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NBC Sports
10-05-2025
- Automotive
- NBC Sports
Build it and they will come: The making of a Supercross track
The 2025 Monster Energy Supercross season is comprised of 17 rounds and like snowflakes, no two tracks have been alike. The same pieces are there week to week, but the way they are assembled differs for each track. Riders experience rhythm sections, bowl turns, flat corners, table tops, steep jumps over a tunnel, and whoops, with occasional other surprises track builders want to toss in their path. But one thing remains the same: the men who build the tracks and the fact that from the top of the highest jump to the base of the floor, a Supercross track is all dirt. Supercross tracks are constructed by DirtWurx, a New York company that has been doing the heavy lifting since the 1990s. Track design is a collaborative event between builder and promoter. Recently, when Supercross visited Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Acrisure Stadium, home of the Pittsburgh Steelers, set up a time-lapse camera to record the building of a track in the market for the first time in more than 40 years. It was a unique view of the workings that go into transforming a football stadium into a dirt track. The track build began with 14 trailer loads of plywood, about 7,500 sheets making two layers of protection for the stadium floor. Then dirt is trucked in. For Pittsburgh, it took 500 truckloads, or 5,500 cubic yards. When Supercross returns to a market, they use dirt been stored offsite since the previous season. With Pittsburgh, that option was not fully available, but Feld Entertainment has run Monster Jam races in the market, so some of the dirt was recycled. To supplement that dirt, they turned to a local contractor with a stockpile used in landscaping and construction. Before a jump is built, the track is covered with six inches of dirt to provide a base. Fabric is placed under the dirt, above the plywood, to further protect the floor from the watering that needs to take place to maintain the jumps structural integrity. 'The guys in the loaders know how many buckets of dirt each jump is and they will place it [in the appropriate place], then we have a guy it and goes through and shapes it and packs it in,' Kenny Henry, Director of Operations Track Construction for DirtWurx. 'Then we have a guy in a skid steer who comes through and cleans everything up.' The track is built from the outside in, generally piling up mounds that will be refined. Pittsburgh experienced rain overnight that kept Turf to dirt 🔀 🎥: @steelers #SMX #SupercrossLIVE Every jump constructed from the ground up. In bowl turns that require netting, the posts are added after the turn is completed by cutting out a channel in back of the berm, sinking the metal tubes, and then covering them back with enough dirt to keep them from moving. Notably, Pittsburgh's dirt is not particularly rocky despite the mountains that surround it. Should there be more rocks in the dirt than is optimal, it will be sifted between seasons. 'We can, or we will [sift the dirt] if we get to a pile that is rockier or has more debris than we would like,' Henry continued. 'During the summertime, or off-season, we will go through it, but this dirt is pretty clean.' Dan Beaver, And that is a luxury Supercross has that is not available to Pro Motocross tracks. Last year, NBC Sports caught up with Greg Robinson, co-owner of Unadilla, MX Park to discuss the challenges of the rain that pelted the course, and during the course of the conversation, talk turned to the rockiness of the surrounding area. Outdoor tracks are also forced to sift their dirt, but it is an endless process. 'The outdoor tracks have an endless supply of dirt, so the rocks bubble to the surface, where here we have a stockpile of dirt that's above ground,' Henry said. More SuperMotocross News Aaron Plessinger renews with Red Bull KTM Salt Lake City Preview | Betting Guide Jeremy Martin to run three Pro MX races in 2025 Jett Lawrence walks the red carpet Two riders die in 11-bike British Superbike crash Denver 450 Results | 250 Results Chase Sexton dominates Denver 450s, keeps hope alive Haiden Deegan wins 250 Denver feature, championship Denver Qualification | 250 Heats | 450 Heats Kevin Moranz wins PulpMX Privateer Challenge Ricky Carmichael gives us an inside look at how a traditional football stadium is transformed into a Supercross track.
