Salt Lake City, Utah (June 19, 2020) – Three champions will be crowned this Sunday, June 21, at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City as Monster Energy AMA Supercross, an FIM World Championship becomes the first major sport to complete their season amidst the pandemic. The seventh and final made-for-TV event will air live on NBCSN and NBC starting at 1 p.m. MDT.
Like all forms of sports, the Monster Energy Supercross Championship was abruptly halted in early March after completing only 10 rounds of the 17-round Championship. Working with the Utah Sports Commission, Supercross resumed racing without fans in attendance at Rice-Eccles Stadium on May 31, under the guidance of a responsible return- to- racing plan.
“We’ve appreciated all of the support that Rice-Eccles Stadium and our partners have provided in helping Monster Energy Supercross execute their return-to-racing plan in a safe and responsible manner,” said Utah Sports Commission President and CEO Jeff Robbins. “Hosting Supercross and bringing live sports back to Utah, televised on NBC, has created a buzz and excitement for sports fans in Utah and around the world.”
The seats have been empty due to COVID-19 regulations, but Rice-Eccles Stadium has been filled with tension and nerves as Cooper Webb and Ken Roczen continue to spoil Eli Tomac’s quest for his first title. Webb has won every Wednesday event (Rounds 12, 14 and 16) while Roczen earned his first Salt Lake City victory at Round 15 last Sunday. Tomac won Rounds 11 and 13, earning him a 22-point advantage going into the final race.
The Eastern and Western Regional 250SX Classes have both offered their own dramatic racing and even thinner point margins as six points separate Chase Sexton and Shane McElrath in the East and seven points separate Dylan Ferrandis and Austin Forkner in the West. The East/West Showdown format will not make it easy for either Sexton or Ferrandis to defend their 2019 titles.
Two races will determine all three 2020 championships. If Round 16 was any indication, the athletes are hungry and ready to battle, and it promises to be a dramatic clash in a season that has already made history by delivering the full 17-rounds to fans on TV. The final race will be carried live, but split, with the first hour airing on NBCSN and the second two hours, which will contain both class’ Main Events, broadcast live on NBC. The event, in its un interrupted entirety, will also be presented live on the NBC Sports Gold app.
10. Justin Hill, Yoncalla, Ore., Honda (199)
10. RJ Hampshire, Minneola, Fla., Husqvarna (80)
10. Jacob Hayes, Lodi, Calif., Husqvarna (89)
Monster Energy AMA Supercross, an FIM World Championship, is the most competitive and highest-profile off-road motorcycle racing championship on the planet visiting 13 different states in 2020. Founded in America and sanctioned by the American Motorcyclist Association (AMA) in 1974, Supercross is currently co-sanctioned by the Federation Internationale de Motocyclisme (FIM), the official global governing body for motorcycle racing, thus making it a formal World Championship. Over 17 weeks and a million-dollar All-Star Race, Supercross attracts some of the largest and most impressive crowds inside the most recognizable and prestigious stadiums in North America to race in front of nearly one million live fans and broadcast to millions more worldwide. For more information, visit SupercrossLIVE.com.
Supercross Finale to Air Live on NBCSN and NBC on Sunday