Making Supercross Happen: An Insider’s Look at Operations
When fans walk into a stadium for Monster Energy AMA Supercross, they see the dirt, the lights, and the action. But what does it take to make that show happen? Bill Heras, Director of Operations for AMA Supercross, promoted by Feld Entertainment, joins host Heather Wilson Schiltz to share his journey from Arenacross crew member and truck driver to leading the Supercross operations team.
From sourcing dirt in every city to covering tracks before a storm, Bill pulls back the curtain on the logistics, challenges, and problem-solving that keeps Supercross operational.
🎧 What You’ll Hear:
• How Bill got his start in Arenacross and worked his way up
• What goes into pre-season planning for Supercross events, even years in advance
• Where the dirt comes from and how it’s stored
• How the operations crew battled weather at the Philadelphia round with tarps and teamwork
• The role of DirtWurx and Feld in designing tracks with safety and logistics in mind
• Crazy behind-the-scenes stories, from broken skid loaders to a stuck finish line structure
• What the operations team does during the race that most fans don’t notice
• Bill’s motocross background, first race at Englishtown and passion for two wheels
• Favorite cities and food stops along the tour—and why Seattle is at the top of his list
• A look ahead at the unique tracks for the SMX World Championship
📲 Connect with Bill on Instagram
🌐 Learn more & get event tickets: SuperMotocross.com
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“That’s the stuff nobody really understands. I mean, you see the cool track on Saturday, and it’s the cool aspect of the job when all the riders are there and fans are pouring in. Like today in the middle of August, it’s all the paperwork. It’s all the backend stuff getting prepared for not only the SMX World Championship races that are coming up, but also Supercross in 2026. We’ve already started going to new venues that we’re going to go to for 2026 and doing field visits to make sure everything’s going to work out the way we’re starting to plan it or vice versa.
We look there. We take measurements. We take photos. Then, we plan out the event. How are bringing dirt in and out? How are all of our operations 18-wheelers gonna get there and get unloaded? Where are they gonna park? Where are we gonna put all of our set carts that have all of the tough blocks and the finish line structure? All the carts that hold all the banners. I mean, it’s endless the amount of places we have to figure out where they’re gonna go once we get onsite. “
-Bill Heras, AMA Supercross Director of Operations
