In 2011, Supercross entered a higher echelon of sports entertainment when the inaugural Monster Energy Cup, with its $1 million potential purse, invaded Las Vegas.

The Cup threw out everything fans and riders came to expect in a Supercross match and consisted of a hybrid Supercross/Motocross track, a one-class format allowing participants to ride the bike of their choice, and three main events. If a rider wins all three events - $1 million is theirs for the taking.

Not too surprisingly, the best riders in the sport jumped on board two years ago and Ryan Villopoto swept all three events walking away with a cool $1 million - the highest payout ever in off-road motorcycle racing history. No one swept last year's event but winner Justin Barcia took home $100,000. On Saturday, the best riders in the world will compete for that coveted $1 million when the 3rd annual Monster Cup takes over Sam Boyd Stadium at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas.

Last year's track highlighted a first with the game-changing Joker Lane - an obstacle, of sorts, riders must face this year. The Joker Lane consists of deep sand that removes riders from the track circuit for however long it takes them to get through it - typically about six seconds. All riders must use the Joker Lane once during each of the three main events. The 2013 Monster Energy Cup track is essentially last year's track reversed. Ricky Carmichael has been intimately involved designing the track for all three years of the Cup.

"After last year's race, we immediately rolled up our sleeves and began working on the next generation of this track," Carmichael said. "I didn't want to change the dynamics of it but wanted to fine tune what already made for one of the greatest tracks I have ever seen and coming away from last year's race, I knew the joker lane was a must have."

Check out the Monster Energy Cup Animated Track Map Video

The 2013 Cup track keeps the Joker Lane, the split start and a high-speed 33 degree bank built into the stands. Carmichael ratcheted up the difficulty this year by increasing the 80' triple to 100' and instead of one high-speed sweeper turn there will be two. The split start now directs riders onto the track at a 45 degree angle.

"Adding the distance and extra sweeper is what the Monster Energy Cup is about," said Carmichael. "This is the perfect blend of air and speed, and what is unique is that each Main Event is only 10 laps so everyone will be fast."

Dirt Shark Biggest Whip

The inaugural "Dirt Shark Biggest Whip" brings pre-race entertainment to the Cup as a number of the world's best freestyle riders battle it out to see who gets the honors for the biggest and gnarliest whip in all of Motocross. The seven-man main event already has four pre-qualifiers: Josh Hansen, Jeremy "Twitch" Stanberg, Todd Potter and Edgar Torronteras.

MotoSport employee Brett Cue is ready to prove he can compete and belongs in one of the three remaining spots. Cue takes his talents against 10 other freestyle riders to compete in the finals and a chance at the title. Check out his skills on a vintage bike in the MotoSport-produced Vintage Iron.

The 2013 Monster Energy Cup airs live at 6 p.m. PST on Saturday on FOX Sports 2. FOX Sports 1 re-airs the race at 10 a.m. PST on Sunday. The invitation-only race features the world's top Supercross racers.

The riders for the 2013 Monster Energy Cup:

  • Justin Barcia
  • Ryan Villopoto
  • James Stewart
  • Ryan Dungey
  • Chad Reed
  • Davi Millsaps
  • Eli Tomac
  • Ken Roczen
  • Dean Wilson
  • Andrew Short
  • Justin Brayton
  • Broc Tickle
  • Blake Baggett
  • Martin Davalos
  • Jake Weimer
  • Mike Alessi
  • Wil Hanh
  • Marvin Musquin
  • Jeremy Martin
  • Josh Grant
  • Justin Hill
  • Zach Bell
  • Jason Anderson
  • Cole Seely
  • Tyler Bowers
  • Kyle Cunningham
  • Cole Thompson
  • Kyle Peters
  • Joey Savatgy
  • Ryan Sipes
  • Jesse Nelson
  • Christian Craig