Monster Energy AMA Supercross

As campy as the repetitive commercials for the Monster Energy AMA Supercross are, they do a pretty decent job of conveying the sport's extreme nature. At speeds of 60 miles per hour, up to 22 racers go lap after lap on a dirt track over jumps that send riders flying as far as 70 feet. Even getting the Metrodome ready for the Supercross is an extreme production. It takes 10 workers with bulldozers and other heavy equipment three days to mold 1.5 million pounds of dirt into the winding, narrow track laden with whoops (a series of bumps), berms (banked turns), and triple jumps (a series of three ramps). With a new crop of superstars appealing to spectators, AMA Supercross is growing more popular with each year. Last year's season drew more than 830,000 fans to stadiums across the country. Quite simply, Supercross combines the showmanship and pyrotechnics of pro wrestling with the possibility of serious injury and the thrilling race action of NASCAR. It's also a bargain. Some tickets are only $10, and it's a daylong activity; doors open at 12:30 for prelims and spectator access to the pits, with the main events starting at 7 p.m.
Sat., March 15, 7 p.m., 2008