You ever sit in a stadium, smelling that intoxicating mix of race gas and damp earth, and wonder how the hell we got here? I mean, really. It’s a bizarre concept. We take 500 truckloads of dirt, dump them onto a pristine NFL field, and let a pack of guys on 250lb machines jump 70 feet into the air. Honestly, it’s beautiful chaos. But if you’ve been looking for pay dirt: the story of supercross showtimes, you aren’t just looking for a TV schedule. You’re looking for the soul of a sport that almost didn’t survive its own creators.
I’m talking about "Pay Dirt," the documentary by Paul Taublieb that’s been hitting theaters and streaming lately. It’s narrated by Josh Brolin—who, let’s be real, has the perfect gravel-voiced tone for this—and it digs into the grit. It’s not just a highlight reel. It’s a story about murder, massive egos, and the kind of athletic resilience that makes most "tough" sports look like a Sunday stroll in the park.
The Wild Origins of Pay Dirt: The Story of Supercross Showtimes
Supercross didn't start in a boardroom. It started in the brain of Mike Goodwin.
In 1972, Goodwin, a former rock promoter, decided to bring motocross to the people. Before that, if you wanted to see a dirt bike race, you had to drive out to some dusty hillside in the middle of nowhere. Goodwin changed that at the Los Angeles Coliseum with the "Superbowl of Motocross."
But there’s a dark cloud over the "father of Supercross."
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The film doesn't shy away from the fact that Goodwin is currently serving life without parole. Why? For the 1988 murder of his former business partner, the legendary Mickey Thompson, and Thompson's wife, Trudy. It’s a heavy, weird twist for a sports documentary. You’ve got this guy being interviewed from behind bars, talking about the sport he helped build, while the history of the racing itself unfolds in the foreground. It’s sort of surreal to watch.
Why the Showtimes Actually Matter Now
In the old days—I'm talking the 80s and 90s—finding Supercross on TV was like a scavenger hunt. You’d get a tape-delayed broadcast on ESPN2 at 2:00 AM on a Tuesday. If you missed it, you were out of luck until the next issue of Cycle News hit your mailbox.
Now, pay dirt: the story of supercross showtimes reflects a massive shift. The sport has gone mainstream. We have live coverage on NBC, USA Network, and Peacock. The documentary itself has had a massive theatrical run on over 650 screens before moving to digital platforms.
If you're trying to catch the film or the races, you're looking at a world of difference:
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- The Documentary: You can find "Pay Dirt" to rent or buy on Apple TV, Amazon, and Fandango at Home.
- The Live Races: For 2026, the Monster Energy Supercross season is anchored by Peacock for every single lap, with select "showtimes" on NBC and USA.
The schedule usually kicks off with Anaheim 1 in early January and grinds through 17 rounds until the finale in May. It’s a brutal pace. One bad set of whoops can end a season—or a career—in half a second.
The Legends and the Heartbreak
What Taublieb gets right in "Pay Dirt" is the human cost.
He features the "Mt. Rushmore" of the sport: Jeremy McGrath, Bob Hannah, Ricky Johnson, and Ricky Carmichael. These guys are the royalty. But the most emotional part of the story, at least for me, is the segment on Jimmy Button.
Button was at the top of his game in 2000 when a practice crash left him paralyzed. Seeing his comeback and the work he does now with the Road2Recovery Foundation—the official charity of the film—is the real "pay dirt." It’s the gold you find when you sift through the literal dirt of the track. It shows that while the showtimes are flashy and the fireworks are loud, the people underneath the helmets are vulnerable.
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How to Get the Most Out of Your Supercross Experience
If you're a new fan drawn in by the film, or an old-timer who remembers the "Bad Boy" Rick Johnson era, here’s how to actually follow the sport without getting lost in the noise.
First off, understand the track. It’s not just "dirt." It’s a science. The soil at an East Coast race like Daytona is sandy and builds deep ruts. The dirt at an Anaheim race is "blue groove" hard-pack that feels like concrete. Riders have to change their entire technique based on what the dirt is doing.
Second, watch the 250 class. People love the 450s because they’re the "premier" bikes, but the 250 East and West series are where the real desperation lives. These are the kids trying to prove they belong in the big leagues. The racing is usually tighter and way more aggressive.
Actionable Next Steps for Fans
If you want to dive deeper after watching the documentary, here is how to stay ahead of the curve:
- Check the Peacock App: Search for the "SuperMotocross" hub. It’s the easiest place to see live times and replays without worrying about what local channel is carrying the race.
- Support Road2Recovery: If the Jimmy Button story moved you, look into the foundation. They provide massive support for athletes who face life-changing injuries in a sport that doesn't have a massive safety net.
- Follow the Dirt: If you're attending a race in person, get a pit pass. Seeing the bikes up close and watching the mechanics work is a totally different experience than just watching the gate drop from the nosebleeds.
The story of Supercross isn't finished. It’s still being written in the ruts of every stadium floor. Whether you're watching the "Pay Dirt" film for the history or tuning into the live showtimes for the 2026 title fight, you're looking at the most demanding sport on the planet. Just remember to breathe when the gate drops.