Earlier this year, for over two hours, I sat at Jeff Ward’s dining room table and listened as he told stories of an era more than three decades behind him; his time as a member of Team USA with the Trophee and Motocross of Nations between 1983 and 1990. They were mostly stories of winning, but also the suffering, soldiering and salvaging he went th…

Have you ever wondered why Budds Creek MX Park has an obstacle called Henry Hill? This is the story behind how small errors, fatigue, pride, determination and a wardrobe issue caused Doug Henry to take the most notorious flight in motocross history. For photos and video from this story, check out the print version at wewentfast.com. Support We Went…

Between 2005 and 2016, James Stewart completed just one full season of Pro Motocross in the 450 class: 2008. And in the days, weeks and months leading into that summer, he was dubious of being able to go the distance. His first three years in the class were disasters: it started with an uncompetitive bike and ended with a knee injury. In between, t…

This is part 3, the final installment of a series with Marty Smith. These interviews were done by David Dewhurst for his book, “Motocross: The Golden Era”, which is available at shop.wewentfast.com and ships free to customers in the United States. Part 3 covers the end of Marty's racing career and his thoughts on the future. This interview series w…

This is part 2 of a 3 part interview with Marty Smith. These interviews were done by David Dewhurst for his book, “Motocross: The Golden Era”, which is available at shop.wewentfast.com and ships free to customers in the United States. Part 2 covers Marty's time as a factory Honda rider. This interview series was done at Marty's house just two weeks…

Another release from David Dewhurst book, “Motocross: The Golden Era”, which would make the perfect Father's Day gift! It's available at shop.wewentfast.com and ships free to customers in the United States. This episode is Marty Smith's last interview, which happened at Marty's house just two weeks before he and his wife died in a dune buggy accide…

The best way to win a 450SX main event in 2024 (or even a single Triple Crown gate drop) is to cross that white line in no worse than third place. Surely, we’ve had a few too many cocktails with Captain Obvious but we’re here to share the data that some people think doesn’t exist. And don’t me Shirley. Read the print version of this story to see al…

Eli Tomac has now done something only ONE other rider has accomplished in the 50 year history of Supercross: he’s won a 450 race every year for 10 consecutive seasons. The other rider? Listen to the show to find out! See the print version of this podcast, which is filled with data charts. Garage Members got early access to this podcast. If you want…

David Dewhurst reads the chapter he wrote about Bob “Hurricane” Hannah, once the winningest rider in Supercross and Motocross history. Dewhurst's book is called “Motocross: The Golden Era”. It's available at shop.wewentfast.com and ships free to customers in the United States. The Golden Era is a 480-page coffee table book filled with 600 gorgeous …

NOTE: The statistics in this show are relevant after the 2024 Indianapolis Supercross but before the 2024 Seattle Supercross. Check in at wewentfast.com for updated info. It’s time to talk about this: we haven’t even reached the two-thirds point of the 2024 Monster Energy Supercross Championship and Jett Lawrence isn’t just in prime position to win…

Why the final running of the Super Bowl of Motocross was the greatest race in the sport’s history. Rick Johnson goes from (almost) last to first; Wild man Guy Cooper (almost) wins; a unique but one-lined track with a short start straight and a first turn the size of a “phone booth” causes absolute carnage; Shots fired on the podium from Ron Lechien…

This story is about Ricky Carmichael doing something even he thought wasn’t possible: a second perfect season. "I doubt if this will ever happen again," Carmichael told Cycle News after the 2002 Steel City National when he completed his first 24-0 run. The project you’re listening to right now started well over a year ago and began as a 20th annive…

"The Greatest Gamble in Motocross History" is the untold story of Ricky Carmichael’s shocking switch to Suzuki. What started as a deep dive into Carmichael’s perfect motocross seasons turned into a saga about one of the greatest mysteries of our sport: How did Suzuki convince Ricky Carmichael to switch teams? How did Honda let him walk? The basic s…

