2011 AMA Supercross
Determined to reclaim his position on top of the 2011 AMA Supercross points standings, Monster Energy Kawasaki’s Villopoto came to Arlington, Texas, with his game face on.
The Kawasaki KX450F rider rode with consistent determination on the technical Supercross track in Cowboys Stadium, patiently working his way into the runner-up position by the end of the main event.
In the supercross lites class, Kawasaki’s Dean Wilson scored his second-consecutive win after an exciting race that had the crowd roaring for the entire main event.
Kawasaki Supercross teammate Blake Baggett started off his night on the right foot, winning his heat race, but a rough start in the main event left him fighting through the pack to finish in seventh place.
Fabien Iziord came out swinging in the supercross class main event and almost grabbed the holeshot, but got pushed into third position coming around the first turn. He would finish the night in 12th place.
After the previous two Supercross rounds depleted Villopoto’s point lead, he found himself chasing the points leader for the second time this season. He rode with ice in his veins, refusing to make a mistake, and positioned himself ready to capitalize on other racers mistakes. Even though he didn’t get off to the best start, his steady riding proved successful and carried him back to the Supercross podium with a runner-up finish.
Ryan Villopoto (Monster Energy Kawasaki Supercross) says: “Things really worked out tonight for me. It was a tough track to ride and I knew I had to ride smooth, calm, and keep it on two wheels. The whoops were really big, but my KX450 was sucking them up pretty good. I didn’t get the best start, but I just focused and kept charging. I tried to ride smooth, let everything fall into place, and came out with second.”
Although Wilson was feeling a little under the weather, he came to Arlington Supercross and put on an exciting show for the energetic crowd of more than 51,000 screaming fans. He battled hard for the lead during the supercross lites main event, and after exchanging the top spot several times, Wilson made the final pass stick and grabbed the checkered flag for his third win of the season aboard the Kawasaki.
Dean Wilson (Monster Energy Kawasaki Supercross) says: “It was a tough race, those whoops were big. You have to really grip down and hold on for your life through those things. They take a lot of wind out of you, but I was able to power through them on my KX250F.
“I came off the start in fourth, but worked my way into third pretty quick. I got by second and then caught up to (Justin) Barcia. We went back-and-forth for the lead, but I finally made the pass stick before the whoops. I got by him, lead the final lap, and that was it. It was a really good race and the fans loved it.”
Baggett came out to Cowboys Stadium looking to repeat last year’s win. He got off to a great start, winning his heat race which gave him confidence heading into the main event. When the gate dropped, he got pushed to the back of the pack coming around the first corner, and found himself fighting to make up ground the remainder of the race. He battled his way back up through the field to finish in seventh place.
Blake Baggett (Monster Energy Kawasaki KX250F) says: “In the heat race I got a great start and took the easy win. I tried to carry that confidence into the main event, but got a bad start and let it get to me. I worked back up to seventh place, but I am disappointed because I know I should have done better. Next weekend I am going race more aggressive.”
Since his arrival to the Monster Energy Kawasaki team he has continued to show improvement and that he has what it takes to compete with the best. Looking to repeat last week’s main event holeshot, Iziord came out swinging as soon as the gate dropped.
He got a good start and put himself in a position to take the holeshot nearing the first turn, but got pushed to the outside and into third. He rode well on the challenging track, finishing in 12th.
Fabien Iziord (Monster Energy Kawasaki KX250F) says: “I’m happy I got a good finish in another main event. The track was very difficult, especially in the whoops sections. My KX450F was incredible. I made a few mistakes but the bike handled great and kept me upright. I got a great start, kept it on two wheels the whole race, and finished in 12th. I’m happy our team did great this weekend.”
With only four Supercross races left in the series, the supercross season is coming down to the wire. In the supercross class, Villopoto will be defending his six point lead, and hoping to extend it over the remaining races.
Wilson is 13 points behind the current point leader with 2 races left. As the series heads to St. Louis this weekend, these last few races should prove to be exciting as all the championship contenders battle for their respective championships.
2011 Arlington AMA Supercross Class Results
1. Trey Canard, Shawnee, Okla., Honda
2. RYAN VILLOPOTO, POULSBO, WASH., MONSTER ENERGY KAWASAKI
3. Ryan Dungey, Belle Plaine, Minn., Suzuki
4. James Stewart, Haines City, Fla., Yamaha
5. Kevin Windham, Centreville, Miss., Honda
6. Andrew Short, Smithville, Texas, KTM
7. Tommy Hahn, Decatur, Texas, Yamaha
8. Chad Reed, Tampa, Fla., Honda
9. Austin Stroupe, Lincolnton, N.C., Yamaha
10. Mike Alessi, Victorville, Calif., KTM
2011 Arlington Eastern Regional AMA Supercross Lites Class Results
1. DEAN WILSON, MENIFEE, CALIF., MONSTER ENERGY/PRO CIRCUIT/KAWASAKI
2. Justin Barcia, Ochlocknee, Ga., Honda
3. Blake Wharton, Pilot Point, Texas, Honda
4. Malcolm Stewart, Haines City, Fla., Suzuki
5. MATT LEMOINE, COLLINSVILLE, TEXAS, KAWASAKI
6. Darryn Durham, Butler, Pa., Honda
7. BLAKE BAGGETT, GRAND TERRACE, CALIF., MONSTER ENERGY/PRO CIRCUIT/KAWASAKI
8. Gannon Audette, Cairo, Ga., Yamaha
9. Alex Martin, Millville, Minn., Honda
10. Tyler Bright, Sumter, S.C., Honda
Supercross Class Season Standings
1. RYAN VILLOPOTO, POULSBO, WASH., MONSTER ENERGY KAWASAKI, 255
2. Chad Reed, Tampa, Fla., Honda, 249
3. Ryan Dungey, Belle Plaine, Minn., Suzuki, 248
4. Trey Canard, Shawnee, Okla., Honda, 239
5. James Stewart, Haines City, Fla., Yamaha, 234
6. Andrew Short, Smithville, Texas, KTM, 174
7. Kevin Windham, Centreville, Miss., Honda, 150
8. Justin Brayton, Cornelius, N.C, Yamaha, 141
9. Davi Millsaps, Carlsbad, Calif., Yamaha, 128
10. IVAN TEDESCO, MURRIETA, CALIF., KAWASAKI, 114
Eastern Regional Supercross Lites Class Season Standings
1. Justin Barcia, Ochlocknee, Ga., Honda, 160
2. DEAN WILSON, MENIFEE, CALIF., MONSTER ENERGY/PRO CIRCUIT/KAWASAKI, 147
3. Ryan Sipes, Vine Grove, Ky., Yamaha, 119
4. BLAKE BAGGETT, GRAND TERRACE, CALIF., MONSTER ENERGY/PRO CIRCUIT/KAWASAKI, 114
5. Blake Wharton, Pilot Point, Texas, Honda, 109
6. MATT LEMOINE, COLLINSVILLE, TEXAS, KAWASAKI, 96
7. P.J. Larsen, Murrieta, Calif., KTM, 80
8. Malcolm Stewart, Haines City, Fla., Suzuki, 73
9. Alex Martin, Millville, Minn., Honda, 59
10. Lance Vincent, Youngsville, La., Honda, 56
