While the Triple Crown rounds of Monster Energy AMA Supercross are often fan-favorites due to their non-stop action, many of the riders have made it clear the format adds a level of stress they’d rather do without.
The elite series is already a pressure-rich environment, even without the three-race event that adds intensity, roughly 10 extra minutes of racing to the clock and a radical need for consistency throughout the night.
So far, Honda HRC’s Chase Sexton and Red Bull KTM’s Cooper Webb are the two titans who have mastered this year’s Triple Crown events.
Sexton Leads Triple Crown Points
Sexton collected his second Supercross win during the first Triple Crown event at Angel Stadium in Anaheim, Calif., on Jan. 29. At the second round, Webb leapt to the lead at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, on Feb. 25.
The final Triple Crown event is now at hand, set for Saturday night at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Ariz. — the 12th round of the Supercross season. With the “championship within a championship” coming to a close, a Triple Crown titlist will also be recognized at night’s end in Arizona, taking home bragging rights for the year.
As the only rider to finish on the podium of both Triple Crown events (1st, 2nd), Sexton is the lead contender in the mini-series. Webb follows in second (4th, 1st), Monster Energy Kawasaki’s Jason Anderson sits third (2nd, 4th) and H.E.P. Motorsports’ Ken Roczen is fourth (3rd, 5th) in event points.
Tiebreaker For Tomac & Webb
If one were to take a step back and look at the bigger 450SX championship picture, the primary focus will be on Webb and defending Supercross champion Eli Tomac.
The two premier class veterans are tied for the lead at 248 points each. As such, both riders will sport a red plate on their respective machines during the upcoming round. Tomac has collected six wins this year, while Webb has earned two.
With only six rounds left in the season, the time for either competitor to pull the trigger and build a comfortable points gap is now. Historically speaking, this is the closest two championship contenders have ever been at this point in the season.
Unfortunately for Webb, history is on Tomac’s side when it comes to Glendale track records.
The Star Racing Yamaha rider has stood atop the podium four times in the desert — 2015, ’17, ’18 and ’22 — and is tied with Ricky Carmichael and James Stewart for the title of winningest rider in Arizona.
On the other hand, Webb has yet to taste victory in Glendale.
The rider who finishes on top during Saturday’s night show will secure sole possession of the points lead. Sexton is third in the standings, 22 points behind.
Keep An Eye On Kenny
Other than Tomac and Blake Baggett, who is now retired, Roczen is the only other 450SX rider to have won a race in Arizona within the last five years. His 2020 victory was significant, as he became the first rider to sweep a Triple Crown event.
The German native also celebrated a triumph at the stadium during a regular-format race in 2016.
In light of his breakthrough win in Indianapolis a month ago, the Suzuki rider will be one to watch in Glendale this weekend. He finished sixth at the most recent Supercross round at Lumen Field in Seattle, Wash., and fifth during the March 18 race at Michigan’s Ford Field.
Keyword: SX Notes: Triple Crown Terror