2014 Monster Energy Supercross Season Comes to Dramatic Conclusion in Las Vegas with Villopoto as Champion
250SX Grabs Spotlight with Regional Championships and East/West Shootout
AURORA, Ill.
(April 28, 2014) – Just one week after Monster Energy Kawasaki’s Ryan Villopoto became the second rider in
Monster Energy AMA
Supercross, an FIM World Championship, history to win four-consecutive
titles, the 17-race season will come to its dramatic conclusion on
Saturday night in Las Vegas.
A capacity crowd is expected to cheer on the world’s fastest riders
inside Sam Boyd Stadium on one of the most anticipated nights of the
year.
The action from Las Vegas kicks off Saturday, LIVE on FOX Sports 1 at 10:00 p.m. ET/ 7:00 p.m. PT
Media
day is Friday, May 2, with a pre-race press conference at 1:00 p.m. ET/
10:00 a.m. PT featuring the top riders in the championship.
Last
weekend Monster Energy Supercross ended a 23-year absence from the New
York metro area by making its anticipated return to East
Rutherford, N.J., and the inaugural race inside MetLife Stadium. On one
of the biggest nights in the history of the sport, Villopoto dominated
with his third straight wire-to-wire effort to not only claim his class
leading sixth race of the season, but also
secure his historic fourth-consecutive world championship.
“It’s been an awesome day here at MetLife Stadium,” said Villopoto, who also achieved the 40th
win of his 450SX Class career. “We had
a little bit of rain, but I couldn’t believe how well the track held
up. It feels great to lock in my fourth-consecutive championship. It’s
been a hard-fought season with a few ups and downs, but it was obviously
my most consistent, so I’m glad to be able
to close it out on top.”
Four-consecutive 450SX Class world champion, Ryan Villopoto
Photo Credit: Hoppenworld
Villopoto’s
memorable night capped off an impressive 2014 championship campaign
that was arguably the most successful of his four-year reign. While
Villopoto’s win total this season is currently the lowest it’s ever
been over the last four years, he’s been more consistent than ever
before, boasting a 2.13 finishing average and a lowest result of sixth.
With a three-race win streak in tow, he’ll come into
Las Vegas as the favorite and will look to cement his historic season
with a dominant run through to the finish.
With
the pressure of the championship now over, the entire 450SX Class field
will also be in search of a win to end their respective seasons on a
high note. Spearheading that group are Red Bull KTM’s Ryan Dungey, Team
Yoshimura’s James Stewart, and Red Bull KTM’s Ken Roczen. The pair of
former champions and star rookie has each won previously this season,
but more importantly they are engaged in battle
for the runner-up spot in the final championship standings. Stewart
appeared to suffer a knee injury in East Rutherford, bowing out of
competition during the Main Event. However, his status is uncertain as
it is assumed he will be on the gate. Dungey didn’t
have the result he was hoping for at MetLife, dropping positions en
route to a sixth-place finish, while Roczen was only able to parlay the
fastest lap in practice to a fifth-place effort.
Red Bull KTM’s Ryan Dungey and Red Bull KTM’s Ken Roczen
Photo Credit: Hoppenworld
Based
on their respective outings in East Rutherford, motivation will be high
for these three riders to get back to the front of the field and battle
for the win, or at least a spot on the podium. All three riders have
won before in Las Vegas and will look to take advantage of that
experience. Additionally, the Team Honda Muscle Milk duo of Justin
Barcia and Trey Canard have shown impressive speed in recent
weeks and each will be looking to do all he can to break through for
his first victory of 2014.
Even
though the championship has been decided, the excitement in Las Vegas
will be as big as ever thanks to one of the fastest and most
thrilling tracks of the season. Las Vegas is known for producing
memorable racing and with the motivation the biggest names in the sport
are carrying into Sam Boyd Stadium, that trend is sure to continue. Here
are additional talking points for the season finale:
The
16 weeks of competition within each of the respective 250SX Class
Regional Championships have led to this, one final night in which
champions will be crowned and the world will learn which 250SX Class
rider is the fastest on the planet. The Eastern and Western Regional
Championships are both undecided heading into Las Vegas.
Eastern Regional 250SX Class Race Winner, GEICO Honda’s Justin Bogle
Photo Credit: Hoppenworld
Back
East, GEICO Honda’s Justin Bogle is carrying a surge of momentum into
the finale following his second career win in East Rutherford
combined with the heartbreak suffered by Monster Energy/Pro
Circuit/Kawasaki. The Kawasaki-mounted duo of Martin Davalos and Blake
Baggett both missed the action inside MetLife Stadium following
injuries. Davalos was the points leader coming into last weekend
but is officially out for Las Vegas, while Baggett sat third and could
still come back to line up on the gate Saturday night. As a result,
Bogle took over the points lead and now has a 17-point lead over Davalos
and a 54-point margin on Baggett and The Factory
Metal Works Honda’s Vince Friese, who moved into a tie for third. While
Davalos is the only rider still mathematically eligible to win the
title, knowing he will not be in action in Las Vegas has essentially
secured the title for Bogle, who will likely use
the race as a celebratory effort.
