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.

Again, these points are paid for the overall finishing position, NOT for their finish in any of the three races.

AMA SX, MX, and SMX Points System for 2024 and Beyond

History of Triple Crowns

Okay here is the fun part! Let’s take a quick look at some stats from the 17 Triple Crown events to date. In the 250SX Class, there has been a lot more unpredictability. Only Austin Forkner (three overall wins), Levi Kitchen (three overall wins), and Cameron McAdoo (two overall wins) are repeat overall winners in this format.

The Triple Crown format has seen 22 different riders win a 250SX race (51 so far to date), and 12 different riders win an overall (of 17 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 (17 out of 51) and overall event wins (eight out of 17). The Triple Crown format has seen only nine different riders win a 450SX race (again, 51 races total to date), and only seven different riders win an overall (17 total races).