Showdown Looms as the Greatest Season in Monster Energy Supercross History Concludes in Las Vegas This Saturday

Four Titles on the Line as Season Finale

AURORA,
Ill, (May 2, 2011) – The greatest season in Monster Energy AMA
Supercross, an FIM World Championship, history will come to a dramatic
conclusion on Saturday with the highly-anticipated season finale from
Las Vegas’ Sam Boyd Stadium. A packed house will welcome the world’s
best riders as Monster Energy Kawasaki’s Ryan Villopoto looks to secure
his first-career Supercross class title. For the first time in Monster
Energy Supercross history, four titles will be awarded at the season
finale at Sam Boyd Stadium, including the Supercross class,
Eastern/Western Regional Supercross Lites and Dave Coombs Sr. East/West
Shootout titles.

Media
Day for this weekend’s final race takes place on Friday, May 6 from
10:00 a.m. - Noon, from the Sam Boyd Stadium Press Box. A special press
conference featuring the three title contenders will preview Saturday
evening’s action.

On
the heels of capturing his championship-leading sixth win of the season
in Salt Lake City, Villopoto now holds a nine-point lead over TwoTwo
Motorsports/Bel-Ray Racing’s Chad Reed while reigning Monster Energy
Supercross Champion Ryan Dungey sits 12 points behind for the
Rockstar/Makita Suzuki squad.

A
win last weekend in Salt Lake City extended Ryan Villopoto’s points
lead to nine points. Villopoto leads the Supercross class in wins this
season with six.

Photo Credit: Brian Robinette

Last
Saturday, Villopoto entered the penultimate round of the championship
with just a nine-point advantage over his three closest challengers,
Reed, Dungey, and San Manuel Yamaha’s James Stewart. Coming off
back-to-back wins at the previous two rounds, a determined Stewart put
himself in position to win again in Utah, grabbing the holeshot and
opening up an early lead. However, on Lap 8, Stewart fell to the ground
after losing his front end, handing the lead and second place over to
Villopoto and Reed, who were engaged in battle. Upon remounting in
third, Stewart crashed hard in the whoops, allowing Dungey to take over
the position.

Once
out front, Villopoto continued to charge, opening up a gap over Reed
and fending off his rival’s advances over the final laps. Dungey
rounded out the podium in third while Stewart soldiered home to 10^th.
As a result of his misfortune, Stewart lost considerable ground to
Villopoto in the standings, but still remains within reach of the
title, 23 points out of the lead.

“We
have all done our work this year, and it is paying off,” said
Villopoto. “It is a lot easier going into Vegas with a nine-point lead.
Hopefully, I will be standing on top of the box next weekend.”

Never
before in the 38-year history of Monster Energy Supercross have four
riders entered the final race of the championship with a shot at the
coveted title. The 2011 championship has been witness to arguably the
most competitive action the sport has ever seen, boasting five
different winners. Additionally, past champions Reed, Dungey and
Stewart have been challenged by a pair of former Supercross Lites
champions in Villopoto and Supercross class rookie Trey Canard, who won
three races for American Honda before suffering a season-ending injury
a few weeks ago. On any given week, the action has been unpredictable
with extremely heavy parity and some of the most dramatic moments of
misfortune experienced by each of the title contenders.

Over
the course of the previous 16 weeks of racing, the points lead has
changed hands on five different occasions among three riders. Through
it all, the championship has culminated in the most captivating title
fight of all time and in just a few days, a record number of riders
will engage in battle to determine who will walk away from Las Vegas as
champion.

Two-time
Monster Energy Supercross champion Chad Reed sits in second place, nine
points behind leader Ryan Villopoto heading into the season finale from
Las Vegas’ Sam Boyd Stadium this Saturday.

Photo Credit: Brian Robinette

While
the biggest names of the Supercross class lay it all on the line on
Saturday night, the rising stars of the Supercross Lites class will
determine the respective Eastern- and Western-Regional champions for
the first time ever inside Sam Boyd Stadium.

The
ultra-competitive Supercross Lites Western Regional Championship took
another dramatic turn in Salt Lake City as GEICO Honda’s Eli Tomac
captured his second-career win in what has been an impressive rookie
season. Now, the title fight is closer than ever with Monster
Energy/Pro Circuit/Kawasaki’s Broc Tickle, who finished third in Salt
Lake City, holding just a two-point lead over his rookie rival. As a
result, whichever rider finishes ahead of the other will likely be
crowned with his first-career championship.