NBC Sports
26-04-2025
- Sport
- NBC Sports
Northeast success has Seth Hammaker poised for the 250 East championship
PITTSBURGH, Pennsylvania: If one had asked Seth Hammaker about his championship odds after Detroit, he would have answered with the typical response that it's a long season and anything can happen — but he might not have fully convinced himself that was true. A poor finish of 17th in Round 2 of the Monster Energy Supercross season dug a hole it would take time to climb from but he had some consolation in the fact that RJ Hampshire struggled in the opener in Tampa. 'At the second round in Detroit, I got food poisoning and finished 17th, so that definitely put us at a deficit right off the bat,' Hammaker told NBC Sports. 'It's been crazy in the Eastern division because everyone has had one of those bad races. Everybody's pulled together at the end. It's been a great battle.' Hammaker finished third the following week at Daytona International Speedway and scored his first win of 2025 in his next attempt in Indianapolis. The landscape was changing for Hammaker, but with a different winner every week in the 250 East division, it seemed that no one wanted to take advantage of the situation. Dan Beaver, That changed when the series headed to the Northeast. Hailing from Bainbridge, Pennsylvania, a community south of Harrisburg, Hammaker had home field advantage when the Northeast tour began in Foxborough, Massachusetts. That race did not go to anyone's plan. Perhaps the muddiest Supercross race in recent memory, it was a battle for survival where a rider's will was equally important to his skill. Hammaker finished ninth, which might not seem like much on its face, but his principle rivals Hampshire and Tom Vialle struggled to a greater degree. Hampshire finished five spots back in 14th. Vialle fell at the end of the race and could not extract his bike from the mud. He finished last and failed to earn any points. 'I feel like [the Northeast Tour] played in my favor a lot — having the hometown crowd at a lot of them,' Hammaker said. 'That fires me up for these races to have that support behind me. It plays a big role. Philadelphia, where I had the most people and as much as that was awesome. It was also a stressful day to have everyone there. You have to find that balance — you're still here to do a job.' Hammaker finished fourth in Philadelphia. Hampshire was one position ahead of him as two West division riders, Cole Davies and Haiden Deegan, took the other to podium positions. Last week, Hammaker became the first 250 East rider to win multiple races. He entered New Jersey tied for the points lead with Hampshire and had to look over and see another rider also sporting the red plate. Seth Hammaker became the first 250 East rider with multiple 2025 wins in New Jersey. Feld Entertainment / Align Media Hammaker took the lead early at MetLife Stadium. He never relinquished it, even though Hampshire closed the distance in the closing laps. Winning by a little is as good as winning by a lap and Hammaker enters the final two rounds with a three-point lead over Hampshire and seven over Vialle. Perhaps still regarded as an underdog to defeat the two riders who won 250 championships in 2024, Hammaker has one last chance to use the hometown advantage in Pittsburgh. His focus this week is on leaving Pennsylvania with the red plate still affixed to his bike — because the season finale in Salt Lake City is going to be the most important race of his career. 'Salt Lake City may be a little more [important] because you have those West Coast guys that can get in the mix — and they will get in the mix — so that one will be crucial to get a good start and have it pay off early,' Hammaker said. "[In] this one, it will be cool to go head-to-head with RJ and Tom and I'll try to get a few more points heading into that Salt Lake City Showdown just to have a little bit of a buffer. Either way, it will come down to that last one. 'It's great to be in this position and have a shot at the title.' More SuperMotocross News Justin Barcia to miss the final three SX rounds Pittsburgh betting odds, predictions Pittsburgh Preview Jerry Robin paralyzed in NJ crash New Jersey Recap | 450 Results | 250 Results Mitchell Oldenburg renews with Beta Robbie Wageman returns to racing Jorge Prado returns to training Daxton Bennick suffers compression fracture Chase Sexton controls his SX fate
NBC Sports
28-02-2025
- Automotive
- NBC Sports
A direct message led to partnership between Kevin Moranz and Championship Tool Storage
Kevin Moranz knows better than most that often it is the little things that make the biggest difference. Four years ago the Founder and CEO of Champion Tool Storage sat on his couch, reacquainting himself with a sport he'd loved his entire life when he became aware of an up-and-coming rider, Moranz, who recently graduated to the 450 division. 'I was watching Supercross, probably four years ago, and noticed (a rider) I hadn't heard of,' Garin Buckles, told NBC Sports midway between Round 7 in Arlington, Texas, and Round 8 in Daytona Beach, Florida. 'I didn't know who this was. I had taken a break for a while and was getting back into it and kept seeing (Moranz's) name pop up, so I started following him.' In the age of social media, everyone is only a click away. So Buckles sent a direct message to Moranz introducing himself. Buckles was a little surprised to quickly hear a ding alerting him to a response. 'He was interesting and I learned a little about him and reached out on Instagram, actually,' Buckles said. 'We connected, started chatting.' At the time, Moranz was qualifying for a handful of night shows on a limited budget. Buckles wondered what he could do with a few more resources. Feld Entertainment / Align Media | Kevin Moranz has made four of the first five standard-format races in 2025. 