Tomac going for 73?

-MAVERICK-
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1/19/2026 11:49am

What’s crazy is Eli is at 55 and has never even mentioned Mcgraths record. 

What's really crazy is all those wins and only 2 titles. Same with James. Weird to think they don't have more.  

Cool stats for Tomac. 

-He won his first 450SX title at 27 making him the oldest first time title winner. 

-If he wins it this year he'll be the oldest title winner. 

-If he continues to race next year and he wins a race, he'll then be the oldest race winner at 34. 

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1
1/19/2026 12:16pm

What’s crazy is Eli is at 55 and has never even mentioned Mcgraths record. 

^^^^ THIS ^^^^

Not once did Tomac mention he was going to try to beat MC's record or anyone else saying it during the 2014 Pre-season press conference. But everyone jumped on it for Jett...

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Flatliner
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1/19/2026 12:42pm

What’s crazy is Eli is at 55 and has never even mentioned Mcgraths record. 

-MAVERICK- wrote:
What's really crazy is all those wins and only 2 titles. Same with James. Weird to think they don't have more.  Cool stats for Tomac. -He won...

What's really crazy is all those wins and only 2 titles. Same with James. Weird to think they don't have more.  

Cool stats for Tomac. 

-He won his first 450SX title at 27 making him the oldest first time title winner. 

-If he wins it this year he'll be the oldest title winner. 

-If he continues to race next year and he wins a race, he'll then be the oldest race winner at 34. 

I think Fro was also 27, one time winner though.

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1/19/2026 12:46pm

Before Eli tore his Achilles in Denver, I had a crazy thought that he was fixing to go on a generational win/title run if he chose to stick around and that included overtaking MC’s win record. Then, the Lawrence brothers happened and Eli needed a while to recover to include the broke leg. I think tying or breaking the record is a stretch goal now at this point. The old guard refuses to understand a man in his early/mid 30’s is capable of being champion, especially with the advancement of recovery, nutrition, etc. Part of me believes the flack these guys receive is intentional that the industry may hold the opinion these older guys are holding up the sport, but I think the real answer is careers will continue to extend and along with that career earnings. It’s not unreasonable to think a man in his mid 30’s can win titles in this sport. In fact, it’s becoming more realistic by the day.

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The Shop

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1/19/2026 1:17pm

I think Eli races this year to win the title.

After that, he races to win the title next year.

Depending on who's racing, he may reach 73 in 2027.

If he's just close at the end of 2027, you'd have to go get it in 2028.

I predict he gets it done, in 2028.

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Jkawi
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1/19/2026 1:22pm
GBS wrote:
Eli winning is awesome and yes he could hit 73 before done. If he would not have torn his heel and a wasted a year or...

Eli winning is awesome and yes he could hit 73 before done. If he would not have torn his heel and a wasted a year or two on a Kawasaki he may already have 73

Wasted a year or two on kawi? you mean when he won 4 titles?

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ohh_454
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1/19/2026 1:24pm

I’m an Eli guy, but I don’t want anyone to touch MCs record. I want that to always stay intact. 

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ShipLap
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1/19/2026 1:34pm Edited Date/Time 1/20/2026 5:27pm
parkman wrote:
I think I almost view it as 10 wins ≈ 1 title. Like honestly who's had the more impressive career when you think of JS7 or...

I think I almost view it as 10 wins ≈ 1 title. Like honestly who's had the more impressive career when you think of JS7 or Dungey? ET3 or Webb? Kenny or Anderson? 

I still think that 4 title streak of RV2 is as impressive of a feat as any though. 

Good question.
I put Stewart and Tomac in the same premiere category.  Both super scary fast.  Under-performed on championships.  
Dungey is a notch ahead of them on championships alone.  The guy delivered!  And delivered, and delivered, and delivered.

Webb is under Tomac and Bubba.  Solid rider, but lacked the outdoor formula that Dungey had.

Anderson and Roczen, good riders but not the same level as ET3 and JS7.  Tomac and Stewart each had rides that were earthquakes, shocking the entire MX world.  
Among other moments, it was Hangtown 2015 for ET3, and the 2014 Toronto SX for Stewart.

Thus, Ando and Roczen are great riders, but at the bottom of an elite list.
ET3 may just be the Tom Brady of SX, a potential geriatric champion.  

We'll see how it goes.

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Village Idiot
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1/19/2026 2:39pm

Never know.

It's reasonable to think RJ would have destroyed the record books... but then he had that date with Danny Storbeck.

The rest is (unfortunately) history.

mxaniac wrote:

Lots of that though, the Smith incident, Hannah and the water skiing, David Bailey......