After
an impressive win last weekend, rookie Justin Barcia closed in on
current Western Regional Supercross Lites class leader Broc Tickle’s
points lead where he stands only two points back.

Photo Credit: Hoppenworld.com

After
a two-race break, the Supercross Lites Eastern Regional Championship
will also bring its 2011 season to a close in Las Vegas. With three
wins and a podium result in all eight races so far this season, GEICO
Honda’s Justin Barcia sits 20 points ahead of Monster Energy/Pro
Circuit/Kawasaki’s Dean Wilson. The up-and-coming riders have been the
class of the field throughout the season and like their West-Region
counterparts, one of these riders will leave Sam Boyd Stadium with his
first-career title.

Following
the final main events for each respective region, the 20 fastest
Supercross Lites class riders in the country will go head-to-head for
pride and prestige in the annual Dave Coombs Sr. East/West Shootout.
The one-of-a-kind race is the lone opportunity for fans and riders to
determine which young star stands amongst the rest via an intense
10-lap battle.

The
final race of the 2011 Monster Energy Supercross season takes place
this Saturday, May 7 with practice and qualifying beginning at 12:30
p.m., and the main event starting at 7:00 p.m.

Supercross Class Results: Salt Lake City

1.     Ryan Villopoto, Poulsbo, Wash., Kawasaki

2.     Chad Reed, Tampa, Fla., Honda

3.     Ryan Dungey, Belle Plaine, Minn., Suzuki

4.     Andrew Short, Smithville, Texas, KTM

5.     Davi Millsaps, Carlsbad, Calif., Yamaha

6.     Kevin Windham, Centreville, Miss., Honda

7.     Jake Weimer, Rupert, Idaho, Kawasaki

8.     Tommy Hahn, Decatur, Texas, Yamaha

9.     Justin Brayton, Cornelius, N.C, Yamaha

10.  James Stewart, Haines City, Fla., Yamaha     

Supercross Class Season Standings

1.     Ryan Villopoto, Poulsbo, Wash., Kawasaki – 318

2.     Chad Reed, Tampa, Fla., Honda – 309

3.     Ryan Dungey, Belle Plaine, Minn., Suzuki – 306

4.     James Stewart, Haines City, Fla., Yamaha – 295

5.     Trey Canard, Shawnee, Okla., Honda – 255

6.     Andrew Short, Smithville, Texas, KTM – 214

7.     Kevin Windham, Centreville, Miss., Honda – 202

8.     Davi Millsaps, Carlsbad, Calif., Yamaha – 172

9.     Justin Brayton, Cornelius, N.C, Yamaha – 153

10.  Nick Wey, Dewitt, Mich., Yamaha – 139

Western Regional Supercross Lites Class Results: Salt Lake City

1.     Eli Tomac, Cortez, Colo., Honda

2.     Ken Roczen, Germany, KTM

3.     Broc Tickle, Holly, Mich., Kawasaki

4.     Cole Seely, Corona, Calif., Honda

5.     Kyle Cunningham, Aledo, Texas, Yamaha

6.     Tyla Rattray, Wildomar, Calif., Kawasaki

7.     Ryan Morais, Murrieta, Calif., Suzuki

8.     Martin Davalos, Cairo, Ga., Suzuki

9.     Travis Baker, Temecula, Calif., Honda

10.  Ben Evans, Garden City, Idaho, Kawasaki

Western Regional Supercross Lites Class Season Standings

1.     Broc Tickle, Holly, Mich., Kawasaki – 165

2.     Eli Tomac, Cortez, Colo., Honda – 163

3.     Josh Hansen, Elbert, Colo., Kawasaki – 151

4.     Cole Seely, Corona, Calif., Honda – 131

5.     Ryan Morais, Murrieta, Calif., Suzuki – 124

6.     Tyla Rattray, Wildomar, Calif., Kawasaki – 111

7.     Ken Roczen, Germany, KTM – 105

8.     Kyle Cunningham, Aledo, Texas, Yamaha – 105

9.     Martin Davalos, Cairo, Ga., Suzuki – 95

10.  Ben Evans, Garden City, Idaho, Kawasaki – 68

Eastern Regional Supercross Lites Class Results: St. Louis

1.     Justin Barcia, Ochlocknee, Ga., Honda

2.     Ryan Sipes, Vine Grove, Ky., Yamaha

3.     Blake Baggett, Grand Terrace, Calif., Kawasaki

4.     Dean Wilson, Menifee, Calif., Kawasaki

5.     Blake Wharton, Pilot Point, Texas, Honda

6.     Gannon Audette, Cairo, Ga. Yamaha

7.     Hunter Hewitt, Pilot Point, Texas, Suzuki

8.     Lance Vincent, Edgewood, N.M., Suzuki

9.     Les Smith, York, S.C., Honda

10.  Tyler Futrell, Clinton, N.C., Honda

