Press Release

Villopoto and Dungey Bring Championship Showdown to American Motocross Finale from Pala Raceway on Saturday

ocscottie
9/6/2011 2:38pm


Fiolek and Patterson Take WMX Championship Down to the Wire



MORGANTOWN, W.Va.
(September 6, 2011) - After 11 rounds of competition and a summer full
of the best motocross racing on the planet, the 2011 Lucas Oil AMA Pro
Motocross Championship will come to a dramatic conclusion this Saturday,
September 10, as American Motocross will crown a pair of champions in
its return to Southern California. Pala Raceway, located in Northern San
Diego County, will host the second annual Traxxas Pala National, with a
three-class showcase of the world's fastest motocross athletes.



Throughout
the season, the championship-leading 450 Class duo of Monster Energy
Kawasaki's Ryan Villopoto and Rockstar/Makita Suzuki's Ryan Dungey, have
engaged in many heated battles in their quest for a national title.
Perhaps none of which were more exciting than what took place last
weekend at the Steel City Motocross National. The opening moto from
Delmont, Pa., featured a tremendous showdown between the pair of Ryan's,
with Dungey leading the way from the start, and Villopoto searching for
an opportunity to get by throughout the race. The distance between the
two riders see-sawed through the entire moto, until a last-ditch effort
by Villopoto put him alongside Dungey coming out of the final corner,
and ultimately signified the biggest moto win of the year for the points
leader. The successful result of the pass has made it one of the most
memorable moments in series history, and could be the defining moment in
the outcome of the championship.



Following
Villopoto's moto sweep, and subsequent third overall win of the 2011
season, 14 points now separate he and Dungey heading into Pala Raceway.
With the double-digit advantage in his favor, Villopoto has put the
pressure on Dungey, who will look to remain undefeated at the newest
facility in American Motocross, following a dominant 1-1 effort one year
ago. Should Dungey accomplish that task, and shift the momentum back
into his favor, Villopoto would need a minimum finish of fourth in each
moto to secure his first 450 Class title.



After
an impressive 1-1 performance for his second overall victory of the
summer, Monster Energy/Pro Circuit/Kawasaki's Dean Wilson became the 24th
rider in AMA Pro Motocross history to claim a 250 Class title.
Throughout the season, Wilson has set the standard for consistency,
finishing on the overall podium in 10 of 11 rounds, including seven
runner-up efforts. His series-leading point total and average finish is
an indicator of the success he's achieved, in what has become one of the
most impressive championship performances of all-time.



Wilson
is just the third rider in history born outside of the United States to
win a 250 Class championship, joining South Africa's Grant Langston
(2003) and Scottish-born Jeff Ward (1984). Wilson has also ended a
two-year drought for Mitch Payton's Monster Energy/Pro Circuit/Kawasaki
stable, who last won the 250 Class title with Ryan Villopoto in 2008,
bringing the most successful team in AMA Pro Motocross history its ninth
championship.



While one champion will be crowned at Pala in the 450 Class, another will walk away with a number one plate in the Motorcycle-Superstore.com
Women's Motocross Championship. After a dominant outing at Steel City,
DNA Shred Stix/Star Racing Yamaha's Jessica Patterson decreased her
deficit to points leader, and American Honda rider, Ashley Fiolek from
30 to 22 points. Patterson, the reigning WMX Class Champion, will have
her work cut out for her on Saturday if she is to claim her
seventh-career title, while Fiolek will simply look to replicate her
winning efforts from Pala last season, and capture her third WMX Class
title in four years.



As
the newest venue of the Lucas Oil AMA Pro Motocross Championship, Pala
Raceway has become Southern California's premier motocross destination.
With its sprawling layout and unique blend of speed and big air, the
track is quickly gaining popularity throughout the industry. Saturday's
action will bring a full day of nationally-televised live coverage on
both FUEL TV and SPEED, beginning at 4 p.m. EST.



Following
the success of its inaugural American Motocross event one year ago,
Pala Raceway has made several improvements to make the experience for
the fans on Saturday even better. The area receiving the most focus has
been traffic and parking control. This year, fans will receive free
parking, with no vehicle stops until arrival at a designated ACE Parking
area. The track will also offer discounted practice day cards,
redeemable at both Pala Raceway and Perris Raceway, for attendees who
arrive with four or more people in a vehicle. Also, no matter which
direction fans choose to arrive from, there are multiple routes for
reaching Pala Raceway, including a second entrance off Magee Road.



