Change in Race Length 

The initial format from 2018 has been adjusted slightly—the length of the three races was changed in both classes prior to the start of the 2019 season. 

As mentioned, the 2018 Triple Crown events were three different time lengths for each class. In the 2018, the races were as follows:

250SX:

1. Main Event 1 – 6 minutes plus one lap – 22 riders.
2. Main Event 2 – 8 minutes plus one lap – 22 riders.
3. Main Event 3 – 10 minutes plus one lap – 22 riders.

450SX:

1. Main Event 1 – 8 minutes plus one lap – 22 riders.
2. Main Event 2 – 12 minutes plus one lap – 22 riders.
3. Main Event 3 – 15 minutes plus one lap – 22 riders.

Ahead of the 2019 season, an adjustment was made so that all three 250SX races were the same length and all 450SX races were the same length. This is the race length that is still used today. The current race lengths are:

250SX:

1. Main Event 1 – 10 minutes plus one lap – 22 riders.
2. Main Event 2 – 10 minutes plus one lap – 22 riders.
3. Main Event 3 – 10 minutes plus one lap – 22 riders.

450SX:

1. Main Event 1 – 12 minutes plus one lap – 22 riders.
2. Main Event 2 – 12 minutes plus one lap – 22 riders.
3. Main Event 3 – 12 minutes plus one lap – 22 riders.

Brief Overview of Race Day

Standard Format:
 Morning: Track walk, free practice, qualifying
Night show: heat races, LCQs, then main events

Triple Crown Format: 
Morning: Track walk, free practice, qualifying, then LCQs
Night show: Three races (no heat races)

Both the 250SX and 450SX LCQ race lengths are as follow: 5 Minutes/Plus 1 Lap - 22 Riders (Top 4 into the Races)

The first race will have riders select their gate pick based on their respective qualifying finishes. The second race will have riders select their gate pick based on their race one result, and the third race will have riders select their gate pick based on their race two result.

One thing to note in this format is riders are allowed to tech and use up to two different motorcycles at these Triple Crown events (rule 1.8.4 Motorcycle Usage).

With the quick turnaround between the night show races, riders could run a bike in the first race, a second bike in the second race, and the first bike again in the third race as opposed to running a single bike all night long.

Event Overall Scoring

The results from the three races are combined, and the lowest total score gets the overall win. If two riders tie on the same total score, the better finish in the third race will break the tie (rule 1.8.13 Overall Results for Triple Crown Races, Section b. 4).

Note: with the new points scoring structure put in place ahead of the 2024 season, remember, 22nd does not get any points.

View the full 2024 AMA Supercross rulebook.

2024 AMA SX, MX, and SMX Points System 

History of Triple Crowns

Let’s take a quick look at some stats from the 14 Triple Crown events to date. In the 250SX Class, there has been a lot more parity. Austin Forkner leads both categories in terms of race wins (7 out of 42 total) and overall event wins (3 out of 14) as he is the only repeat 250SX overall winner to date. Eight of those 14 250SX Triple Crown events have seen three different riders win all of the three races, and three times we saw three different race winners plus a fourth different winner that won the overall. This happened at the 2023 Arlington SX, when Hunter Lawrence won the first race, Jordon Smith won the second race, and Jeremy Martin won the third race, but Nate Thrasher won the overall.

Forkner also holds the only 250SX Triple Crown event clean sweep to date, as he finished 1-1-1 for the overall win at the Detroit Supercross in February 2019.

The Triple Crown format has seen 18 different riders win a 250SX race (42 so far to date), and 12 different riders win an overall (of 13 total events).

250SX Triple Crown Results to Date

250SX Triple Crown Stats to Date

In the 450SX Class, the field has been, well, dominated by Eli Tomac in this format. Tomac leads both categories in terms of race wins (13 out of 42) and overall event wins (seven out of 14). The Triple Crown format has seen only eight different riders win a 450SX race (again, 42 races total to date), and only six different riders win an overall. Tomac is the only 450SX rider to win a Triple Crown overall in all first five seasons of the format. But it is Ken Roczen who holds the only 450SX Triple Crown event clean sweep to date, as he finished 1-1-1 for the overall win at the Glendale Supercross in January 2020.

Another stat noteworthy: entering this weekend, Chase Sexton is the only first rider to win both a Triple Crown race AND overall in both the 250SX and 450SX divisions. That could change this weekend though, Jett and Hunter Lawrence have both won races and overalls in the format in the 250SX division, as does Dylan Ferrandis and Shane McElrath, who won in the 250cc class but have yet to win in the premier class. Adam Cianciarulo, Christian Craig, and Justin Cooper all have one 250SX Triple Crown race win—not overall—to their name.

450SX Triple Crown Results to Date

450SX Triple Crown Stats to Date

While this format tends to see more parity in the 250SX Class whereas the 450SX Class has seen less different winners, one could make a case where the parity we have seen this year might continue. The same argument in the other direction could be made, as we see a rider ahead of the rest of the field rises above the rest. We will find out tomorrow night!

If you like pre- and post-race stats like this, make sure to follow me on X (formerly Twitter): @mitch_kendra.