Motocross News
Rockstar Makita Suzuki’s racing phenomenon Ryan Dungey has collected a lot of trophies in his young career, including the 2010 AMA/FIM Supercross Championship.
The 20-year-old Minnesota native is now in the running for another award, but this time it’s a nod from the “Worldwide Leader in Sports,” ESPN.
Ryan has been nominated for an ESPN ESPY Award in the “Best Male Action Sports Athlete” category, which will be determined by fan votes.
With the recognition of ESPN and the ESPYs, Dungey takes a step toward bringing Supercross/Motocross racing to the forefront of all sports.
With enough votes, Dungey can put the motorcycle industry in front of millions of sports fans, giving it the exposure it deserves. Ryan is the only male motocrosser to be nominated this year and he is without a doubt the best ambassador the sport has seen in a long time.
Both hardworking and humble, Dungey works tirelessly to be at the top of his game and is one of those rare champions who truly understands that he’s not competing for himself by himself, but he’s winning with the help of an outstanding cast of crew, sponsors, family, and fans.
You can show your support of the sport by casting a vote for Ryan at www.espys.tv.
“It’s not every day that any professional SX/MX rider gets noticed outside our industry, nevermind the sports world leader ESPN,” said Rod Lopusnak, the Motorcycle and ATV National Sales Manager for American Suzuki Motor Corp.
“Ryan’s nomination is a testament to his talent, dedication, sponsors, and family. With the recent economic challenges our industry has faced, it is an amazing accomplishment not only for him and Suzuki but the entire Supercross and Motocross industry.”
Ryan Dungey has had an amazing career so far, his talent aboard his Suzuki was obvious to five-time world champion and Rockstar Makita Suzuki team manager Roger DeCoster from very early on.
DeCoster selected Dungey to jump from the amateurs right to the factory rig in 2006, and Ryan has proved Roger right at every turn. Ryan was named AMA Rookie of the Year in 2007, and he had singular focus on winning races.
With an outstanding work ethic and the potent Suzuki RM-Z250, Dungey won both the 2009 Western Regional Lites Supercross championship and the 250-class Motocross title. Ryan then went on to the Motocross of Nations and won there, as well.
In true champion fashion, Ryan started his 450 career aboard the Suzuki fuel-injected RM-Z450 with determination and skills to make the whole world notice.
In his rookie year, Dungey won the 2010 AMA/FIM Supercross Championship with six victories and 11 total podium finishes.
He is only the second rookie to win the title and the youngest ever. Ryan is currently on the winning path again as he leads the 450 Motocross series in points, winning the last three overalls in a row.
The ESPN ESPY Awards gather the top celebrities from sports and entertainment to recognize the best in sports.
Fans will determine the winners in all categories and can vote online at www.espys.tv, on ESPN Mobile Web at http://espn.mobi, and at www.facebook.com/ESPN.
The live awards ceremony will be shown on ESPN July 14th at 9 p.m. Show your support of the sport by casting your vote for Ryan before voting closes on July 10.
