Defending Lucas Oil AMA Pro Motocross Champion Ryan Dungey believes he still stands a very real chance at making it two titles in a row despite trailing Ryan Villopoto by eight points with just two rounds remaining in 2011.

Dungey and Villopoto have gone back and forth in recent rounds of the series, with Villopoto stretching his lead by a single point at Southwick last weekend.

“There are four races left and winning the championship isn’t impossible,” Dungey said. “So now, I’m just focusing on being prepared for Steel City next weekend and getting as many points as possible.

“I really like the track at Steel City – I’ve had good rides and success there in the past few years and it will be good to get back there and keep pushing for this title.”

Things were almost much worse for Dungey at Southwick, with his bike failing to fire before moto two just hours after he won the first. Dungey was forced to start after the gate had already dropped and he was almost a lap back.

In spite of this, he put his head down and piloted the Rockstar Makita Suzuki RM-Z450 through the field. After starting in 39th place, Dungey managed to finish a remarkable seventh in the moto and third overall for the day.

“I have so many mixed emotions right now,” said Dungey. “At one point, I didn’t even think I was going to be able to ride, but then the Rockstar Makita Suzuki team came through. At that point, I knew it was just a matter of salvaging points.

“I don’t want anybody to take anything away from my team. It’s because of them and their hard work that we finished in seventh and were able to pull third overall. If it wasn’t for them I wouldn’t have been out there at all.

Steel City marks round 11 of the 2011 AMA Pro Motocross Championship on this Saturday, 3 September.