Ricky Carmichael vs Travis Pastrana: Dethroning the King of Supercross

"The GOAT" Ricky Carmichael sits down with Dale Earnhardt Jr. and co-host Mike Davis for a fascinating discussion about his decorated career as the greatest motocross and supercross, rider of all-time, his brief go at NASCAR and much more. Carmichael discusses dethroning the King of Supercross, Travis Pastrana and how passionate and vocal the Supercross fanbase is.

[@don-e4838]

I personally feel that the McGrath, Carmichael, Pastrana Era was some of the best Supercross action ever.

[@AmericanPirate]

Have to toss in Stanton and Johnson as well

[@RoeShamBoe]

McGrath, RC, Travis, etc. are to SX what Rainey and Schwantz were to the 500s

[@geoffl.3247]

It was.

[@mixerguru]

Ever! that was the high water mark once you introduce space age fourstokes soon the ability for a local bad ass to grab a moto is gone now the power to win is moving into the pits with software sad I believe that is part of the reason RC retired when he did he said in interview that he sees the work ethic fading the modern era definitely took focus off skill and moved it to fitness to the point where speed trumps skill and you get catastrophically injured field . I see the riders and thefans agreeing by the explosion of a 2 stroke racing culture all over the world riders want to learn the hard way and play that instrument instead of being a DJ ...thats enough BS for now

[@matthenriksen7010]

lets not forget about the Stewart, Carmichael, Reed, Villopoto era. You have to have that win or crash guy who is faster than everyone when hes on. Makes the racing much more exciting. (Stewart, Schwantz, Marquez, Pastrana... etc..). MX is boring at the moment with a bunch of Dungey types riding around.

[@djjazzyjeff1232]

I'm glad you put the clip of the pass he was talking about around the 5 minute mark. That adds SO much for us as viewers.

[@Yankee7000]

Put the whole podcast on KZbin please

[@layne4626]

Never understood why they dont

[@k20dreamin]

@@layne4626 most likely something due to it being aired on an NBC network

[@jamieday6602]

I wish we could just watch the whole podcast here! I love Dale Jr podcast but I'm not the type to search around to watch the whole thing! I just wish they would put the whole episode here! I don't know if it's money or what! But I hate only getting only a short bit of each episode! Seems dumb to me , but money talks and Dale Jr. Definitely needs to make more money! The poor guy has to eat Bologna sandwiches 7 days a week! It's a damn shame!

[@Yankee7000]

@@k20dreamin NBC Sports no longer exists. This program no longer is aired. Is it possible that there are contractual obligations preventing them from posting ? Absolutely. They know people want it on KZbin. There has to reason they don’t. They need to work it out with NBC. How about posting on NBC KZbin???

[@cruisinwithcorey]

Yeah I don’t understand the point of filming it in a multi cam setup just to release 2 little 5 minute segments a week

[@StickA-yd4fp]

I need you all to help me out. Listening to the podcast is great and I enjoy it. But watching the conversation and the interaction is way better. Dirty Mo needs its own stream if KZbin isn't lucrative. Maybe discord or whatever, or just come up with their own deal. Like this if you agree, comment if you don't or have a suggestion.

[@Backwoodssmith]

I was at the whoop section before the finish line in 2005 at Washougal. Carmichael is a pleasure to watch on a motorcycle!

[@djjazzyjeff1232]

OH hell yeah, dope to see Ricky on this show. I love all sorts of racing, having grown up my family was in Sprint Car racing since long before I was born and still is, and I was in to motocross big time, raced since I was age 6-19, and of course, who doesn't love Dale Jr. I just like all forms of motorsports it was cool when Dale had John Force on here and it's cool to see the GOAT here now!

[@fearandloathingmedia2051]

I was born in 93, I was never really into watching or following the motocross season, but I always would hear Ricky Carmichael’s name when I was a kid, and when I was a teenager I remember hearing Travis Pastrana, other than those two I can’t think of another motocross rider. Similar to how people who don’t watch or follow NASCAR would know the name of Dale Earnhardt or Jeff Gordon.

