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When you’re hot, you’re hot, and right now Monster Energy Kawasaki’s Ryan Villopoto is the man on fire in the Monster Energy Supercross tour. It started as a tough night for the Washington rider, but he rebounded when it counted to out-duel Ryan Dungey, Kevin Windham, Justin Brayton and Davi Millsaps for the win at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.
There was less drama in the kickoff to the Lites East Region opener, as defending Champion Christophe Pourcel dominated the proceedings to win the main event over Austin Stroupe and Justin Barcia.
Ryan Villopoto won his third race of the season and tied Ryan Dungey for the points lead.
Villopoto celebrates his third win of the season. He's now tied for the points lead.
Photo: Steve Cox
The supercross class had drama right from the beginning of the day, as Rockstar Makita Suzuki’s Ryan Dungey got into a tussle with his rival Jason Lawrence in practice, leading to both Lawrence and Dungey getting the last gate selections in their heat races. But then Villopoto ended up with an even worse start to his evening, as Millsaps slid out in the first turn of his heat race and took Villopoto down with him. RV’s bike suffered from a punctured water pump, sending him to the LCQ, which he later won. Meanwhile San Manuel Yamaha’s Josh Hill cruised to the heat race win.
In the second heat, Kevin Windham dominated, leading Dungey home. Windham had the fastest qualifying laps, the fastest heat race laps, and a great start in the main event, battling Millsaps, Villopoto and Dungey for the lead. Millsaps was credited with the Spike Holeshot ward, but it looked like K-Dub’s night as he closed on Millsaps, and then the battle was on as the two Honda riders went back and forth, passing each other over and over. Finally, Windham put his GEICO Powersports Honda into the lead and tried to get away, while Millsaps battled Villopoto and Dungey. Villopoto moved to second and stalked Windham, but Windham was aggressive, riding the wide bike and covering his lines. After three laps of battling that had the crowd on its feet, Villopoto finally grabbed the lead. Dungey pushed hard to get Windham as well, as the veteran admitted he got tight after all of that battling.
Dungey was left to chase Villopoto, but he couldn’t quite do it, as Villopoto had enough speed to pull away when he needed to. When it was over, Villopoto had come from the LCQ to win the main event, his third win in four races, which also ties him with Dungey for the SX points lead.
Not as good of a night for Josh Hill, who started 12th and couldn’t move forward after a few tip overs. He ended up ninth, just ahead of Lawrence, who appeared to slow on the last lap to help his friend gain a point.
Millsaps was alone in fourth when he dropped his Honda Red Bull Racing bike in a turn, allowing Muscle Milk/Toyota’s Justin Brayton to snag fourth. Millsaps took fifth ahead of Rockstar Hart and Huntington’s Chris Blose, AM PM Yamaha’s Grant Langston, Monster Energy Kawasak’s Nick Wey, Hill and Lawrence.
Barcia had a wild ride on his way to third with a last-turn pass on Ryan Sipes.
Photo: Steve Cox
In Lites, GEICO Powersports Honda's Barcia snagged the Spike Holeshot, but Pourcel, Rockstar/Makita Suzuki's Stroupe and Barcia's teammate Metcalfe were right with him. Once Pourcel had the lead, he was gone, while MotoConcept’s Yamaha’s Ryan Sipes joined the fight for the podium. Metcalfe, still suffering a bit from an injury, fell back a bit, and Barcia fell in the sand. Behind that, rookies Dean Wilson and Kyle Regal battled just outside the top five.
Late in the race, lapped traffic held up Stroupe and Sipes, letting Barcia catch back up. Sipes got held up, and Barcia pounced for the pass with one turn to go.
