Kevin Windham
Encyclopedia
Kevin Windham is a professional motocross
racer from Centreville, Mississippi
. At 17 he received a full factory ride from Team Yamaha. He has raced for many factory teams and holds several titles, back to back AMA 125 West Supercross Championships in 1996 and 1997, the 2005 Motocross des Nations
team championship, and 2nd in points for the 2008 supercross season. Also, in 1999 Kevin won the United States Grand Prix of Motocross held at Budd's Creek, MD. Despite his longtime status as one of the world's fastest motocross racers, he is yet to win a major (250cc or 450cc) National or World Championship. He is better known by the nickname K-Dub on the racing scene.
, fishing and flying his own plane.
Windham is known by the nickname K Dub. Mattel
released a Hot Wheels
model of Kevin Windham on a 2000 Honda CR250
in 2001.
’s Dude Ranch, was the venue for Kevin Windham’s final races as an amateur. He won both the 125cc A Modified and the 250cc Open A Modified classes, setting a new lap record, taking out his seventh and eighth amateur national titles, and extending his personal winning streak at Loretta Lynn’s to eighteen consecutive motos.
In 1994 Windham turned professional midway through the season, riding a Kawasaki. He was awarded the AMA Rookie of the Year award, and after an impressive performance at Mt. Morris, PA, where he nearly beat Doug Henry for the moto win, he was signed by Team Yamaha
.
In 1995 Windham took five podium finishes in the 125cc East Region Supercross Series, with a best result of second at Minneapolis. He finished that series in 5th overall. He also had some strong performances in the outdoor nationals with a top 125cc Motocross finish of fifth at Delmont, PA.
1996 was a breakthrough year for Windham, with six supercross wins he scored his first 125cc West Coast Championship. Later that year he won four 125cc Nationals and placed second to Steve Lamson in the championship.
In 1997 Windham had another strong season. He won all but two rounds of the 125 West Region Supercross series and earned his second title in as many years. He also had 125cc National Motocross overall wins at Buchanan, MI, New Berlin, NY, and Delmont, PA. Windham also made history by winning a 250cc Supercross main event in Charlotte
, NC while still a full-time 125cc rider. He was the first person, and so far only, in motocross history to do this.
In 1998 Windham moved to the 250cc class full time for Yamaha and won the New Orleans and St. Louis 250cc Supercross rounds. he took five additional podium finishes and finished outside the top-10 just once in the 1998 Supercross series. He finished 4th overall. He took podium finishes in the 250cc Motocross National races at Budds Creek, MD, and New Berlin, NY, but failed to score an overall victory. He broke his leg at the Washougal, WA, event and withdrew from the series. After a bitter contract dispute, Kevin Windham signed with Team Honda
for the 1999 season.
In the 1999 season, after some initial struggles adapting to his new Honda, Windham hit his stride and won two Supercross main events and four motocross Nationals. He finished the outdoor season ranked second behind Greg Albertyn
. Windham and Sebastien Tortelli
both posed strong challenges to Albertyn all season, but eventually came up short. It is regarded as one of the most competitive motocross seasons ever. However, A high point of kevin's motocross career came in 1999. Kevin decided to race the USGP being held at Budd's Creek, MD only three days prior to the event. European Champion and motocross hero overseas Stefan Everts
made a comment concerning the top US racers deciding not to race the GP, rather to focus on the US races and the time off the week end allowed. Everts said he thought the US racers were being cowards. This angered Kevin Windham greatly. Stefan Everts at the time was one of the toughest racers to beat. Kevin went on to dominate the race and left no doubt that Everts had nothing for him on that day. This race was very emotional for Kevin and it took years for Kevin to finally say he was okay with Stefan Everts. Kevin put the motorcycle he won that race on his trophy room, suspended from the ceiling.
The 2000 season was more of a challenge to Windham, as he scored just one supercross victory at Dallas, TX, and lost both the supercross title to Jeremy McGrath
and the outdoor title to Ricky Carmichael
, who was in his rookie 250cc National season.
For 2001, hoping for a positive change, Windham switched to Team Suzuki
. It was a tough season, as it saw the beginning of Carmichael's domination for years to come. Windham did turn things around outdoors though, winning six motos. A titanic duel at the Washougal National between Carmichael and Windham is known as one of the best races ever, with Windham gaining the upper hand in both motos. He also won the season finale at Delmont, PA.
In 2002, he began the season for Team Sobe Suzuki with a broken finger, and had difficulty adjusting to the race situation with crowds and lights. He also had problems with fitness, suffering arm pump, and fired his trainer. Windham broke his femur in a horrific crash in Atlanta. Windham did not return to the circuit that season and many speculated that he would retire at the young age of 23, however the enforced rest allowed him to fully recover mentally and physically.