[@greghenry1188]

You need to add Doug Henry to that list

[@ChuckHickl]

@@greghenry1188 Dude was a boss...

[@mayflower4082]

Nah I don’t follow nascar and I’ve never heard of those guys lmao

[@showtime951]

If this is your first peak of Ricky you may feel as if now you have an idea. If you are a regular fan of Supercross & Motocross and you were lucky enough to see Carmichael race you probably think you understand or have heard the stories. If you are a friend of RC's and had the honor and pleasure of watching nearly all of his professional (& some of his amateur) races, there is no doubt that who you are watching is the baddest, most tenacious man, pound-for-pound, to ever race a dirt bike. Ricky never gave up and never gave in. It wasn't winning that motivated him, he absolutely hated losing.

[@MikeySkywalker]

Lol so corny. But I gotcha.

[@showtime951]

@@MikeySkywalker - cornhole?

[@glockdude5472]

I remember when he lapped the entire field at an outdoor race.

[@definitelynotwhoyouthink1580]

As a kid going to those Indianapolis races in the late 90s early 2000s, I had no idea the greatness I got to watch. I was cheering Jeremy McGrath and Yamaha year in and out. I wish I had the presence of mind to cherish the Pastrana, Carmichael, and McGrath battles in the moment. I remember being so bummed if McGrath didn't win.

[@chase9812]

How blessed I feel to have been able to watch every lap Ricky Carmichael ever made as a pro! The GOAT #4

[@mitchellkalina8191]

I didn't get to see every lap, but I was fortunate enough to see most of his career. Every lap of both perfect seasons. Dude was seriously all but unbeatable by the time he retired and I only say that because he is actually human. But then there always has to be a best, and his combination of talent, discipline and sheer will was insanely hard to beat on any given day nevermind for a title.

[@mrj3217]

I watchrd McGrath before him man. Never sense has any motor cross guys ever been as great at these guys were.

[@chase9812]

@@mitchellkalina8191 well said ✌️

[@damarfadlan9251]

@@mrj3217 for me i watched every single SX riders before it.

[@damarfadlan9251]

@@chase9812 hi chase 9. 🙏

[@IsaacRaine63]

You really need to get TP on this show. And Ken Block. Both racing/marketing legends

[@DaytonaPrototypes]

Love listening to the GOAT. 🐐

[@grantsexton9487]

Anytime he mentions “the king” he’s referring to McGrath

[@djjazzyjeff1232]

I don't see anything wrong with the caption. I see how it could be slightly confusing but there's nothing explicitly wrong about it, read it again.

[@7viewerlogic670]

Good to point that out!

[@TheSteelArmadillo]

RC was my hero as a kid. He is absolutely the greatest motocrosser to ever ride.

[@tomfoolery8829]

That's a bold statement. If only we could get Ward, DeCoster, Hannah, Hansen, Bayle, Glover, Bailey, Johnson, Bradshaw, McGrath, O'Mara, Barnett, Howerton, Stanton, H. Everts and S.Everts, and Villipoto all while in their early Twenties on equal bike for a season of racing.

[@TheSteelArmadillo]

@@tomfoolery8829 if only.

[@chaddavies1032]

Lol Travis was mine😂 Growing up with all the crustys movies and watching Nitro circus on MTV was a big part of my child hood. First time I was ever allowed to be up passed midnight (I'm on a different time zone) was to watch xgames 12 when travis did the double backflip. A big part of who I am today and my beleif that almost anything is possible is I grew up with a super hero that existed😂

[@amfk8079]

The GOAT transcending moto! Love you Jr, Rc

[@MCMAHON1250]

Great guys , great competition. My favorite part of Motocross

[@RIDDYxMUSICH]

My little brother and I grew up youngsters watching VHS tapes of Ricky Carmichael and James Stewart as tiny kids. Childhood.

[@Darrells..]

Damon bradshaw would be a great interview for the podcast,the beast from the east is from N.C.

[@michaelscott7482]

G.O.A.T, nothing but respect for the man.

