2014 Monster Energy Supercross Season Comes to Dramatic Conclusion in Las Vegas with Villopoto as Champion

Courtesy of  Feld Motorsports

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 40^th 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 10^th 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

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

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. To follow Monster Energy Supercross on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram, log on to www.facebook.com/supercrossLive www.Twitter.com/supercrosslive and www.instagram.com/supercrosslive. Subscribe to our YouTube Channel at 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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