2011 AMA Supercross
Kawasaki's Dean Wilson made his return to the podium in Jacksonville, Fla., finishing in the runner-up position and moving into third in the AMA Supercross Lites Eastern Region championship standings.
Fabien Izoird raced to his best finish since his start as Jake Weimer's fill-in, narrowly missing the top-10 in 11th.
Ryan Villopoto and Blake Baggett were unable to transfer into their respective main events after crashes in their heat and last chance qualifier. Villopoto maintained his lead in the championship standings and currently sits seven points ahead of second place.
After a two-race hiatus from the podium, Wilson's determination to be back up front was apparent all day in Jacksonville. He was second in both timed practices and took the wire-to-wire win in his heat race. Wilson was able to get a good jump on the very short start and settled into second early in the race, where he eventually finished the night.
Dean Wilson (Kawasaki KX250F) says: "It's great to be back. I felt that I had speed the past two rounds, but made dumb mistakes. I was able to stay focused tonight and get back on the podium. I really wanted to win, but I know we still have four rounds left and I didn't want to do any more damage than I already have."
After a tough heat race, Izoird got some extra track time as he won the LCQ race to transfer into the main event. He got out to a decent start, but got pushed off the track after the first turn. He rode hard and overcame a long night to finish 11th.
Fabien Izoird (Kawasaki KX250F) says: "It was a long day racing the heat, LCQ and then the main event,. I was having a little trouble with the track in a few sections, but I think that the extra time in the LCQ helped me in the main event. I was pretty tired with about five laps to go, but I am very happy with the results. The track was easy to make mistakes and I'm glad I made it out okay."
After a putting himself into good position all year, Villopoto wasn't able to find the same fortune in Jacksonville. In the heat race, Villopoto went down after a rider crashed in front of him, leaving him no where to go. Lucky to ride off uninjured, he lined up for the LCQ. He got a good jump, but as everyone funneled into the first turn, Villopoto got pushed off he track and came around outside the top-10. He was unable to move into the top-two positions during the short six-lap race.
Ryan Villopoto (Kawasaki KX450F) says: "I am very disappointed with how tonight went. I have been feeling really good and tonight didn't show it at all. I still have the points lead and I'll be looking to make up the points next week in Toronto."
Baggett looked to be in good position for the night show as he qualified fifth during the afternoon timed practice. During his heat race, he ended up going down with another rider and wasn't able to get into the top nine.
In the LCQ, Baggett got to the first turn in the lead, but slid out and wasn't able to rejoin the field right away, leaving him to end his night early.
Blake Baggett (Kawasaki KX450F) says: "It's a huge bummer for me because I know I am one of the guys that can go out there and win. Not being able to even go out there and try in the main event really frustrates me. I do try to stay positive and know that I have four more rounds to prove I can win."
With six races remaining, there is still plenty of racing left for Villopoto. He currently holds a seven-point lead over second place in the standings, and is keeping a positive attitude as the team heads to Toronto.
Ryan Villopoto says: "We still have a lot of racing left and I want to be there every weekend. I am thankful that I am healthy and now I want to put this race in the past."
Looking to his old home for a possible second win, Wilson and the rest of the Monster Energy AMA Supercross, an FIM Championship head north of the border to Canada.
Dean Wilson says: "I'm excited to go to Canada and see all the great fans. I have always loved going back to Canada and seeing all my old friends. I'm really looking forward to it."
AMA Supercross Class Results, EverBank Field, Jacksonville:
1. Trey Canard, Shawnee, Okla., Honda
2. Chad Reed, Tampa, Fla., Honda
3. Ryan Dungey, Belle Plaine, Minn., Suzuki
4. Kevin Windham, Centreville, Miss., Honda
5. Andrew Short, Smithville, Texas, KTM
6. IVAN TEDESCO, MURRIETA, CALIF., KAWASAKI
7. Mike Alessi, Victorville, Calif., KTM
8. Austin Stroupe, Lincolnton, N.C., Yamaha
9. Nick Wey, Dewitt, Mich., Yamaha
10. CHRIS BLOSE, PHOENIX, ARIZ., KAWASAKI
AMA Supercross Lites Results, Eastern Region
1. Justin Barcia, Ochlocknee, Ga., Honda
2. DEAN WILSON, MENIFEE, CALIF., MONSTER ENERGY/PRO CIRCUIT/KAWASAKI
3. Ryan Sipes, Ekron, Ky., Yamaha
4. MATT LEMOINE, COLLINSVILLE, TEXAS, KAWASAKI
5. PJ Larsen, Murrieta, Calif., KTM
6. Darryn Durham, Butler, Pa., Honda
7. Les Smith, York, S.C., Honda
8. Taylor Futrell, Clinton, N.C., Honda
9. Hunter Hewitt, Pilot Point, Texas, Suzuki
10. JUSTIN SPIES, VINE GROVE, KY., KAWASAKI
AMA Supercross Class Results
1. RYAN VILLOPOTO, POULSBO, WASH., MONSTER ENERGY KAWASAKI, 221
2. Chad Reed, Tampa, Fla., Honda, 214
3. Ryan Dungey, Belle Plaine, Minn., Suzuki, 203
4. James Stewart, Haines City, Fla., Yamaha, 196
5. Trey Canard, Shawnee, Okla., Honda, 194
6. Andrew Short, Smithville, Texas, KTM, 145
7. Kevin Windham, Centreville, Miss., Honda, 121
8. Justin Brayton, Cornelius, N.C., Yamaha, 121
9. Davi Millsaps, Carlsbad, Calif., Yamaha, 118
10. Brett Metcalfe, Lake Elsinore, Calif., Suzuki, 107
AMA Supercross Lites Results, Eastern Region
1. Justin Barcia, Ochlocknee, Ga., Honda, 116
2. Ryan Sipes, Ekron, Ky., Yamaha, 99
3. DEAN WILSON, MENIFEE, CALIF., MONSTER ENERGY/PRO CIRCUIT/KAWASAKI, 97
4. BLAKE BAGGETT, GRAND TERRACE, CALIF., MONSTER ENERGY/PRO CIRCUIT/KAWASAKI, 85
5. Blake Wharton, Aubrey, Texas, Honda, 69
6. MATT LEMOINE, COLLINSVILLE, TEXAS, KAWASAKI, 69
7. PJ Larsen, Murrieta, Calif., KTM, 62
8. Malcolm Stewart, Haines City, Fla., Suzuki, 53
9. Jason Anderson, Edgewood, N.M., Suzuki
10. Lance Vincent, Youngsville, La., Honda, 43
