NASCAR Trucks' Mudsummer Classic starting grid - MotorSportsTalk

Starting Grid 1. #52 Ken Schrader 2. #6 Jared Landers 3. #17 Timothy Peters 4. #81 Kenny Wallace 5. #4 Jeb Burton 6. #19 Dave Blaney 7. #88 Matt Crafton 8. #62 Brendan Gaughan 9. #31 James Buescher 10. #34 Ryan Newman 11. #18 Joey Coulter 12. #32 Miguel Paludo 13. #30 Kyle Larson 14. #8 Max Gresham 15. #3 Ty Dillon 16. #13 Tracy Hines 17. #54 Darrell Wallace Jr. 18. #9 Ron Hornaday Jr. 19. #39 Austin Dillon 20. #98 Johnny Sauter 21. #51 Scott Bloomquist 22. #60 Dakoda Armstrong 23. #29 Ryan Blaney 24. #7 John Wes Townley 25. #77 German Quiroga 26. #24 Brennan Newberry 27. #84 Jeff Babcock 28. #5 Jason Bowles 29. #63 Justin Jennings 30. #57 Norm Benning Did not qualify #68 Clay Greenfield #07 Jimmy Weller #99 Bryan Silas #10 Joe Cobb #44 JR Heffner

In a continuing effort to help fans keep track of the on track action, SuperMotocross is in the process of developing and implementing leader lights for the unified series.

Currently Supercross (SMX) utilizes stanchions in the infield that are triggered manually by a race official. At least two stanchions are used in each race as a way to draw the eye to the leader, which is especially useful in the tight confines of the stadium series when lapping often begins before the halfway mark in the 22-bike field. This system has been in place for the past two decades.

Later this year, a fully automated system will move to the bike itself to replace the old system. At that point, fans will be able to identify the leader regardless of where he is on track.

The leader lights were tested in the second Anaheim round this year. An example can be seen at the 1:45 mark in the video above on the No. 69 bike.

“What we don’t want to do is move too fast, where it’s confusing to people,” said Mike Muye, senior director of operations for Supercross and SMX in a press release. “We’ve really just focused on the leader at this point with the thought that maybe down the road we’ll introduce others.”

Scheduled to debut with the first SuperMotocross World Championship race at zMax Dragway, located just outside the Charlotte Motor Speedway, a 3D carbon fiber-printed LED light will be affixed to each motorcycle. Ten timing loops positioned around the track will trigger the lights of the leader, which will turn green.

SMX’s partner LiveTime Scoring helped develop and implement the system that has been tested in some form or fashion since 2019.

When the leader lights are successfully deployed, SuperMotocross will explore expanding the system to identify the second- and third-place riders. Depending on need and fan acceptance, more positions could be added.

SuperMotocross is exploring future enhancements, including allowing for live fan interaction with the lights and ways to use the lighting system during the race’s opening ceremony.

NASCAR Trucks’ Mudsummer Classic starting grid

SuperMotocross set to introduce Leader Lights beginning with the World Championship finals

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