'The first conversation was that I just wanted to help his program and see him keep going, so we worked together on a small-level sponsorship and we did that for two seasons,' Buckles continued. 'And then when he finished up with the team he was with, a hauling service, (Moranz knew) it wasn't going to work for the following year.' Moranz was racing with Next Level Racing and they were in a transitional phase, moving to a common bike to best utilize their resources. Moranz was committed to the manufacturer KTM and didn't want to change, so the risk of going fully on his own was offset by the potential for greater reward. 'So I threw the idea out that at the end of that season, that we should do something ourselves and at the Two-Stroke Nationals at the Washougal Nationals in July, (2023), which was a home race for us, and said if you want to do this I'll facilitate (the hauler portion of the program), provide the asset.' Bigger and Better There wasn't much time to take the next step. Buckles found the rig Moranz currently uses and worked to outfit it as a SuperMotocross hauler — something he was uniquely qualified to do through his company, Championship Tool Storage. Buckles' company creates custom storage solutions for garages and technicians with some of the largest companies in the United States including Tesla, Fastenal, and Grangers out of their Hood River, Oregon, facility. And the hauler had its own story to tell. The rig Buckles found was being retired from an amateur, family-owned Motocross team. They were using it for shows and events in an attempt to break into the big leagues, but that dream was coming to an end. As Buckles dug a little deeper, he found the transport had a much richer pedigree. The hauler Moranz is using for all 17 rounds of the Monster Energy Supercross series began its life with Harley Davidson. Dan Beaver, Best Laid Plans 'The best laid schemes o' Mice an' Men | Gang aft agley, | An' lea'e us nought but grief an' pain, |For promis'd joy!,' Robert Burns wrote 230 years ago about a mouse whose nut he overturned while plowing a field. Moranz began the 2024 season with a ton of enthusiasm, but a concussion early in the year contributed to his making only two Supercross features at the end of that season. 'Last year being the first one with (the new rig), it was unfortunate because I didn't get a chance to prove what this was really capable of,' Moranz told NBC Sports. 'So that's the gameplan in 2025, to try and prove what we can do with the marketing (aspect of the more professional hauler).' The dream was deferred; it did not disappear. During that season when racing was held to a minimum, the relationship between Moranz and Buckles grew. Gradually as trust developed between the two, Buckles became an integral part of the team, which in 2025 numbers a half-dozen members. In a team this size, roles overlap and shift. Buckles functions as team manager. Juggling responsibilities with his company, Buckles uses his connections in his business-to-business company to bring additional sponsorship to the team. 'We have a good little crew,' Buckles said. 'It's better this year; we learned a lot last year and we all swing above our average. That pretty common in a startup business, you have to live that way, so it was common for me. I don't know any other way.' Entering Round 7 of the Supercross season, Moranz qualified for four of the first five standard-format races. He failed to advance out of the Last Chace Qualifier in Arlington when a rider crashed in front of him on the starting straight and mired him too deeply in traffic to overcome the deficit in a mere five minutes. This week, the series is back in action in another standard-format race on the frontstretch of the Daytona International Speedway. It is every SuperMotocross rider's dream to make the night show and Moranz believes he has the team to make it happen. More SuperMotocross News Daytona Supercross preview What riders said after Arlington Jordon Smith punctures lung in Arlington crash Detroit 450 results | 250W results Cooper Webb wins Arlington; Sexton loses red plate Kevin Moranz works his way up the chart Eli Tomac may return before Supercross ends Arlington Supercross fantasy racing Arlington betting odds, predictions How to Watch Supercross in Arlington
Associated Press
19-02-2025
- Automotive
- Associated Press
AXIL Brands Signs Multi-Year Licensing Agreement with Feld Entertainment® for Monster Jam®-Branded Hearing Protection Products
LOS ANGELES, Feb. 19, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- AXIL Brands, Inc. ('AXIL' or the 'Company'), a leader in innovative hearing protection, hearing enhancement, and Bluetooth®/wireless technology, has entered into a multi-year licensing agreement with Feld Entertainment® and Monster Jam®, the most approachable, family-friendly motorsport in the world today, for a Monster Jam-branded hearing protection product portfolio. Under the terms of the agreement, AXIL will produce and sell new adult and youth lines of Monster Jam-branded earbuds, earmuffs, hearing devices, and ear plugs in distribution channels in the United States. The new product lines will feature the signature AXIL sound quality, hearing protection, and enhancement functionality designed for fans of all ages. They are anticipated to be available for purchase in the spring of 2025 at various shops, retail outlets, and online platforms. 'This new collaboration with Feld Entertainment for Monster Jam-branded hearing protection products reflects our commitment to superior hearing safety, while simultaneously capturing the energy and excitement of motorsports,' said AXIL CEO Jeff Toghraie. 'Together, we can offer the millions of Monster Jam fans high-quality hearing protection, allowing them to fully enjoy the thrill of the event while safeguarding their hearing.' Unexpected, unscripted, and unforgettable, Monster Jam features world-class athletes competing for championships on perfectly engineered dirt tracks that push these ever-evolving, state-of-the-art trucks to the limit. Beyond the 350 global live events each year, the Monster Jam brand extends off the track into the home through products, content, and merchandise that keeps the fun alive year-round. 