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In recent years, motorsport seems to have taken on a new wind. Both NASCAR and SuperMotocross want to reach new target groups. With new races at the LA Memorial Coliseum, in and around Chicago, and new ideas constantly emerging, it sure is a new era.
Earlier this month, I spoke to Supercross Vice President Dave Prater about the new playoffs coming to his sport, as well as motorsports in general. It turns out that SuperMotocross, the new championship coming later this year, and NASCAR have a lot in common.
NASCAR has made it clear that they want to go places they’ve never been. That’s what Prater and the people at SuperMotocross want to achieve with their sport. Races at the zMAX Dragway in Concord, NC, as well as Chicagoland Speedway and the LA Memorial Coliseum.
“It’s exciting and something new. I know I’ve spent 14 years in Chicago and I can tell you my friends from Chicago aren’t typical NASCAR fans, but they’re all looking forward to this event. I think you will see that NASCAR continues to do this and evolve and develop some unique venues and unique events while remaining true to its core. You know, that’s actually our goal too,” said Prater about the start-ups.
“For SuperMotocross playoffs in particular, you should come up with unique venues and unique tracks that weren’t really considered before, while still remaining true to our core and not alienating the regular fan, but bringing it with new fans into a truly new experience Welcome. I think you’ll see that in NASCAR, SuperMotocross, and hopefully multiple motorsports and multiple sports in general. Just to increase the fan base.”
So why not combine SuperMotocross and NASCAR? Well, the Prater says that’s not necessarily out of the question.
SuperMotocross x NASCAR crossover?
Motorsport and sport in general recognize that working together is the best way to stand a chance of survival and growth. If a Supercross fan likes engines and likes to go fast, why can’t they be in NASCAR and vice versa? Sure there’s a lot of overlap, but how about an actual event featuring both brands?
When confronted with the hypothesis, Dave Prater didn’t even flinch.
“I think it’s definitely possible,” said Prater.
The Supercross VP is confident they can put together a track that complements both products and offers fans a unique experience.
“Of course we’re going to the actual NASCAR track from now on [at Chicagoland Speedway for SuperMotocross] But going forward, who’s to say we can’t design a racetrack that’s just in the infield, or across the NASCAR track and jumps out and back in? We can actually run a combined event. Race SuperMotocross on Saturday and NASCAR on Sunday. … Which would be incredible.”
With all the pyrotechnics and theatrics that SuperMotocross is sure to produce, it would just be too cool to include a few stock cars. As NASCAR prepares to hit the streets of Chicago this summer, let’s not forget Chicagoland, which has spawned some fun races in the past.
If there’s one thing that could bring the Cup Series back to Chicago in the near future, it would have to be a super event like a SuperMotocross crossover.