Yeah, that's kind of the point - it can come to an end in the blink of an eye, even for the best of them, so when you have a history of injuries it seems a bit premature to count those chickens now... especially when that's a lot of chickens and they take quite a while to collect. Doesn't seem like a position a betting man would feel confident in taking.

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ohh_454
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1/19/2026 2:58pm
parkman wrote:
I think I almost view it as 10 wins ≈ 1 title. Like honestly who's had the more impressive career when you think of JS7 or...

I think I almost view it as 10 wins ≈ 1 title. Like honestly who's had the more impressive career when you think of JS7 or Dungey? ET3 or Webb? Kenny or Anderson? 

I still think that 4 title streak of RV2 is as impressive of a feat as any though. 

ShipLap wrote:
Good question.I put Stewart and Tomac in the same premiere category.  Both super scary fast.  Under-performed on championships.  Dungey is a notch ahead of them on...

Good question.
I put Stewart and Tomac in the same premiere category.  Both super scary fast.  Under-performed on championships.  
Dungey is a notch ahead of them on championships alone.  The guy delivered!  And delivered, and delivered, and delivered.

Webb is under Tomac and Bubba.  Solid rider, but lacked the outdoor formula that Dungey had.

Anderson and Roczen, good riders but not the same level as ET3 and JS7.  Tomac and Stewart each had rides that were earthquakes, shocking the entire MX world.  
Among other moments, it was Hangtown 2015 for ET3, and the 2014 Toronto SX for Stewart.

Thus, Ando and Roczen are great riders, but at the bottom of an elite list.
ET3 may just be the Tom Brady of SX, a potential geriatric champion.  

We'll see how it goes.

I agree with most of what you said except that Kenny isnt an elite guy. He was winning gps at 15, won the gp title @ 16, won a sx at 16, won 450 sx races and a mx championship in his rookie year, and almost went undefeated outdoors in 2016. If not for his arm injuries, I would think he’d have a sx title or two as well, those came during his peak years when he was probably 22 yrs old. And he’s still out there knocking on the door for a win on a Suzuki lol I was never really a fan of him, but he’s definitely got my respect for what’s he’s done, he could’ve called it a career after those arm injuries in 2017. 

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1/20/2026 7:06am

Nothing would make me happier in the history of my fanship in sports-than Eli taking that crown. 

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1
1/20/2026 7:41am

Ridiculous to even talk about. He almost retired last year and hes still multiple years away from the record. 

Nobody is touching that record. 

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tomlopez
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1/20/2026 8:22am
parkman wrote:
I think I almost view it as 10 wins ≈ 1 title. Like honestly who's had the more impressive career when you think of JS7 or...

I think I almost view it as 10 wins ≈ 1 title. Like honestly who's had the more impressive career when you think of JS7 or Dungey? ET3 or Webb? Kenny or Anderson? 

I still think that 4 title streak of RV2 is as impressive of a feat as any though. 

ShipLap wrote:
Good question.I put Stewart and Tomac in the same premiere category.  Both super scary fast.  Under-performed on championships.  Dungey is a notch ahead of them on...

Good question.
I put Stewart and Tomac in the same premiere category.  Both super scary fast.  Under-performed on championships.  
Dungey is a notch ahead of them on championships alone.  The guy delivered!  And delivered, and delivered, and delivered.

Webb is under Tomac and Bubba.  Solid rider, but lacked the outdoor formula that Dungey had.

Anderson and Roczen, good riders but not the same level as ET3 and JS7.  Tomac and Stewart each had rides that were earthquakes, shocking the entire MX world.  
Among other moments, it was Hangtown 2015 for ET3, and the 2014 Toronto SX for Stewart.

Thus, Ando and Roczen are great riders, but at the bottom of an elite list.
ET3 may just be the Tom Brady of SX, a potential geriatric champion.  

We'll see how it goes.

ohh_454 wrote:
I agree with most of what you said except that Kenny isnt an elite guy. He was winning gps at 15, won the gp title @...

I agree with most of what you said except that Kenny isnt an elite guy. He was winning gps at 15, won the gp title @ 16, won a sx at 16, won 450 sx races and a mx championship in his rookie year, and almost went undefeated outdoors in 2016. If not for his arm injuries, I would think he’d have a sx title or two as well, those came during his peak years when he was probably 22 yrs old. And he’s still out there knocking on the door for a win on a Suzuki lol I was never really a fan of him, but he’s definitely got my respect for what’s he’s done, he could’ve called it a career after those arm injuries in 2017. 

Yeah, I would say in ranking those guys into tiers, Roczen is more in line with Webb/Tomac than he is with Anderson. I would still have the order Tomac, Webb, Roczen, Anderson in terms of career success/prestige, but the gap between Webb and Roczen isn't that large. Tomac has a pretty decent gap on Webb though... 6 premier class titles combined vs 3.