In 2003, Windham missed the supercross series to spend time with Dottie and their new-born daughter. After over a year off, Windham announced his comeback for the 250cc Nationals aboard a Factory Connection Honda CRF450R. With an emphasis on having fun and just enjoying the sport, Windham rode better than ever before, claiming two overall victories at Unadilla and Washougal, and finishing on the podium at all but two events. He placed second to the champion Carmichael and cemented his status as a fan favorite..
Carmichael withdrew from the 2004 Supercross season for knee surgery. After a long battle with Yamaha's Chad Reed
, Windham claimed 5 victories but still finished second to Reed in the title chase. By his standards, Windham had a mediocre summer and failed to win any races, finishing a distant third in the championship.
In 2005, several weeks before the start of the season Kevin's mechanic, Jonathan, committed suicide. Windham went on to win the muddy opening round in Anaheim. After a season long battle, he ended third in the championship behind Carmichael and Reed, but ahead of James Stewart
. Windham won just one moto that summer at Unadilla, but was the only rider who could keep Carmichael in sight and finished 2nd overall once again. Teamed with Carmichael and 125cc Champion Ivan Tedesco
, Windham helped his team win the 2005 Motocross des Nations in Ernee, France.
Before the 2006 season Kevin Windham broke his arm in training and returned near the end of the supercross season. He rode a consistent outdoor series to finish a strong second overall once again.
The 2007 Supercross season was lackluster for Windham, he had some good races and podium finishes, but went winless to end the season 4th overall. Carmichael had switched to a partial schedule, and Windham was beaten by eventual champion Stewart, Reed and Tim Ferry
. The outdoor season began with similar results, with Kevin finishing off the podium. But once the series headed to Unadilla, Windham broke through with his first outdoor overall victory since 2003 and first moto win since 2005. Windham would win the final moto of the season at Glen Helen Raceway. His series was up and down, and he finished a close 5th overall.
2008 would be one of Kevin's best supercross seasons ever. He never once finished outside the top 5, and finished up the season with 4 overall victories, including the Daytona supercross. The Daytona race was one of the most difficult in memory, as torrential rain flooded the course, making for treacherous conditions. Windham would take the win after Chad Reed's bike quit with just a few turns to go. As the season went on, Windham would pressure Reed extremely hard, and proved to be the fastest rider near the end of the series, but ended up falling a few points short of the title. He again finished 2nd in the championship.
2009 for Kevin has been nothing but bad luck for the Geico powersports honda rider. Kevin collided with James Stewart in the season opener while running in the top 5, finishing 15th. And a DNF in Indianapolis, while he was running in a strong in 3rd.
In the 2010 supercross series Kevin once again showed he had what it takes to contend despite his age. He held the fastest qualifying times at a number of events including Atlanta, Georgia and Jacksonville, Florida. He found himself on the podium more than once. Windham won two consecutive races at one point, in Seattle and Salt Lake City.At the end of 2010 he signed a two-year extension to his contract with Geico Powersports Honda.
In 2011 Windham finished the Supercross season in seventh position. He rode the first half of the 450 Class Motocross Championship, filling in for injured Honda riders Trey Canard and Josh Grant, achieving a number of top-10 finishes. He volunteered to join GEICO Honda teammates Justin Barcia and Eli Tomac to replace Christophe Pourcel, injured two weeks before, at the 29th annual Supercross of Bercy at Omnisport Paris, however he was unable to finalize travel documents in time.
In 2012 Windham continues with Geico Powersports Honda, entering his 19th season as a professional motocross racer.
Motocross
Motocross is a form of motorcycle sport or all-terrain vehicle racing held on enclosed off road circuits. It evolved from trials, and was called scrambles, and later motocross, combining the French moto with cross-country...
racer from Centreville, Mississippi
Centreville, Mississippi
Centreville is a town in Amite and Wilkinson Counties in the U.S. state of Mississippi. The population was 1,680 at the 2000 census. It is part of the McComb, Mississippi Micropolitan Statistical Area.-Geography:...
. At 17 he received a full factory ride from Team Yamaha. He has raced for many factory teams and holds several titles, back to back AMA 125 West Supercross Championships in 1996 and 1997, the 2005 Motocross des Nations
Motocross des Nations
The Motocross des Nations is an annual team motocross race, where riders representing their country meet at what is billed as the "Olympics of Motocross"...
team championship, and 2nd in points for the 2008 supercross season. Also, in 1999 Kevin won the United States Grand Prix of Motocross held at Budd's Creek, MD. Despite his longtime status as one of the world's fastest motocross racers, he is yet to win a major (250cc or 450cc) National or World Championship. He is better known by the nickname K-Dub on the racing scene.