"The Greatest Gamble in Motocross History" is the untold story of Ricky Carmichael’s shocking switch to Suzuki. What started as a deep dive into Carmichael’s perfect motocross seasons turned into a saga about one of the greatest mysteries of our sport: How did Suzuki convince Ricky Carmichael to switch teams? How did Honda let him walk? The basic s…

In the spring of 1997, a mysterious 4x6-in. snapshot showed up in the marketing department of Oakley. The subject was one of their young riders, 17-year-old Ricky Carmichael, laying his motorcycle flat at the Silverdome. It was a mystery because nobody knew who took the photo. The decision to run with the image, including using it on a billboard in…

It’s like déjà vu. Just like in episode 21, the idea for this story was just supposed to be a simple social media post. I was curious about how many different riders have held the record for most supercross main event wins. The list is even shorter than I thought it was. And I still ended up going overboard. So it goes. Thanks for listening and ple…

This 2,000 word story started as an Instagram post where we simply wished Eli Tomac a happy birthday. But this is We Went Fast and we can’t help but find a deeper story within the details, even if the details are just cake, ice cream and 30 birthday candles. It led to this data dive by Brett Smith and Clinton Fowler. Flash trivia: how many 450 Supe…

This is a story about roots. I wanted to know how Doug Henry became Doug Henry, the scrappy kid from New England who worked two jobs while trying to make it as an athlete. He was 14 when he entered his first race. He wasn’t a promising amateur prospect, his gear didn’t match, his bikes were held together by various fasteners found in the garage. He…

On August 1, 1982, an automobile/train collision killed three teenaged motocross riders in Ponca City, Oklahoma . Forty years later, memories of that white hot afternoon still haunt those who were there. Six years ago I received a message that said, “I wish someone would write about the boys who were killed at Ponca in 1982.” I had no idea what he …

On August 1, 1982, an automobile/train collision killed three teenaged motocross riders in Ponca City, Oklahoma . Forty years later, memories of that white hot afternoon still haunt those who were there. Six years ago I received a message that said, “I wish someone would write about the boys who were killed at Ponca in 1982.” I had no idea what he …

Terry Pratt spent 35 years working on "Grand Prix Motocross" but died a few years after finishing it. In continuation of Pratt's legacy, We Went Fast reads Chapter 1 of his book. This show is a little different from the others I've posted. First: I didn’t write it. A man named Terry Pratt did. He wrote an entire book about the 1972 World Motocross …

Terry Pratt spent 35 years working on “Grand Prix Motocross” but died a few years after finishing it. In continuation of Pratt’s legacy, We Went Fast reads Chapter 1 of his book. This show is a little different from the others I’ve posted. First: I didn’t write it. A man named Terry Pratt did. He wrote an entire book about the 1972 World Motocross …

On April 27, 1996, Jeremy McGrath came into the St. Louis Supercross with a record 13 consecutive race wins. He was two wins away from a perfect season. But inside the Trans World Dome, Superman fell short of perfection. It was the only blemish in an otherwise dominant season and the rest of the world won’t let him forget it. This is the audio vers…

Jeremy McGrath was almost perfect in 1996. But not quite. On April 27, 1996, Jeremy McGrath came into the St. Louis Supercross with a record 13 consecutive race wins. He was two wins away from a perfect season. But inside the Trans World Dome, Superman fell short of perfection. It was the only blemish in an otherwise dominant season and the rest of…

How did you find out about Jeremy McGrath doing the Nac Nac? And what did you think of it at the time? For me, it was the weekly copies of Cycle News sold on the counter of MotoSports in Clio, MI. I was just a few weeks away from turning 15 when the 1994 Supercross season started. The February 9th issue featured the first published photo of McGrath…

We all remember where we were and what we were doing on the morning of Sept. 11, 2001. Beyond those chilling hours of trying to make sense of the news and horrific images it gets fuzzy. This is a story about what the members of Team USA 2001 did on the morning of Sept. 11. How they reacted, where they went, what decisions they made. Or didn’t make.…

