Punk Band Pennywise To Headline Pre-Race Festival at MEC

ELLENTON, Fla. — Feld Entertainment, Inc., announced today details for this year's pre-race Pit Party at the Monster Energy Cup on October 13 at Sam Boyd Stadium in Las Vegas. This year, the Hermosa Beach, California-based punk rock band, which is touring on the strength of its recently released 12th studio album, Never Gonna Die, will perform on Saturday afternoon at the Pit Party before the first gate drops at the sport's largest invite-only supercross race. For the first time in Pennywise's three-decade history, fans at the Monster Energy Cup will get to experience the combustible chemistry that drives the diverse creative personalities within the band's SoCal punk spirit from 4:30-5:30 p.m. PT.

In its eighth year, the 2018 Monster Energy Cup returns to Las Vegas with the world's most elite two-wheeled professionals, including two-time Monster Energy Supercross Champion Chad Reed and reigning 450SX Champion Jason Anderson. Additional best-in-class athletes include three of the past seven Monster Energy Cup Champions: Eli Tomac, Marvin Musquin, and Justin Barcia. The event posts a $250,000 purse and a potential $1 million bonus awarded to the winner of all three ten-lap Main Events. Musquin could become the first back-to-back million-dollar winner in the event's history.

While the athletes are qualifying inside the stadium, the Monster Energy Cup Pit Party takes place from 12 p.m.-6 p.m. outside the stadium in the paddock. Fans will be able to meet the athletes, attend autograph sessions, and see the race bikes up close.

The Dirt Shark Biggest Whip Contest will feature a beastly 120-foot gap, 45 feet longer than the standard ramp gap of 75 feet. The world's best freestyle motocross athletes, including Jarryd McNeil, Axell Hodges, Todd Potter, and Tom Parsons, will be challenged to throw a whip from a greater distance than ever before.

Fans will be entertained all day long with the infamous Monster Energy Smoke Show, featuring seven-time off-road truck champion BJ Baldwin and short-course off-road truck driver Brian Deegan, along with Casey Currie and Rodrigo Ampudia as they perform a thrilling, rubber-burning, smoke-billowing drifting exhibition and a few more added surprises. The Discovery Channel's reality TV series Vegas Rat Rods will also be on site with host Steve Darnell to showcase some of their wildest custom builds while also participating in the Smoke Show.

The Monster Energy Smoke Show would not be complete without two-wheeled stunt exhibitions, as fans can also expect to see the Unknown Industries demo team performing wheelies, drifts, and other amazing tricks.

Another way for fans to get involved with the thrill of riding on two wheels will take place with the Kawasaki Z World consumer demo, which will be open for fans with a valid driver's license and motorcycle endorsement who want to experience the 2018 Kawasaki Z line. The demonstration requires proper riding gear, including closed toed shoes, and long pants. Helmet, gloves, and riding jacket will be provided on site.

Pit Party passes are $20 and available in advance at UNLVtickets.com or at the box office on the day of the race. Fans can also receive free Pit Party admittance by recycling a can of Monster Energy on site—must be accompanied by an event ticket. Athletes subject to change.