'We are thrilled to be partnering with AXIL on a new line of Monster Jam-branded hearing protection,' said Jeff Bialosky, Senior Vice President of Global Partnerships and Licensing for Feld Entertainment. 'Monster Jam fans are passionate about displaying their love for the sport, and through this partnership, they'll now be able to showcase that fandom on earbuds, earmuffs, hearing devices, and ear plugs.' About Feld Entertainment® Feld Entertainment ®, family owned and operated, is the worldwide leader in producing and presenting live touring family entertainment experiences that bring people together and uplift the human spirit. Properties include Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey®, Monster Jam ®, Disney On Ice, Monster Energy AMA Supercross, and the SuperMotocross World Championship. Across the brand portfolio, Feld Entertainment has entertained millions of families in more than 80 countries and on six continents. For more information, see About AXIL Brands AXIL Brands (NYSE American: AXIL) is an emerging global consumer products company. The Company is a manufacturer and marketer of premium hearing enhancement and protection products, including ear plugs, earmuffs, and ear buds, under the AXIL® brand and premium hair and skincare products under its in-house Reviv3® brand - selling products in the United States, Canada, the European Union, and throughout Asia. To learn more, please visit the Company's AXIL® website at and its Reviv3® website at Forward-Looking Statements This press release contains a number of forward-looking statements within the meaning of the federal securities laws. The use of words such as 'anticipate,' 'believe,' 'expect,' 'continue,' 'will,' 'prepare,' 'should,' and 'focus,' among others, generally identify forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are based on currently available information, and management's beliefs, projections, and current expectations, and are subject to a number of significant risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond management's control and may cause the Company's results, performance or achievements to differ materially from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements include, among other things: (i) the Company's ability to grow its net sales and operations, including developing new products and expanding internationally, and perform in accordance with any guidance; (ii) our ability to generate sufficient revenue to support the Company's operations and to raise additional funds or obtain other forms of financing as needed on acceptable terms, or at all; (iii) potential difficulties or delays the Company may experience in implementing its cost savings and efficiency initiatives; (iv) the Company's ability to compete effectively with other hair and skincare companies and hearing enhancement and protection companies; (v) the concentration of the Company's customers, potentially increasing the negative impact to the Company by changing purchasing or selling patterns; (vi) changes in laws or regulations in the United States and/or in other major markets, such as China, in which the Company operates, including, without limitation, with respect to taxes, tariffs, trade policies or product safety, which may increase the Company product costs and other costs of doing business, and reduce the Company's earnings; (vii) the Company's ability to engage in strategic partnerships and expand its distribution and retail channels; and (viii) the impact of unstable market and general economic conditions on the Company's business, financial condition and stock price, including inflationary cost pressures, the possibility of an economic recession and other macroeconomic factors, geopolitical events, and uncertainty, decreased discretionary consumer spending, supply chain disruptions and constraints, labor shortages, ongoing economic disruption, including the effects of the Ukraine-Russia conflict and the Israel-Hamas conflict, and other downturns in the business cycle or the economy. There can be no assurance as to any of these matters, and potential investors are urged to consider these factors carefully in evaluating the forward-looking statements. Other important factors that may cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed in the forward-looking statements are discussed in the Company's filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. These forward-looking statements speak only as of the date hereof. Except as required by law, the Company does not assume any obligation to update or revise these forward-looking statements for any reason, even if new information becomes available in the future. Media Relations: Todd McKnight
Yahoo
19-02-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
AXIL Brands Signs Multi-Year Licensing Agreement with Feld Entertainment® for Monster Jam®-Branded Hearing Protection Products
