race that hold historical significance within the sport. Last week, we dove into one stat for three different riders. This week I’m examining a set of Eli Tomac statistics that have him at 6-6-6 on three benchmark lists (yikes!) Eli is, arguably, the best rider of the last five years. Maybe you can debate that point if discussing only supercross but there’s absolutely no question when considering both supercross and motocross.
Twelve years into his career, he’s solidifying his status amongst legends. Maybe the coolest part about this season is he seems to be smiling and having a lot more fun. Talking with him last Friday (before his win at Anaheim II), he verified this observation, saying he’s really enjoyed riding with the Star Racing Yamaha 250 riders. No matter what the key ingredients are to his happier disposition, it’s translating into results on the track.
Eli is off to his absolute best start in a 450SX championship season. Through four rounds, he has 85 points. That’s one more point than he had in 2020, the year he won his title. It’s 16 more points than 2017, the year he lost the title to Ryan Dungey by five points. In 2022, Eli continues to climb several all-time stats leaderboards.
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Eli Tomac has 38 wins (6th all-time)
When 2022 is over, top five all-time is a very strong possibility for Tomac. He’s now just three shy of Ryan Villopoto (41) and six behind Chad Reed (44). If he matches his 2018 total (8 wins), he’ll finish the season with 45 wins and be ranked 4th all-time. Think about it: if he reaches that mark, only Jeremy McGrath, James Stewart and Ricky Carmichael would have more wins.
Tomac is now the tenth rider in Supercross history to win a 450 main event on three different brands. For Tomac, that’s Honda, Kawasaki and, now, Yamaha. He is the 22nd unique name to win for BluCru, which ends a bit of a drought. It’s been two years since Justin Barcia won the opening round in 2020 (he also won on a Yamaha in 2019). Going back to James Stewart in 2012, Tomac is only the third Yamaha rider to win a 450SX main.
Eli Tomac has 75 podiums (also 6th all-time)
Eli’s 38th win also tied him with Stewart and Kevin Windham for sixth most podium finishes in Supercross history (75). It only took Stewart 116 races to get to 75. It took Eli 135 races. But anytime you’re being talked about in the same sentence as the “Fastest Man on the Planet”, you’re doing well.
Windham reached his 75th podium in 205 main events. It took him a bit more time but during his 18 years he was also up against the entire lineup of all-time winners: McGrath, Carmichael, Stewart, Reed, Dungey, Villopoto.
With six more podiums, Tomac will tie Mike LaRocco for 5th all-time. Are you going to bet against this happening?
Eli Tomac has 2,592 points (Again… 6th all-time)
Another 6th place position all-time for Tomac! After round three in San Diego, Eli passed the Wards – Jeff Ward (2,556), Larry Ward (2,546), – in career 450SX points scored. After winning Anaheim II he’s just shy of 2600 points. If he’s maintains his career average for the next 10 rounds, he’ll pass Ryan Dungey (2,782) at round 14 in Atlanta.
When you add it all up, what you get is Eli Tomac ascending the all-time ranks to absolute legend status. He’s 6th all-time in wins, podiums, and points. And on a new bike brand, he continues to win.
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