VILLOPOTO AGAIN
Kawasaki’s Ryan Villopoto won his fifth Monster Energy AMA Supercross race of the season at Edward Jones Dome on Saturday night.
Honda’s Justin Barcia won his third consecutive Eastern Regional Supercross Lites Class Main Event and extended his lead to 18 points.
Yamaha’s Davi Millsaps won the holeshot award with Villopoto and Honda’s Justin Brayton in tow. Yamaha’s James Stewart started near the back of the pack and crashed on the opening lap. Villopoto, who has never won in St. Louis, quickly moved into second place. On lap two, Villopoto gained the lead after passing Millsaps and he began opening a sizeable lead.
Brayton passed Millsaps on lap eight for second place, and on the same lap KTM’s Ryan Dungey passed Millsaps for third place. On lap 13, Dungey took over second place, moving Brayton back to third. On his charge back from near last place, Stewart passed Millsaps for fifth place. Dungey made a late-race run at Villopoto but was unable to challenge for the lead.
“The track was tough tonight,” said Villopoto. “I tried to ride smart and consistent, paying attention to where (Ryan) Dungey was at. I was able to hold on for another win and my first-ever in St. Louis”
Dungey earned his seventh podium finish of the year with a second place. Brayton finished a season-best third place.
“It was tough to make passes out there,” said Dungey. “I am happy with second tonight even though I wasn’t able to get to the lead. This track is one of a kind, and I had a blast riding on it.”
Barcia made a statement when the gates dropped for the Eastern Regional Supercross Lites Class Main Event as he captured his second consecutive holeshot award. Behind him, KTM’s Ken Roczen and Honda’s Justin Bogle followed in second and third, respectively.
While Barcia extended his lead, Bogle stalked Roczen for several laps, and on the last lap while setting up his move, he suffered a crash. As a result, he lost third place to Suzuki’s Blake Wharton and fourth place to Kawasaki’s Darryn Durham where they would finish. Bogle was forced to settle for fifth, and Roczen finished a season-best second place.
“It was great to get the holeshot and check out tonight,” said Barcia. “The dirt here in St. Louis is amazing. I am not changing anything as we head to the next race; if I keep doing this, I should win the championship.”
Tonight’s win for Barcia marked his third consecutive inside the Edward Jones Dome, and he now is the all-time winningest Supercross Lites Class rider in St. Louis.
Supercross Class Results: St. Louis
1. Ryan Villopoto, Poulsbo, Wash., Kawasaki
2. Ryan Dungey, Belle Plaine, Minn., KTM
3. Justin Brayton, Murrieta, Calif., Honda
4. Kevin Windham, Centreville, Miss., Honda
5. James Stewart, Haines City, Fla., Yamaha
6. Davi Millsaps, Murrieta, Calif., Yamaha
7. Jake Weimer, Wildomar, Idaho, Kawasaki
8. Brett Metcalfe, Lake Elsinore, Calif., Suzuki
9. Marvin Musquin, Murrieta, Calif., KTM
10. Nicholas Wey, Murrieta, Calif., Kawasaki
Supercross Class Season Standings
1. Ryan Villopoto, Poulsbo, Wash., Kawasaki – 205
2. Ryan Dungey, Belle Plaine, Minn., KTM – 192
3. James Stewart, Haines City, Fla., Yamaha – 152
4. Chad Reed, Dade City, Fla., Honda – 128
5. Kevin Windham, Centreville, Miss., Honda – 123
6. Jake Weimer, Wildomar, Idaho, Kawasaki – 120
7. Justin Brayton, Murrieta, Calif., Honda – 116
8. Brett Metcalfe, Lake Elsinore, Calif., Suzuki – 113
9. Davi Millsaps, Murrieta, Calif., Yamaha – 109
10. Mike Alessi, Hilliard, Fla., Suzuki – 98
Eastern Regional Supercross Lites Class Results: St. Louis
1. Justin Barcia, Ochlocknee, Ga., Honda
2. Ken Roczen, Murrieta, Calif., KTM
3. Blake Wharton, Pilot Point, Texas, Honda
4. Darryn Durham, Butler, Pa, Kawasaki
5. Justin Bogle, Cushing, Okla., Honda
6. Jake Canada, Sun City, Fla., Honda
7. Malcolm Stewart, Haines City, Fla., KTM
8. Kyle Cunningham, Aledo, Texas, Yamaha
9. Blake Baggett, Grand Terrace, Calif., Kawasaki
10. Alex Martin, Millville, Minn., Honda
Eastern Regional Supercross Lites Class Season Standings
1. Justin Barcia, Ochlocknee, Ga., Honda – 75
2. Ken Roczen, Murrieta, Calif., KTM – 57
3. Darryn Durham, Butler, Pa, Kawasaki – 56
4. Blake Wharton, Pilot Point, Texas, Honda – 56
5. Justin Bogle, Cushing, Okla., Honda – 43
6. Jake Canada, Sun City, Fla., Honda – 41
7. Blake Baggett, Grand Terrace, Calif., Kawasaki – 40
8. Hunter Hewitt, Pilot Point, Texas, Suzuki – 31
9. Malcolm Stewart, Haines City, Fla., KTM – 29
10. Kyle Cunningham, Aledo, Texas, Yamaha – 28