New line of Monster Jam-branded earbuds, earmuffs, hearing devices, and ear plugs to be sold in U.S. distribution channels LOS ANGELES, Feb. 19, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- AXIL Brands, Inc. ('AXIL' or the 'Company'), a leader in innovative hearing protection, hearing enhancement, and Bluetooth®/wireless technology, has entered into a multi-year licensing agreement with Feld Entertainment® and Monster Jam®, the most approachable, family-friendly motorsport in the world today, for a Monster Jam-branded hearing protection product portfolio. Under the terms of the agreement, AXIL will produce and sell new adult and youth lines of Monster Jam-branded earbuds, earmuffs, hearing devices, and ear plugs in distribution channels in the United States. The new product lines will feature the signature AXIL sound quality, hearing protection, and enhancement functionality designed for fans of all ages. They are anticipated to be available for purchase in the spring of 2025 at various shops, retail outlets, and online platforms. "This new collaboration with Feld Entertainment for Monster Jam-branded hearing protection products reflects our commitment to superior hearing safety, while simultaneously capturing the energy and excitement of motorsports,' said AXIL CEO Jeff Toghraie. 'Together, we can offer the millions of Monster Jam fans high-quality hearing protection, allowing them to fully enjoy the thrill of the event while safeguarding their hearing." Unexpected, unscripted, and unforgettable, Monster Jam features world-class athletes competing for championships on perfectly engineered dirt tracks that push these ever-evolving, state-of-the-art trucks to the limit. Beyond the 350 global live events each year, the Monster Jam brand extends off the track into the home through products, content, and merchandise that keeps the fun alive year-round. 'We are thrilled to be partnering with AXIL on a new line of Monster Jam-branded hearing protection,' said Jeff Bialosky, Senior Vice President of Global Partnerships and Licensing for Feld Entertainment. 'Monster Jam fans are passionate about displaying their love for the sport, and through this partnership, they'll now be able to showcase that fandom on earbuds, earmuffs, hearing devices, and ear plugs.' About Feld Entertainment®Feld Entertainment®, family owned and operated, is the worldwide leader in producing and presenting live touring family entertainment experiences that bring people together and uplift the human spirit. Properties include Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey®, Monster Jam®, Disney On Ice, Monster Energy AMA Supercross, and the SuperMotocross World Championship. Across the brand portfolio, Feld Entertainment has entertained millions of families in more than 80 countries and on six continents. For more information, see About AXIL BrandsAXIL Brands (NYSE American: AXIL) is an emerging global consumer products company. The Company is a manufacturer and marketer of premium hearing enhancement and protection products, including ear plugs, earmuffs, and ear buds, under the AXIL® brand and premium hair and skincare products under its in-house Reviv3® brand - selling products in the United States, Canada, the European Union, and throughout Asia. To learn more, please visit the Company's AXIL® website at and its Reviv3® website at Forward-Looking StatementsThis press release contains a number of forward-looking statements within the meaning of the federal securities laws. The use of words such as 'anticipate,' 'believe,' 'expect,' 'continue,' 'will,' 'prepare,' 'should,' and 'focus,' among others, generally identify forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are based on currently available information, and management's beliefs, projections, and current expectations, and are subject to a number of significant risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond management's control and may cause the Company's results, performance or achievements to differ materially from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements include, among other things: (i) the Company's ability to grow its net sales and operations, including developing new products and expanding internationally, and perform in accordance with any guidance; (ii) our ability to generate sufficient revenue to support the Company's operations and to raise additional funds or obtain other forms of financing as needed on acceptable terms, or at all; (iii) potential difficulties or delays the Company may experience in implementing its cost savings and efficiency initiatives; (iv) the Company's ability to compete effectively with other hair and skincare companies and hearing enhancement and protection companies; (v) the concentration of the Company's customers, potentially increasing the negative impact to the Company by changing purchasing or selling patterns; (vi) changes in laws or regulations in the United States and/or in other major markets, such as China, in which the Company operates, including, without limitation, with respect to taxes, tariffs, trade policies or product safety, which may increase the Company product costs and other costs of doing business, and reduce the Company's earnings; (vii) the Company's ability to engage in strategic partnerships and expand its distribution and retail channels; and (viii) the impact of unstable market and general economic conditions on the Company's business, financial condition and stock price, including inflationary cost pressures, the possibility of an economic recession and other macroeconomic factors, geopolitical events, and uncertainty, decreased discretionary consumer spending, supply chain disruptions and constraints, labor shortages, ongoing economic disruption, including the effects of the Ukraine-Russia conflict and the Israel-Hamas conflict, and other downturns in the business cycle or the economy. There can be no assurance as to any of these matters, and potential investors are urged to consider these factors carefully in evaluating the forward-looking statements. Other important factors that may cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed in the forward-looking statements are discussed in the Company's filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. These forward-looking statements speak only as of the date hereof. Except as required by law, the Company does not assume any obligation to update or revise these forward-looking statements for any reason, even if new information becomes available in the future. Investor Relations:Media Relations:Todd McKnight(917) 349-2175investors@ in to access your portfolio