The series continues next weekend in Atlanta. Of course, look for more updates all week here at racexonline.com
AMA Supercross Class Results: Indianapolis
1. Ryan Villopoto, Poulsbo, Wash., Kawasaki
2. Ryan Dungey, Belle Plaine, Minn., Suzuki
3. Kevin Windham, Centerville, Miss., Honda
4. Justin Brayton, Murrieta, Calif., Yamaha
5. Davi Millsaps, Murrieta, Calif., Honda
6. Chris Blose, Phoenix, Ariz., Honda
7. Grant Langston, Murrieta, Calif., Yamaha
8. Nick Wey, Murrieta, Calif., Kawasaki
9. Josh Hill, Yoncalla, Ore., Yamaha
10. Jason Lawrence, Carlsbad, Calif., Yamaha
AMA Supercross Class Season Standings
1. Ryan Dungey, Belle Plaine, Minn., Suzuki, 145
2. Ryan Villopoto, Poulsbo, Wash., Kawasaki, 145
3. Josh Hill, Yoncalla, Ore., Yamaha, 135
4. Davi Millsaps, Murrieta, Calif., Honda, 114
5. Kevin Windham, Centerville, Miss., Honda, 106
6. Justin Brayton, Murrieta, Calif., Yamaha, 105
7. Ivan Tedesco, Murrieta, Calif., Yamaha, 97
8. Nick Wey, Murrieta, Calif., Kawasaki, 74
9. Andrew Short, Smithville, Texas, Honda, 69
10. Tommy Hahn, Decatur, Texas, Suzuki, 61
Eastern Regional AMA Supercross Lites Class Results: Indianapolis
1. Christophe Pourcel, Groveland, Fla., Kawasaki
2. Austin Stroupe, Lincolnton, N.C., Suzuki
3. Justin Barcia, Ochlocknee, Ga., Honda
4. Ryan Sipes, Vine Grove, Ky., Yamaha
5. Brett Metcalfe, Lake Elsinore, Calif., Honda
6. Dean Wilson, San Jacinto, Calif., Kawasaki
7. Kyle Regal, Kemp, Texas, Yamaha
8. Nico Izzi, Albany, Ga., Yamaha
9. Martin Davalos, Cairo, Ga., Yamaha
10. Troy Adams, Homosassa, Fla., Suzuki
Eastern Regional AMA Supercross Lites Class Season Standings
1. Christophe Pourcel, Groveland, Fla., Kawasaki, 25
2. Austin Stroupe, Lincolnton, N.C., Suzuki, 22
3. Justin Barcia, Ochlocknee, Ga., Honda, 20
4. Ryan Sipes, Vine Grove, Ky., Yamaha, 18
5. Brett Metcalfe, Lake Elsinore, Calif., Honda, 16
6. Dean Wilson, San Jacinto, Calif., Kawasaki, 15
7. Kyle Regal, Kemp, Texas, Yamaha, 14
8. Nico Izzi, Albany, Ga., Yamaha, 13
9. Martin Davalos, Cairo, Ga., Yamaha, 12
10. Troy Adams, Homosassa, Fla., Suzuki, 11
Monster Energy/AMA Supercross Lites East
February 20, 2010 – Indianapolis, IN
Overall Name Bike Points
1 Christophe Pourcel Kawasaki 25
2 Austin Stroupe Suzuki 22
3 Justin Barcia Honda 20
4 Ryan Sipes Yamaha 18
5 Brett Metcalfe Honda 16
6 Dean Wilson Kawasaki 15
7 Kyle Regal Yamaha 14
8 Nico Izzi Yamaha 13
9 Martin Davalos Yamaha 12
10 Troy Adams Suzuki 11
11 Blake Baggett Suzuki 10
12 Jake Moss Suzuki 9
13 Levi Kilbarger Honda 8
14 Adam Chatfield Kawasaki 7
15 Taylor Futrell KTM 6
16 Michael Willard Honda 5
17 Vince Friese Yamaha 4
18 Kyle Cunningham Honda 3
19 Tevin Tapia KTM 2
20 James Decotis Honda 1
Monster Energy/AMA Supercross
February 20, 2010 – Indianapolis, IN
Overall Name Bike Points
1 Ryan Villopoto Kawasaki 25
2 Ryan Dungey Suzuki 22
3 Kevin Windham Honda 20
4 Justin Brayton Yamaha 18
5 Davi Millsaps Honda 16
6 Chris Blose Honda 15
7 Grant Langston Yamaha 14
8 Nick Wey Kawasaki 13
9 Josh Hill Yamaha 12
10 Jason Lawrence Yamaha 11
11 Ivan Tedesco Yamaha 10
12 Jarred Browne Kawasaki 9
13 Michael Byrne Yamaha 8
14 Kyle Chisholm Yamaha 7
15 Matt Boni Honda 6
16 Tommy Hahn Suzuki 5
17 Jason Thomas Suzuki 4
18 Billy Payne Yamaha 2
20 Trey Canard Honda 1
courtesy of RacerX Illustrated. |
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