2012 AMA Supercross
Spoiler Alert: 2012 AMA Supercross Anaheim I results below
The 2012 AMA Supercross Championship has much to live up to considering 2011 was coined the “Greatest Season Ever.”
And at the first of 17 rounds in Angel Stadium, Anaheim, Calif., Saturday, a sold-out crowd of 45,050 fans witnessed the beginnings of another action-packed season, with a podium of riders expected to battle throughout the championship.
Beginning the season-opener in the most optimal spot to defend his title, Monster Energy Kawasaki’s Ryan Villopoto took a wire-to-wire victory, winning Anaheim I by 12.2 seconds. Joining the Kawasaki KX450F rider on the podium were two Supercross title holders – Two-Two Motorsports Honda’s Chad Reed and Red Bull KTM’s Ryan Dungey, respectively.
Villopoto took the Nuclear Cowboyz holeshot, followed closely by Huntington/Bel-Ray Racing’s Reed and Ivan Tedesco. But by the end of the second lap, Dungey throttled his KTM SX-F 450 past Tedesco for third, and JGRMX/Toyota/Yamaha’s James Stewart (two SX titles) battled his way to fourth after a mid-pack start.
A battle began between Stewart and Dungey, but Dungey crashed, giving third to Stewart. By lap 11, though, Dungey moved past Stewart for third. Stewart wasn’t finished, and regained third before crashing, giving the spot back to Dungey, who held it until the end of the race. Stewart would remount his YZ-F 450, and finish in sixth.
Ryan Villopoto (Monster Energy Kawasaki KX450F Supercross) says: “It was a phenomenal night for me,” said Villopoto. “I didn’t have the heat race I wanted, so I didn’t have a great gate pick. Once I was out front I wanted to lay down fast laps and make no mistakes. I did make one small one, but overall, it was a great race for me.”
Chad Reed (Two-Two Motorsports Honda CR-F 450) says: “Villopoto made us look silly out here tonight,” said Reed. “I am just happy to get second place tonight in this field of riders.”
As the gates dropped on the Western Regional Supercross Lites Class, Motoconcepts Suzuki’s Vince Friese, Cape Girardeau, Mo., won the Nuclear Cowboyz Holeshot but was quickly passed by Monster Energy/Pro Circuit/Kawasaki’s Tyla Rattray, of Wildomar, Calif. The following lap Dean Wilson, of Menifee, Calif., pushed his Monster Energy/Pro Circuit/Kawasaki past Rattray, Feld reports
Troy Lee Designs/Lucas Oil/Honda’s Seely secured the lead on lap 2 and rode to the third win of his career and sits as the class’ points leader. On the last lap, GEICO Honda’s Eli Tomac, of Cortez, Colo., passed Wilson, who subsequently crashed, losing several positions before returning to racing, Feld reports.
Cole Seely (Troy Lee Designs/Lucas Oil/Honda CR-F 250 Supercross) says: “I couldn’t think of a better way to start the season. To get a win here tonight in front of my family and friends is huge. I learned last year that consistency is key, and I hope to be on the podium at every race.”
The action continues next Saturday, Jan. 14, as the Monster Energy Supercross Championship heads to Chase Field in Phoenix.
AMA Supercross Class Results: Anaheim Race 1
1. Ryan Villopoto, Seattle, Wash., Kawasaki
2. Chad Reed, Dade City, Fla., Honda
3. Ryan Dungey, Belle Plaine, Minn., KTM
4. Justin Brayton, Murrieta, Calif., Honda
5. Jake Weimer, Wildomar, ID., Kawasaki
6. James Stewart, Haines City, Fla., Yamaha
7. Andrew Short, Smithville, Texas, Honda
8. Kevin Windham, Centreville, Miss., Honda
9. Mike Alessi, Hilliard, Calif., Suzuki
10. Josh Hansen, Elbert, Colo., Kawasaki
AMA Supercross Class Season Standings (After one of 17 rounds)
1. Ryan Villopoto, Seattle, Wash., Kawasaki – 25
2. Chad Reed, Dade City, Fla., Honda – 22
3. Ryan Dungey, Belle Plaine, Minn., KTM – 20
4. Justin Brayton, Murrieta, Calif., Honda – 18
5. Jake Weimer, Wildomar, ID., Kawasaki – 16
6. James Stewart, Haines City, Fla., Yamaha – 15
7. Andrew Short, Smithville, Texas, Honda – 14
8. Kevin Windham, Centreville, Miss., Honda – 13
9. Mike Alessi, Hilliard, Calif., Suzuki – 12
10. Josh Hansen, Elbert, Colo., Kawasaki – 11
Western Regional AMA Supercross Lites Class Results: Anaheim Race 1
1. Cole Seely, Murrieta, Calif., Honda
2. Tyla Rattray, Wildomar, Calif., Kawasaki
3. Eli Tomac, Cortez, Colo., Honda
4. Marvin Musquin, Murrieta, Calif., KTM
5. Ryan Sipes, Ekron, KY, Yamaha
6. Dean Wilson, Menifee, Calif., Kawasaki
7. Jason Anderson, Edgewood, NM, Suzuki
8. Wil Hahn, Decatur, Texas, Honda
9. Zach Osborne, Chesterfield, SC, Yamaha
10. Travis Baker, Temecula, Calif., Honda
Western Regional AMA Supercross Lites Class Season Standings
1. Cole Seely, Murrieta, Calif., Honda – 25
2. Tyla Rattray, Wildomar, Calif., Kawasaki – 22
3. Eli Tomac, Cortez, Colo., Honda – 20
4. Marvin Musquin, Murrieta, Calif., KTM – 18
5. Ryan Sipes, Ekron, KY, Yamaha – 16
6. Dean Wilson, Menifee, Calif., Kawasaki – 15
7. Jason Anderson, Edgewood, NM, Suzuki – 14
8. Wil Hahn, Decatur, Texas, Honda – 13
9. Zach Osborne, Chesterfield, SC, Yamaha – 12
10. Travis Baker, Temecula, Calif., Honda – 11
Photos by Don Williams
