2011 AMA Supercross: Phoenix Preview

Chase Field Supercross

The 2011 AMA Supercross series kick-started into action last Saturday at Anaheim 1, with Monster Energy Kawasaki rider Ryan Villopoto winning in the premier class, and Monster Energy / Pro Circuit Kawasaki rider Josh Hansen in the Lites class.

Round 2 of 17 takes the 2011 Supercross field to Chase Field in Phoenix, Ariz., this Saturday. At Phoenix last year, Ryan Dungey, of Belle Plaine, Minn., took the his first premier-class victory aboard the Rockstar Makita Suzuki en-route to a rookie Supercross title.

In the AMA Supercross Lites Western Regional class, Monster Energy/Pro Circuit/Kawasaki’s Jake Weimer, of Rupert, Idaho, captured his second straight win.

As for Round 1 of the SX season at Angel Stadium last weekend, Villopoto took his 10th career victory. He took the lead three laps into the race, and lead the remaining 17 laps.

Ryan Villopto says: "This is a nice way to start out the season. Starting out this way makes things much easier. I hope I can start putting together some more wins and a championship this year."

Dungey finished second overall, two seconds ahead of San Manuel Yamaha’s James Stewart. Despite a rough mid-pack start, Stewart charged through the field and by lap 12 had worked his way from 15th place to third, eventually moving on to secure a podium position.

Ryan Dungey says: "I got off to a decent start and had to play some catch up out there. During the week, I’m going to work hard to get ready for Phoenix. I’m glad that I put my Suzuki up on the box tonight."

James Stewart says: "I almost went down a few times. Next week, I’ll work on my starts and be prepared for Phoenix. I tried my best to get up there. Once I got into third, I tried to make up some time on Ryan (Dungey) but ran out of laps."

The first Supercross class race was held at this venue on January 23, 1999, with Jeremy McGrath winning on a Yamaha. Nathan Ramsey won the first Supercross Lites class race in Phoenix while riding for Kawasaki.

Five-time Supercross class champion Ricky Carmichael holds the all-time win record in Phoenix with four. With a win this weekend, Stewart can tie Carmichael’s record in Phoenix.

Phoenix Supercross TV Schedule

SPEED will broadcast the AMA Supercross class and the AMA Supercross Lites class live at 9:30 p.m. EST/6:30 p.m. PST.

Phoenix Supercross Tickets

Tickets are available at the Chase Field Box Office, all Ticketmaster retail locations, charge by phone at (800) 745-3000, SupercrossOnline.com, or online at ticketmaster.com.

Practice and qualifying begins at 12:30 p.m., and the main event begins at 7 p.m. Club Level tickets are $65 Adult/Child; Gold Circle $42 Adult/Child; Mid-Level $30 Adults / $10 Child; SuperValue $22 Adult / $10 Child; Treadhead $10.

Fans can also get into the Pits for FREE from 12:30 – 6 p.m. Race Day when they recycle a MONSTER Energy Can at the stadium Pit Entrance (valid only with event ticket).

Supercross Class Results: Anaheim 1
1. Ryan Villopoto, Poulsbo, Wash., Kawasaki
2. Ryan Dungey, Belle Plaine, Minn., Suzuki
3. James Stewart, Haines City, Fla., Yamaha
4. Trey Canard, Shawnee, Okla., Honda
5. Chad Reed, Tampa, Fla., Honda
6. Kevin Windham, Centreville, Miss., Honda
7. Ivan Tedesco, Murrieta, Calif., Kawasaki
8. Brett Metcalfe, Lake Elsinore, Calif., Suzuki
9. Josh Grant, Riverside, Calif., Honda
10. Andrew Short, Smithville, Texas, KTM

Supercross Class Season Standings
1. Ryan Villopoto, Poulsbo, Wash., Kawasaki – 25
2. Ryan Dungey, Belle Plaine, Minn., Suzuki – 22
3. James Stewart, Haines City, Fla., Yamaha – 20
4. Trey Canard, Shawnee, Okla., Honda – 18
5. Chad Reed, Tampa, Fla., Honda – 16
6. Kevin Windham, Centreville, Miss., Honda – 15
7. Ivan Tedesco, Murrieta, Calif., Kawasaki – 14
8. Brett Metcalfe, Lake Elsinore, Calif., Suzuki – 13
9. Josh Grant, Riverside, Calif., Honda – 12
10. Andrew Short, Smithville, Texas, KTM – 11

Supercross Lites Class Western Regional Results: Anaheim 1
1. Josh Hansen, Elbert, Colo., Kawasaki
2. Broc Tickle, Holly, Mich., Kawasaki
3. Tyla Rattray, Wildomar, Calif., Kawasaki
4. Martin Davalos, Cairo, Ga., Suzuki
5. Cole Seely, Corona, Calif., Honda
6. Ryan Morais, Murrieta, Calif., Suzuki
7. Ken Roczen, Germany, KTM
8. Travis Baker, Temecula, Calif., Honda
9. Nick Paluzzi, Riverside, Calif., Yamaha
10. Eli Tomac, Cortez, Colo., Honda

Supercross Lites Class Western Regional Season Standings
1. Josh Hansen, Elbert, Colo., Kawasaki – 25
2. Broc Tickle, Holly, Mich., Kawasaki – 22
3. Tyla Rattray, Wildomar, Calif., Kawasaki – 20
4. Martin Davalos, Cairo, Ga., Suzuki – 18
5. Cole Seely, Corona, Calif., Honda – 16
6. Ryan Morais, Murrieta, Calif., Suzuki – 15
7. Ken Roczen, Germany, KTM – 14
8. Travis Baker, Temecula, Calif., Honda – 13
9. Nick Paluzzi, Riverside, Calif., Yamaha – 12
10. Eli Tomac, Cortez, Colo., Honda – 11