Villopoto Takes Seattle Supercross Victory, Stewart in Series Point Lead in Reed Upset

Apr 19, 2009, 03:28PM. By Bikeland Staff

Seattle settles the series?

In previous years of Supercross action, Seattle fans have been the first to cheer for the Monster Energy AMA FIM World Champion as the season's competition was settled in Seattle's Qwest Field – long before the dirt was even trucked into Las Vegas' Sam Boyd Stadium.

Jacksonville's round 14 took place on April 4 with James Stewart winning his tenth race of the season Chad Reed finishing second. Reed came to Seattle with a five-point lead over Stewart for the 2009 Supercross Championship.

Heat number 1 in the Main Event saw #1 Chad Reed (Rockstar Makita Suzuki) have to work his way around #59 Troy Adams (Hart & Huntington Honda) in order to finish second behind #9 Ivan Tedesco (Honda Red Bull Racing), who took the lead in the first lap and kept it until he crossed the finish line.

#2 Ryan Villopoto (Monster Energy Kawasaki) did not compete in Jacksonville, and has missed the last three events due to illness. Villopoto, a Seattleite, did not disappoint his home team fans by charging out front for Heat number two of the Main Event and staying strong - finishing second after he was passed by #7 James Stewart (San Manuel Band of Misson Indians Yamaha) on the sixth lap. #14 Kevin Windham (Geico Powersports Honda) finished third.

The Supercross Main Event Last Chance Qualifier was won by #132 Billy Laninovich (Kawasaki). #57 Jacob Marsack (Honda) came in second to move on to the Main Event.

In the Lites Main Event Ryan Dungey #10 (Rockstar Makita Suzuki) took the lead and got the checkered flag, trailed by #116 Ryan Morais (Honda), who took the number two spot from #42 Jake Moss (Honda) on the third lap. Trey Canard #39 (Geico Powersports Honda) took home third.

The Supercross Main Event started off with #1 Chad Reed (Rockstar Makita Suzuki) crashing right out of the gate and beginning the race in dead last. Not to escape the drama, #7 James Stewart (San Manuel Band of Misson Indians Yamaha) stalled his bike and started the race in fifteenth place.

800 Mike Alessi (Rockstar Makita Suzuki) took the lead until he crashed on his own on the eighth lap giving # 2 Ryan Villopoto (Monster Energy Kawasaki) an unchallenged pass for first.

In the fifteenth lap #18 Davie Millsaps (Honda Red Bull Racing) was passed by #7 James Stewart who would follow #2 Ryan Villopoto across the finish line. The crowd cheered on their feet as their hometown racer won the Main Event. #18 Davie Millsaps climbs on the podium for third.

Chad Reed's #1 Suzuki finished seventh giving James Stewart's #7 Yamaha a three point lead with only two races left in the series. This May, in Vegas when the fireworks go off, it will signal the end of a season that could be anyone's bet.

The question is, will Chad Reed make it too close to call? It won't be over until the lights are dimmed after the race in Las Vegas.

Tune in to Round 16 Salt Lake City on April 25 to find out who to put your money on when the Monster Energy AMA Supercross FIM World Championship rolls into Vegas May 2.




Source & Photos: Bikeland.org