[@CSDonohue11]

Dope interview. Very interesting to hear from The OG MX

[@wd840mxhighlights]

Those are clips from my Pastrana vs Carmichael vid🤙🏻

[@drewtramp1577]

I remember being at Washougal MX and Ricky getting the holeshot. Going up Horsepower hill and doubling over the valley there with a huge scrub whip. I was standing on top it was so cool. Ricky seems such a nice guy.

[@johnweaver1198]

Best Podcast out there...... RC is so humble until he puts that Helmet on. And then his persona takes on a life of it's own. Great interview......

[@AyoMrB]

So awesome you had "THE" GOAT on the show. That exhibition race in Vegas was the first motocross event I ever got to attend. I distinctly remember the smell of the exhaust. I don't know if it was the coolant or oil or some sort of mixture they were putting in, but it smelled like cherries and jolly ranchers. Never forget it!

[@angusncmo3268]

probably 'Cherry Bomb' fuel additive -- an added 'lubricant' for the piston that is mixed in with the fuel .... lot of that used in dirt modified cars, and probably used in other forms of racing as well.

[@zippit47]

Belray 2 cycle mix had a distinct smell from a dirt bike exhaust.

[@4touchdowns1game29]

that's the smell of vp and pre mix. some of the best smells to exist in racing.

[@nastyn81980]

You never give the greats the credit they deserve when their career is active, myself included. But RC is the GOAT and deserves all the accolades. I used to hate Jimmie Johnson when he was dominant, but I came around. I wish I had appreciated him more when he was in his prime.

[@Oz_Darkr1d3r]

I feel the same way when jimmie was winning everything i remember after every week here we go again JJ won again this is soooo boring. Now i wish i could relive it all over again because it was truly something special happening before my very eyes. Now i love JJ he deserves every accolade he has achieved!

[@rickystafford7433]

I like that final line…to be the greatest you can’t have any distractions.

[@SiVlog1989]

To some degree there's method in Travis Pastrana's perceived madness of not driving the corners the same way. The race track is ever evolving, the tyre grip is always changing and the rubber on the racing line is always changing. In wet conditions, I know they don't race on ovals in wet weather, but on road courses they do, driving off the normal line can provide slightly more grip than driving on that line in the wet, which can be very slippery

[@carolshugars3122]

ricky ia a god on track and off thx for the great memories!!!!!!!!!!

[@shilohmilo1378]

Great podcast Jr… Your the Best…

[@nickshubin3627]

I was there that night at san diego stadium, when the torch was passed from Mcgrath, to Ricky. Had a straight on view of that jump!

[@throttlewatch4614]

I was at the MGM for that race still have some pictures of RC .

[@RastaRider]

Sooo glad seeing the clips of the incidents AS he describes them. If I didn't see them myself I would have BELIEVED him! Lmao crazy how we can all remember things so differently. RC had wins, never cared for the dude. Travis is a sweetheart. So is James. We want good guys to win and RC never felt like that for me.

[@tombystander]

Didn't watch racing as a kid but watched xgames every year. Pastrana was THE show. Will remember that double backflip for all of my life.

[@amfk8079]

But do you remember the bay jump that started it all. I was there!

[@TheIcpfan23]

@@amfk8079 I remember that too,

[@billrichmond4922]

I think it would be really cool to see some of the former supercross aces in Robby Gordons super trucks in like an all star kind of race.

[@Devil3R]

The Goat. Thanks Dale.

[@thegonz7833]

Awesome content

[@mrj3217]

These motorcross guys are legit aliens man. I have watched local guys at Dade city ride and when even a couple of pro guy showed up the earth shook. It was like they held the throttle wide open around the entire track. I watch pros ar Hard Rock in Ocala fl just unreal what they can do with a bike.

[@juliusevola8806]

Yeah. When you see a guy like Carmichael and how hard he hits the corners, it does make the ground shake. They were scary fast.

[@denniswilder3014]

As a long time amateur of over 40 years and 20 years ago trying too up my game.the training and stamina was hard the mental part is the hardest if you don't have the muscle memory at the end of the day I was just wiped out physically and mentally.the hardest and most demanding sport by far

[@ATEC101]

@@denniswilder3014 Try free solo rock climbing and get back to me.