The
on-track action for the Traxxas Pala National begins this Saturday at
11:30 a.m. EST with practice and qualifying. Opening ceremonies begin at
3:30 p.m. EST with motos kicking off at 4 p.m. EST.



Previous Round Results and Current Standings



Lucas Oil AMA Pro Motocross Championship
Steel City Motocross National
Steel City Raceway - Delmont, Pa.
September 3, 2011
Round 11 of 12



450 Class (Moto Finish) - To view complete event Box Score, click HERE



  1. Ryan Villopoto, Poulsbo, Wash., Kawasaki (1-1)
  2. Ryan Dungey, Belle Plaine, Minn., Suzuki (2-2)
  3. Brett Metcalfe, Mannum, Australia, Suzuki (3-4)
  4. Chad Reed, Kurri Kurri, Australia, Honda (5-3)
  5. Jake Weimer, Rupert, Idaho, Kawasaki (6-6)
  6. Mike Alessi, Victorville, Calif., KTM (8-5)
  7. Justin Brayton, Fort Dodge, Iowa, Yamaha (7-7)
  8. Kyle Regal, Howell, Mich., Suzuki (9-8)
  9. Nick Wey, Dewitt, Mich., Yamaha (11-10)
  10. Michael Byrne, Rockhampton, Australia, Suzuki (13-9)


450 Class Championship Standings



  1. Ryan Villopoto, Poulsbo, Wash., Kawasaki - 481
  2. Ryan Dungey, Belle Plaine, Minn., Suzuki - 467
  3. Chad Reed, Kurri Kurri, Australia, Honda - 402
  4. Brett Metcalfe, Mannum, Australia, Suzuki - 342
  5. Mike Alessi, Victorville, Calif., KTM - 272
  6. Jake Weimer, Rupert, Idaho, Kawasaki - 251
  7. Andrew Short, Colorado Springs, Colo., KTM - 196
  8. Kevin Windham, Baton Rouge, La., Honda - 193
  9. Justin Brayton, Fort Dodge, Iowa, Yamaha - 191
  10. Davi Millsaps, Murrieta, Calif., Yamaha - 173


250 Class (Moto Finish) - To view complete event Box Score, click HERE



  1. Dean Wilson, Glasgow, Scotland, Kawasaki (1-1)
  2. Eli Tomac, Cortez, Colo., Honda (2-2)
  3. Marvin Musquin, La Reole, France, KTM (3-3)
  4. Tyla Rattray, Durban, South Africa, Kawasaki (4-4)
  5. Gareth Swanepoel, Johannesburg, South Africa, Yamaha (7-6)
  6. Blake Baggett, Grand Terrace, Calif., Kawasaki (5-8)
  7. Justin Bogle, Cushing, Okla., Honda (6-10)
  8. Alex Martin, Millville, Minn., Honda (10-7)
  9. Martin Davalos, Quito, Ecuador, Suzuki (11-9)
  10. Malcolm Stewart, Haines City, Fla., Suzuki (8-14)


250 Class Championship Standings



  1. Dean Wilson, Glasgow, Scotland, Kawasaki - 488
  2. Tyla Rattray, Durban, South Africa, Kawasaki - 436
  3. Blake Baggett, Grand Terrace, Calif., Kawasaki - 427
  4. Eli Tomac, Cortez, Colo., Honda - 290
  5. Kyle Cunningham, Aledo, Texas, Yamaha - 283
  6. Gareth Swanepoel, Johannesburg, South Africa, Yamaha - 270
  7. Broc Tickle, Holly, Mich., Kawasaki - 236
  8. Martin Davalos, Quito, Ecuador, Suzuki - 197
  9. Alex Martin, Millville, Minn., Honda - 195
  10. Darryn Durham, Butler, Pa., Honda - 181