Out
West, Rockstar Energy Racing’s Jason Anderson sits in position to earn
his first career title with an eight-point lead over Troy
Lee Designs/Lucas Oil Honda’s Cole Seely, who is also in search of his
inaugural championship. Seely brings the momentum into Las Vegas after
winning at the West Region’s previous race in Seattle, but Anderson has
four wins this season and a 2.13 finishing
average. If he maintains the consistency he’s displayed all season, a
fourth-place finish for Anderson will secure the title if Seely is able
to grab another win. Together, Anderson and Seely have dominated the
Western Regional Championship with six combined
wins, 11 podiums, and a finish no worse than fifth. Their battle will
be in the spotlight in Las Vegas on Saturday night.
Following
the final Main Events of both the Eastern and Western Regional
Championships, the top competitors in
each division will round out a 22-rider field to determine who stands
above the rest in the annual East/West Shootout. The Shootout has
consistently been one of the most anticipated races each season as it
serves as the one and only opportunity the two regions
come together. The winner walks away with bragging rights as the best
250SX Class rider in Monster Energy Supercross. Previous winners of the
East/West Shootout is a who’s who of the sport, including Kevin Windham,
Ricky Carmichael, Travis Pastrana, James
Stewart, Andrew Short, Davi Millsaps, Ryan Dungey, Justin Barcia, and
Ken Roczen. Riders who have emerged victorious in this 250SX Class
showcase have more often than not gone on to enjoy hugely successful
careers, meaning a lot will be on the line this Saturday
night.
Last season in Las Vegas, Villopoto capped off his dominant third-straight title run with his 10th
victory of the
2013 season. In the 250SX Class, Roczen earned his first career title
in the Western Regional Championship while GEICO Honda’s Wil Hahn did
the same in the Eastern Regional Championship. Roczen carried the
momentum of his title win into the East/West Shootout,
where he emerged victorious.
The
first race held in Las Vegas was on March 17, 1990, when Jeff
Matiasevich won the 450SX Class on a Kawasaki and Jeremy McGrath won in
the 250SX
Class, also on a Kawasaki. McGrath, a seven-time Monster Energy
Supercross Champion, also holds the all-time win record in both classes
at Sam Boyd Stadium with four in the 450SX Class and three in the 250SX
Class.
Tickets are available at the Thomas & Mack Center Box Office, online at
www.UNLVtickets.com, charge by phone at (702) 739-FANS, and at
www.supercrossonline.com.
Tickets will be available at the Sam Boyd
Stadium Box Office on the day of the event only. Practice and
qualifying begin at 12:30 p.m. and the Main Event starts at 7:00 p.m.
Extreme Seats are $90; VIP Seats $75; Jackpot Seats $65; Regular Seats
$55. Fans can also get into the Pits for FREE from 12:30-6
p.m. on Race Day with their event ticket.
Previous race results:
MetLife Stadium
East Rutherford, N.J.
April 26, 2014
450SX Class Results: East Rutherford
1.
Ryan Villopoto, Poulsbo, Wash., Kawasaki
2.
Eli Tomac, Cortez, Colo., Honda
3.
Josh Hill, Yoncalla, Ore., Suzuki
4.
Justin Barcia, Pinetta, Fla., Honda
5.
Ken Roczen, Murrieta, Calif., KTM
6.
Ryan Dungey, Belle Plaine, Minn., KTM
7.
Mike Alessi, Hilliard, Fla., Suzuki
8.
Andrew Short, Smithville, Texas, KTM
9.
Trey Canard, Shawnee, Okla., Honda
10.
Weston Peick, Wildomar, Calif., Suzuki
450SX Class Season Standings
1.
Ryan Villopoto, Poulsbo, Wash., Kawasaki, 343
2.
Ryan Dungey, Belle Plaine, Minn., KTM, 282
3.
James Stewart, Haines City, Fla., Suzuki, 271
4.
Ken Roczen, Murrieta, Calif., KTM, 265
5.
Justin Barcia, Pinetta, Fla., Honda, 232
6.
Andrew Short, Smithville, Texas, KTM, 207
7.
Justin Brayton, Cornelius, N.C., Yamaha, 196
8.
Josh Hill, Yoncalla, Ore., Suzuki, 144
9.
Broc Tickle, Holly, Mich., Suzuki, 126
10.
Wil Hahn, Menifee, Calif., Honda, 122
Eastern Regional 250SX Class Results: East Rutherford
1.
Justin Bogle, Cushing, Okla., Honda
2.
Jeremy Martin, Millville, Minn., Yamaha
3.
Vince Friese, Cape Girardeau, Mo., Honda
4.
Matt Bisceglia, Weatherford, Texas, Honda
5.
