There’s no question that Daytona is the toughest and most prestigious Supercross race on the schedule, but is it a true test of impending outdoor success? Based on 20 years of comparative results, the answer probably isn’t what you might think. Sure, there are odd circumstances, Supercross-only contracts for some (Jeremy McGrath) and injuries that kept race winners from racing the Nationals (or in the case of Ricky Carmichael in 2004, racing at Daytona).

Three Daytona winners, Reed, Stewart and Windham, but only one of them won Daytona and the National Championship in the same season. Do you know which one?

Since 1995 the Daytona Supercross winner has gone on to win the 450 Supercross title nine times. Ricky Carmichael, the freak of nature that he was, won Daytona and the Nationals in the same year a record four times in a row and on five occasions he did the double (Daytona and the AMA National Championship). People put an emphasis on Daytona being a good indicator for the Nationals, but only four riders have managed to win both in the same year: Villopoto (twice), Reed (once), Carmichael (5 times) and Emig (once). In 11 out of 20 years, the Daytona winner did not win the outdoor Championship.

Ryan Dungey won Daytona for the first time this year. Can he do the double?

Year.Daytona Winner..National Champion
2015….Ryan Dungey…………????
2014….Ryan Villopoto………Ken Roczen
2013….Ryan Villopoto………Ryan Villopoto
2012….James Stewart………..Ryan Dungey

2011….Ryan Villopoto……….Ryan Villopoto
2010….Ryan Villopoto………Ryan Dungey

2009….Chad Reed……………Chad Reed
2008….Kevin Windham….…James Stewart
2007….James Stewart………Grant Langston
2006….Ricky Carmichael..….Ricky Carmichael
2005….Chad Reed……………Ricky Carmichael
2004….Chad Reed……………Ricky Carmichael

2003….Ricky Carmichael.…Ricky Carmichael
2002….Ricky Carmichael….Ricky Carmichael
2001….Ricky Carmichael….Ricky Carmichael
2000….Ricky Carmichael….Ricky Carmichael

1999….Jeremy McGrath……Greg Albertyn
1998….Jeremy McGrath……Doug Henry
1997….Jeff Emig……………..Jeff Emig
1996….Jeremy McGrath……Jeff Emig
1995….Mike Kiedrowski……Jeremy McGrath