Slawservation: I’m ALL IN On Two Row Starts for Supercross

Over the weekend when moto Twitter wasn’t blowing up about a Mister Vince Friese, it was embroiled in a heated debate started from the one and only Den Dog.

While Den Dog has some hot takes, this is one I actually stand behind.

Anyone else think SX should go to two rows for starts and cut the start straight in half? Give more track floor. Make the heats more relevant. Dirt bikes are the only motorsport which gives every rider a front row spot to start. I know @Checkerz448 @fowlersfacts agree.

— Denny Stephenson 2 (@dbo360x) November 4, 2023

The Abu Dhabi World Supercross event featured a two row start, due to what I’m assuming was lack of floor space. And while riders may not agree, especially Ken Roczen, I think two row starts should BE TESTED in Monster Energy Supercross.

Again, TESTED. Not saying we go full stream ahead with this.

Another person in favor of the idea: A Mister Checkerz at Race Tech. He even stole my idea and already wrote something. Go read it.

As he noted, I think this provides great benefit to the entire program. Let’s be real: Qualifying and heat races are typically BORING AF. The top guys cruise around in the heats with not much to try for. Well, if heats and/or qualifying determined whether you start on the front row or not, that changes the game.

Again, Checkerz stole my idea and already laid out a lot of what I wanted to talk about, but I’m all for this.

Why do two row starts make sense in SX? One of the things I've been barking about for ages and one of the only things @dbo360x and I actually agree about. The positives far out-weigh the negatives to me, but what do you think? I broke it down https://t.co/86q8VxmOgP

— Chris Riesenberg (@Checkerz448) November 6, 2023

SX Global/WSX’s CEO, Adam Bailey proposed the change on Twitter and the responses are interesting.

I’m curious on people’s thoughts on the double stacked gates. Regardless of venue size, it could put more emphasis on qualifying and allow for more race track, perhaps even another lane?

— Adam Bailey (@AdamBaileyWSX) November 5, 2023

Embrace debate: You in on two rows or not?

Main image: Feld Motor Sports