Monster Energy Supercross Celebrates 40 Years This Weekend In Anaheim


Feld Motor Sports® announced today that
Monster Energy AMA Supercross, an FIM World Championship, will
celebrate its 40th anniversary this Saturday, January 18, as the
world's best riders return to Anaheim, Calif., and Angel Stadium
for the third race of the 2014 season.
The 40th Anniversary Celebration Race will honor the champions of
both past and present, in addition to celebrating the nostalgia and
illustrious history of this one-of-a-kind sport. The track inside
Angel Stadium will mimic the layout from the 2001 season, which
signified the changing of the guard from one legend to another as
Ricky
Carmichael won his very first 450SX Class title and Jeremy
McGrath completed his final full season of competition, winning
one final time in Anaheim to set the landmark record of 72
victories.
The action from Anaheim kicks off Saturday, live on FOX Sports 1 at
10:30 p.m. ET .Media day is Thursday, January 16, from Noon-2:00
p.m. locally (PT). Supercross legends Pierre Karsmakers, Jimmy
Ellis, Jeff Ward, Donnie Hansen and Johnny O'Mara will join Red
Bull KTM riders Dungey, the 2010 Monster Energy Supercross
Champion, and Ken Roczen, the
winner of the first race of the 2014 season, at the pre-race press
conference.
Last weekend in front of nearly 50,000 fans inside
Phoenix's Chase Field, reigning three-time 450SX Class Champion
Ryan
Villopoto captured his first win of the 2014 season aboard his
Monster Energy Kawasaki. Villopoto worked hard for his victory,
passing eight riders en route to the lead and taking over the early
points lead in doing so. Coming into Anaheim, Villopoto carries a
slim one-point advantage over longtime rival and Red Bull KTM rider
Ryan
Dungey.
The first race held in Anaheim was on December 4, 1976, and Mart
Smith won on a Honda. This weekend will mark the 62nd time the gate
will drop for a 450SX Class race in Anaheim and the 24th time the
city has played host to the season opener. James
Stewart, Ricky Carmichael and Jeremy McGrath are tied on the
all-time 450SX Class win list at Anaheim with 8 victories. Ivan
Tedesco holds the 250SX Class all-time win record in Anaheim with 5
victories. Angel Stadium is the only stop on the tour that will
host three races - January 4, January 18 and February 1.
Source: supercrossonline.com