Stewart Carries Three-Race Win Streak into Houston’s NRG Stadium
Anderson Holding Down Western Regional 250SC Class Points Lead
After winning his 50th Monster Energy AMA Supercross, an FIM World Championship, race last weekend in St. Louis, Yoshimura Suzuki’s James Stewart hopes to keep his winning streak alive at Houston’s NRG Stadium this Saturday night. After a seven-race break, the action in the Western Regional 250SX Class heats up in Houston with Rockstar Energy Racing’s Jason Anderson holding down a four-point lead over Troy Lee Designs/Honda’s Cole Seely.
Some key insights into this weekend’s race are:
- Stewart is the winner of 50 450SX Class races
- Stewart has three consecutive wins and five on the season
- Villopoto has eight podiums this year and a 35-point lead
- Anderson has a four-point lead in the Western Regional 250SX Class
- In his first race back, Trey Canard earned his first top-five since Salt lake City last year
Before a record-breaking 60,213 fans at the Edward Jones Dome, Stewart won his third consecutive Monster Energy Supercross race and fifth of the season.
Smartop/Motoconcepts Racing’s Mike Alessi was the early lead after capturing the Nuclear Cowboyz® Holeshot Award in the 450SX Class Main Event. Villopoto passed Alessi early on and held the lead until Lap 10, when Stewart made the move and rode to victory.
“This is a special night for me,” said Stewart. “This year I have been having a lot of fun winning races. Tonight was a great race for me; I was able to make the pass and ride to my 50th win. That is huge for me. I never thought I would win 50 of these races.”
Villopoto finished second and has eight podium finishes this season.
“It’s all about the big picture and the championship for me,” said Villopoto. “I can’t afford to make any big mistakes. I was able to get a good start and put in some good laps early on.”
Team Honda/Muscle Milk’s Justin Barcia earned his third podium of the season with a third-place finish.
Monster Energy/Pro Circuit/Kawasaki’s Martin Davalos led all 15 laps to win the Eastern Regional 250SX Class Main Event and extended his championship points lead to eight as the tour takes a break until the first-ever race at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J.
“This was a tough race tonight,” said Davalos. “Again, the start was key, and I was able to get the early lead and hold on. I want to enjoy this win and go back and keep working hard.
During the last Western regional 250SX Class main Event, 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.
“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.”
Inside NRG Stadium for the 2013 race, Villopoto won his fifth consecutive 450SX Class race. Rockstar Energy Racing’s Blake Wharton won his first Eastern Regional 250SX Class Main Event of the year.
Since 1974, Houston has been on the 450SX Class schedule. From 1974-2000, the Houston Astrodome played host to the Houston stop until it was moved to NRG Stadium in 2003. The first 450SX Class race in Houston was on March 15, 1974, where Jim Pomeroy earned the win. Eddie Warren became the first 250SX Class winner in Houston on April 20, 1985. Jeremy McGrath, the all-time winningest supercross rider, shares the all-time win record in Houston with Mark Barnett with five.
450SX Class Results: St. Louis
- James Stewart, Haines City, Fla., Suzuki
- Ryan Villopoto, Poulsbo, Wash., Kawasaki
- Justin Barcia, Pinetta, Fla., Honda
- Ken Roczen, Murrieta, Calif., KTM
- Trey Canard, Edmond, Okla., Honda
- Eli Tomac, Cortex, Colo., Honda
- Josh Hill, Yoncalla, Ore., Suzuki
- Andrew Short, Smithville, Texas, KTM
- Ryan Dungey, Belle Plaine, Minn., KTM
- Justin Brayton, Cornelius, N.C., Yamaha
450SX Class Season Standings
- Ryan Villopoto, Poulsbo, Wash., Kawasaki, 268
- Ryan Dungey, Belle Plaine, Minn., KTM, 233
