Stewart Brings Momentum, Villopoto Leads Championship as Monster Energy Supercross Visits Arlington
Eastern Regional 250SX Class Premieres
Following an opening six races out west that produced four different winners, Monster Energy AMA Supercross, an FIM World Championship, makes its way east for the first time in the 2014 season. After breaking through for his first win of the season last weekend, Yoshimura Suzuki’s James Stewart will highlight the 450SX Class storylines heading into Arlington, Texas, as Monster Energy Kawasaki’s Ryan Villopoto continues to lead in the way in the championship. AT&T Stadium will also serve as the site of the opening race in the Eastern Regional 250SX Class Championship.
Last weekend at the sixth race of the 2014 season from San Diego’s Qualcomm Stadium on Military Appreciation Night, Stewart and Villopoto set a torrid pace throughout the 450SX Class Main Event. Despite Villopoto’s best efforts, Stewart kept the defending champion at bay to claim his 46th-career victory and first in 15 races dating back to Atlanta last season.
“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 AT&T Stadium (in Arlington, Texas) next weekend.”
After starting the season with a 17th-place effort due to a crash late in the Main Event of the first race, Stewart has been one of the most consistent riders in the championship. He’s captured three podiums in the last five races, tied for the most in the division, and is second only to Villopoto in average finish boasting a 3.2 versus Villopoto’s 2.4. He’s climbed to fourth in the point standings, 21 points behind Villopoto for the lead.
As for Villopoto, his unmatched consistency has helped him extend his lead in the championship to its largest margin of the season, currently sitting at nine points ahead of Red Bull KTM’s Ken Roczen, who rounded out the podium in San Diego.
One rider’s who status is uncertain for the seventh stop on the schedule is Discount Tire Racing/TwoTwo Motorsports’ Chad Reed, who shares the 450SX Class lead in victories with Villopoto at two. On the final lap of the Main Event in San Diego, Reed’s front tire made contact with the rear tire of Roczen as the two battled for third. The contact sent Reed hard into the ground, resulting in a DNF and the attention of the Asterisk Medical Crew who helped Reed off the track. Reed provided an update on his condition late Sunday night via Twitter, suggesting he intends to at least attempt to race on Saturday night.
Reed reported via Twitter: “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 six days I plan to be there! Thanks for all the prayers hope to make y’all proud TwoTwo supporters.”
Reed’s uncertain future will have a major impact on the championship battle, whether he’s competes or not. He had been the hottest rider in the class in recent weeks and had the opportunity to go for his third win in four races in San Diego. After entering last weekend just two points behind Villopoto for the championship lead, Reed now sits third, 15 points out of the lead.
The intriguing complexity of the championship that continues to take shape with each passing week headline the talking points this week:
After a six-race run to start its season, the Western Regional 250SX Class Championship will take its annual midseason break before returning to action on April 5. In its absence, the Eastern Regional 250SX Class Championship moves into the spotlight and will kick off a seven-week stretch of competition.
With defending Eastern Regional Champion Wil Hahn now competing in the 450SX Class for GEICO Honda, the title is vacant and up for grabs with a talented field of young riders ready to fight for their first career title. Veteran riders like GEICO Honda’s Blake Wharton and Justin Bogle, Monster Energy/Pro Circuit/Kawasaki’s Blake Baggett and Martin Davalos, and SmarTop Racing MotoConcepts’ Kyle Cunningham are balanced by experienced young up-and-comers like Yamalube/Star Racing Yamaha’s Jeremy Martin, Monster Energy/Pro Circuit/Kawasaki’s Adam Cianciarulo, and GEICO Honda’s Matt Bisceglia.
The Western Regional 250SX Class Championship ended its six-race run by welcoming its fourth different winner on Saturday as Monster Energy/Pro Circuit/Kawasaki’s Justin Hill won the first Main Event of his career in San Diego. Rockstar Energy Racing’s Jason Anderson retook the points lead with a runner-up finish while Troy Lee Designs/MAVTV Honda’s Malcolm Stewart secured his second podium finish of the season. Troy Lee Designs/Lucas Oil Honda’s Cole Seely finished fourth and went from a tie for the points lead to a four-point deficit. Monster Energy/Pro Circuit/Kawasaki’s Dean Wilson, who entered San Diego in search of a second straight win, crashed while leading and recorded a 20th-place finish to drop to 33 points out of the lead.
Last season in Arlington, Villopoto raced to his third victory of the season to continue his charge towards an eventual third consecutive 450SX Class title. In the Eastern Regional 250SX Class opener, Wilson dominated to secure the fifth win of his career.
The first race held in Dallas was February 28, 1975, when Jimmy Ellis won on Can-Am. Reed has the most wins of any rider, with four victories coming over the span of six seasons. Mike LaRocco, Jeremy McGrath, Doug Henry, Kevin Windham, James Stewart, and Ryan Villopoto have all won in Dallas in both the 450SX Class and 250SX Class. Since 2007, five different winners have claimed victory in the 450SX Class.
