Suzuki's Ryan Dungey will be back to defend his AMA Supercross crown in 2011.

Feld Motor Sports has announced the 2011 Monster Energy AMA Supercross, an FIM World Championship, schedule, the season set to showcase the world’s premier indoor off-road motorcycle racing championship at some of the world’s most prominent stadiums in 2011, including two new events.

The season will kick off on 8 January at Angel Stadium in Anaheim, California, and concludes at Las Vegas’ Sam Boyd Stadium on 7 May. Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles will host its first-ever Monster Energy Supercross race 22 January, which is the tour’s third race, also adding Oak-Alameda City Stadium in Oakland, California, for the first time since 1984 on 29 January.

“The 2011 Monster Energy Supercross schedule, which includes two new venues, sets the stage for next year and we will continue to assemble several key enhancements to build this brand and the sport of supercross,” said Kenneth Feld, chairman and CEO of Feld Entertainment.

“We are excited to showcase the inaugural Monster Energy Supercross races at the legendary Dodgers Stadium and return to Oakland’s Oak-Alameda City Stadium.”

FIM president Vito Ippolito also looks forward to the revised calendar for 2011.

“Year after year, the Monster Energy AMA Supercross, an FIM World Championship, is very exciting, captive and unpredictable,” said FIM President Vito Ippolito. “Who would have thought that Ryan Dungey would win the title in his first year of participation?

“Supercross is an excellent showcase for FIM motor sports and the number of its fans grows every year, as their appetite to see Monster Energy AMA Supercross, an FIM World Championship events go worldwide. This is also the FIM’s wish. We know Feld Motor Sports is working hard on that for the future and we are pleased to see that the 2011 calendar counts another 17 events.”

AMA president and CEO Rob Dingham also spoke about the expanded schedule.

“Since the early 1970s, AMA Supercross has provided the stage, and the best motorcycle racers in the world have delivered the talent, to create one of the most exciting championship series on two wheels,” said AMA President and CEO Rob Dingman.

“The AMA is very pleased to continue working with our promotional partner, Feld Motor Sports, to deliver both a level playing field and high-octane thrills to hundreds of thousands of fans across the United States.”

Reigning Monster Energy Supercross champion Ryan Dungey will defend his championship in 2011 after becoming the youngest rider in history to be crowned AMA Supercross Champion.

“Anaheim 1 is probably the biggest and most anticipated race we have in our sport, but I like San Francisco, Atlanta, St. Louis, and Indy because they are better suited to my style,” said Dungey. “The crowds are big in all of those cities, the towns are cool and the tracks are great, but I am a racer, so I am ready to go wherever they line us up at.

“I have to prepare for a long season that is 17 races in 18 weeks; it is grueling on your body and mind. I experienced that last year and know a little more now what to expect. And with the return of James [Stewart], Chad [Reed] and Ryan [Villopoto], it should be a good one that hopefully goes down to the wire.”

2011 AMA SUPERCROSS CALENDAR:
Date – Venue – City
8 January – Angel Stadium – Anaheim
15 January – Chase Field – Phoenix
22 January – Dodger Stadium – Los Angeles
29 January – Oak-Alameda City Stadium – Oakland
5 February – Angel Stadium – Anaheim
12 February – Reliant Stadium – Houston
19 February – Qualcomm Stadium – San Diego
26 February – Georgia Dome – Atlanta
5 March – Daytona Int’l Speedway – Daytona *
12 March – Lucas Oil Stadium – Indianapolis
19 March – Jacksonville Municipal Stadium – Jacksonville
26 March – Rogers Centre – Toronto
2 April – Cowboys Stadium – Arlington
9 April – Edward Jones Dome – St. Louis
16 April – Qwest Field – Seattle
30 April – Rice-Eccles Stadium – Salt Lake City
7 May – Sam Boyd Stadium – Las Vegas

* Not a Feld Motor Sports event – this date is independently promoted by Daytona International Speedway and the International Speedway Corp.