Eastern Regional Supercross Lites Class Season Standings

1.     Justin Barcia, Ochlocknee, Ga., Honda – 185

2.     Dean Wilson, Menifee, Calif., Kawasaki – 165

3.     Ryan Sipes, Vine Grove, Ky., Yamaha – 141

4.     Blake Baggett, Grand Terrace, Calif., Kawasaki – 134 

5.     Blake Wharton, Pilot Point, Texas, Honda – 125

6.     Matt Lemoine, Collinsville, Texas, Kawasaki – 105

7.     P.J. Larsen, Murrieta, Calif., KTM – 80  

8.     Malcolm Stewart, Haines City, Fla., Suzuki – 73

9.     Lance Vincent, Youngsville, La., Honda – 69

10.  Hunter Hewitt, Pilot Point, Texas, Suzuki – 67

Past Winners in Las Vegas

Supercross Class

May 8, 2010:                                         Ryan Dungey

May 2, 2009:                                         Ryan Villopoto

May 3, 2008:                                         Chad Reed

May 5, 2007:                                         James Stewart

May 06, 2006:                                       James Stewart

May 7, 2005:                                         Chad Reed

May 1, 2004:                                         Kevin Windham

May 03, 2003:                                       Chad Reed

May 04, 2002:                                       Ricky Carmichael

May 05, 2001:                                       Ricky Carmichael

May 06, 2000:                                       Jeremy McGrath

May 01, 1999:                                       Jeremy McGrath

May 02, 1998:                                       Jeremy McGrath

May 17, 1997:                                       Doug Henry

June 10, 1995:                                       Jeff Emig

June 11, 1994:                                       Jeremy McGrath

June 12, 1993:                                       Jeff Stanton

April 25, 1992:                                       Jean-Michel Bayle

May 04, 1991:                                       Mike LaRocco

March 17, 1990:                         Jeff Matiasevich

Supercross Lites Class

May 8, 2010:                                         Jake Weimer

May 2, 2009:                                         Christophe Pourcel

May 3, 2008:                                         Ryan Dungey   

May 7, 2007:                                         Ryan Dungey

May, 06, 2006:                                      Andrew Short

May 7, 2005:                                         David Millsaps

May 1, 2004:                                         James Stewart

May 03, 2003:                                       Andrew Short

May 04, 2002:                                       James M Stewart

May 05, 2001:                                       Nathan Ramsey

May 06, 2000:                                       Travis Pastrana

May 01, 1999:                                       Nathan Ramsey

May 02, 1998:                                       Ricky Carmichael

May 17, 1997:                                       Kevin Windham

June 10, 1995:                                       Ryan Hughes

June 11, 1994:                                       Ryan Hughes

June 12, 1993:                                       Damon Huff

April 25, 1992:                                       Jeremy McGrath

May 04, 1991:                                       Jeremy McGrath

March 17, 1990:                         Jeremy McGrath

SPEED will broadcast the AMA Supercross class and the AMA Supercross Lites class races live at 10:00 p.m. EST/7:00 p.m. PST.

For more information on the Monster Energy AMA Supercross, an FIM World Championship, please log on to www.SupercrossOnline.com. For all media requests, please contact Denny Hartwig dhartwig@feldinc.com or 630-566-6305. To follow Monster Energy Supercross on Facebook and Twitter, log on to http://www.facebook.com/supercrosslive and http://twitter.com/supercrosslive.

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