Personal
Kevin Windham grew up in the south, and was riding dirt bikes from the age of three with friends in the spillways around the New Orleans area, and racing minibikes. He is married to Dottie. They met at around age twelve, when Dottie went with her sister to watch a race at the local motocross track. The couple have four children; daughters Madelyn, Annabelle and Elizabeth, and son Kevin Jr. Windham lists his non-motocross hobbies as "anything outdoors", including bmxBicycle motocross
Bicycle motocross or BMX refers to the sport in which the main goal is extreme racing on bicycles in motocross style on tracks with inline start and expressive obstacles, and it is also the term that refers to the bicycle itself that is designed for dirt and motocross cycling.- History :BMX started...
, fishing and flying his own plane.
Windham is known by the nickname K Dub. Mattel
Mattel
Mattel, Inc. is the world's largest toy company based on revenue. The products it produces include Fisher Price, Barbie dolls, Hot Wheels and Matchbox toys, Masters of the Universe, American Girl dolls, board games, and, in the early 1980s, video game consoles. The company's name is derived from...
released a Hot Wheels
Hot Wheels
Hot Wheels is a brand of die cast toy car, introduced by American toymaker Mattel in 1968. It was the primary competitor of Matchbox until 1996, when Mattel acquired rights to the Matchbox brand from Tyco.-Models:...
model of Kevin Windham on a 2000 Honda CR250
Honda CR250R
The prototype for the Honda CR250 was built in 1971. But it wasn't until late 1972 thatproduction of "out of the box racers" began. It was made available for sale to the general public in 1973....
in 2001.
Amateur experience
The 1994 AMA Amateur and Youth National Motocross Championships, at Loretta LynnLoretta Lynn
Loretta Lynn is an American country music singer-songwriter, author and philanthropist. Born in Butcher Hollow, Kentucky to a coal miner father, Lynn married at 13 years old, was a mother soon after, and moved to Washington with her husband, Oliver Lynn. Their marriage was sometimes tumultuous; he...
’s Dude Ranch, was the venue for Kevin Windham’s final races as an amateur. He won both the 125cc A Modified and the 250cc Open A Modified classes, setting a new lap record, taking out his seventh and eighth amateur national titles, and extending his personal winning streak at Loretta Lynn’s to eighteen consecutive motos.
Professional Career
Kevin Windham has been described as "arguably the best rider to have never won a National Championship". Regarded as one of the most naturally talented riders competing in motocross and supercross, Windham has finished second in the overall points standings five times, without once winning. Though one of the oldest riders on the track in 2011, his acknowledged class, grace, and riding ability make him a favourite with the fans.In 1994 Windham turned professional midway through the season, riding a Kawasaki. He was awarded the AMA Rookie of the Year award, and after an impressive performance at Mt. Morris, PA, where he nearly beat Doug Henry for the moto win, he was signed by Team Yamaha
Yamaha Motor Company
, is a Japanese motorized vehicle-producing company. Yamaha Motor is part of Yamaha Corporation and its headquarter is located in Iwata, Shizuoka. Along with expanding Yamaha Corporation into the world's biggest piano maker, then Yamaha CEO Genichi Kawakami took Yamaha into the field of motorized...
.
In 1995 Windham took five podium finishes in the 125cc East Region Supercross Series, with a best result of second at Minneapolis. He finished that series in 5th overall. He also had some strong performances in the outdoor nationals with a top 125cc Motocross finish of fifth at Delmont, PA.
1996 was a breakthrough year for Windham, with six supercross wins he scored his first 125cc West Coast Championship. Later that year he won four 125cc Nationals and placed second to Steve Lamson in the championship.
In 1997 Windham had another strong season. He won all but two rounds of the 125 West Region Supercross series and earned his second title in as many years. He also had 125cc National Motocross overall wins at Buchanan, MI, New Berlin, NY, and Delmont, PA. Windham also made history by winning a 250cc Supercross main event in Charlotte
CHARLOTTE
- CHARLOTTE :CHARLOTTE is an American blues-based hard rock band that formed in Los Angeles, California in 1986. Currently, they are signed to indie label, Eonian Records, under which they released their debut cd, Medusa Groove, in 2010. Notable Charlotte songs include 'Siren', 'Little Devils',...
, NC while still a full-time 125cc rider. He was the first person, and so far only, in motocross history to do this.