[@denniswilder3014]

@@ATEC101 try j7mping a 75 foot triple landing having 10 feet to launch another 75 feet with 8 inch deep ruts with 21 other maniacs coming up beside you and behind you.all for 25 min.

[@denniswilder3014]

@@ATEC101 more people have died and gotten paralyzed from motocross than solo rock climbing

[@mixerguru]

great interview if you are a Ricky fan the motocross D nations RC vs Stephan Everts the best ride n any bike RC on a under powered cr 250 2 stroke in a field of 450s battles Everts like a gladiator rode the wheels off it this race alone puts him highest in the legend shelf as he wins to be completely. R dissed by the crowd for beating their boy he was no match for the GOAT!

[@kevinschindele4829]

Pastrana is the goat of freestyle rc4 is the king of supercross/motocross. Loved them both growing up and lucky enough to live about 20 mins from Pastranaland. Pastrana is a nice dude

[@apriliaguy4life198]

McGrath is the king of supercross, not RC. McGrath’s wins may never be surpassed, even RC has said that.

[@CaddyJim]

It was more than just a distractions because he pulled off a Supercross championship and couple Motocross championships on the smaller bike but then it was the injuries and distractions when Supercross just took so much more dedication and work to have the stamina than the other things

[@TheHemiphil81]

People can like or dislike ricky but no one can take the fact that is the greatest ever..

[@apriliaguy4life198]

Outdoor yes, indoor no. Jeremy is the greatest SX rider ever.

[@scottburrow8717]

RC I the GOAT!!!

[@rodstanley881]

The GOAT I REALLY MISS SEEING HIM RACING

[@michaelmcdonald3268]

Ya need to have Travis Pastrana on here

[@DanielBrickert77]

I like the video of the crash while ricky spoke about it. Helps you understand what he's talking about.

[@jasonwiggins6137]

The G.O.A.T of all G.O.A.T.'s!

[@lancegleco5226]

Watched him race many times, he was with out doubt a total winner...And yes an asshole's hole at times..but he was the supercross dominant rider for years...he was nearly unstoppable...great interview with Jr & Md @ Dirty Mo..

[@randyroberts4239]

There was something about RC not letting Travis practice with him. I believe Ricky was all business and made full use of the time to work. I don't have the stats but, I wonder if over a ten year span, if Carmichael wasn't the most dominant athlete in the history of sport. Any sport.

[@fiftyin07]

Perfect season 24/24 motos in 2002 seemed impossible the first time, and then he backed it up and did it again in 2004. Stewart then did it in 2008 (No coincidence that’s the season after RC retired) We’ll likely never see anybody dominate like that again.

[@jeffreyoldham55]

Hail to the GOAT!

[@Upracefan]

To hell with the podcast, show the videos!

[@beanapalooza6614]

I never thought of Pastrana as a king of supercross. Now to me it was Jeremy McGrath. That dude is a Goat that THE GOAT RICKY THE KING CARMICHAEL dethroned. He broke every record the Jeremy set. And I had watched Jeremy take over th he sport from the beginning of his run.

[@beanapalooza6614]

@@js8270 sweet my boy McGrath is the original and still champ GOAT. But didnt Ricky pass him on Championships?

[@beanapalooza6614]

Or wins in a row? Seems like Jeremy had 16 in a row and I thought Ricky passed that. I wasnt really watching alot in Bubbas time... I know Ricky battles with that french(?) Villa sometimes or other. A kowasucky rider.. I'm old I was around when the shocks were bolted on the outside of the frame

[@NOxSPLOOSHxPLANE]

Those three acing were definitely some of the best supercross clashes but I would say it was more McGrath vs Carmichael.

[@ghfhecker4664]

I was there and was definitely remember booing RC and being proud of the fact that he couldn't even hear himself talk lol

[@QSRSimulations]

They need to have pastrana on

[@bmc8319]

When are you going to get Daniel Riccardo on?

