Stewart Captures First Monster Energy Supercross Win of the Year
Hill Hauls to First 250SX Class Win of his Career
Yoshimura Suzuki’s James Stewart won his first Monster Energy AMA Supercross, an FIM World Championship, race of the season before 56,828 fans at Qualcomm Stadium on Saturday night at the first-ever Military Appreciation Race. Monster Energy/Pro Circuit/Kawasaki’s Justin Hill won the first Western Regional 250SX Class Main Event of his career and became the fourth different rider to win a race this year in the division.
BTO Sports KTM’s Andrew Short led the field through turn one to start the 450SX Class Main Event to grab the Nuclear Cowboyz Holeshot Award®. Short was passed on the opening lap by Monster Energy Kawasaki’s Ryan Villopoto with Stewart in tow. Stewart then moved around Villopoto on the same lap.
At the end of the first lap, Discount Tire Racing/TwoTwo Motorsports’ Chad Reed pulled into third place. Reed was passed on Lap 7 by Red Bull KTM’s Ken Roczen. Out front, Villopoto pressured Stewart throughout the 20-lap Main Event but was never close enough to attempt a pass. It was the 46th-career victory for Stewart and his first since Atlanta last season, 15 races ago.
“It is always special to win, but especially this season,” said Stewart. “Tonight was our military-themed race and everyone here was one big family. This was an amazing race and I look forward to heading to Cowboys Stadium (in Arlington, Texas) next weekend.”
On the last lap of the race, Reed collided with Roczen’s rear tire and crashed while attempting to make a pass for third. As a result, Reed did not finish the race. Villopoto finished second, with Roczen in third.
After getting checked out at hospital Reed tweeted the following, “So not the news I wanted 3 broken bones 1) scapula 2) collarbone 3) T1 Explains the pain I guess.. Sometimes things don’t make sense it’s that love hate relationship you have with racing But every Saturday night they drop the gate. In 6 days I plan to be there!”
Villopoto now holds a nine-point lead over Roczen in the 450SX Class standings.
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Team Tedder/Monster Energy/Kawasaki’s Dakota Tedder won the first Nuclear Cowboyz Holeshot Award of his career to begin the 15-lap 250SX Class Main Event but was quickly passed by Monster Energy/Pro Circuit/Kawasaki’s Dean Wilson, who won last weekend at Angel Stadium. Troy Lee Designs/MAVTV Honda’s Malcolm Stewart moved into second place and Wilson’s teammate Hill followed in third place.
On the second lap, Wilson crashed and dropped outside of the top 10. Just prior to the crash, Hill was able to pass Stewart for second and then assumed the lead. By Lap 6, Rockstar Energy Racing’s Jason Anderson, who came into the evening tied for the points lead, passed Stewart for second place. Hill led the remaining laps for the win, while Anderson finished second and Stewart finished third. Wilson re-entered the race to finish 21st.
“What an amazing feeling to get a win,” said Hill. “I had a lot more confidence after getting on the podium in Oakland and I was able to stay focused. I was so focused I missed the white flag, so when I got the checkered I kept charging thinking there was one more lap. This is just so awesome.”
Anderson took over sole possession of the points lead and now holds a four-point advantage over Troy Lee Designs/Lucas Oil Honda’s Cole Seely.
Monster Energy Supercross heads to Arlington, Texas’ Cowboys Stadium next Saturday, February 15. Next weekend, the Eastern Regional 250SX Class Championship begins as the Western Regional 250SX Class riders are on a break until April 5 at Houston’s Reliant Stadium.
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250SX Class Results: San Diego
- Justin Hill, Yoncalla, Ore., Kawasaki
- Jason Anderson, Rio Rancho, N.M., KTM
- Malcolm Stewart, Haines City, Fla., Honda
- Cole Seely, Lake Elsinore, Calif., Honda
- Shane McElrath, Chesterfield, S.C., Honda
- Jessy Nelson, Paso Robles, Calif., Honda
- Michael Leib, Menifee, Calif., Honda
- Scott Champion, Orange, Calif., Yamaha
- Jake Canada, Sun City, Calif., Honda
- Dean Ferris, Murrieta, Calif., KTM
250SX Class Season Standings
- Jason Anderson, Rio Rancho, N.M., KTM, 131
- Cole Seely, Lake Elsinore, Calif., Honda, 127
- Justin Hill, Yoncalla, Ore., Kawasaki, 107
- Dean Wilson, Wesley Chapel, Fla., Kawasaki, 98
- Cooper Webb, Newport, N.C., Yamaha, 92
- Malcolm Stewart, Haines City, Fla., Honda, 89
- Jessy Nelson, Paso Robles, Calif., Honda, 76
- Shane McElrath, Chesterfield, S.C., Honda, 71
- Zach Osborne, Chesterfield, S.C., Honda, 69
- Dean Ferris, Murrieta, Calif., KTM, 63
450SX Class Results: San Diego
- James Stewart, Haines City, Fla., Suzuki
- Ryan Villopoto, Poulsbo, Wash., Kawasaki
- Ken Roczen, Murrieta, Calif., KTM
- Ryan Dungey, Belle Plaine, Minn., KTM
- Weston Peick, Wildomar, Calif., Suzuki
- Justin Barcia, Pinetta, Fla., Honda
- Eli Tomac, Cortez, Colo., Honda
- Brock Tickle, Holly, Mich., Suzuki
- Justin Brayton, Cornelius, N.C., Yamaha
- Andrew Short, Smithville, Texas, KTM
450SX Class Season Standings
- Ryan Villopoto, Poulsbo, Wash., Kawasaki, 126
- Ken Roczen, Murrieta, Calif., KTM, 117
- Chad Reed, Dade City, Fla., Kawasaki, 111
- James Stewart, Haines City, Fla., Suzuki, 105
- Justin Brayton, Cornelius, N.C., Yamaha, 98
- Ryan Dungey, Belle Plaine, Minn., KTM, 94
- Justin Barcia, Pinetta, Fla., Honda, 89
- Andrew Short, Smithville, Texas, KTM, 72
- Weston Peick, Wildomar, Calif., Suzuki, 53
- Wil Hahn, Menifee, Calif., Honda, 52
Toyota Triple Challenge Standings
- Chad Reed, Dade City, Fla., Kawasaki, 25
- Ken Roczen, Murrieta, Calif., KTM, 22
- Ryan Villopoto, Poulsbo, Wash., Kawasaki, 20
- Justin Barcia, Pinetta, Fla., Honda, 18
- Weston Peick, Wildomar, Calif., Suzuki, 16
- Justin Brayton, Cornelius, N.C., Yamaha, 15
- James Stewart, Haines City, Fla., Suzuki, 14
- Jake Weimer, Rupert, Idaho, Kawasaki, 13
- Andrew Short, Smithville, Texas, KTM. 12
- Ivan Tedesco, Murrieta, Calif., KTM, 11
