SX Previews Indy
After six weeks on the West Coast, the 2010 Monster Energy AMA Supercross, an FIM World Championship, season is all square at the top of the AMA Supercross class standings as the series heads to Indianapolis to race at the Indy Lucas Oil Stadium. Two-time winner and premier class rookie Ryan Dungey and San Manuel Yamaha’s Josh Hill sit at the front of the field with 123 points apiece.
While Rockstar Makita Suzuki’s Dungey is in the midst of a three-week hiatus from the podium, Hill continues to rely on consistency as Monster Energy Kawasaki’s Ryan Villopoto looks to keep up the momentum after a dominating second victory of the season last Saturday in Anaheim.
Last Saturday Ryan Dungey brought a four-point lead into the third and final race from Anaheim’s Angel Stadium and was looking to bounce back after a troublesome evening the week before in San Diego. Villopoto captured the Spike Holeshot Award with Josh Hill and San Diego winner Davi Millsaps in tow. Dungey found himself in fifth behind Windham and began to work on the leaders.
Villopoto would cruise to the win, leading all 20 laps of the main event while Hill stayed strong to take the runner-up finish. Dungey would work his way past Millsaps and set his sights on Windham for third, but as he attempted to set up the pass, he spun out, allowing Millsaps to reclaim the position. In the end, Dungey would reclaim fourth, but lost the four-point advantage he held coming into the race.
Ryan Villopoto Speaks…
"This is a good spot to be in as we head to Indianapolis next week," said Villopoto. "I am looking forward to next weekend’s race, and I have put myself in a good position."
Villopoto’s win was the fourth of his premier class career and as a result, he sits just three points behind hit two rivals heading into Indianapolis this weekend.
Saturday night also marks the season premiere of the AMA Supercross Lites Eastern Regional Championship. Reigning regional champion Pourcel will carry the number one plate into battle while challengers Metcalfe, Barcia, Wilson, Rockstar Makita Suzuki’s Austin Stroupe and DNA Shred Stix Division 7 Star Racing Yamaha’s Nico Izzi all look for their first-career AMA title.
At the sixth round of the AMA Supercross Lites Western Regional Championship from Anaheim, Troy Lee Designs Lucas Oil Honda’s Wil Hahn won the Spike Holeshot Award with GEICO Powersports Honda’s Trey Canard and points leader Jake Weimer following in second and third, respectively.
Canard would make his way into the lead before the completion of lap one and never looked back. While Weimer set his sights on Canard after moving into second, he fell and dropped to the tail end of the field. DNA Shred Stix / Division 7 / Star Racing Yamaha’s Broc Tickle achieved a career-best runner-up finish while Hahn held on for third. Weimer rebounded to finish eighth, but saw his points lead fall from 26 to 14 over Canard with just two races remaining.
Past Supercross Winners in Indianapolis
Last season at the inaugural race from Lucas Oil Stadium, Chad Reed broke through for his first win of the 2009 season, rebounding to reclaim a tie atop the points standings just one week after James Stewart took it away from him. Stroupe claimed the AMA Supercross Lites main event win for his first of year.
The first Monster Energy Supercross race at Indianapolis’ RCA Dome was March 21, 1992, where Honda’s Jeff Stanton won the main event. Yamaha’s Jimmy Button won the first AMA Supercross Lites main event the same evening. The venue would serve as the host site until last season’s debut from Lucas Oil Stadium.
Seven-time supercross champion Jeremy McGrath holds the AMA Supercross all-time win record at Indianapolis with six. Five-time AMA Supercross class champion Ricky Carmichael is the only rider to win the AMA Supercross and AMA Supercross Lites main events in Indianapolis.
Past AMA Supercross Class Winners
March 1, 2008: Chad Reed
March 24, 2007: James Stewart
March 04, 2006: Ricky Carmichael
February 12, 2005: Ricky Carmichael
March 20, 2004: Mike LaRocco
March 01, 2003: Ricky Carmichael
February 09, 2002: David Vuillemin
February 10, 2001: Ricky Carmichael
February 12, 2000: Jeremy McGrath
April 24, 1999: Ezra Lusk
February 14, 1998: Jeremy McGrath
February 15, 1997: Jeff Emig
March 30, 1996: Jeremy McGrath
March 18, 1995: Jeremy McGrath
March 19, 1994: Jeremy McGrath
April 24, 1993: Jeremy McGrath
March 21, 1992: Jeff Stanton
Past AMA Supercross Lites Class Winners
March 1, 2008: Trey Canard
March 24, 2007: Ryan Dungey
March 04, 2006: David Millsaps
February 12, 2005: David Millsaps
March 20, 2004: Josh Hansen
March 01, 2003: Branden Jesseman
February 09, 2002: Chad Reed
February 10, 2001: Travis Pastrana
February 12, 2000: Michael Brandes
April 24, 1999: Ernesto Fonseca
February 14, 1998: Ricky Carmichael
February 15, 1997: John Dowd
March 30, 1996: Mickael Pichon
March 18, 1995: Mickael Pichon
March 19, 1994: Ezra Lusk
April 24, 1993: Doug Henry
March 21, 1992: Jimmy Button
SPEED will air the AMA Supercross class and AMA Supercross Lites class races live, starting at 8:00 p.m. EST.
Tickets are available at Lucas Oil Stadium, all Ticketmaster locations, by phone at 800-745-3000 and soon at participating Yamaha Dealers. Club level tickets are available for $40.00; Gold Circle tickets $35.00; Mid Level tickets $25.00; Treadhead tickets $10.00.
