"We have a lot of fans that don't get the series on their domestic networks. Marrying [TV and online access] has been key," Coombs said. Broadcasting live races and utilizing social networks to announce real time results, event schedules and details have improved the sport's relevancy with fans used to video recaps long after the checkered flag waved. "It's hard to be taken seriously when you're on a month later, which was the case five years ago," Coombs said. "Getting live with every race makes us look like a major league series. Fans want to watch riding, but also want to see their favorite athletes performing immediately."

Recently, however, the demanding physical nature of motocross has hampered fans' access to those athletes, Coombs said. Several top riders are sidelined with injuries, including 2011 supercross and motocross champ Ryan Villopoto, Chad Reed, and Trey Canard. And while the action is what attracts fans, running four races across two classes in a live setting has caused some resistance from riders on the circuit who are pushed through the events as quickly as possible.

But obstacles aside, said Coombs, the athletes understand what's necessary to facilitate live television. The Championship series resumes Saturday, July 21, with the Caterpillar Washougal National -- the eighth of 12 stops on tour.