News 19 Feb 2012

Villopoto and Barcia win, while Reed crashes out in Dallas

Monster Energy Kawasaki’s Ryan Villopoto won his third consecutive race tonight at Cowboys Stadium in Dallas.

Ryan Villopoto raced to his third straight win in Dallas on Saturday night. Image: Simon Cudby.

Monster Energy Kawasaki’s Ryan Villopoto won his third consecutive Monster Energy AMA Supercross, an FIM World Championship, race tonight at Cowboys Stadium in Dallas and extended his points lead to 13 points.

Motoconcepts Suzuki’s Jeff Alessi captured the first holeshot of his season to begin the Supercross Class main event.

Alessi was quickly passed by Villopoto and TwoTwo Motorsports Honda’s Chad Reed respectively.

JGRMX/ Toyota/Yamaha’s James Stewart finished lap two in second place, and on the following lap he collided with his teammate Davi Millsaps. The mishap caused Stewart and Millsaps to lose several positions.

While stalking Villopoto just prior to the halfway point, Reed suffered a horrific crash that left him unable to finish the race. Reed will be seeing a specialist in California tomorrow for an extensive injury update.

On lap 18, Villopoto’s Monster Energy Kawasaki teammate Jake Weimer traded positions with Red Bull KTM’s Ryan Dungey for second place.

Weimer held him off but was passed by Dungey on the final lap. The two then traded positions several times before Dungey made the final pass and crossed the checkers in second. Weimer finished third, marking his second podium finish of the year.

“The track really broke down out there tonight, and when that happens, you have to be smart and play it safe,” said Villopoto.

“It’s a bummer for Chad. I am looking forward to next weekend in Atlanta.”

Meanwhile, Brett Metcalfe finished eighth for Yoshimura Suzuki. Countryman Cody Mackie had a tough night, crashing in his heat before finishing fifth in the LCQ for JWR Kawasaki.

GEICO Honda’s Justin Barcia won the opening race of the Eastern Regional Supercross Lites Class Championship.

Monster Energy/Pro Circuit Kawasaki’s Darryn Durham won the holeshot to start the Supercross Lites Class main event with Rockstar Energy Racing’s Blake Wharton on his rear wheel through the first turn. While charging after Durham, Wharton crashed before the take-off of the triple.

Rookie Justin Bogle moved into second place after Wharton’s crash but was subsequently passed on lap three by his teammate and defending Supercross Lites Class Champion Justin Barcia.

On lap six, Barcia and Durham traded places with Durham holding the lead, and on the same lap, Barcia and Bogle traded places.

Barcia held down second until lap eight, when he passed Durham and rode to victory. Red Bull KTM’s Ken Roczen passed Bogle for third place on lap 10.

JDR/JStar/KTM’s Malcolm Stewart attempted to pass Bogle but caused both riders to crash, losing valuable positions. Durham finished second and Roczen finished third.

“They didn’t make it easy on me tonight,” said Barcia. “I had a great night, and the team didn’t really have to make any major changes to the bike coming into tonight’s main event.

“I have learned a lot from the past few years, and it paid off tonight. I am going to Atlanta next weekend with the points lead.”

The series will continue at round eight in Atlanta, Georgia, next Saturday night.

2012 Monster Energy AMA Supercross, an FIM World Championship
Round Seven – Dallas, TX

Supercross Class Results:
1. Ryan Villopoto, Poulsbo, Wash., Kawasaki
2. Ryan Dungey, Belle Plaine, Minn., KTM
3. Jake Weimer, Rupert, Idaho, Kawasaki
4. Mike Alessi, Hilliard, Calif., Suzuki
5. Josh Hansen, Elbert, Colo., Kawasaki
6. James Stewart, Haines City, Fla., Yamaha
7. Kevin Windham, Centreville, Miss., Honda
8. Brett Metcalfe, Lake Elsinore, Calif., Suzuki
9. Justin Brayton, Murrieta, Calif., Honda
10. Kyle Chisholm, Valrico, Fla., Kawasaki

Supercross Class Season Standings:
1. Ryan Villopoto, Poulsbo, Wash., Kawasaki – 158
2. Ryan Dungey, Belle Plaine, Minn., KTM – 145
3. Chad Reed, Dade City, Fla., Honda – 128
4. James Stewart, Haines City, Fla., Yamaha – 116
5. Jake Weimer, Rupert, Idaho, Kawasaki – 92
6. Kevin Windham, Centreville, Miss., Honda – 92
7. Brett Metcalfe, Lake Elsinore, Calif., Suzuki – 88
8. Mike Alessi, Hilliard, Calif., Suzuki – 81
9. Justin Brayton, Murrieta, Calif., Honda – 80
10. Josh Hansen, Elbert, Colo., Kawasaki – 80

Eastern Regional Supercross Lites Class Results:
1. Justin Barcia, Ochlocknee, Ga., Honda
2. Darryn Dunham, Butler, Pa., Kawasaki
3. Ken Roczen, Murrieta, Ga., KTM
4. Blake Wharton, Beaumont, Texas, Suzuki
5. Phillip Nicoletti, Cochecton, N.Y., Honda
6. Malcolm Stewart, Haines City, Fla., KTM
7. Jake Canada, Sun City, Calif., Suzuki
8. PJ Larsen, Murrieta, Calif., KTM
9. Cole Thompson, Brigden, Ontario, Honda
10. Lance Vincent, Youngsville, La., KTM

Eastern Regional Supercross Lites Class Season Standings:
1. Justin Barcia, Ochlocknee, Ga., Honda – 25
2. Darryn Dunham, Butler, Pa., Kawasaki – 23
3. Ken Roczen, Murrieta, Ga., KTM – 20
4. Blake Wharton, Beaumont, Texas, Suzuki – 18
5. Phillip Nicoletti, Cochecton, N.Y., Honda – 16
6. Malcolm Stewart, Haines City, Fla., KTM – 15
7. Jake Canada, Sun City, Calif., Suzuki – 14
8. PJ Larsen, Murrieta, Calif., KTM – 13
9. Cole Thompson, Brigden, Ontario, Honda – 12
10. Lance Vincent, Youngsville, La., KTM – 11

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