Dungey Leads Deeply Talented Field into Anaheim as Monster Energy Supercross Kicks Off 20112011-01-03 20:29For just the second time in 37 years, a rookie stole the show during the 2010 Monster Energy AMA Supercross, an FIM World Championship, as Rockstar/Makita Suzuki’s Ryan Dungey joined legend Jeremy McGrath as the only other first-year champion in the Supercross class. This Saturday, the youngest champion in history will lead the world’s best riders into Angel Stadium for the first round of the 2011 championship. Preseason buzz is already calling the upcoming season the most anticipated championship of all time. With past two-time champions Chad Reed, riding for his own TwoTwo Motorsports, and San Manuel Yamaha’s James Stewart flanking Dungey, a long lineup of young challengers and experienced veterans are looking for their first taste of global recognition. Perhaps no rider is more motivated than Monster Energy Kawasaki’s Ryan Villopoto. The three-time AMA National Champion captured the most wins in 2010 during a season-long battle with Dungey that ended prematurely with a frightening crash in St. Louis. After being forced to sit off a bike for nearly five months, Villopoto is determined to take care of what he considers to be unfinished business against a foe he is all too familiar with. Also looking to bounce back from their own personal misfortunes from last season are both Reed and Stewart. Two of the most dominant riders of the past decade are the stalwarts who ushered in the present generation of riders and neither came close to accomplishing what they set out to do last season after stepping away from the championship before the third and fourth rounds, respectively. For both riders, 2011 marks the first season in which they are not seen as the top contenders for the championship. Pundits are giving Dungey and Villopoto considerably more attention with a hope of a resumption of their exciting rivalry and both of the “elder statesmen” of the sport will be look to prove them wrong. Beyond the foursome of championship-proven talent is a crop of fast young talent eager to make their own dreams come true. Led by former Supercross Lites champion Trey Canard, who will be making his Supercross class debut for Team Honda just one year after a memorable guest appearance in the class, this group contains another class rookie in Brett Metcalfe, who joins Dungey at Rockstar/Makita Suzuki, as well as former race winners Josh Grant, at Team Honda, and Muscle Milk/Toyota/JGR’s Davi Millsaps. While Grant and Millsaps head the movers and shakers in new places for 2011, longtime veteran and perennial front-runner Andrew Short makes the move to Red Bull KTM, forming an alliance with ace team manager Roger DeCoster, who tutored Dungey to his championship form at Suzuki. Additional riders who have found new homes this season are Ivan Tedesco at Dodge/Hart & Huntington Kawasaki, Tommy Hahn at MotoConcepts Yamaha, Michael Byrne at BTOSports.com/BBMX/Palmetto Suzuki, Nick Wey at Valli Motorsports Yamaha, and Dan Reardon at the new JDR Motorsports/Motorex KTM. As a whole, the 2011 lineup in the Supercross class is from top to bottom one of the most diversely talented groups of riders in the history of the sport whether its age or past success. Rounding out the roster is GEICO Powersports Honda’s Kevin Windham, who at 32 years of age entering his 18th year of professional competition is still in search of his first world championship, in addition to Muscle Milk/Toyota/JGR’s Justin Brayton, MotoConcepts Yamaha’s Kyle Chisholm, Dodge/Hart & Huntington Kawasaki’s Chris Blose and Red Bull KTM’s Mike Alessi. Additionally, a trio of riders are ready to enter their rookie seasons in hopes of being wild cards in the championship in San Manuel Yamaha’s Kyle Regal, Valli Motorsports Yamaha’s Austin Stroupe, and MotoConcepts Yamaha’s Vince Friese. As if the excitement being generated by the Supercross class wasn’t enough, the regional championships of the Supercross Lites class are slated to be as unpredictable as ever. While the chess match between teams announcing which riders will compete in which regions continues, heavy hitters at both Monster Energy/Pro Circuit/Kawasaki and GEICO Powersports Honda are the ones to keep an eye on, regardless of coast. Based on experience, Monster Energy/Pro Circuit/Kawasaki’s Josh Hansen is considered a heavy favorite in his chosen region while last season’s rookie of the year in GEICO Powersports Honda’s Justin Barcia is also receiving recognition. Beyond this duo is Dean Wilson, Broc Tickle, Tyla Rattray, and Blake Baggett at Pro Circuit alongside Eli Tomac, Blake Wharton, and Wil Hahn at GEICO Powersports. Despite the considerable attention garnered by the two winningest franchises in Supercross Lites history, the rosters at Rockstar Energy Suzuki, DNA Shred Stix/Star Racing Yamaha, and Troy Lee Designs/Lucas Oil Honda are also