SoCalMX70
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1/20/2026 9:58am

Ridiculous to even talk about. He almost retired last year and hes still multiple years away from the record. 

Nobody is touching that record. 

No one likes to hear it because Eli is awesome (I'm a huge fan), but this is where I'm at too. Tomac would need so much to go his way. Too much imo.

When MC got his last, NO ONE thought that was it. I think everyone expected a handful more and a gritty battle to the end of the 2001 season. Even at the final round in 2001, after a long dismal season, it looked like MC still had something for RC. Like damn, if MC comes back in 2002 with a new focus he may have something... But it was over.

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1/20/2026 10:44am

Ridiculous to even talk about. He almost retired last year and hes still multiple years away from the record. 

Nobody is touching that record. 

SoCalMX70 wrote:
No one likes to hear it because Eli is awesome (I'm a huge fan), but this is where I'm at too. Tomac would need so much...

No one likes to hear it because Eli is awesome (I'm a huge fan), but this is where I'm at too. Tomac would need so much to go his way. Too much imo.

When MC got his last, NO ONE thought that was it. I think everyone expected a handful more and a gritty battle to the end of the 2001 season. Even at the final round in 2001, after a long dismal season, it looked like MC still had something for RC. Like damn, if MC comes back in 2002 with a new focus he may have something... But it was over.

For sure. I agree, Its nothing against Tomac, he is one of the greats no argument there at all. I think MCs record will never be beaten for numerous reasons not just one. Generations change, the field is better prepped now, more parity among top ten, etc. Too many factors I just dont think we will ever see that dominance ever again. 

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1/20/2026 1:59pm

If he keeps on pace for wins this year and were to keep going next year. He could maybe get to 65 for his career. That's insanely good for going against Father Time, and younger talent. But he's currently shutting all that down with back to back wins to start the season at age 33. What he's doing is unprecedented in this sport for sure.

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yardsailor
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1/20/2026 2:28pm

Villopoto did ok iirc.  

Gordon Liddy
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1/20/2026 4:10pm Edited Date/Time 1/20/2026 4:11pm
yardsailor wrote:

Villopoto did ok iirc.  

Villopotto won his last SX title at age 25.  

He won 41 450SX races.

He won 4 450SX titles. 

 

Chris_Buehler
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1/20/2026 5:23pm
HonDawg17 wrote:
If he keeps on pace for wins this year and were to keep going next year. He could maybe get to 65 for his career. That's...

If he keeps on pace for wins this year and were to keep going next year. He could maybe get to 65 for his career. That's insanely good for going against Father Time, and younger talent. But he's currently shutting all that down with back to back wins to start the season at age 33. What he's doing is unprecedented in this sport for sure.

Always crazy when you take into account before this year he had 2 wins in his last 23 starts. Woulda, coulda, shoulda, but imagine if he doesn't tear hos Achilles. But if you play that game maybe he retires if he wins the '23 sx title

Chris_Buehler
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1/20/2026 5:25pm

Ridiculous to even talk about. He almost retired last year and hes still multiple years away from the record. 

Nobody is touching that record. 

SoCalMX70 wrote:
No one likes to hear it because Eli is awesome (I'm a huge fan), but this is where I'm at too. Tomac would need so much...

No one likes to hear it because Eli is awesome (I'm a huge fan), but this is where I'm at too. Tomac would need so much to go his way. Too much imo.

When MC got his last, NO ONE thought that was it. I think everyone expected a handful more and a gritty battle to the end of the 2001 season. Even at the final round in 2001, after a long dismal season, it looked like MC still had something for RC. Like damn, if MC comes back in 2002 with a new focus he may have something... But it was over.

For sure. I agree, Its nothing against Tomac, he is one of the greats no argument there at all. I think MCs record will never be...

For sure. I agree, Its nothing against Tomac, he is one of the greats no argument there at all. I think MCs record will never be beaten for numerous reasons not just one. Generations change, the field is better prepped now, more parity among top ten, etc. Too many factors I just dont think we will ever see that dominance ever again. 

The field isn't any more prepped now than when Eli was in his 20's. We arent talking about RC's era when he was the only guy with a super structured training program

1/20/2026 6:21pm
SoCalMX70 wrote:
No one likes to hear it because Eli is awesome (I'm a huge fan), but this is where I'm at too. Tomac would need so much...

No one likes to hear it because Eli is awesome (I'm a huge fan), but this is where I'm at too. Tomac would need so much to go his way. Too much imo.

When MC got his last, NO ONE thought that was it. I think everyone expected a handful more and a gritty battle to the end of the 2001 season. Even at the final round in 2001, after a long dismal season, it looked like MC still had something for RC. Like damn, if MC comes back in 2002 with a new focus he may have something... But it was over.

