Features 6 May 2011

AMA Supercross - what the title will mean to the winner

MotoOnline.com.au looks at the significance of winning AMA Supercross 2011 for RV, Reed and Dungey.

While looking through statistics ahead of this weekend’s final round of the Monster Energy Supercross, an FIM World Championship, we spotted a few significant factors regarding what it would mean for the title contenders and their respective manufacturers.

With Monster Energy Kawasaki’s Ryan Villopoto leading by nine over Australia’s TwoTwo Motorsports/Bel-Ray Racing Honda rider Chad Reed, Villopoto only needs a top five finish to capture the crown regardless if Reed wins.

If Reed does in fact win, Villopoto will obviously have to finish sixth or worse in order for him to take a third title.

Meanwhile, defending champion Ryan Dungey needs to win for Rockstar Makita Suzuki and hope that Villopoto finishes ninth or worse to win the title.

Here’s what it will count for on Saturday night in Las Vegas if any of these three manage to capture the title:

Villopoto is in the box seat for a first AMA Supercross title this weekend in Vegas.

Villopoto is in the box seat for a first AMA Supercross title this weekend in Vegas. Image: RacerXOnline.com.

Ryan Villopoto – Monster Energy Kawasaki

  • If Ryan Villopoto wins, it will be his first Supercross class championship and Kawasaki’s seventh Supercross class championship: ‘76; ‘85, ’87; ’97; ’01, ’07, ’11?
  • Kawasaki will become the first brand in Supercross class history to win a championship in five different decades
Victory for Reed would be a huge result for Honda in its AMA Supercross history.

Victory for Reed would be a huge result for Honda in its AMA Supercross history.

Chad Reed – TwoTwo Motorsports/Bel-Ray Racing Honda

  • If Chad Reed wins, it will be his third Supercross class championship. ’04, ’08, ’11?
  • If Reed wins, it will be Honda’s 16th Supercross class championship: ’82-’84, ’86, ’88-’96, ’02-’03, ’11?
  • If Reed wins, It would be Honda’s first championship since 2003
  • If Reed wins, he would join Jeremy McGrath, Ricky Carmichael and James Stewart as riders to win a Supercross title on two brands; Carmichael won a title on three brands
If Dungey can win the title on Saturday night it will be his second straight and Suzuki's fifth ever.

If Dungey can win the title on Saturday night it will be his second straight and Suzuki's fifth ever.

Ryan Dungey – Rockstar Makita Suzuki

  • If Ryan Dungey wins, it will be his second Supercross title. ’10;’11?
  • If Dungey wins, it will be Suzuki’s fifth Supercross class title
  • If Dungey wins, he would join Bob Hannah, Jeff Stanton, McGrath, and Carmichael as the only racers to win the Supercross championship back-to-back

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