full of a mix of class veterans and future stars that will make their presence felt throughout the season. With the New Year upon us, the world’s focus on the motorsports landscape will be squarely on Angel Stadium this Saturday and the best riders from across the globe will begin what is expected to be the most competitive Monster Energy Supercross season of all time. Media day is Thursday, January 6 from Noon – 2:00 p.m. in the Diamond Club at Angel Stadium. Featured riders will be Ryan Dungey, James Stewart, Chad Reed, Ryan Villopoto, and Kevin Windham. Riders will be available for interviews and will ride the track for the media. Past Winners in Anaheim Supercross Class February 13, 2010: Ryan Villopoto January 23, 2010: Ryan Dungey January 9, 2010: James Stewart February 7, 2009: James Stewart January 17, 2009: James Stewart January 3, 2009: Josh Grant January 5, 2008: Chad Reed January 19, 2008: Chad Reed February 2, 2008: Chad Reed January 6, 2007: James Stewart January 20, 2007: James Stewart February 3, 2007: James Stewart January 07, 2006: James Stewart January 21, 2006: Ricky Carmichael February 04, 2006: Ricky Carmichael January 8, 2005 Kevin Windham January 22, 2005 Ricky Carmichael February 5, 2005 Ricky Carmichael January 3, 2004 Chad Reed January 17, 2004 Chad Reed January 31, 2004 Kevin Windham January 04, 2003: Chad Reed January 18, 2003: Ricky Carmichael February 01, 2003: Ricky Carmichael January 05, 2002: David Vuillemin January 19, 2002: Mike LaRocco February 02, 2002: Ricky Carmichael January 06, 2001: Jeremy McGrath January 20, 2001: Jeremy McGrath February 03, 2001: Ricky Carmichael January 8, 2000: Jeremy McGrath January 15, 2000: Jeremy McGrath January 09, 1999: Ezra Lusk February 06, 1999: Ezra Lusk January 27, 1996: Jeremy McGrath January 28, 1995: Jeremy McGrath January 29, 1994: Jeremy McGrath January 23, 1993: Jeremy McGrath January 25, 1992: Damon Bradshaw January 26, 1991: Jeff Stanton January 27, 1990: Damon Bradshaw January 28, 1989: Rick Johnson January 31, 1987: Jeff Ward January 18, 1986: David Bailey February 02, 1985: Broc Glover January 28, 1984: Johnny O’Mara January 29, 1983: David Bailey January 30, 1982: Donnie Hansen January 31, 1981: Kent Howerton November 17, 1979: Kent Howerton November 11, 1978: Gaylon Mosier November 12, 1977: Bob Hannah December 04, 1976: Marty Smith Supercross Lites Class February 13, 2010: Trey Canard January 23, 2010: Jake Weimer January 9, 2010: Jake Weimer February 7, 2009: Jake Weimer January 17, 2009: Ryan Dungey January 3, 2009: Jake Weimer January 5, 2008: Ryan Dungey January 19, 2008: Ryan Dungey February 2, 2008: Jason Lawrence January 6, 2007: Ryan Villopoto January 20, 2007: Ryan Villopoto February 3, 2007: Ryan Villopoto January 07, 2006: Andrew Short January 21, 2006: Grant Langston February 04, 2006: Grant Langston January 8, 2005 Nathan Ramsey January 22, 2005 Ivan Tedesco February 5, 2005 Ivan Tedesco January 3, 2004 Ivan Tedesco January 17, 2004 Ivan Tedesco January 31, 2004 Ivan Tedesco January 04, 2003: Travis Preston January 18, 2003: James Stewart Jr. February 01, 2003: James Stewart Jr. January 05, 2002: Travis Preston January 19, 2002: David Pingree February 02, 2002: Brock Sellards January 06, 2001: Ernesto Fonseca January 20, 2001: Ernesto Fonseca February 03, 2001: Ernesto Fonseca January 8, 2000: David Pingree January 15, 2000: Tallon Vohland January 09, 1999: Casey Johnson February 06, 1999: Nathan Ramsey January 27, 1996: Kevin Windham January 28, 1995: Damon Huffman January 29, 1994: Damon Huffman January 09, 1993: Damon Huffman January 25, 1992: Jeremy McGrath January 26, 1991: Jeremy McGrath January 27, 1990: Michael Craig January 28, 1989: Jeff Matiasevich January 31, 1987: Jeff Matiasevich January 18, 1986: Tyson Vohland February 02, 1985: Mike Healy SPEED will broadcast the opening race of the Supercross class and the Supercross Lites class live at 10:00 p.m. EST/7:00 p.m. PST Tickets are available at Angel Stadium Box Office, all Ticketmaster retail locations, charge by phone at (800)745-3000, SupercrossOnline.com, 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. Club Level tickets are available for $75 Adult/Child; Diamond Club and Field $50 Adult/Child; Sections 401-436 $35 Adult/Child; Sections 506-535 $35 Adult/Child; Sections 501-505 & 536-540 $20 Adult/Child. 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). 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, log on to http://www.facebook.com/supercrosslive and http://twitter.com/supercrosslive. About Feld Motor Sports® Feld Motor Sports®, Inc. is the world leader in specialized arena and stadium-based motor sports entertainment. Feld Motor Sports, Inc. productions include Advanced 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. Source: Feld Motor Sports Click here to visit our forums to discuss this story |
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