Why Ryan Dungey Will Likely Win the '17 SX Title

They call Ryan Dungey "The Diesel," but when he gets a points lead they might as well call him "The Boa Constrictor." Once established, his grip on a title only seems to get tighter and tighter with each passing race until he’s completely choked the life out of the competition’s title hopes. Though Marvin Musquin and Eli Tomac have each proven worthy competition, if this season follows normal trends, it is Dungey’s to lose.

Death grip, engage

A quick glance at the points shows Dungey leading, and he has only relinquished a 450SX points lead once (early in 2012) since joining the premier class in 2010. Plus, nobody not named Ryan has won a 450SX title since 2009, and since Ryan Villopoto is now retired, things are looking pretty good for Dungey.

Consistency for days

Dungey has been described as a racer who will "podium you to death," and for good reason. His ability to avoid bad nights and constantly perform at, or very near, his maximum level is uncanny. "The Diesel" even holds the record for longest 450SX podium streak with 31 consecutive visits to the box, which only ended last year when Dungey took fourth in New Jersey to clinch the title. Since then he hasn’t missed another podium. Unless you’re winning, he’s probably scoring all over you.

Faltering competition

Last year Dungey schooled what was considered the deepest field in history on his way to his third career 450SX title, winning nine of 17 races and earning 391 of 425 (92 percent!) possible points. Clearly, he doesn’t need his competition to stumble in order to win. Of course, it doesn’t hurt either, and many of his closest title rivals have already done just that in 2017. Ken Roczen crashed out of the series spectacularly at round three, Jason Anderson missed a race (and a bunch of points) after being disqualified for slapping Vince Friese in the head, and Tomac gave up a ton of points by struggling at the first three rounds. Don’t give Dungey an inch because he’ll quickly stretch it into a mile.

He's nearly indestructible

Dungey is about as close as it gets to being bulletproof in a sport that’s incredibly dangerous. Since entering the 450SX Class in 2010, he’s only suffered one injury, a broken collarbone in 2012, that caused him to miss action in Supercross. Even then he only missed five races and finished third overall! A record that close to perfect suggests Dungey will be in the game all season, fighting for his fourth career 450SX championship.