Matthew Lemoine, Pilot Point, Texas, Kawasaki
6.
Kyle Cunningham, Aledo, Texas, Honda
7.
Alex Martin, Millville, Minn., Yamaha
8.
Mitchell Oldenburg, Alvord, Texas, Honda
9.
James Decotis, Peabody, Mass., Honda
10.
Jackson Richardson, Australia, Honda
Eastern Regional 250SX Class Season Standings
1.
Justin Bogle, Cushing, Okla., Honda, 166
2.
Martin Davalos, Cairo, Ga., Kawasaki, 149
3.
Adam Cianciarulo, Port Orange, Fla., Kawasaki, 120
4.
Blake Baggett, Grand Terrace, Calif., 120
5.
Vince Friese, Cape Girardeau, Mo., Honda, 120
6.
Kyle Cunningham, Aledo, Texas, Honda, 109
7.
Matthew Lemoine, Pilot Point, Texas, Kawasaki, 90
8.
James Decotis, Peabody, Mass., Honda, 90
9.
Cole Thompson, Brigden, Ontario, KTM, 89
10.
Alex Martin, Millville, Minn., Yamaha, 86
Western Regional 250SX Class Season Standings
1.
Jason Anderson, Rio Rancho, N.M., KTM, 178
2.
Cole Seely, Lake Elsinore, Calif., Honda, 170
3.
Justin Hill, Yoncalla, Ore., Kawasaki, 139
4.
Dean Wilson, Wesley Chapel, Fla., Kawasaki, 138
5.
Cooper Webb, Newport, N.C., Yamaha, 121
6.
Malcolm Stewart, Haines City, Fla., Honda, 121
7.
Jessy Nelson, Paso Robles, Calif., Honda, 103
8.
Zach Osborne, Chesterfield, S.C., Honda, 100
9.
Shane McElrath, Chesterfield, S.C., Honda, 96
10.
Jake Canada, Sun City, Calif., Honda, 72
Final Toyota Triple Challenge Standings
1.
Ryan Villopoto, Poulsbo, Wash., Kawasaki, 63
2.
Justin Barcia, Pinetta, Fla., Honda, 56
3.
Ken Roczen, Murrieta, Calif., KTM, 53
4.
James Stewart, Haines City, Fla., Suzuki, 46
5.
Ryan Dungey, Belle Plaine, Minn., KTM, 38
6.
Andrew Short, Smithville, Texas, KTM, 36
7.
Eli Tomac, Cortez, Colo., Honda, 33
8.
Josh Hill, Yoncalla, Ore., Suzuki, 32
9.
Weston Peick, Wildomar, Calif., Suzuki, 28
10.
Chad Reed, Dade City, Fla., Kawasaki, 25
Past Winners in Las Vegas
450SX Class
May 4, 2013 Ryan Villopoto
May 5, 2012 Ryan Dungey
May 7, 2011 Chad Reed
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
May 7, 2011 Chad Reed
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
250SX Class
May 4, 2013 Eli Tomac (WSX)
May 4, 2013 Tyler Bowers (ESX)
May 5, 2012 Eli Tomac (WSX)
May 5, 2012 Justin Barcia (ESX)
May 7, 2011 Ken Roczen (WSX)
May 7, 2011 Blake Baggett (ESX)
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 Davi Millsaps
May 1, 2004 James Stewart
May 03, 2003 Andrew Short
May 04, 2002 James 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 Huffman
April 25, 1992 Jeremy McGrath
May 04, 1991 Jeremy McGrath
March 17, 1990 Jeremy McGrath
May 7, 2011 Blake Baggett (ESX)
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 Davi Millsaps
May 1, 2004 James Stewart
May 03, 2003 Andrew Short
May 04, 2002 James 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 Huffman
April 25, 1992 Jeremy McGrath
May 04, 1991 Jeremy McGrath
March 17, 1990 Jeremy McGrath
For
the first time ever, the entire Monster Energy Supercross season will
air on FOX Sports. Catch every Monster Energy Supercross race
Saturday night on FOX Sports 1 (fourteen races) and FOX Sports 2 (three
races) including next-day re-airs on FOX Sports 1. In addition, the
authenticated Fox Sports Go app will air each race at the same time it
airs on FOX Sports 1 & FOX Sports 2.
For more information on the Monster Energy AMA Supercross, an FIM World Championship, please log on to
www.SupercrossOnline.com, the official website of Monster Energy Supercross.
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http://www.youtube.com/supercrosslive. For all media requests,
please contact Denny Hartwig dhartwig@feldinc.com or 630-566-6305.
About Feld Motor Sports®
Feld Motor Sports, Inc. is the world leader in specialized arena and stadium-based motor sports entertainment. Feld Motor
Sports productions include Monster Jam®, Monster Energy Supercross, AMSOIL Arenacross and Nuclear Cowboyz®.
Feld Motor Sports 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.
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