The inaugural Monster Energy AMA Supercross, an FIM World Championship, NASCAR Holeshot Challenge presented by Oakley brought four of stock car racing’s biggest stars off the pavement and into the dirt in front of 61,683 fans inside the Georgia Dome. The holeshot is arguably the most exciting element of any Monster Energy Supercross race as riders storm out of the gate into the first turn, and on Saturday night HScott Motorsports #15 driver Clint Bowyer edged out his fellow NASCAR drivers in this special, one-of-a-kind race.
Stewart-Haas Racing #41 driver Kurt Busch gave the call to start the engines as Grand Marshal before Stewart-Haas Racing #10 driver Danica Patrick kicked things off by holding the 30 second board, setting the stage for Bowyer, Roush-Fenway Racing’s #16 Greg Biffle and #17 Ricky Stenhouse, Jr., as well as Richard Childress Racing #3 driver Ty Dillon. As the board went sideways, signifying the start was imminent, six-time Sprint Cup Champion Jimmie Johnson, who drives the Rick Hendrick Racing #48, dropped the gate and the four competitors launched down the start straight. Biffle had the initial advantage, but Bowyer gained ground and slipped by just before the finish line, carrying so much momentum that he slid off the track and into a protective barrier. He quickly got back to his feet, and the massive crowd inside the Georgia Dome roared in support.
In honor of the NASCAR Holeshot Challenge, Oakley, the official eyewear of Monster Energy Supercross, will donate $1,500 to the Asterisk Mobile Medical Center, a mobile emergency care facility made available to event staff, participants and crew members at every stop of the championship.
Monster Energy Supercross will travel to Daytona Beach, Florida, next Saturday, March 5, for the ninth race of the 2016 season from Daytona International Speedway.
