Editor's Blog

Friday, 15 April 2011 11:37

There are three races left in the 2011 AMA Supercross Season. Seattle, Salt Lake City, Las Vegas. It's been an incredibly exciting season, certainly the most exciting season of this generation.

After 14 rounds, five riders remained in contention for the coveted title of "AMA Supercross Series Champion". (Trey Canard was injured this week, info on that below ... so now there are four riders in contention for the championship - Ryan Villopoto, Ryan Dungey, Chad Reed, and James Stewart.)

This week the series heads into Qwest Field in Seattle. Seattle can be considered series points leader Ryan Villopoto's 'home' town.

Ryan was starting to stretch out a points lead earlier this season on his competitors and then the unexpected, as can happen in sports and racing, happened in Jacksonville - Ryan falls, goes to LCQ, more falls, and doesn't make the main event. Zero points scored.

Ryan Dungey - the defending Supercross Series Champion. At Anaheim 2 - Ryan has a mechanical problem and pushes his motorcycle towards the tunnel that goes back to the pits. Ryan scores 1 point.

Chad Reed. He's said it himself .. but my paraphrase ... "No one gave me a chance this year." He's proven himself many times over by what he's done this season. New bike. New team (his own!). Always strong.

James Stewart. James is fast. He's always fast. I think he'd be the first to tell you he's been on the ground too much this season. But don't think as some others have, in that he's not motivated, lacks passion, or is involved in too many other things. Not true. Not only does he want to win, he sincerely means it when he says he's wants it so bad for his team, his sponsors, and his fans.

Take a look at last week's race in St. Louis (which was won by James Stewart) to see the current point standings (and photos) as the series gets ready to battle in the Pacific Northwest. Villopoto has 275, Dungey just five points behind with 270, Reed three back of that with 267, and James Stewart at 259.

St. Louis was the final round of the East Regional Series, with Justin Barcia leading Dean Wilson by 20 points, before they will have their season ending finale in Las Vegas May 7th.

And in Seattle, we get to see the return to action of the West Regional Supercross series. Josh Hansen leads teammate Broc Tickle by only three points! Click here to see where they left off in points!

Back to the premiere Supercross class. Four riders. Three races. Can't ever recall this many riders being in contention for the championship this late in the season. If you can get to Seattle, or Salt Lake City, or Las Vegas ... or all three ... be there!

Click here to find all the results, points, photos and story of the race in Seattle!

Lex

Here are some direct links to the things we think you'll find interesting and helpful on Supercross.com this week

• Trey Canard injured - send him a Get Well Message!
• Supercross.com's iPhone Race Results App for 2011
• New: 2011 World MX1 and MX2 GP Motocross - VOD (Video on Demand)!
• Racer Profiles
• Supercross.com's Community - build your own profile, post in the message boards, and more
• Supercross.com's YouTube Video Channel
• Follow Supercross.com on Facebook
• Follow Supercross on Twitter
• Photo Feature: St. Louis Supercross
• World MX GP - Round 1 Bulgaria
• KTM's Ken Roczen talks about clutch control

Tickets available at the Qwest Field Box Office, all Ticketmaster retail locations, or charge by phone at (800) 745-3000. Practice and qualifying begins at 12:30 p.m., and the main event begins at 7:00 p.m. Tickets will also be available at participating Yamaha dealers. Gold circle tickets: $45; Mid-level tickets: $25; Treadhead tickets: $10. Fans can also get into the Pits for FREE from 12:30 - 6 PM Race Day when they recycle a MONSTER Energy Can at the stadium Pit Entrance (valid only with event ticket).

SPEED will broadcast the Supercross class and the Supercross Lites class races live at 10:30 p.m. EST/7:30 p.m. PST.

And below, more info courtesy Feld Motor Sports:

James Stewart, after winning in St. Louis last Saturday: It's been a while since I have been up here. This feels great, and I am really happy for the team, who has been behind me 100% this year. I've been really trying hard all season, and St. Louis really came through for me. My bike was working great and to win really meant a lot to me. I can't thank my fans, my team, my sponsors, and my family enough. You guys (the fans) are the reason I'm still here. I'm really looking forward to Seattle and am hoping to keep the momentum going.

Ryan Villopoto after St. Louis: I'll take a third place finish. It is much better than last year. I am looking forward to going to my hometown race in Seattle. I'm really excited to go back home to Washington. There is a lot of family that I haven't seen for over a year. It will be good to have a lot of friends and family on my side. I know it's probably going to be a "mudder" and I hope I can come away with another good finish. I want to win, but we'll see how it goes.

East Regional Supercross points leader and winner in St. Louis Lites class Justin Barcia: Tonight (St. Louis) was crazy. I know that this championship is coming down to the wire, and I look forward to the final race in Las Vegas.

Ryan Dungey said after the St. Louis race: I think that all in all, it was a pretty good day in St. Louis. Practice went really well. We were fighting a few areas, but my whole Rockstar Makita Suzuki team went to work and made a few changes that made me really comfortable out there on the track. My Suzuki got me off to a great start in my heat race and I was able to get the holeshot and come away with a win. That helped a lot and gave me a good gate pick going into the main event. I got another good start, which put me in second. I got passed and put into third but was able to get back to second in the next lap. I'm really thankful for a second on the night.

