2014 AMA Supercross Heads to Phoenix
The 2014 Monster Energy AMA Supercross Championship got underway last Saturday before a sold-out crowd at Angel Stadium in Anaheim, Calif.
These massive crowd numbers are likely to continue throughout the remaining 16 rounds. But there is another number Red Bull KTM’s Ken Roczen would also like to see continue starting this weekend in Phoenix – number one.
This is due to the rookie’s performance at Anaheim I, where the KTM SX-F 450 pilot won the opening round of 2014 SX. Though the reigning AMA SX Champion Ryan Villopoto took the holeshot aboard his Monster Energy Kawasaki KX-F 450, and held the early lead, things went sour quickly.
On lap, the three-time Supercross Champion crashed, handing over the lead to Roczen. Villopoto would battle his way from fifth to fourth, but couldn’t catch the Roczen or the other two podium finishes – Roczen’s teammate Ryan Dungey and TwoTwo Motorsports Kawasaki’s Chad Reed.
Roczen would be challenged by Yoshimura Suzuki’s James Stewart, but with four laps to go, Stewart lost control of his RM-Z450 and crashed out, causing a DNF.
Ken Roczen (Red Bull KTM SX-F 450 Supercross) says: “This is insane. I got off to a good start and was holding on really tight. When there were four laps to go, I realized that I could win.”
In the 250 class, Rockstar Energy Racing KTM’s Jason Anderson took advantage of a last-lap pass to win the opening race of the Western Regional 250SX Class Championship. This was his second career win, and his second win in the last three races going back to 2013 SX.
Joining Anderson on the podium was Troy Lee Designs/Lucas Oil/Honda’s Cole Seely and GEICO Honda’s Zach Osborne.
Jason Anderson (Rockstar Energy KTM SX-F 250 Supercross) says: “The pass was [risky] on Cole (Seely). I didn’t want to be dirty but I had to put it in there, and I am glad it worked. I look forward to riding into Phoenix with the red number-one plate. This is only my second career win, so it is big for me.”
And this Saturday, the Supercross battles continue at Chase Field in Phoneix. This will be the 16th time a SX race has occurred in Phoenix. As for winners,Stewart holds the record for most wins in the 250SX Class in Phoenix, and is tied with Ricky Carmichael for the most wins in the 450SX Class with four inside Chase Field.
During the 2013 Monster Energy Supercross stop in Phoenix, Honda/Muscle Milk’s rookie Justin Barcia captured the first 450SX Class win of his career in front of 50,109 fans. GEICO Honda’s Eli Tomac won his second consecutive Western Regional 250SX Class Main Event, Feld Motor Sports says.
The first race held at Chase Field was January 23, 1999, and Jeremy McGrath won the 450SX Class and Nathan Ramsey won the 250SX Class. Carmichael and Stewart are tied on the all-time win list in Phoenix at four in the 450SX Class. Stewart and Jake Weimer hold the record for most wins in Phoenix for the 250SX Class at two. Stewart and Dungey are the only riders to win both classes in Phoenix, Feld Motor Sports says.
2014 Phoenix AMA Supercross TV Schedule:
The Phoenix Round of the 2014 AMA Supercross Championship will air live on Fox Sports 1 at 9:30 p.m. ET Saturday, June 11. For the entire AMA SX broadcast schedule, click here.
2014 AMA Supercross 450SX Class Season Standings (after one of 17 rounds):
1. Ken Roczen, Murrieta, Calif., KTM, 25
2. Ryan Dungey, Belle Plaine, Minn., KTM, 22
3. Chad Reed, Dade City, Fla., Kawasaki, 20
4. Ryan Villopoto, Poulsbo, Wash., Kawasaki, 18
5. Justin Barcia, Pinetta, Fla., Honda, 16
6. Justin Brayton, Cornelius, N.C., Yamaha, 15
7. Josh Grant, Corona, Calif., Yamaha, 14
8. Broc Tickle, Holly, Mich., Suzuki, 13
9. Andrew Short, Smithville, Texas, KTM, 12
10. Jake Weimer, Rupert, Idaho, Kawasaki, 11
2014 AMA Supercross 250SX Class Season Standings (after one of 17 rounds):
1. Jason Anderson, Rio Rancho, N.M., KTM, 25
2. Cole Seely, Lake Elsinore, Calif., Honda, 22
3. Zach Osborne, Chesterfield, S.C., Honda, 20
4. Dean Wilson, Wesley Chapel, Fla., Kawasaki, 18
5. Cooper Webb, Newport, N.C., Yamaha, 16
6. Justin Hill, Yoncalla, Ore., Kawasaki, 15
7. Darryn Durham, Butler, Pa., Kawasaki, 14
8. Malcolm Stewart, Haines City, Fla., Honda, 13
9. Jessy Nelson, Paso Robles, Calif., Honda, 12
10. Austin Politelli, Menifee, Calif., Yamaha, 11
Past Winners in Phoenix
450SX Class
- January 12, 2013 Justin Barcia
- January 14, 2012 Ryan Dungey
- January 15, 2011 James Stewart
- January 15, 2010 Ryan Dungey
- January 10, 2009 James Stewart
- January 12, 2008 James Stewart
- January 13, 2007 James Stewart
- January 14, 2006 Ricky Carmichael
- January 15, 2005 Ricky Carmichael
- January 10, 2004 Kevin Windham
- January 11, 2003 Ezra Lusk
- January 26, 2002 Ricky Carmichael
- January 27, 2001 Ricky Carmichael
- January 29, 2000 David Vuillemin
- January 23, 1999 Jeremy McGrath
250SX Class
- January 12, 2013 Eli Tomac
- January 14, 2012 Dean Wilson
- January 15, 2011 Josh Hansen
- January 15, 2010 Jake Weimer
- January 10, 2009 Ryan Dungey
- January 12, 2008 Jake Weimer
- January 13, 2007 Christophe Pourcel
- January 14, 2006 Nathan Ramsey
- January 15, 2005 Broc Helper
- January 10, 2004 Ivan Tedesco
- January 11, 2003 James Stewart
- January 26, 2002 James Stewart
- January 27, 2001 Casey Lytle
- January 23, 1999 Nathan Ramsey