In 1998 Windham moved to the 250cc class full time for Yamaha and won the New Orleans and St. Louis 250cc Supercross rounds. he took five additional podium finishes and finished outside the top-10 just once in the 1998 Supercross series. He finished 4th overall. He took podium finishes in the 250cc Motocross National races at Budds Creek, MD, and New Berlin, NY, but failed to score an overall victory. He broke his leg at the Washougal, WA, event and withdrew from the series. After a bitter contract dispute, Kevin Windham signed with Team Honda
Honda
is a Japanese public multinational corporation primarily known as a manufacturer of automobiles and motorcycles.Honda has been the world's largest motorcycle manufacturer since 1959, as well as the world's largest manufacturer of internal combustion engines measured by volume, producing more than...
for the 1999 season.
In the 1999 season, after some initial struggles adapting to his new Honda, Windham hit his stride and won two Supercross main events and four motocross Nationals. He finished the outdoor season ranked second behind Greg Albertyn
Greg Albertyn
Greg Albertyn , is a former World Champion motocross racer. He is now a real estate developer in Riverside, California....
. Windham and Sebastien Tortelli
Sebastien Tortelli
Sebastien Tortelli is a two-time World Champion motocross racer. A longtime factory-sponsored rider, Tortelli has been a top ranked rider in both AMA National and Supercross competition, as well as the European-based Motocross Grand Prix World Championships.-Early European success:During his early...
both posed strong challenges to Albertyn all season, but eventually came up short. It is regarded as one of the most competitive motocross seasons ever. However, A high point of kevin's motocross career came in 1999. Kevin decided to race the USGP being held at Budd's Creek, MD only three days prior to the event. European Champion and motocross hero overseas Stefan Everts
Stefan Everts
Stefan Everts is a motocross racer from Belgium, who retired in 2006 after securing his record 10th World Title. He also holds several other motocross records....
made a comment concerning the top US racers deciding not to race the GP, rather to focus on the US races and the time off the week end allowed. Everts said he thought the US racers were being cowards. This angered Kevin Windham greatly. Stefan Everts at the time was one of the toughest racers to beat. Kevin went on to dominate the race and left no doubt that Everts had nothing for him on that day. This race was very emotional for Kevin and it took years for Kevin to finally say he was okay with Stefan Everts. Kevin put the motorcycle he won that race on his trophy room, suspended from the ceiling.
The 2000 season was more of a challenge to Windham, as he scored just one supercross victory at Dallas, TX, and lost both the supercross title to Jeremy McGrath
Jeremy McGrath
Jeremy McGrath is one of the most popular American Motocross/Supercross champions in the history of the sport. He was most active in the 1990s earning the title the "King of Supercross." His tricks during jumps on the supercross track, the most famous of which he called the "Nac Nac", helped spawn...
and the outdoor title to Ricky Carmichael
Ricky Carmichael
Ricky Carmichael is a racer known for his success in Motocross. He is currently competing in NASCAR. He drives the #4 Monster Energy Chevrolet Silverado for Turner Motorsports in the Camping World Truck Series and the #30 Chevrolet Impala part-time for Turner Motorsports in the Nationwide Series...
, who was in his rookie 250cc National season.
For 2001, hoping for a positive change, Windham switched to Team Suzuki
Suzuki
is a Japanese multinational corporation headquartered in Hamamatsu, Japan that specializes in manufacturing compact automobiles and 4x4 vehicles, a full range of motorcycles, all-terrain vehicles , outboard marine engines, wheelchairs and a variety of other small internal combustion engines...
. It was a tough season, as it saw the beginning of Carmichael's domination for years to come. Windham did turn things around outdoors though, winning six motos. A titanic duel at the Washougal National between Carmichael and Windham is known as one of the best races ever, with Windham gaining the upper hand in both motos. He also won the season finale at Delmont, PA.
In 2002, he began the season for Team Sobe Suzuki with a broken finger, and had difficulty adjusting to the race situation with crowds and lights. He also had problems with fitness, suffering arm pump, and fired his trainer. Windham broke his femur in a horrific crash in Atlanta. Windham did not return to the circuit that season and many speculated that he would retire at the young age of 23, however the enforced rest allowed him to fully recover mentally and physically.
In 2003, Windham missed the supercross series to spend time with Dottie and their new-born daughter. After over a year off, Windham announced his comeback for the 250cc Nationals aboard a Factory Connection Honda CRF450R. With an emphasis on having fun and just enjoying the sport, Windham rode better than ever before, claiming two overall victories at Unadilla and Washougal, and finishing on the podium at all but two events. He placed second to the champion Carmichael and cemented his status as a fan favorite..
