Bailey Takes Supercross Title

Bailey takes Supercross title

RACE WATCH

When the checkered flag waved on the Superbowl of Motocross, final stadium event in the 1983 national schedule,

Broc Glover was safely in the lead and David Bailey was even more safely tucked away in 6th.

Forget about hand grenades and horseshoes, close also counts in racing.

Honda’s Bailey had a strong points lead going in, so while Glover (Yamaha) and Mark Barnett (Suzuki) wanted to win, Bailey carefully watched his pit for signals. He went fast enough to keep within sight of Barnett and slow enough to not risk a crash or a mechanical problem. Thus the prudent finish, and a points tally of Bailey, 420; Barnett, 418; Glover, 354, and Kawasaki's Jeff Ward, 353.

Nor did it hurt that all four of the big factories had a man in contention. Further, the event drew 67,000 fans despite the move from the Los Angeles Coliseum to Pasadena’s Rose Bowl, and despite major league baseball and football games on the same night.