- James Stewart, Haines City, Fla., Suzuki, 232
- Ken Roczen, Murrieta, Calif., KTM, 215
- Justin Brayton, Cornelius, N.C., Yamaha, 196
- Justin Barcia, Pinetta, Fla., Honda, 176
- Andrew Short, Smithville, Texas, KTM, 166
- Broc Tickle, Holly, Mich., Suzuki, 126
- Wil Hahn, Menifee, Calif., Honda, 122
- Chad Reed, Dade City, Fla., Kawasaki, 111
Eastern Regional 250SX Class Results: St. Louis
- Martin Davalos, Cairo, Ga., Kawasaki
- Justin Bogle, Cushing, Okla., Honda
- Blake Baggett, Grand Terrace, Calif., Kawasaki
- Kyle Cunningham, Aledo, Texas, Honda
- AJ Catanzaro, Portland, Conn., Honda
- Cole Thompson, Brigden, Ontario, KTM
- Matt Bisceglia, Weatherford, Texas, Honda
- James Decotis, Peabody, Mass., Honda
- Alex Martin, Millville, Minn., Yamaha
- Gannon Audette, Tallahassee, Fla., Kawasaki
Eastern Regional 250SX Class Season Standings
- Martin Davalos, Cairo, Ga., Kawasaki, 149
- Justin Bogle, Cushing, Okla., Honda, 141
- Adam Cianciarulo, Port Orange, Fla., Kawasaki, 120
- Blake Baggett, Grand Terrace, Calif., 100
- Vince Friese, Cape Girardeau, Mo., Honda, 100
- Kyle Cunningham, Aledo, Texas, Honda, 94
- Cole Thompson, Brigden, Ontario, KTM, 89
- James Decotis, Peabody, Mass., Honda, 65
- Matthew Lemoine, Pilot Point, Texas, Kawasaki, 74
- Alex Martin, Millville, Minn., Yamaha, 72
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
Past Winners in Houston – 450SX Class
- April 6, 2013 Ryan Villopoto
- March 31, 2012 Ryan Villopoto
- February 12, 2011 Trey Canard
- April 10, 2010 Ryan Villopoto
- January 24, 2009 James Stewart
- February 16, 2008 Kevin Windham
- February 10, 2007 James Stewart
- April 1, 2006 James Stewart
- April 30, 2005 James Stewart
- February 14, 2004 Chad Reed
- March 29, 2003 Chad Reed
- March 23, 2002 Ricky Carmichael
- March 24, 2001 Ricky Carmichael
- February 5, 2000 Jeremy McGrath
- March 13, 1999 Jeremy McGrath
- January 17, 1998 Ezra Lusk
- March 22, 1997 Jeff Emig
- March 16, 1996 Jeremy McGrath
- March 25, 1995 Jeremy McGrath
- March 22, 1994 Jeremy McGrath
- March 16, 1993 Damon Bradshaw
- March 18, 1992 Damon Bradshaw
- January 19, 1991 Jean-Michel Bayle
- February 3, 1990 Damon Bradshaw
- March 18, 1989 Jeff Stanton
- March 6, 1988 Jeff Ward
- February 7, 1987 Jeff Ward
- February 2, 1986 Jeff Ward
- April 20, 1985 Jeff Ward
- March 24, 1984 David Bailey
- March 20, 1983 Mark Barnett
- March 19, 1983 Bob Hannah
- March 20, 1982 Mark Barnett
- March 19, 1982 Mark Barnett
- March 14, 1981 Mark Barnett
- March 13, 1981 Mark Barnett
- March 15, 1980 Broc Glover
- March 14, 1980 Mike Bell
- March 17, 1979 Bob Hannah
- March 16, 1979 Bob Hannah
- March 18, 1978 Bob Hannah
- March 17, 1978 Bob Hannah
- March 19, 1977 Jim Ellis
- March 18, 1977 Tony DiStefano
- March 12, 1976 Jim Weinert
- March 14, 1975 Jim Ellis
- March 15, 1974 Jim Pomeroy
250SX Class Past Winners
- April 6, 2013 Blake Wharton
- March 31, 2012 Ken Roczen
- February 12, 2011 Justin Barcia
- April 10, 2010 Christophe Pourcel
- January 14, 2009 Christophe Pourcel
- February 16, 2008 Austin Stroupe
- February 10, 2007 Ryan Villopoto
- April 1, 2006 Davi Millsaps
- April 30, 2005 Andrew Short
- February 14, 2004 James Stewart
- March 29, 2003 Brock Sellards
- March 23, 2002 Matt Walker
- March 24, 2001 Travis Preston
- February 5, 2000 Derrick Shae Bentley
- March 13, 1999 Nathan Ramsey
- January 17, 1998 David Vuillemin
- March 22, 1997 Kevin Windham
- March 16, 1996 Kevin Windham
- March 25, 1995 Damon Huffman
- January 22, 1994 Ezra Lusk
- January 16, 1993 Jimmy Gaddis
- January 18, 1992 Brian Swink
- January 19, 1991 Tallon Vohland
- February 3, 1990 Jeff Emig
- March 18, 1989 Mike LaRocco
- February 6, 1988 Jeff Matiasevich
- February 7, 1987 Keith Turpin
- February 2, 1986 Willie Surratt
- April 20, 1985 Eddie Warren