For sure. I agree, Its nothing against Tomac, he is one of the greats no argument there at all. I think MCs record will never be...

For sure. I agree, Its nothing against Tomac, he is one of the greats no argument there at all. I think MCs record will never be beaten for numerous reasons not just one. Generations change, the field is better prepped now, more parity among top ten, etc. Too many factors I just dont think we will ever see that dominance ever again. 

The field isn't any more prepped now than when Eli was in his 20's. We arent talking about RC's era when he was the only guy...

The field isn't any more prepped now than when Eli was in his 20's. We arent talking about RC's era when he was the only guy with a super structured training program

Was talking about now vs MC era. 

1/20/2026 6:22pm Edited Date/Time 1/20/2026 6:22pm

Side note - I know it was 250s but I'm surprised it's not brought up more how Tomac won his first ever pro race.

I remember when that happened and thinking man this kids fast but things must of went just right for him to get 3rd in his first ever pro moto. There's no way he gets another top 3 or even top 5 in the second moto. - purely making this assumption on it being his first race. 

Then he goes out and wins moto 2 and I though this kid is the real deal. He's going to have a hell of a career. 

And here we are... How cool would it be to win your first ever pro race and your last.

 

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Chris_Buehler
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1/21/2026 7:02am
For sure. I agree, Its nothing against Tomac, he is one of the greats no argument there at all. I think MCs record will never be...

For sure. I agree, Its nothing against Tomac, he is one of the greats no argument there at all. I think MCs record will never be beaten for numerous reasons not just one. Generations change, the field is better prepped now, more parity among top ten, etc. Too many factors I just dont think we will ever see that dominance ever again. 

The field isn't any more prepped now than when Eli was in his 20's. We arent talking about RC's era when he was the only guy...

The field isn't any more prepped now than when Eli was in his 20's. We arent talking about RC's era when he was the only guy with a super structured training program

Was talking about now vs MC era. 

Ah gotcha. You're absolutely correct 

Chris_Buehler
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1/21/2026 7:08am
Side note - I know it was 250s but I'm surprised it's not brought up more how Tomac won his first ever pro race.I remember when...

Side note - I know it was 250s but I'm surprised it's not brought up more how Tomac won his first ever pro race.

I remember when that happened and thinking man this kids fast but things must of went just right for him to get 3rd in his first ever pro moto. There's no way he gets another top 3 or even top 5 in the second moto. - purely making this assumption on it being his first race. 

Then he goes out and wins moto 2 and I though this kid is the real deal. He's going to have a hell of a career. 

And here we are... How cool would it be to win your first ever pro race and your last.

 

3rd moto of his career he got 2nd at Freestone too but ended up cooking himself with heatstroke. Either that moto or the 2nd moto at Freestone. He seemed to fight the aftereffects of that even the next year

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Radical
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1/21/2026 12:14pm

Ridiculous to even talk about. He almost retired last year and hes still multiple years away from the record. 

Nobody is touching that record. 

SoCalMX70 wrote:
No one likes to hear it because Eli is awesome (I'm a huge fan), but this is where I'm at too. Tomac would need so much...

No one likes to hear it because Eli is awesome (I'm a huge fan), but this is where I'm at too. Tomac would need so much to go his way. Too much imo.

When MC got his last, NO ONE thought that was it. I think everyone expected a handful more and a gritty battle to the end of the 2001 season. Even at the final round in 2001, after a long dismal season, it looked like MC still had something for RC. Like damn, if MC comes back in 2002 with a new focus he may have something... But it was over.

There are only a few racers even remotely close to his speed this year.

There's a decent chance that he gets 10 more wins this year.

That puts him at 65?

Next year will be different of course, and let's say he races 2028.

In 2 years, he'd need only 8 wins to beat MC.

I say it happens.

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used2befast
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1/21/2026 1:21pm

At this rate Jett will need 10 injury free seasons on top of him being able to comeback to his former self to even have a chance.  I have my doubts 

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SoCalMX70
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4/13/2026 3:19pm

Everyone has come to their senses now, yeah?

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4/13/2026 8:16pm Edited Date/Time 4/13/2026 8:20pm
SoCalMX70 wrote:

Everyone has come to their senses now, yeah?

All tomac has to do is win one more race and all the nuthuggers will be back riding his jock.  Guaranteed.  RC:  Beastmodes back!  Wow he really is comfortable on that KTM!  Whatever they did, hes one with the bike,  just a MOLD with this new KTM!  And you CANT LET ELI GET ON A ROLL!  And Ill tell you why, that KTM has a STEEL frame which flexes like a paperclip around the corners!  No aluminum frame can come anywhere close to the FEEL of a steel frame ! Hes finally on a bike that he loves!  And the scoop tire such forward thinking!

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