Monster Energy Cup Showdown this Saturday in Las Vegas
OutdoorHub 10.15.14
This Saturday night in Las Vegas under the bright lights the world’s greatest supercross/motocross racers will converge at Sam Boyd Stadium for the Monster Energy Cup and a chance to win $1 million. In addition to the professional Cup Class, the stars of tomorrow will be competing in the KTM Junior Supercross Challenge, Super-Mini and Amateur All-Star Classes.
LIVE on FOX Sports 2 on Saturday, Oct. 18 at 9:00 p.m. ET. / 6:00 p.m. PT, FOX Sports 1, will re-air the entire race at 1:00 p.m. ET / 10:00 a.m. PT. FOX broadcast network offers a 90-minute Monster Energy Cup encore special on Sunday, October 26 following NFL football in most markets, while preceding football in others (check local listings).
“This year’s track design is unlike anything I have ever seen in my career,” said Carmichael. “It’s definitely going to be exciting and challenging for everyone. We started with a great foundation and have an epic final product.”
In the three years of the Monster Energy Cup, there have been three different winners: Ryan Villopoto, Justin Barcia, and James Stewart.
After recently signing with the JGRMX/Toyota/Yamaha team, Barcia, who won the 2012 Monster Energy Cup, will make his debut this weekend with his new team. Barcia led six laps and finished 2-1-2 in the three Main Events en route to winning the 2012 Monster Energy Cup. Barcia also has two Regional 250SX Class Championships.
“This is my first-ever race for the JGRMX team, and I am stoked,” said Barcia. “Not only can I become the first-ever two-time winner of the Monster Energy Cup, I can give the team its first-ever title at this race.”
Former two-time Monster Energy Supercross Champion Chad Reed’s best finish at the Monster Energy Cup was in 2012 when he finished fourth overall.
“The Monster Energy Cup comes during the off-season, so everybody is well rested and had some time off, so everybody is excited to get back to racing,” said Reed. “The format is a little different with three 10-lap Main Events. The focus is to win or go home.”
Like Reed, Red Bull KTM’s Ryan Dungey also brings a Monster Energy Supercross title to this year’s race. Dungey has finished in second place at the first three Monster Energy Cup races and has his sights set on his first title.
“I always look forward to going back to the Monster Energy Cup,” said Dungey. “There is always a lot going on at this race; it’s exciting for the fans and the riders. This race is going to be closer and tighter than ever.”
One of the most anticipated aspects of the Monster Energy Cup is the riders making their debut aboard their new bike, such as Dean Wilson (Red Bull KTM); Justin Brayton (BTOsports.com KTM); Blake Baggett (Yoshimura Suzuki); Davi Millsaps (Monster Energy Kawasaki); Cole Seely (Honda); Jason Anderson (Husqvarna); Martin Davalos (Husqvarna).
Riding on the heels of 3-3 finishes last year that awarded him second overall, Chase Sexton headlines the Super-Mini Class once again.
The pre-race press conference will stream live at www.SupercrossOnline.com on Friday, October 17 at Noon PT, featuring Chad Reed, Ryan Dungey, Davi Millsaps, Eli Tomac, Justin Barcia, Trey Canard, Blake Baggett, Zac Commons and Chase Sexton.
The 2014 Monster Energy Cup features an all-new track design inspired by 5-time Monster Energy Supercross Champion Ricky Carmichael. The Carmichael-inspired track design will consist of supercross and motocross obstacles unlike any other racetrack design in the world. The Monster Energy Cup track will include a unique split start where 11 riders from each side will blitz down a long straightway to huge 180 degree bowl turns, then converge into one lane. The Monster Energy Cup posts a $250,000 purse with the winner walking away with a $100,000 check, and any rider that wins all three Main Events will take home $1 million.
For more information on the Monster Energy Cup, log on to www.MonsterEnergyCup.com. For all media requests, please contact Denny Hartwig dhartwig@feldinc.com or 630-566-6305. To follow the Monster Energy Cup on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram log on to www.Facebook.com/VegasMECup; www.Twitter.com/VegasMECup; www.Instagram.com/MonsterEnergyCup.com.
Tickets for the 2014 Monster Energy Cup can be purchased at the Thomas & Mack Center Box Office, UNLVtickets outlets, online at www.UNLVtickets.com, www.MonsterEnergyCup.com, or by phone at (702) 739-FANS. Tickets will be available at the Sam Boyd Stadium Box Office on the day of the event only.