Chad Reed said after St. Louis: Maybe I just did wake up on the wrong side of the bed. I wouldn't say I had a tough day, I didn't crash I was just off and couldn't get comfortable. Seattle has been a tough race for me over the years. I also had some less than stellar races there. I've also crashed in the first turn a few times. I like the ruts, the weather doesn't bother me and it brings a whole different feeling to what's already a crazy supercross season. Looking forward to that!

After a seven-race break, the Western Regional Supercross Lites class returns to action. Monster Energy/Pro Circuit/Kawasaki's Josh Hansen holds a three-point lead over his teammate Broc Tickle.

Josh Hansen says: My hand is pretty much 100 percent now and I'm really happy we are back racing. I took some time off to have surgery and I been getting back up to speed. I think I'm where I was before I broke my hand and excited to put more points on the board in Seattle.

Broc Tickle says: It's going to be really great to be back after the two month break. I have been putting the hard work in during the break and I know I'm ready to come out and get some more wins.

Past Winners in Seattle

Supercross Class: April 24, 2010: Kevin Windham, April 18, 2009: Ryan Villopoto, April 26, 2008: Kevin Windham, April 28, 2007: James Stewart, April 29, 2006: James Stewart, April 23, 2005: James Stewart, January 30, 1999: Larry Ward, January 31, 1998: Jeremy McGrath, February 1, 1997: Doug Henry, February 3, 1996:Jeremy McGrath, February 4, 1995: Jeremy McGrath, May 7, 1994: Mike Kiedrowski, January 30, 1993: Jeremy McGrath, February 1, 1992: Damon Bradshaw, February 2, 1991: Jean-Michael Bayle, February 17, 1990: Larry Ward, February 4, 1989: Rick Johnson, February 5, 1989: Rick Johnson, February 13, 1988: Rick Johnson, February 14, 1988: Ron Lechien, March 28, 1987: Rick Johnson, March 29, 1987: Rick Johnson, February 15, 1986: Jeff Ward, February 16, 1986: Rick Johnson, February 8, 1985: Ron Lechien, February 9, 1985: Ron Lechien, February 11, 1984: Jeff Ward, February 12, 1984: Rick Johnson, February 12, 1983: Bob Hannah, February 13, 1983: Bob Hannah, February 13, 1982: Donnie Hansen, February 14, 1982: Mark Barnett, February 14, 1981: Darrell Schultz, February 15, 1981: Darrell Schultz, February 9, 1980: Mike Bell, February 10, 1980: Mike Bell, February 9, 1979: Mike Bell, February 10, 1979: Bob Hannah, February 18, 1978: Jim Ellis

Supercross Lites Class: April 24, 2010: Broc Tickle, April 18, 2009: Ryan Dungey, April 26, 2008: Ryan Dungey, April 28, 2007: Ryan Villopoto, April 29, 2006: James Stewart April 23, 2005: James Stewart January 30, 1999: Nathan Ramsey January 31, 1998: David Vuillemin February 1, 1997: David Vuillemin, February 3, 1996: Kevin Windham, February 4, 1995: Damon Huffman, May 7, 1994: Ryan Hughes, January 30, 1993: Phil Lawrence, February 1, 1992: Jeremy McGrath, February 2, 1991: Jeremy McGrath, February 17, 1990: Ty Davis, February 4, 1989: Jeff Matiasevich, February 5, 1989: Jeff Matiasevich, February 13, 1988: Jeff Matiasevich, February 14, 1988: Jeff Matiasevich, March 28, 1987: Donnie Schmit, March 29, 1987: Kyle Lewis, February 15, 1986: Willie Surratt, February 16, 1986: Donnie Schmit, February 8, 1985: Bader Manneh, February 9, 1985: Mike Healey

Supercross Class Stats: Seattle

The first race was held on February 18, 1978, and Jimmy Ellis won on a Honda; it was his first and only win on a Honda

This will be the 40th time the gate will drop in Seattle for a Supercross class race and the seventh at Qwest Field

From 1978 - 1999, the race was held in the Seattle King Dome

First time winners in Seattle: Darrel Schultz 1981, Rick Johnson 1984, Jeff Ward 1984, Larry Ward 1990, Ryan Villopoto 2009

At the 1984 double header weekend in Seattle, Jeff Ward and Rick Johnson won the first Supercross class races of their careers

From 1979 - 1989, double-header races were held at the King Dome

Riders to sweep double headers at the King Dome: Mike Bell 1980, Darrel Schultz 1981, Bob Hannah 1983, Ron Lechien 1985, Rick Johnson 1987 & 1989

Larry Ward won the first Supercross class race of his career in Seattle in 1990. Nine years later, he won the last Supercross class win of his career, which was also the last race at the King Dome

Supercross Lites Class Stats: Seattle

This will be the 27th time the gate will drop for a Supercross Lites class race in Seattle

The first race was held on February 8 1985, and Bader Manneh, won on a Kawasaki

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