There have been some indications recently that AMA supercross is on the verge of getting a Drive to Survive style series for supercross and Steve Matthes confirmed yesterday it is something that is being seriously looked into. saying: “I think Feld are working on it.”
I think Feld is working on it https://t.co/XvCPllIpgW
— Steve Matthes (@pulpmx) December 21, 2024
Jorge Prado and Jase McAlpine also eluded to it in their interview a few weeks ago, so just how big would it be for the sport?
If anything will take dirt bikes and supercross to the next level, this could be it.
Supercross is the perfect platform for such a series. The bright lights, intensity, danger, rivalries, crashes, take-outs and story lines are all there, ready and waiting to be hoisted to the mainstream limelight.
The fact supercross is more global than ever works even better, the Lawrences brother story all the way from Australia, Jorge Prado coming from Spain as a four-time MXGP/MX2 world champ and home grown Webb, Sexton and Tomac trying to get another supercross title against the phenomenon that is Jett Lawrence, the fly in the ointment that is Jason Anderson and the incoming Deegan phenomenon!
With the global level of his fanbase, a direct speaking Jett Lawrence has fans from Australia through Europe and America and he will, very soon, be pitted against the American flag carrying, cocky, outspoken YouTube kid, Haiden Deegan, moving up to take the Aussie down.
The stage is set for fans to pick their corner with Prado, Sexton, Hunter Lawrence all there going forward and capable of getting in the mix, it has all the ingredients to be must see TV.
Deegan and Lawrence already have HUGE loyal fanbases. With an international audience, the duo, on something like Netflix, have the power to take the sport and their earnings, to another stratosphere – they really could change this sport, especially if they keep their outspoken ways when Deegan moves up to the 450s.
The Deegan’s play PR perfectly, Brian and Haiden know the game and Haiden is win at all costs. Not afraid of patriotic jibes and American flags against a serenely talented foreign rival who is already well on his way to being one of the best of all time with his smooth style, in contrast to Deegan’s aggressive ways. It’s the ultimate marmite strategy, with both families key to the success and emotionally involved, and, uniquely, brother Hunter Lawrence also on track, a man who has already battled Deegan for a title!
Jett has recently uttered his defiance and irritation to fans booing him and Deegan hasn’t even moved up yet! You think the Deegan’s won’t be noting that down as a tactic to get under his skin? This could be the biggest, not just rider rivalry, but family rivalry in the history of the sport and it could be documented on a mainstream platform for the world to see.
Jeremy McGrath lifted the sport to an extraordinary level of exposure in the 90s, Carmichael and then Stewart did their part but this could be the game changer for supercross to go to the next level again.