New Licensing Penalty Point System Introduced for 2026 AMA Supercross
As the AMA Supercross gears up for the 2026 season, a significant regulatory shift has been announced—the introduction of a “License Penalty Point System.” Drawing parallels to the existing framework in Formula 1, this system aims to better manage rider conduct on and off the track.
Under the new rules, any infractions by riders—ranging from aggressive riding behavior to compliance issues during technical inspections or violations of the code of conduct—will incur points on their racing licenses. Accumulation of these points can lead to substantial penalties, including adjustments in gate picks for events and potential deductions in championship points.
Crucially, this License Penalty Point System operates alongside existing penalties. For example, the loss of championship points for jumping a red cross flag remains intact; however, offenders will now also see points added to their license. This dual-layer approach creates a heightened accountability framework, ensuring that multiple violations carry escalating consequences, a departure from the previous system where repeated infractions had minimal impact.
Former professional racer Era Lusk, now serving as the AMA rider representative, discussed these changes in detail with Jason Weigandt during the SMX Media Days in December. Lusk emphasized the importance of these modifications for both rider safety and competitive integrity, highlighting that the updated regulations aim to foster a more disciplined racing environment.
As the 2026 season approaches, riders and teams will need to adapt to this new structure, which seeks to enhance the overall integrity of the sport without compromising its competitive spirit.
