Villopoto Brings Notable Points Lead into Indy

AURORA, Ill – Monster Energy AMA Supercross, an FIM World Championship, heads to the Midwest this weekend with its tenth race from Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Ind., on Saturday night. Another dominating performance by Monster Energy Kawasaki’s Ryan Villopoto from Daytona combined with misfortune by San Manuel Yamaha’s James Stewart has led to a 23-point lead for Villopoto.

Media Day for this weekend’s race takes place on Thursday, March 10 from Noon-2:00, featuring GEICO Honda. Riders will be available for interviews and will ride the track for the media.

Last weekend, Stewart looked to be on the way to his fourth win of the season, but suffered a frightening crash out of the lead. As the former two-time champion attempted to re-enter the race, Villopoto took advantage, moving into the lead and pulling away for his second straight win and his season-leading fourth victory of the season.

"From the start of the race, I knew I wanted to ride my own pace,” said Villopoto. “No matter what happened, I wanted to be consistent and not make mistakes. James was riding fast right away, so I just had to wait to see if he would make a mistake."

"It's really good to gain a lot of points, but I'm not going to relax, added Villopoto. “I know that if I keep working at it, I will only be putting myself in a better position as the championship goes down to Las Vegas. I want to keep going after wins so I won't be slacking off at all because of the 23 points."

As for Stewart, after reentering the main event in last place, he soldiered on to work through the field and post a ninth-place finish, salvaging valuable points towards the championship and keeping himself within one race of his rival.

Villopoto was followed on the podium by TwoTwo Motorsports/Bel-Ray Racing’s Chad Reed in second and Rockstar/Makita Suzuki’s Ryan Dungey in third. Reed’s third straight podium effort brings him to within one point of Stewart for second in the standings while Dungey’s fourth consecutive finish of third or better has moved him into fourth, within 10 points of both Stewart and Reed.

In the Supercross Lites class, Monster Energy/Pro Circuit/Kawasaki’s Blake Baggett became the third different winner in as many races in the Eastern Regional Supercross Lites class championship. The second-year rider grabbed the holeshot and led wire-to-wire for his first win for the Pro Circuit team.

"Winning my first heat race was really big for my confidence,” said Baggett. “I have been working on my starts because I haven't really been known for being a good starter. I knew that it would be important because the start was short. We've been putting in the hard work and it feels great to finally see it pay off."

"I won't be happy until I have the points lead, so we just need to keep plugging away at it,” exclaimed Baggett. “I know I am capable of being there every weekend. I think I have my starts figured out and it can only get better from here."

After wins by GEICO Honda’s Justin Barcia and Monster Energy/Pro Circuit/Kawasaki’s Dean Wilson to open the championship, Baggett’s triumph has led to a three-rider battle atop the standings. At Daytona, Barcia kept his podium streak intact, finishing second to Baggett despite a pair of broken bones in his wrist and moving into sole possession of the points lead. Meanwhile, Wilson suffered from his worst outing of the season, experiencing a bad start and several bouts of misfortune en route to an eighth-place finish. DNA Shred Stix/Star Racing Yamaha’s Ryan Sipes rounded out the podium.

Barcia’s lead over Baggett, who assumed the runner-up position in the standings after his win, stands at four points while Wilson sits in third, and additional five points behind.

Last year in Indianapolis, Villopoto captured a hard-fought victory after a troublesome evening forced him into the LCQ to qualify for the main event. In the Supercross Lites action, eventual Eastern Regional champion Christophe Pourcel took the win.

Tickets are available at the Lucas Oil Stadium Box Office, SupercrossOnline.com, all Ticketmaster Outlets, charge by phone at (800) 745-3000, or online at www.ticketmaster.com.  Practice and qualifying begins at 12:30 p.m., and the main event begins at 7:00 p.m.  VIP tickets are available for $75 Adult/Child (VIP Experience includes one (1) ticket to the event and a private autograph session with the top riders from 3:00PM - 4:00PM the day of the show); Club Level $45 Adult/Child; Gold Circle $35 Adult/Child; Mid Level $25 Adult/Child; Treadhead $10 Adult/Child.

SPEED will broadcast all the action from Indianapolis live beginning at 7 p.m. CST.

