Supercross rides into Cowboys Stadium

SX Dallas Preview

Monster Energy Kawasaki’s Ryan Villopoto takes a two-race win streak into the inaugural Monster Energy AMA Supercross, an FIM World Championship, race at the new Cowboys Stadium this Saturday.

Defending Eastern Regional AMA Supercross Lites class champion Christophe Pourcel carries a seven-point lead into Saturday night over Rockstar Makita Suzuki’s Austin Stroupe.

Last weekend at the Supercross series’ lone trip outside the United States–Toronto’s Rogers Centre–Villopoto raced to his fifth win of the 2010 season while Geico Powersports Honda’s Justin Barcia took the AMA Supercross Lites checkered flag for his first-career Supercross Lites victory. Villopoto and Barcia led every lap in their respective classes.

Ryan Villopoto speaks… Monster Energy Kawasaki

"I really wouldn’t be in this position without all of my team and everyone involved. The last couple weeks we’ve been on it and it’s what we need to do. (The racing is) close and it’s been tough. I need to make up ground and I got to make those passes quick. I (also) need to keep getting good starts."

Rockstar Makita Suzuki’s Ryan Dungey finished second in the AMA Supercross class main event–his championship series lead is now down a 17-points.

After dominating the first three Eastern Regional AMA Supercross Lites class races, Pourcel finished third in Toronto. Barcia, a rookie, took the win over the defending champion.

Justin Barcia speaks… Geico Powersports Honda

"(This win) means everything to me. I really want to thank my Mom and Dad and my team, GEICO Powersports Honda. All these fans here were cheering me on so thanks a lot to everyone. It’s an incredible feeling. I’ve been trying so hard all year. This definitely ranks at the top of my list as far as accomplishments and I feel so lucky to have such a great team behind me."

Monster Energy Supercross has a storied history in the Dallas-Fort Worth area, with the first-ever AMA Supercross race held in Dallas on March 1, 1975. From 1983-2008, Texas Stadium hosted 26 consecutive Monster Energy Supercross races and is regarded as one of the sport’s most historic markets having hosted races in four different decades.

Speed TV will cablecast the Eastern Regional AMA Supercross Lites class at 5:00 p.m. ET on Sunday, March 21 and the AMA Supercross class at 6:00 p.m ET.

AMA Supercross Class Results: Toronto
1. Ryan Villopoto, Poulsbo, Wash., Kawasaki
2. Ryan Dungey, Belle Plaine, Minn., Suzuki
3. Trey Canard, Shawnee, Okla., Honda
4. Ivan Tedesco, Murrieta, Calif., Yamaha
5. Kevin Windham, Centerville, Miss., Honda
6. Josh Hill, Carlsbad, Calif., Yamaha
7. Nick Wey, Murrieta, Calif., Kawasaki
8. Tommy Hahn, Alvord, Texas, Suzuki
9. Justin Brayton, Murrieta, Calif., Yamaha
10. Matt Boni, Geneva, Fla., Honda

AMA Supercross Class Season Standings
1. Ryan Dungey, Belle Plaine, Minn., Suzuki, 214
2. Ryan Villopoto, Poulsbo, Wash., Kawasaki, 197
3. Josh Hill, Carlsbad, Calif., Yamaha, 177
4. Davi Millsaps, Murrieta, Calif., Honda, 152
5. Kevin Windham, Centerville, Miss., Honda, 147
6. Justin Brayton, Murrieta, Calif., Yamaha, 136
7. Ivan Tedesco, Murrieta, Calif., Yamaha, 135
8. Nick Wey, Murrieta, Calif., Kawasaki, 113
9. Kyle Chisholm, Valrico, Fla., Yamaha, 92
10. Tommy Hahn, Alvord, Texas, Suzuki, 89

Eastern Regional AMA Supercross Lites Class Results: Toronto
1. Justin Barcia, Ochlocknee, Ga., Honda
2. Austin Stroupe, Lincolnton, N.C., Suzuki
3. Christophe Pourcel, Groveland, Fla., Kawasaki
4. Dean Wilson, San Jacinto, Calif., Kawasaki
5. Ryan Sipes, Vine Grove, Ky., Yamaha
6. Brett Metcalfe, Lake Elsinore, Calif., Honda
7. Kyle Cunningham, Fort Worth, Texas, Honda
8. Troy Adams, Homosassa, Fla., Suzuki
9. Mike Willard, Newark, Ohio, Honda
10. Nico Izzi, Albany, Ga., Yamaha

Eastern Regional AMA Supercross Lites Class Season Standings
1. Christophe Pourcel, Groveland, Fla., Kawasaki, 95
2. Austin Stroupe, Lincolnton, N.C., Suzuki, 88
3. Dean Wilson, San Jacinto, Calif., Kawasaki, 71
4. Brett Metcalfe, Lake Elsinore, Calif., Honda, 65
5. Justin Barcia, Ochlocknee, Ga., Honda, 64
6. Ryan Sipes, Vine Grove, Ky., Yamaha, 55
7. Blake Baggett, Grand Terrace, Calif., Suzuki, 46
8. Nico Izzi, Albany, Ga., Yamaha, 41
9. Kyle Cunningham, Fort Worth, Texas, Honda, 40
10. Vince Friese, Cape Girardeau, Mo., 39

Past AMA Supercross Class Winners in Dallas
April 5, 2008: Chad Reed
March 31, 2007: James Stewart
March 22, 2006: Chad Reed
April 2, 2005: James Stewart
April 17, 2004: Chad Reed
April 12, 2003: Chad Reed
April 20, 2002: Ricky Carmichael
April 21, 2001: Ricky Carmichael
April 8, 2000: Kevin Windham
February 27, 1999: Kevin Windham
April 25, 1998: Ezra Lusk
April 26, 1997: Jeff Emig
March 23, 1996: Jeremy McGrath
April 29, 1995: Doug Henry
April 23, 1994: Mike LaRocco
March 28, 1993: Jeremy McGrath
May 30, 1992: Damon Bradshaw
April 27, 1991: Damon Bradshaw
April 7, 1990: Jean-Michel Bayle
April 1, 1989: Jeff Ward
April 16, 1988: Rick Johnson
April 4, 1987: Rick Johnson
April 26, 1986: David Bailey
May 4, 1985: Rick Johnson
April 14, 1984: Johnny O’ Mara
April 16, 1983: Mike Bell
March 26, 1977: Bob Hannah
March 19, 1976: Jim Ellis
February 28, 1975: Jim Ellis
March 1, 1975(b): Steve Stackable

Past AMA Supercross Lites Class Winners in Dallas
April 5, 2008: Ryan Villopoto
March 31, 2007: Ben Townley
March 22, 2006: Ryan Villopoto
April 2, 2005: Grant Langston
April 17, 2004: Ivan Tedesco
April 12, 2003: James Stewart Jr.
April 20, 2002: Travis Preston
April 21, 2001: Grant Langston
April 8, 2000: Greg Schnell
February 27, 1999: Nathan Ramsey
April 25, 1998: John Dowd
April 26, 1997: Kevin Windham
March 23, 1996: Mickael Pichon
April 29, 1995: Damon Huffman
April 23, 1994: Jimmy Button
March 28, 1993: Doug Henry
May 30, 1992: Jeremy McGrath
April 27, 1991: Jeremy McGrath
April 7, 1990: Denny Stephenson
April 1, 1989: Mike LaRocco
April 16, 1988: Ty Davis
April 4, 1987: Kyle Lewis
April 26, 1986: Keith Turpin
May 4, 1985: Bobby Moore

Photos by Frank Hoppen