Supercross takes motocross as inspiration, but adds more dirt, bigger air, and arenas that could legitimately contain the moto bike’s four-wheeled cousin, the monster truck. Sponsored by Monster, manufacturer of pleasingly atomic energy drinks, the AMA Supercross Championship is a high-flying racing series that runs January through May. This year, perennial supercross star Ryan Dungey took the title, despite coming in fourth and ruining his podium streak in the final race. (That event went to Ken Roczen.)
It was racing as rough and acrobatic as any the series has seen. Luckily, photographer Michael Prichinello was up close, and with a good lens.
Birthday boy Ken Roczen grandstands in the grandstands., Michael PrichinelloBoth the sponsor and scale of the supercross spectacle is Monster. More than 500 truckloads of dirt are required to construct a supercross track., Michael PrichinelloPrep keeps the grip up and the dust down., Michael PrichinelloA different kind of wheel spin., Michael PrichinelloTyler Bowers waits for the gate to drop. Bowers bagged 6th place in the hotly-contested 250SX race., Michael PrichinelloReigning Supercross champ Ryan Dungey might have been off the podium in fourth place, it was enough to clinch the 2016 championship with one race still to go., Michael PrichinelloMike Alessi navigates the ruts aboard his Honda CRF450., Michael PrichinelloCole Seely cashes in his airline miles to take an impressive third place in the 450SX race., Michael PrichinelloThat feeling of uneasy tension before the flag drops., Michael PrichinelloNicholas Schmidt pushed hard and aired big, but 21st place was the best he could muster on Saturday., Michael PrichinelloModern weaponry circulated on track, but vintage metal charmed in the paddock., Michael PrichinelloCalm before the storm. 250 rider Shane McElrath would ultimately grab forth place in the race., Michael Prichinello