WMX Class (Moto Finish) - To view complete event Box Score, click HERE



  1. Jessica Patterson, Tallahassee, Fla., Yamaha (1-1)
  2. Ashley Fiolek, St. Augustine, Fla., Honda (3-2)
  3. Tarah Gieger, Aguadilla, Puerto Rico., Honda (2-3)
  4. Mariana Balbi, Belo Horizonte, Brazil, Yamaha (5-4)
  5. Jacqueline Strong, Cottonwood, Ariz., KTM (4-6)
  6. Vicki Golden, El Cajon, Calif., Kawasaki (6-5)
  7. Kasie Creson, Vallejo, Calif., Honda (8-7)
  8. Sayaka Kaneshiro, Osaka, Japan, Suzuki (7-8)
  9. Alexah Pearson, Sacramento, Calif., KTM (9-9)
  10. Sarah Whitmore, Cheboygan, Mich., KTM (10-10)


WMX Class Standings



  1. Ashley Fiolek, St. Augustine, Fla., Honda - 321
  2. Jessica Patterson, Tallahassee, Fla., Yamaha - 299
  3. Tarah Gieger, Aguadilla, Puerto Rico., Honda - 268
  4. Jacqueline Strong, Cottonwood, Ariz., KTM - 195
  5. Kasie Creson, Vallejo, Calif., Honda - 180
  6. Vicki Golden, El Cajon, Calif., Kawasaki - 171
  7. Marissa Markelon, Bridgeport, Conn., Yamaha - 168
  8. Alexah Pearson, Sacramento, Calif., KTM - 161
  9. Sayaka Kaneshiro, Osaka, Japan, Suzuki - 140
  10. Lindsey Palmer, Albuquerque, N.M., Honda - 137


Tickets for the upcoming Lucas Oil AMA Pro Motocross Championship are on sale now at www.allisports.com. Special discounts and incentives are available for advance ticket purchasers.



For more information on the 2011 tour, please log on to www.allisports.com/motocross.



For
media information about the Lucas Oil AMA Pro Motocross Championship,
please contact Media Manager Brandon Short via email at media@mxsportsproracing.com or by phone at 949-365-5750.



MX Sports Pro Racing
MX
Sports Pro Racing manages and produces the world's most prestigious
motocross series - the Lucas Oil AMA Pro Motocross Championship. The
industry leader in off road powersport event production and management,
its mission is to showcase the sport of professional motocross
competition at events throughout the United States. Through its various
racing properties, partnerships and affiliates, MX Sports Pro Racing
organizes events for thousands of action sports athletes each year and
attracts millions of motorsports spectators. Visit www.mxsportsproracing.com.



Alli, the Alliance of Action Sports

Alli, the Alliance of Action Sports, is a global business that
encompasses national and international action sports tours and events,
multimedia production, and a consumer facing lifestyle brand. The
Alliance includes: the Lucas Oil AMA Pro Motocross Championship, the Dew
Tour, Winter Dew Tour, China Invitational, , King of Wake series, and
the Gatorade Free Flow Tour. Alli TV Productions creates original
content, produces and presents content with partners, and distributes
Alli content through a variety of channels. Alli is owned by NBC Sports
and MTV Networks and represents a network of athletes, fans, brands and
properties. Its mission is to facilitate the momentous growth of action
sports, through competition and lifestyle, for a new generation of fans
and athletes. The Alli properties are home to more than 550,000
spectators each year and broadcasts more than 150 hours of original
content in 100 countries and 280 million homes worldwide. Visit www.allisports.com.



Lucas Oil Products

Lucas Oil is a worldwide leader in the production of oils, lubricants
and additives. Based in Corona, Calif., Lucas Oil Products is one of the
fastest-growing additive lines in the consumer automotive industry,
featuring a premium line of oils, lubricants and problem-solving
performance additives. Through innovative product research and
development, along with aggressive marketing programs, Lucas Oil
Products has established itself as the top-selling additive line in the
American truck-stop industry. Lucas Oil is involved in an array of
motorsports sponsorships, including the "Official Motor Oil of the AMA
Pro Motocross Championship." Visit www.LucasOil.com.



AMA Pro Racing

AMA Pro Racing is the premier professional motorcycle racing
sanctioning body in the United States, operating a full schedule of
events and championships for a variety of motorcycle disciplines. From
its Daytona Beach headquarters, the organization sanctions professional
motorcycle racing competition, which includes, AMA Pro Motocross, AMA
Pro Road Racing, and AMA Pro Flat Track. Visit www.amaproracing.com.

0 comments