A historic year of off-road motorcycle racing is underway as a new era for the Supercross and Motocross disciplines has begun with the SuperMotocross World Championship, a 31-race season that combines the 17-race winter Monster Energy AMA Supercross Championship, the 11-race summer AMA Pro Motocross Championship, and the new three-race fall SuperMotocross World Championship Playoff.
With the 2023 AMA Supercross campaign officially underway, the dirt bike racing championship will make its return to San Diego’s Mission Valley and the new Snapdragon Stadium on Saturday, Jan. 21, for the second event of this young season. This full circle moment for the sport’s storied legacy in “America’s Finest City” will bring the high-flying, heart-pounding excitement of this racing spectacle back to some of Supercross’ most hallowed ground for a landmark 40th running in San Diego.
San Diego’s history in the sport of Supercross dates back to 1980, when San Diego Stadium hosted the first event and kicked off four decades of memories, first with a longstanding tenure in Mission Valley at Jack Murphy Stadium / Qualcomm Stadium from 1980 to 2014 that then transitioned to the heart of the Gaslamp Quarter at Petco Park from 2015 until 2022. The newest chapter of the San Diego Supercross will commence in a matter of days, on the same plot of land that laid the foundation for this storied legacy. While the venue might be all new, with a uniquely intimate environment at Snapdragon Stadium, the stories that were told and the legends that were created off Friars Road and Interstate 15 go back 43 years.
Adding to the hype of this debut at Snapdragon Stadium are a pair of San Diego area natives that will chase success on the track and give local fans another reason to fill the stands.
El Cajon’s Christian Craig is coming off the best season of his career in 2022, where he captured his first championship in Supercross and solidified his role as one of the sports most savvy veterans at the age of 31. This year, the father of three will have the opportunity of a lifetime at Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing to show his mettle in the ultra competitive premier 450SX Class.
Representing the bright future of the sport is Alpine’s Dilan Schwartz, who is still in the early stages of his career as he enters his third season as a professional.
A steep learning curve continues to test Schwartz’s physical and mental fortitude, but his progression is undeniable as he joins a new team for 2023 at Progressive Insurance ECSTAR Suzuki. The 21-year-old is a key component of a crop of promising up-and-coming riders and will look to build on his past experiences in the 250SX West Region. His first opportunity to race in front of the home crowd in San Diego one year ago didn’t live up to Schwartz’s expectations and he’s determined to give the fans a reason to cheer this time around.
In addition to homegrown talent, the showcase inside Snapdragon Stadium will see the likes of reigning Monster Energy Supercross 450SX Class Champion Eli Tomac go bar-to-bar against last year’s San Diego winner Chase Sexton as well as a star-studded lineup of international talent that includes former champions Cooper Webb and Jason Anderson, German sensation Ken Roczen, and perennial contenders like Dylan Ferrandis, Aaron Plessinger, Malcolm Stewart, Adam Cianciarulo, Justin Barcia, and Marvin Musquin. Australian phenom Jett Lawrence will also make waves in the 250SX Class, where his reign of dominance is poised to continue.
The hands-on, up-close-and-personal experience at FanFest will once again provide fans with the most immersive Monster Energy Supercross environment ever created, with a behind-the-scenes, insider look as teams and athletes prepare, practice, and qualify for the Main Event. Spectators can also take photos, visit sponsor displays, and purchase their favorite gear.
- Gates Open / Practice & Qualifying starts at 12 p.m.
- FanFest hours: 12 p.m. – 6 p.m.
- Opening Ceremonies at 6:30 p.m.
- Racing starts at 7 p.m.
For more information, visit SupercrossLIVE.com, the official website of the Monster Energy AMA Supercross Championship.
Photo credit: Husqvarna Factory Racing
