The “off-season” is a unique time for professional motocross riders as they cross the “T’s” and dot the “I’s” of their new contracts, get comfortable with their new teams and equipment, proudly display their newly earned numbers, and have the opportunity to participate in various off-season events that stray vastly from the usual racing format. Topping the list of most unique and most exciting off-season events is the Monster Energy Cup that takes place at Sam Boyd Stadium in Las Vegas, Nevada. Since its inception, the Monster Energy Cup has maintained the largest and most illusive purse in professional motocross and supercross racing in the United States where riders get to the line in hopes of having a chance at winning ONE. MILLION. DOLLARS. There is a catch though, in order to win the one million dollar prize, a rider must win all three of the Main Events, giving only the winner of the first Main Event an actual shot at the Monster Million. Although there are no official championship points awarded, with one million dollars on the line you can be assured that there will still be plenty of bar banging action from the moment the gate drops until the last checkers fly.
Not since it’s inaugural race in 2011 where Ryan Villopoto ran away with the three Main Event wins have fans had the opportunity to see another rider claim the illusive million, until now that is. It was “lucky number seven” indeed for Monster Energy Cup fans this year as they finally got to see another rider claim the Monster Million, or should I say, the “Musquin Million”. By now, you know that Frenchman, Marvin Musquin really started to catch fire in the middle of the 2017 Monster Energy Supercross season and then continued to carry his momentum through the 2017 Lucas Oil Pro Motocross Championship Series as well. With a multi-year deal in place with Red Bull KTM, Musquin has really settled into his role with the team and is using that to his advantage. After a close battle with the #21 of Jason Anderson and the defending Monster Energy Cup champion, Eli Tomac, Musquin was able to capture the first Main Event win. After taking the checkers on that first Main Event, Musquin remained the only rider in contention for the Monster Million. Lap after lap, Marvin executed the challenging track with near perfection, which resulted in a second Main Event win, followed by a third, making Musquin only the second rider in history to claim the million dollar prize. Of course, the quest for the Monster Million wasn’t the only heart-pounding and jaw-dropping action that the fans were fixated on throughout the evening. In addition to watching the battles of the “Cup Class”, fans were also treated to some epic racing by the future of our sport in the Super Mini and Amateur All-Stars classes as well as some of the gnarliest whips anyone had ever seen in the Dirt Shark Biggest Whip Contest.
This year, the 7th annual Monster Energy Cup took place on October 14, 2017. At only two weeks after the tragic mass shooting that took place at the Route 91 Harvest Festival, there was a somber stillness in the air on the day of the event. But in the wake of the tragedy, you could also feel the “togetherness” of the community and that the entire stadium was proud to be #VegasStrong. Not only does Supercross have longstanding ties with the city of Las Vegas, but many of the riders and fans in attendance were personally affected by the tragedy as well. In an effort to give back to the community, Feld Entertainment created the “Supercross Cares” auction where most of the riders in attendance donated their race-worn gear that will be auctioned off and all proceeds donated to the Las Vegas Victims Fund. The auction is still live and can be found here,
To relive all the excitement from the 2017 Monster Energy Cup, check out the gallery below.
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