Supercross Class Results: Daytona
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. Justin Brayton, Cornelius, N.C., Yamaha
7. Kevin Windham, Centreville, Miss., Honda
8. Ken Roczen, Germany, KTM
9. James Stewart, Haines City, Fla., Yamaha
10. Mike Alessi, Victorville, Calif., KTM

Supercross Class Season Standings
1.     Ryan Villopoto, Poulsbo, Wash., Kawasaki – 196
2.     James Stewart, Haines City, Fla., Yamaha – 173
3.     Chad Reed, Tampa, Fla., Honda – 172
4.     Ryan Dungey, Belle Plaine, Minn., Suzuki – 165
5.     Trey Canard, Shawnee, Okla., Honda – 154
6.     Andrew Short, Smithville, Texas, KTM – 128
7.     Brett Metcalfe, Lake Elsinore, Calif., Suzuki – 107
8.     Justin Brayton, Cornelius, N.C, Yamaha – 105
9.     Davi Millsaps, Carlsbad, Calif., Yamaha – 104
10.  Kevin Windham, Centreville, Miss., Honda - 89

Eastern Regional Supercross Lites Class Results: Daytona
1.     Blake Baggett, Grand Terrace, Calif., Kawasaki
2.     Justin Barcia, Ochlocknee, Ga., Honda
3.     Ryan Sipes, Ekron, Ky., Yamaha
4.     Blake Wharton, Aubrey, Texas, Honda
5.     P.J. Larsen, Murrieta, Calif., KTM
6.     Jason Anderson, Edgewood, N.M., Suzuki
7.     Malcolm Stewart, Haines City, Fla., Suzuki
8.     Dean Wilson, Menifee, Calif., Kawasaki
9.     Matt Lemoine, Collinsville, Texas, Kawasaki
10.  Les Smith, York, S.C., Honda

Eastern Regional Supercross Lites Class Season Standings
1.     Justin Barcia, Ochlocknee, Ga., Honda – 69
2.     Blake Baggett, Grand Terrace, Calif., Kawasaki – 65
3.     Dean Wilson, Menifee, Calif., Kawasaki – 60
4.     Ryan Sipes, Ekron, Ky., Yamaha – 54
5.     Blake Wharton, Aubrey, Texas, Honda – 51
6.     Jason Anderson, Edgewood, N.M., Suzuki – 41
7.     Matt Lemoine, Collinsville, Texas, Kawasaki – 35
8.     Malcolm Stewart, Haines City, Fla., Suzuki – 34
9.     P.J. Larsen, Murrieta, Calif., KTM – 33
10.  Lance Vincent, Youngsville, La., Honda – 33

Past Winners in Indianapolis
Supercross Class
February 20, 2010:                                 Ryan Villopoto
February 28, 2009:                                 Chad Reed
March 1, 2008:                                       Chad Reed
March 24, 2007:                                     James Stewart
March 04, 2006:                                     Ricky Carmichael
February 12, 2005:                                 Ricky Carmichael
March 20, 2004:                                     Mike LaRocco
March 01, 2003:                                     Ricky Carmichael
February 09, 2002:                                 David Vuillemin
February 10, 2001:                                 Ricky Carmichael
February 12, 2000:                                 Jeremy McGrath
April 24, 1999:                                       Ezra Lusk
February 14, 1998:                                 Jeremy McGrath
February 15, 1997:                                 Jeff Emig
March 30, 1996:                                     Jeremy McGrath
March 18, 1995:                                     Jeremy McGrath
March 19, 1994:                                     Jeremy McGrath
April 24, 1993:                                       Jeremy McGrath
March 21, 1992:                                     Jeff Stanton

Supercross Lites Class
February 20, 2010:                                 Christophe Pourcel
February 28, 2009:                                 Austin Stroupe
March 1, 2008:                                       Trey Canard
March 24, 2007:                                     Ryan Dungey
March 04, 2006:                                     David Millsaps
February 12, 2005:                                 David Millsaps
March 20, 2004:                                     Josh Hansen
March 01, 2003:                                     Branden Jesseman
February 09, 2002:                                 Chad Reed
February 10, 2001:                                 Travis Pastrana
February 12, 2000:                                 Michael Brandes
April 24, 1999:                                       Ernesto Fonseca
February 14, 1998:                                 Ricky Carmichael
February 15, 1997:                                 John Dowd
March 30, 1996:                                     Mickael Pichon
March 18, 1995:                                     Mickael Pichon
March 19, 1994:                                     Ezra Lusk
April 24, 1993:                                       Doug Henry
March 21, 1992:                                     Jimmy Button

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.

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Feld Motor Sports®, Inc. is the world leader in specialized arena and stadium-based motor sports entertainment.  Feld Motor Sports, Inc. productions include Advance Auto Parts Monster Jam®, Monster Energy Supercross, AMA Arenacross Series, Nuclear Cowboyz®, and IHRA® Nitro Jam®.  Feld Motor Sports, Inc. is a division of Feld Entertainment, the world’s largest producer of live family entertainment.  For more information on Feld Entertainment, visit www.feldentertainment.com.