By Race Chapman

Monster Energy Supercross is going to be very different for 2018 than in years past. Amid the controversial changes is the elimination of the "Semis" for the 450 class, four "Supercross Amateur" races added to the series, a change to the points system, and three "Monster Cup" style races during the regular season.

However, the catalyst for these changes is unknown. The 2017 season had some of the closest racing in Supercross history, with both the 250 and 450 championships coming down to the last race in Las Vegas. Many fans are asking why Feld Entertainment is changing a series that wasn't broken.

There has been no answer so far.

Three races, dubbed the "Triple Crown" of Monster Energy Supercross, will involve three main events for both the 250 and 450 classes. This is based on the fan-favorite Monster Energy Cup, which is held each year as a standalone race.

Unlike the Monster Cup, the Triple Crown races will have no additional cash prize for winning all three main events, there are different race times for each main, and both pro classes will race three mains each.

After the three main events — which are six, 10, and 12 minutes for the 250s and eight, 12, and 15 minutes for the 450s — a standard motocross scoring format will be employed. Whichever rider scores the lowest points will be awarded first place. Championship points will only be awarded for the overall results, not each individual main.

The Triple Crown

During the Triple Crown races, there will be no heat races, as all qualifying will be done during the timed practice. After the top 18 qualifiers advance, there will be one last chance qualifier to fill out the remaining four gates, and then the program will go straight into the main events. It was not made clear whether the LCQs would be televised with the main events.

This new Triple Crown system is being heavily criticized for limiting TV exposure for privateer racers, who need the additional time to help advance their careers. Without the heat races (and semis for 450s), the privateer racers will get very little actual racing time compared to previous years.

Another big criticism is the confusion inherent in the plan. Supercross is already discounted by many potential new viewers for being confusing, and promoters of the sport are always working towards simplifying the events.

It seems Feld Entertainment has totally abandoned the concept of simplification, as now the series is even confusing for dedicated fans. It is unclear why the three events were chosen for the Triple Crown or if there is any special reward for winning the miniseries.

Aside from the Triple Crown, some of the changes appear to be relatively minor. This includes the slight change to the points system, the elimination of the "semis," and the addition of one East/West Shootout.

New Points System

The points breakdown will change only slightly, with first through fourth scoring one extra point compared to years past. However, every position from fifth to 20th will score two extra points, with 21st and 22nd scoring two points and one point, respectively.

Feld claims that this system will provide a greater reward for the top finishers, but in reality the biggest points advantage is given to racers that finish fifth or worse.

Perhaps this is in response to the championship battle between Eli Tomac and Ryan Dungey, in which Tomac won considerably more races but lost more points in his worst finishes. Dungey ended up winning the title, while some fans were critical of the disparity between race wins and the championship result for Tomac.

East/West Showdown

Another interesting change is the addition of the extra East/West Showdown in Indianapolis.

The downside to this is similar to that of the Triple Crown races, in that it limits the ability for privateer racers to engage in the sport and makes a more confusing program for fans. However, it is always good to see all the best racers on one track, so most fans will appreciate the extra event.

Indianapolis is somewhat of a strange location for the Showdown, because it's located pretty far east compared to other locations like Dallas, Houston, or St. Louis. It might make more sense for the Showdown to be held in a more central location, to make things easier on the West Coast teams in terms of travel.

The Indianapolis round is almost in the middle of the series, whereas the Showdown is traditionally held the last round. But that could make things more interesting, as racers will be healthier and more willing to go all out.

Eliminating The Semis

Eliminating the semis for the 450 class has been done before and is something Supercross promoters have gone back and forth with for years. Semis existed in the premier class from the 1990s up until 2006. They were then eliminated in 2007 and brought back again in 2014.

Semis serve as a second chance to qualify before the main event, without having to go to the last chance qualifier. It allows racers who have a bike problem or a crash in the heat to advance to the main without taking a huge disadvantage in their gate pick.

For example, last year a rider that missed out on qualifying in the heat could go on to win the semi and secure a ninth-place gate pick. But now, a rider that doesn't qualify can only hope to have a gate pick of 19th at best.

Feld Entertainment claimed in a press release that the longer heat race length of six minutes, and longer LCQ length of five minutes, would give more racing for the fans compared to last year's times of five and three minutes for heats and LCQs, respectively. However, when one adds up the two heats, two semis, and two LCQs of last year, you get 21 minutes of track time, compared to the 22 minutes of the new schedule.

So, technically it is one minute longer of track time. However, the racing is typically closer during the shorter races, especially because more excitement always occurs during the holeshot. In terms of time on the track, the new schedule is slightly longer. But in terms of actual racing, it is still up for debate.

Also, the Triple Crown races will definitely have less track time, with three minutes less for the 250s and six minutes less for the 450s. However, this sacrifice is to allow the top racers to go head-to-head three separate times.

Supercross Amateur

The last big change is the most universally appreciated and one that has been missing from Supercross for many years. In recent times, the only Supercross that was available to amateurs was the Daytona race, but that was on a neutered track. The Monster Cup was available too but only to a select few invitees. Supercross Amateur will be available to a much wider range of competitors, as there will be 29 classes available to the racing public.

Supercross Amateur events will be held on the Sundays directly following the Supercross races on Saturday. They will be hosted at Angel Stadium in Anaheim, CA on Jan. 21, University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale, AZ, on Jan. 28, Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, FL, on Feb. 25, and Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta on March 4. Those are the sites of the third, fourth, eighth, and ninth rounds of Monster Energy Supercross, respectively.

After the best championship battles in Supercross history, the question remains: Why fix what wasn't broken?

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