[@thesuneversets]

Pastrana is a hell of a rally car driver tho! Should get that guy on the show

[@elijahbrown7692]

here in indy we like a race, fans thought it was a takeout and we were pumped for a race, same 05' redbud with stew and kw, but those boos swapped podium positions. never thought i would have seen that

[@shawnlarsen2803]

Please put this on KZbin. The podcast does this no justice. Being amble to see facial expressions let’s you truly understand to context.

[@Scoe91Til]

Travis struck me as more of a Top Fuel racer. I'm surprised that he didn't get into that.

[@ashleyellison5239]

Wouldn't be surprised if it happened

[@natebrod]

I was in the stands in 2002 Anaheim 1 booing Ricky. It had nothing to do with Honda and everything to do with him dethroning McGrath. I don't think we as fans were ready to see him go. You gotta remember SoCal was the heart of all things dirt bike and we didn't like seeing a Florida boy come over and beat our hometown guy. I'd like to apologize to Ricky one day in person, he didn't deserve all the Anaheim booing he got.

[@aggromonk9154]

How about just uploading the episodes to youtube?

[@skeetermcswagger0U812]

Travis didn't ghost the bike out.... his front spokes got Rickies kickstarter in it and it lifted the front of his bike and yanked it out from underneath him....

[@horsefly1020]

I would love to see if you guys could get valentino rossi on the pod cast.

[@djjazzyjeff1232]

Ricky is looking great, healthy. I know his entire life even when he was on top of the world he's always sort of struggled with being a stocky husky dude. He looks good, it's good to see.

[@supergremlin6261]

The 🐐had a bunch of guys that were supposed to”knock him off” but they couldn’t! Same with MC till RC came along. That 01 season RC had been magical . Going to Honda ruined all his fan momentum. But even that only really lasted a season. By the first time he went undefeated in the outdoors they loved him again! It’s when he went to Suzuki though he had everyone eating outta his hand and was still smoking Bubba and Reed!

[@jamesalley7387]

Short answer: YES.

[@RobertFairweatherMusic]

The GOAT.

[@dudehuh5491]

the original GOAT

[@bigsexymanbear1950]

🐐

[@jimmymacaroni2781]

Ricky's still the man , I didn't mind him at Honda, but the racing was good either way in that day. Wheres your head at though?

[@hardlymovinson9405]

Need Ricky, Bubba Stewart, and Chad Reid together. That would be incredible.

[@markc9409]

Jr was a good driver but this is his calling their is no better at getting a racer to relax and talk. If NASCAR had any since the would put him and sister Kelly in charge of the whole dam thing and he would be a nice Bill France Jr she would make the changes to make the racing great, cheap, memorable, and the fans would flock back to the short oval tracks.

[@fiftyin07]

When I picture motocross, I always see that #4 Kawasaki with RC’s Orange gear.

[@chrislollich525]

Travis never really had it. Ricky's the GOAT end of story. Thanks from NOR-CAL.....

[@tinamareek2412]

❤❤

[@stevepadilla9729]

I thought the crown would fire up JM1 👑 to try and take it back. I guess Jeremy will always be a king and you will always be our animal. The G.O.T. Ricky was baa 🐑 aaad ass.

[@jonathanwooldridge7679]

Jeremy Mcgrath is the True King of Supercross!

[@davidj.7227]

Every decade has had its GOAT. David Bailey until his accident was almost unstoppable.

[@jonathanwooldridge7679]

@@davidj.7227 He definitely was!

[@apriliaguy4life198]

100% Even RC has said JM’s numbers may never be bested.

[@showtime951]

The surface of the Sun is hot.

[@showtime951]

Rap music and Hip Hop is complete sh!t

[@Frank-gp6qr]

I'd love to here the ... games on james... I'm pretty sure it's long enuff now... its always been unspoken... but .. COME'ON MMMMMAN

[@peteh8077]

Didnt look like Travis ghosted the bike at ricky at all

[@40beretta1]

Tiger Woods said in an interview "I'm not here to make friends I'm here to win'

[@Frank-the-Tank-13]

What shoes is Ricky wearing????