Previous race results: Qualcomm Stadium, San Diego, February 8, 2014
Western Regional 250SX Class Results: San Diego
1. Justin Hill, Yoncalla, Ore., Kawasaki
2. Jason Anderson, Rio Rancho, N.M., KTM
3. Malcolm Stewart, Haines City, Fla., Honda
4. Cole Seely, Lake Elsinore, Calif., Honda
5. Shane McElrath, Chesterfield, S.C., Honda
6. Jessy Nelson, Paso Robles, Calif., Honda
7. Michael Leib, Menifee, Calif., Honda
8. Scott Champion, Orange, Calif., Yamaha
9. Jake Canada, Sun City, Calif., Honda
10. Dean Ferris, Murrieta, Calif., KTM
Western Regional 250SX Class Season Standings
1. Jason Anderson, Rio Rancho, N.M., KTM, 131
2. Cole Seely, Lake Elsinore, Calif., Honda, 127
3. Justin Hill, Yoncalla, Ore., Kawasaki, 107
4. Dean Wilson, Wesley Chapel, Fla., Kawasaki, 98
5. Cooper Webb, Newport, N.C., Yamaha, 92
6. Malcolm Stewart, Haines City, Fla., Honda, 89
7. Jessy Nelson, Paso Robles, Calif., Honda, 76
8. Shane McElrath, Chesterfield, S.C., Honda, 71
9. Zach Osborne, Chesterfield, S.C., Honda, 69
10. Dean Ferris, Murrieta, Calif., KTM, 63
450SX Class Results: San Diego
1. James Stewart, Haines City, Fla., Suzuki
2. Ryan Villopoto, Poulsbo, Wash., Kawasaki
3. Ken Roczen, Murrieta, Calif., KTM
4. Ryan Dungey, Belle Plaine, Minn., KTM
5. Weston Peick, Wildomar, Calif., Suzuki
6. Justin Barcia, Pinetta, Fla., Honda
7. Eli Tomac, Cortez, Colo., Honda
8. Brock Tickle, Holly, Mich., Suzuki
9. Justin Brayton, Cornelius, N.C., Yamaha
10. Andrew Short, Smithville, Texas, KTM
450SX Class Season Standings
1. Ryan Villopoto, Poulsbo, Wash., Kawasaki, 126
2. Ken Roczen, Murrieta, Calif., KTM, 117
3. Chad Reed, Dade City, Fla., Kawasaki, 111
4. James Stewart, Haines City, Fla., Suzuki, 105
5. Justin Brayton, Cornelius, N.C., Yamaha, 98
6. Ryan Dungey, Belle Plaine, Minn., KTM, 94
7. Justin Barcia, Pinetta, Fla., Honda, 89
8. Andrew Short, Smithville, Texas, KTM, 72
9. Weston Peick, Wildomar, Calif., Suzuki, 53
10. Wil Hahn, Menifee, Calif., Honda, 52
Past Winners in Arlington – 450SX Class
February 16, 2013 Ryan Villopoto
February 18, 2012 Ryan Villopoto
April 2, 2011 Trey Canard
March 20, 2010 Ryan Dungey
April 5, 2008 Chad Reed
March 31, 2007 James Stewart
March 22, 2006 Chad Reed
April 2, 2005 James Stewart
April 17, 2004 Chad Reed
April 12, 2003 Chad Reed
April 20, 2002 Ricky Carmichael
April 21, 2001 Ricky Carmichael
April 8, 2000 Kevin Windham
February 27, 1999 Kevin Windham
April 25, 1998 Ezra Lusk
April 26, 1997 Jeff Emig
March 23, 1996 Jeremy McGrath
April 29, 1995 Dough Henry
April 23, 1994 Mike LaRocco
March 28, 1993 Jeremy McGrath
May 30, 1992 Damon Bradshaw
April 27, 1991 Damon Bradshaw
April 7, 1990 Jean-Michael Bayle
April 1, 1989 Jeff Ward
April 16, 1988 Rick Johnson
April 4, 1987 Rick Johnson
April 26, 1986 David Bailey
May 4, 1985 Rick Johnson
April 14, 1984 Johnny O’Mara
April 16, 1983 Mike Bell
March 26, 1977 Bob Hannah
March 19, 1976 Jim Ellis
February 28, 1975 Jim Ellis
March 1, 1975 (b) Steve Stackable
250SX Class Past Winners
February 16, 2013 Dean Wilson
February 18, 2012 Justin Barcia
April 2, 2011 Dean Wilson
March 20, 2010 Blake Baggett
April 5, 2008 Ryan Villopoto
March 31, 2007 Ben Townley
March 22, 2006 Ryan Villopoto
April 2, 2005 Grant Langston
April 17, 2004 Ivan Tedesco
April 12, 2003 James Stewart
April 20, 2002 Travis Preston
April 21, 2001 Grant Langston
April 8, 2000 Greg Schnell
February 27, 1999 Nathan Ramsey
April 25, 1998 John Dowd
April 26, 1997 Kevin Windham
March 23, 1996 Mickael Pichon
April 29, 1995 Damon Huffman
April 23, 1994 Jimmy Button
March 28, 1993 Doug Henry
May 30, 1992 Jeremy McGrath
April 27, 1991 Jeremy McGrath
April 7, 1990 Denny Stephenson
April 1, 1989 Mike LaRocco
April 16, 1988 Ty Davis
April 4, 1987 Kyle Lewis
April 26, 1986 Keith Turpin
May 4, 1985 Bobby Moore
