Eli Tomac talks to Action Sports Today about the insanity that is about to descend on Las Vegas on October 19.
Three main events. Well that’s nothing new for the 2019 Monster Energy Cup where Supercross stars have a chance at $1 Million. But three different track configurations….well that’s new and quite honestly this is the boldest thing Feld Motorsports has done in a long time. Give Ricky Carmichael that freedom to design and he is going to let his imagination run wild.
To make this year’s race even more challenging for the riders, 5-time Supercross Champion and Monster Energy Cup track designer Ricky Carmichael went to great lengths to create a one-of-a-kind hybrid track which features three different starts that will send the racers backwards during one of the three 10-Lap Main Events. Two starts will begin inside the stadium where athletes will veer to the left for one Main Event, then to the right for another, while a third start will take place outside of Sam Boyd Stadium where racers will have a long sweeping first turn that will have them screaming back into the stadium and down Monster Alley at full speed before hitting the first rhythm section.
But how do the riders feel about it. Action Sports Today spoke to last years Million Dollar man Eli Tomac to get a grasp on what to expect when the gates drop in October.
Action Sports Today: What were your first thoughts when you saw the track design for the 2019 Monster Energy Cup?
Tomac: I’m always highly anticipating the track design for MEC, and wow I have mix feelings for this years event being that the track will go both directions in one night. At first glance, the track has a good combination of speed, technical, and sand sections all of which make for a solid track to go to battle on. The real challenge is going to be who can adapt to the different jump combinations once the track goes in reverse.
Action Sports Today: When you are in track walk you look for certain lines, through practice you work on those lines, but when the track is run three different ways how does this change the preparation?
Tomac: As of now, I don’t how much time we will have to practice in each direction, but if the practice schedule stays the same, sessions will be very short for getting on the track, which means getting the fastest jump combination will be crucial before the race begins because that’s the last thing you want on your mind while you’re sitting on the starting gate.
Action Sports Today: Is this a safe way to run a race?
Tomac: We are the best of the best, but the safety will be on the track crew and if they’re capable of making the track work for both directions. Typically, landings and ramps are shaped differently so this will be a challenge.
Action Sports Today: What will be the key to success on this track?
Tomac: They key to success is going to be who can adapt the fastest to change and the change is the entire direction of the track!
From out perspective, it is great to see a parent company of an event take a risk like this and see if it works. Progression is paramount in growing action sports and in racing progression often times means risk. This may work and it may not.
In all, the 2019 Monster Energy Cup track features 37 different obstacles, a fan-favorite over-under bridge, a Monster Energy Arch that traverses into the grandstands, dual sand sections and the ever-nagging Joker Lane, which as in year’s past will be a slower disadvantage that athletes will have to race through at least once during each Main Event.
Additional athletes expected to race include reigning Supercross Champion and Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Cooper Webb, Rockstar Energy Husqvarna and 2018 Supercross Champion Jason Anderson, plus Monster Energy Yamaha Factory Racing’s Justin Barcia who also won this event back in 2012 when he debuted in the premiere 450SX Class. Debuting this year in the same fashion will be the ever-popular Monster Energy Kawasaki athlete, Adam Cianciarulo who just closed the 2019 outdoor season with a title as he prepares to move to the 450SX class next season.
The Monster Energy Cup will be broadcast live on NBCSN starting at 7 p.m. PT / 10:00 p.m. ET or live via the NBC Sports app, NBC Sports Digital’s direct-to-consumer live streaming product. Subscribers of the Supercross Pass on NBC Sports Gold can revisit the best laps of 2019 from round 1 to 17. To find out more about the Supercross pass click here:NBCSports.com
Watch all three track configurations below.