John Dowd (born August 10, 1965) is a professional motocross racer from Chicopee, Massachusetts. Otherwise known as "The Junk Yard Dog." John Dowd entered his first motocross (MX) race at age 20, considered old if you wish to carve out a career in the very competitive sport. John Dowd took to the demanding sport incredibly fast, turning pro by age 21. He was racing against and beating people who had been literally raised racing MX.
As a result, Dowd has achieved the best results of his career later in life than his typical competitors. He holds many AMA records including oldest rider to win an AMA National (Southwick 125cc, 1998), oldest rider to win a Supercross championship (125cc West, 1998), oldest rider to win a National moto (Mt. Morris, 2000), and oldest rider to finish on the podium in an AMA National (Southwick 250cc, 2005).
Dowd has been a podium contender in AMA Motocross and Supercross competition for almost 20 years. His greatest strengths are his stamina and endurance, enabling him to ride hard for the entire moto. He was considered a specialist on sand tracks. Dowd is from the New England area, renowned for its sandy tracks. He finished on the podium in 3rd place at the 2005 Southwick 250cc National just shy of his 40th birthday, aboard a privateer Suzuki RMZ450. On August 30, 2009, on a rainy and muddy Saturday afternoon at the Lucas Oil AMA Pro Motorcross Southwick National at Motocross 338, The Junkyard Dog had his day. Riding his Kawasaki KX450 on his home track, Dowd, 44, finished second in the 450 class Moto-2 and took 3rd overall.
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