SX Round 6 Results
The hotly contested 2011 AMA Supercross series faced-off in Houston Texas at Reliant Stadium on Saturday night for the sixth race of the 2011 Monster Energy AMA Supercross season, an FIM World Championship.
A crowd of 45,000 motorcycle racing fans filled a dirt-lined football stadium, the world’s first domed stadium with retractable roof and air-conditioning.
It was a wild night of action that resulted in a shakeup in the SX points standings, as Trey Canard, on his 2011 Honda CRF 450 R, captured his first-ever career Supercross class victory.
As the 20-rider field in the Supercross main event converged on the first corner, a melee ensued, collecting Supercross points leader James Stewart and his San Manuel Yamaha YZ 450 F as well as Chad Reed on his very own TwoTwo Motorsports 2011 Honda CRF 450 R.
Through the dust of the motorcycle crash, Geico rider Kevin Windham on his Honda CRF450R grabbed the hole-shot and led for the first half of the main event. James Stewart and Chad Reed crossed the line in 15th and 17th, respectively, following the first lap.
Windham crashed in a rhythm section, while leading the race, ending his night and handing the lead to Canard on Lap 10. For the remainder of the main event, defending Supercross champion Ryan Dungey closed in aboard his Rockstar Makita Suzuki RM-Z 450.
Dungey was able to actually take over the lead for a short time before Canard fought back and fended off Dungey to take the Supercross main victory.
Trey Canard (2011 Honda CRF 450 R) says: I don’t know what to say," comments the aspiring SX rider. "It was an awesome race. I just tried to hang in there, because it was a tricky track. I made a mistake and (Ryan) Dungey gained a lot of time on me and from there I was just riding defensive. We had a bit of a rough week this week, but this makes it all better."
Dungey finished second, almost clipping Canard at the line, and rebounded from his DNF just one week ago after his chain broke during the main event at Anaheim 2.
Ryan Dungey (2011 Suzuki RM-Z 450) says: "The championship isn’t over till it’s over," exclaims the SX and MX title holder. "There’s still a lot of racing left. We came up a little bit shy and I just have to look forward to next weekend."
Completing the Supercross main podium was Monster Energy’s Ryan Villopoto on his 2011 Kawasaki KX 450 F who overcame a bad start of his own, after crossing the finish line in 12th on the first lap.
Ryan Villopoto (2011 Kawasaki KX 450 F) says: "That was a tricky (first) turn," comments a confident JS7 challenger. "It was super tight but I got through there. There were definitely some close moments in that race. The name of the game when you"re at the top (of the standings) is to be consistent."
By virtue of James Stewart not being able to recover in Houston and RV2’s podium finish, Villopoto regained the Supercross championship lead.
2011 Houston Supercross Results
1. Trey Canard, Shawnee, Okla., Honda
2. Ryan Dungey, Belle Plaine, Minn., Suzuki
3. Ryan Villopoto, Poulsbo, Wash., Kawasaki
4. Davi Millsaps, Carlsbad, Calif., Yamaha
5. Andrew Short, Smithville, Texas, KTM
6. Chad Reed, Tampa, Fla., Honda
7. Ken Roczen, Germany, KTM
8. Brett Metcalfe, Lake Elsinore, Calif., Suzuki
9. Ivan Tedesco, Murrieta, Calif., Kawasaki
10. Mike Alessi, Victorville, Calif., KTM
2011 Supercross Points Standings after Houston
1. Ryan Villopoto, Poulsbo, Wash., Kawasaki – 132
2. James Stewart, Haines City, Fla., Yamaha – 123
3. Trey Canard, Shawnee, Okla., Honda – 112
4. Chad Reed, Tampa, Fla., Honda – 105
5. Ryan Dungey, Belle Plaine, Minn., Suzuki – 101
6. Andrew Short, Smithville, Texas, KTM – 80
7. Brett Metcalfe, Lake Elsinore, Calif., Suzuki – 80
8. Justin Brayton, Cornelius, N.C, Yamaha – 65
9. Davi Millsaps, Carlsbad, Calif., Yamaha – 62
10. Kevin Windham, Centreville, Miss., Honda – 61
The 2011 Monster Energy AMA Supercross season continues next weekend with the final race in Southern California from San Diego’s Qualcomm Stadium.Â