[@ddyodaman5515]

Look guys you racers are amazing. As far as Trav goes…. Well he is just bad ass! A bit psycho but extremely gutsy! And yes his nascar equipment stunk! If he had had great equipment who knows….? Jr…..miss ya racin!

[@jonprice1623]

Ricky took Travis out any chance he got. Travis was the only guy that could beat Ricky straight up and Ricky knew it.

[@radsdad1]

RC's best move was switching to Suzuki. Goose and he were unbeatable.

[@MotoRevelations]

His unbeatable seasons were on a Honda

[@radsdad1]

@@MotoRevelations You're right. Poor choice of words on me. Championships in US Nationals/SX, MX Des Nations, World Supercross and the US Open all came on Suzuki. Also, his competition became much tougher with JS7 in the 450s.

[@billparks7368]

It's the same with other sports. You become a star athlete then they start dragging you around doing appearances and worse yet... numerous commercials. Totally takes your head out of the game/race when all the extra curricular activities. Then the lack of performance is evident.

[@davidj.7227]

I would have liked to see Carmichael up against the riders of my time. Hannah, Barnett, Ward, Bailey, etc. Early 80s was the best group of riders when the bikes were transforming from bricks into birds.

[@goldsbym]

I hear what you are saying. The bikes in the 80's were heavy and much harder to ride. However Ricky Carmichael took Mx/SX to a whole new level that none of his competitors could even come close. 10 consecutive outdoor motocross titles, he never missed a moto for 10 years. 150 total AMA wins. And the rider who finally dethroned the King of Supercross Jeremy McGrath.

[@davidj.7227]

@@goldsbymsend him back in time in his prime, put him on a 83 CR 250 with my era of riders on any of the stadium tracks and let's see where it all shakes out. Put Jeremy in there also. My bet is they both get lapped at least half the Motos. My era made great careers possible for these future superstars. My era traveled around in vans with their mechanics and lived the grit life.

[@TheSteelArmadillo]

@@davidj.7227 don’t confuse toughness with talent.

[@larryfisher]

il always be a fan of Ricky ,seen him crash n come from last to first,a time or two,n he rode his ass off everytime

[@daryldettmer9160]

Who was better , Jeremy McGrath or Ricky Carmichael ?

[@brianrobinson1259]

The first time I noticed Ricky is when he was starting in 125 class. Here was this tiny kid manhandling that bike, flying past everyone and getting way ahead and would crash hard. Get back up and do that all over again and I thought to myself as soon as this kid gets consistent there’s not going to be anyone who could touch him. I was right and he was absolutely stunning to watch him. Great times!!

[@thereissomecoolstuff]

Dang everybody is getting old....

[@jgibson6041]

There is a video of Bubba, Ricky and Pastrana as kids sitting in vip training room. Ricky only rode. past riders with dirty hits.

[@kevinoneill1516]

Think if Pastrana stayed healthy, would we know who Chad Reed is??

[@frediefarmer]

👍🏽👍🏽

[@Echo4Bravo]

All force but no style. Jeremy McGrath was just fun and hell yeah.

[@tatechasers2393]

Ricky's coming out moment, he hung with McGrath during a race about 2 seconds back the entire race, the next week Ricky won, and Jeremy never won a race again.

[@eklypised]

Travis could have been one of the best Supercross riders if he wouldn't have went to the freestyle stuff

[@showtime951]

I could have won The Kentucky Derby if I had fours legs, big teeth, a beautiful tail, and a 2-ft dong.

[@Turbochapman]

Travis is a talented rider, but in no way did he have the endurance to consistantly finish to 3 race to race. Ricky said it well "he had to many distractions" I guess thats the curse of being multi talented.

[@cknorris3644]

As a young fan at the time word was Ricky was douche to his fans. I even personally saw him turn a little kid down at Indy. So that's part of where his fan loss came from.

[@damarfadlan9251]

Still remembered did Carmichael intentionally took down Pastrana to win a SX title.

[@johnmiller4553]

🤙🤙🤙🤙🤙🤙