Forty years ago a quartet of young Americans traveled to Europe and turned the World Motocross community on its head. Danny LaPorte, Chuck Sun, Donnie Hansen and Johnny O’Mara won the Trophée des Nations (250) on Sept. 6, 1981 in Lommel, Belgium and then the Motocross des Nations (500) a week later in West Germany. Episode #14 is a special collabor…

Forty years ago a quartet of young Americans traveled to Europe and turned the World Motocross community on its head. Danny LaPorte, Chuck Sun, Donnie Hansen and Johnny O'Mara won the Trophée des Nations (250) on Sept. 6, 1981 in Lommel, Belgium and then the Motocross des Nations (500) a week later in West Germany. Episode #14 is a special collabor…

Fifty years after its release, Bruce Brown's motorcycle documentary continues to influence. From Malcolm to Masterson, this is a collection of stories from people whose lives were never the same after watching "On Any Sunday"Par We Went Fast

Fifty years after its release, Bruce Brown's motorcycle documentary continues to influence. From Malcolm to Masterson, this is a collection of stories from people whose lives were never the same after watching "On Any Sunday" This is the podcast version of the story under the same title. You can listen by clicking the play arrow below or you can se…

They told him not to. But when rookie James Stewart committed to jumping LaRocco's Leap on a 125, Jeff Kardas knew where to point the camera. This is the podcast version of the feature article “Ep. #12 Modem Killer: James Stewart vs. LaRocco's Leap”. Author, Brett Smith, reads the text. You can find this and the entire collection of podcasts by sea…

They told him not to. But when rookie James Stewart committed to jumping LaRocco's Leap on a 125, Jeff Kardas knew where to point the camera. Podcast version of "Modem Killer: James Stewart vs. LaRocco's Leap"Par We Went Fast

Was the PW50 your first bike? It was for me! "Little Giant: The PW50 Story" celebrates the life and legacy of this iconic motorcycle, which turned 40 in 2020. It may have aged but it hasn't grown up. The Yamaha PW50 is a familiar piece of our childhood that we're passing along to our own kids. This is the podcast version of the feature article "Lit…

It's rare when the loser gets the magazine cover, steals the spotlight and becomes a legend. Ryan Hughes did all three on a hot summer day when he lost the 125cc AMA Pro Motocross championship to Steve Lamson. But he didn't win over the crowd because he finished second overall. It was because he kept going at the exact moment most would find no rea…

In 1972, Terry Pratt put his life in America on pause to spend 6 months following the MXGP season. 35 years later he published "Grand Prix Motocross: The 1972 Championship season". Pratt died before he could finish selling his masterpiece but he left behind a trail of paperwork and friends and a story that needed to be told. Pratt is one of the uns…

More than a third of all supercross winners only won a single main event in their career (premier class). This is the audio version of quirky stories behind 10 of those "One Hit Wonders". To read the print version of "One Hit Wonders" follow this link. Please leave a rating and review and tell a friend about the We Went Fast podcast channel. Can yo…

More than a third of all supercross winners won one main event in their career. These are the quirky stories behind 10 "One Hit Wonders". PODCAST VERSION.Par We Went Fast

The untold story behind the day Paul Buckley messed up but captured one of the greatest photos in motocross history and Erik Kehoe shot himself to the moon. PODCAST VERSIONPar We Went Fast

In 2020, Ricky Carmichael started his second season as the primary analyst for Monster Energy Supercross on NBC Sports. It's a position he not only didn't expect to hold, but originally didn't want. Now 40, The GOAT opens up about life after racing and striving for success in each new chapter of his life.…

AUDIO VERSION! Don't have time to sit and read the written story? I'll read it to you! This is the audio version of "Chapter 4: A Ricky Carmichael Story", published on January 1, 2020. As The GOAT starts his second season as the analyst for Monster Energy Supercross on NBC Sports, he explains it was a position he not only didn't expect to hold, but…