10/05/2026
Before they won Yamaha multiple world championships, they rode for Team Green.
Wayne Rainey and Eddie Lawson stand as two of the absolute greatest names in American motorcycle racing history, and this classic shot brings us right back to the genesis of their legendary era. Flanking their late, famed factory race tuner, Steve Johnson, a fresh-faced Rainey ( #60) and the defending AMA Superbike National Champion Lawson ( #21) are seen here posing with their custom green factory machines. While the two Southern California natives would eventually go on to achieve worldwide acclaim and dominate the asphalt of the 500cc Grand Prix World Championships, this particular moment documents their multi-discipline versatility as they utilized their sharp dirt-tracking roots to spearhead the factory Kawasaki effort across the states.
This striking piece of motorsports nostalgia beautifully highlights the deep bond and fierce competitive spirit shared by the two icons right before they took over the global stage. Lawson’s pristine, smooth style earned him consecutive AMA Superbike titles in 1981 and 1982, while Rainey carried the torch forward to claim the 1983 crown after Lawson departed for Europe. Between them, the two Hall of Famers would go on to secure an incredible seven 500cc World Championships. For classic road racing enthusiasts and fans of the golden era of American superbikes, images like this serve as a timeless reminder of the grit, machinery, and raw talent that forever elevated the sport.
