Arlington, Texas: Where Supercross Championships Are Decided
The Monster Energy AMA Supercross Championship heads to Arlington, Texas this weekend – to AT&T Stadium, home of the Dallas Cowboys. And Arlington isn’t just another stop on the calendar. This venue has a history of influencing championship outcomes.
A Legacy of Championship Contenders
The 2026 race marks the 48th Supercross event in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex and the 19th at AT&T Stadium itself. Since 1975, Supercross has been a fixture in the region, previously held at the legendary Texas Stadium. The statistics reveal a compelling trend: success in Arlington often foreshadows championship glory.
Of the 47 previous 450SX races in the DFW area, 23 winners went on to become champions – a 49% success rate. Within AT&T Stadium, the correlation is even stronger: 12 of 18 winners (67%) ultimately clinched the title.
This isn’t a place for accidental victories. Arlington is a proving ground.
450SX: Tomac’s Momentum and Webb’s Home Turf
Eli Tomac arrives in Texas with significant momentum, having secured three wins this season. He’s now just one point behind Hunter Lawrence in the championship standings.
Tomac is also accumulating impressive career statistics: his latest win was his 112th SMX League victory, just two shy of James Stewart’s record. In the premier class, he has 56 wins, 16 behind Jeremy McGrath. He’s also reached his 375th SMX start and 190th 450SX start, tying him with Larry Ward and Justin Brayton.
However, Cooper Webb excels at Arlington, boasting 7 wins in 11 450SX starts. Despite a less-than-ideal start to the season (7-8-5), Webb is only 11 points behind the leader, providing extra motivation.
Justin Cooper is showing consistent improvement, with recent results of 10-9-4-3. His last podium finish was his sixth in 44 starts. Hunter Lawrence continues to lead the championship, having secured 6 podiums and 13 top-5s in his first 25 450SX starts.
250SX East: A New Championship Battle Begins
The Arlington event marks the start of the 250SX Eastern Regional Series and the venue’s history suggests it’s a crucial indicator of championship potential. In 24 of 40 cases (60%), the winner of the DFW 250SX race has gone on to win the championship. This pattern has repeated in seven of the last ten years.
Jo Shimoda returns with the Purple Plate as the SMX Champion, bringing the most experience to the field with 51 starts over six seasons. He’s recovered from finger and neck injuries and is considered a strong contender. Star Yamaha is fielding a competitive lineup with Nate Thrasher, Cole Davies, and Pierce Brown.
Seth Hammaker is seeking redemption after a narrow title loss in 2025, while Drew Adams is considered a dark horse. Jalek Swoll, Coty Schock, and Valentin Guillod add to the depth of competition.
Arlington: More Than Just a Race
Arlington has consistently been more than just a race location. The numbers and history confirm it. A win here sends a powerful message, making this weekend’s event about far more than just 25 championship points.
Arlington Supercross 2026 Schedule (Central European Time)
Qualifying
- 18:30 – 18:42 250SX Group C Qualifying 1
- 18:47 – 18:59 250SX Group B Qualifying 1
- 19:04 – 19:16 250SX Group A Qualifying 1
- 19:21 – 19:33 450SX Group A Qualifying 1
- 19:38 – 19:50 450SX Group B Qualifying 1
- 19:55 – 20:07 450SX Group C Qualifying 1
- 21:10 – 21:22 250SX Group C Qualifying 2
- 21:27 – 21:39 250SX Group B Qualifying 2
- 21:44 – 21:56 250SX Group A Qualifying 2
- 22:01 – 22:13 450SX Group A Qualifying 2
- 22:18 – 22:30 450SX Group B Qualifying 2
- 22:35 – 22:47 450SX Group C Qualifying 2
Race Program
- 01:06 – 01:14 250SX Heat 1
- 01:20 – 01:28 250SX Heat 2
- 01:34 – 01:42 450SX Heat 1
- 01:48 – 01:56 450SX Heat 2
- 02:21 – 02:28 250SX Last Chance Qualifier
- 02:33 – 02:40 450SX Last Chance Qualifier
- 02:56 – 03:13 250SX Main Event
- 03:29 – 03:51 450SX Main Event
FAQ
- Why is Arlington, Texas, considered a significant race in Supercross? Arlington has a high percentage of race winners who later become champions in both the 450SX and 250SX classes.
- Who are the key contenders in the 450SX class? Eli Tomac, Cooper Webb, and Hunter Lawrence are among the top riders to watch.
- What is new for the 2026 Arlington Supercross? The 250SX Eastern Regional Series begins at this event.
Stay tuned for live updates and results from Arlington!
