SX Preview
Only two rounds remain as the 2010 Monster Energy AMA Supercross Championship heads to Rice Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City this Saturday, a track that Ryan Dungey simply dominated last year in the Supercross Lites class.
But the Rockstar Makita Suzuki rider doesn’t have to worry about putting on an outstanding performance, considering he already claimed the 2010 title. His championship places him in Supercross history as he is the only rider besides Jeremy McGrath to grab a SX title during a rookie season.
In reality, Dungey’s championship was won after taking first in St. Louis. During that race, his biggest rival, Monster Energy Kawasaki rider Ryan Villopoto, went down in a one-man crash, breaking his leg. Villopoto was the only rider with enough points to possible challenge Dungey. His title was official after a fourth-place finish in Seattle last week, which was won by GEICO Powersports Honda rider Kevin Windham.
The 32-year-old Windham, who is currently the oldest competitor in Supercross, got the holeshot and led all 20 laps of the event. He finished 22.7 seconds ahead of Rockstar Energy Suzuki rider Tommy Hahn. Rounding out the podium was Muscle Milk/Toyota/JGR Yamaha rider Justin Brayton.
During last year’s Salt Lake City race, San Manuel Yamaha rider and defending SX Champion James Stewart went on to take his 11th victory of the ’09 season. Stewart has been out since undergoing surgery on his wrist after Round 3 in Anaheim.
SX Legend Ricky Carmichael won the opening race in Salt Lake City when Rice Eccles Stadium opened. Carmichael holds the win record there with two.
The Supercross race will air at noon (EST), Sunday, May 2, on CBS. The Western Lites class will air at 6 p.m. on SPEED TV.
Supercross Championship Standings
1. Ryan Dungey, Belle Plaine, Minn., Suzuki, 320
2. Ryan Villopoto, Poulsbo, Wash., Kawasaki, 266
3. Kevin Windham, Centerville, Miss., Honda, 248
4. Davi Millsaps, Murrieta, Calif., Honda, 231
5. Josh Hill, Carlsbad, Calif., Yamaha, 227
6. Justin Brayton, Murrieta, Calif., Yamaha, 211
7. Ivan Tedesco, Murrieta, Calif., Yamaha, 183
8. Nick Wey, Murrieta, Calif., Kawasaki, 174
9. Tommy Hahn, Alvord, Texas, Suzuki, 161
10. Kyle Chisholm, Valrico, Fla., Yamaha, 147
Western Lites Standings
1. Jake Weimer, Rupert, Idaho, Kawasaki, 155
2. Wil Hahn, Decatur, Texas, Honda, 136
3. Trey Canard, Shawnee, Okla., Honda, 131
4. Broc Tickle, Holly, Mich., Yamaha, 125
5. Blake Wharton, Pilot Point, Texas, Honda, 107
6. Cole Seely, Newbury Park, Calif., Honda, 90
7. Josh Hansen, Elbert Colo., Kawasaki, 75
8. Max Anstie, Hemet, Calif., Yamaha, 75
9. Phil Nicoletti, Bethel, N.Y., KTM, 69
10. Jeff Alessi, Murrieta, Calif., Yamaha, 64
