Cole Davies running #5 as AMA career number – what is the significance for the 2026 250SX East Champion and Pro 250MX Champion? The single digit number not only represents Cole’s massive success in racing his first full season in America’s 250SX and 250MX Championships but also commands utmost respect on continuing #5’s legacy which has been held by only 4 other rider’s who have won AMA Supercross and Motocross Championships.
Such a decision comes with plenty to take on board, mostly the facts and emotions that have been generated from running previous number’s in the past seasons. Cole ran #17 winning 250SX Futures in 2024 then switched to #100 racing 250SX West Championship in 2025. For sure, gaining his first podium at Anaheim 2 followed by another P3 at Glendale was surreal, so to was clinching back-to-back wins at Seattle and Philadelphia making #100 one to watch in the future.
In 2026, the Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing rider ran #37 which was soon to become synonymous with taking wins in both 250SX and 250MX Championships. A total of 6 overall wins in 250SX East Championship, 4 overall wins in 250MX and winning SMX World Championship Final Round elevated the 19 year old kiwi to career number status. Cole’s mental agility to sift through emotive feelings of winning with specific numbers to placing the honour and pride which comes with earning an AMA career number cannot be taken lightly. Choosing #5 marks a milestone for this season’s double Champion and carries it’s own momentum into next year.
The fact that Cole’s success in 2026 dove-tails his predecessor running #5 – Ryan Dungey – highlights the significance of the decision. Ryan’s Pro racing career, spanning 13 years scored the rare double victory of winning 2 Championships in the same year: 250SX West Championship and Pro 250MX Championship in 2009. Furthermore, Dungey backed up his dominance on the track repeating the celebrations, winning 450SX Championship and 450MX Championship in 2016. With a total of 4 AMA SX Championships and 3 AMA Pro MX Championships, Ryan set the bench-mark high enough for Cole to follow step.
The only other 3 rider’s to achieve #5 career number winning status are: Mike LaRocco, Rick Johnson, and Jeff Ward. LaRocco’s racing career spanning an incredible 19 seasons clinched 2x 250MX Championships in 1993 and 1994, Rick Johnson amassed 2x 250SX Championships and 5x 250MX Championships in 1984, ’86, ’87, and ’88 and Jeff Ward completed the illustrious group with 2x 250SX Championships and 4x 250MX Championships in 1985, ’87, ’88, ’89 and ’90. For Cole, his grandeur of career stats has only just begun.
Header photo: Cole Davies Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing bike running #5 career number.
Words: Sharon Cox.
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