Carmichael withdrew from the 2004 Supercross season for knee surgery. After a long battle with Yamaha's Chad Reed
Chad Reed
Chad Mark Reed AM is an Australian motocross and supercross racer. He is a multi-time supercross and motocross champion. He was taught from a young age as being capable of competing at the sports most elite level. He has proven to be the most consistent supercross/motocross racer in the 2000-2009...
, Windham claimed 5 victories but still finished second to Reed in the title chase. By his standards, Windham had a mediocre summer and failed to win any races, finishing a distant third in the championship.
In 2005, several weeks before the start of the season Kevin's mechanic, Jonathan, committed suicide. Windham went on to win the muddy opening round in Anaheim. After a season long battle, he ended third in the championship behind Carmichael and Reed, but ahead of James Stewart
James Stewart Jr.
James Stewart Jr., also known as Bubba Stewart is an American professional motocross racer competing in supercross. He is known for being the first African-American to have success at the very top level of any major motorsports association.-Amateur and Lites Class:Stewart was born in Bartow,...
. Windham won just one moto that summer at Unadilla, but was the only rider who could keep Carmichael in sight and finished 2nd overall once again. Teamed with Carmichael and 125cc Champion Ivan Tedesco
Ivan Tedesco
Ivan Lee Tedesco is an American born motocross and supercross motorcycle rider. He is nicknamed "Hot Sauce", and he races on a number 9 bike.- Biography :...
, Windham helped his team win the 2005 Motocross des Nations in Ernee, France.
Before the 2006 season Kevin Windham broke his arm in training and returned near the end of the supercross season. He rode a consistent outdoor series to finish a strong second overall once again.
The 2007 Supercross season was lackluster for Windham, he had some good races and podium finishes, but went winless to end the season 4th overall. Carmichael had switched to a partial schedule, and Windham was beaten by eventual champion Stewart, Reed and Tim Ferry
Tim Ferry
Tim Ferry is a professional kawasaki rider Supercross and Motocross racer born in West Palm Beach, Florida on March 18, 1975. Ferry began his amateur career with Team Green throughout the 80's and early 90's. He turned pro in 1992 and won the 125 East Coast Championship in 1997 riding for Suzuki....
. The outdoor season began with similar results, with Kevin finishing off the podium. But once the series headed to Unadilla, Windham broke through with his first outdoor overall victory since 2003 and first moto win since 2005. Windham would win the final moto of the season at Glen Helen Raceway. His series was up and down, and he finished a close 5th overall.
2008 would be one of Kevin's best supercross seasons ever. He never once finished outside the top 5, and finished up the season with 4 overall victories, including the Daytona supercross. The Daytona race was one of the most difficult in memory, as torrential rain flooded the course, making for treacherous conditions. Windham would take the win after Chad Reed's bike quit with just a few turns to go. As the season went on, Windham would pressure Reed extremely hard, and proved to be the fastest rider near the end of the series, but ended up falling a few points short of the title. He again finished 2nd in the championship.
2009 for Kevin has been nothing but bad luck for the Geico powersports honda rider. Kevin collided with James Stewart in the season opener while running in the top 5, finishing 15th. And a DNF in Indianapolis, while he was running in a strong in 3rd.
In the 2010 supercross series Kevin once again showed he had what it takes to contend despite his age. He held the fastest qualifying times at a number of events including Atlanta, Georgia and Jacksonville, Florida. He found himself on the podium more than once. Windham won two consecutive races at one point, in Seattle and Salt Lake City.At the end of 2010 he signed a two-year extension to his contract with Geico Powersports Honda.
In 2011 Windham finished the Supercross season in seventh position. He rode the first half of the 450 Class Motocross Championship, filling in for injured Honda riders Trey Canard and Josh Grant, achieving a number of top-10 finishes. He volunteered to join GEICO Honda teammates Justin Barcia and Eli Tomac to replace Christophe Pourcel, injured two weeks before, at the 29th annual Supercross of Bercy at Omnisport Paris, however he was unable to finalize travel documents in time.
In 2012 Windham continues with Geico Powersports Honda, entering his 19th season as a professional motocross racer.
Career Highlights
- 2010 2nd (SX)
- 2008 2nd (SX)
- 2005 3rd (SX), 2nd (250MX), team 1st Motocross des Nations
- 2004 2nd (SX), 3rd (250MX)
- 2003 2nd (250MX)
- 2001 2nd (250MX)
- 2000 3rd (250MX)
- 1999 2nd (250MX)
- 1997 1st (WSX), 2nd (125MX)
- 1996 1st (WSX), 2nd (125MX)