AMA Supercross: Rd7 Texas

Villopoto makes it three wins on the trot as the Monster Energy Supercross heads East to the Cowboys Stadium for round seven of the series. Barcia Opens Eastern Regional Supercross Lites class Championship with a tough win…

Monster Energy Kawasaki’s Ryan Villopoto kept his winning streak alive by clinching his third consecutive Monster Energy AMA Supercross at Cowboys Stadium in Texas in front of yet another sold out stadium of supercross fans. The win – his fourth so far in 2012 series, extends his point’s lead to 13. The seventh stop of the AMA Supercross season also marked the opening round of the Eastern Regional Lites class where GEICO Honda’s Justin Barcia won the main event.

Motoconcepts Suzuki’s Jeff Alessi captured the first Nuclear Cowboyz® Holeshot Award of his season to begin the Supercross Class Main Event. Villopoto and TwoTwo Motorsports Honda’s Chad Reed quickly passed Alessi. Yamaha’s James Stewart held down second on lap two but swiftly collided with trammate Davi Millsaps on the following lap, tumbling each other down the leader board.

Three's a Charm: Villopoto is now three wins on the bounce

While stalking Villopoto just prior to the halfway point, Reed suffered a horrific crash that left him unable to finish the race. 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. Dungey’s second place on the night moves him up to second in the overall standings behind Ryan Villopoto.

“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 (Reed). I am looking forward to next weekend in Atlanta.”

“I felt really good tonight,” said Dungey after finishing third. “Our team made some great improvements to the bike over the last week and I felt very comfortable all day. I’m glad I was able to make the pass on the final lap. I am happy with my finish tonight and am grateful to the Red Bull/KTM Team for all their hard work.”

Lites

Monster Energy/Pro Circuit Kawasaki’s Darryn Durham won the Nuclear Cowboyz Holeshot Award 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 3 by his teammate and defending Supercross Lites Class Champion Justin Barcia.

On Lap 6, 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 8, when he passed Durham and rode to victory. Red Bull KTM’s Ken Roczen passed Bogle for third place on Lap 10.

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

Rockin' Roczen: Ken is off to a great start with 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.”

“I felt so comfortable on the track,” remarked Roczen. “My bike was working awesome and the track was so much fun to ride. It’s a great feeling to land on the podium at the first round. I took a little long to make my passes tonight but overall I am happy to be up here and earn some good points toward the championship.”