Inside the Edward Jones Dome. Photo by: Hoppenworld
Davalos Moves into 250SX Class’ Points Lead
AURORA, Ill. (March 24, 2014) – As the Monster Energy AMA Supercross, an FIM World Championship heads to St. Louis’ Edward Jones Dome this Saturday night. Monster Energy Kawasaki’s Ryan Villopoto, the three-time defending Championship, carries a 25-point advantage over Red Bull KTM’s Ryan Dungey. For the first time in the Eastern Regional 250SX Class Championship, Monster Energy/Kawasaki’s Martin Davalos rides into St. Louis with a four-point lead over his teammate Adam Cianciarulo, who has three wins this season.
**FOX Sports 1 will air the St. Louis race live at 8:30 p.m. ET / 5:30 p.m. PT**
**Coverage from St. Louis will also be available on the authenticated FOX Sports GO app**
**FOX Sports 2 will re-air the Toronto race on Sunday, March 29 at 1:00 a.m. ET/ 10:00 a.m. PT**
Media day is Thursday, March 27 from Noon-2:00 p.m. Riders will be available for interviews and will ride the track for the media.
James Stewart discussing his 450SX class race win in Toronto
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Some key insights to this race are:
- James Stewart earned his 49th career 450SX Class victory; he is now second on the all-time 450SX Class win list behind Jeremy McGrath.
- Stewart, who became the first four-time winner of the 2014 450SX Class season, has won at least four racers in a single season for the fifth time in his career
- Dungey, who earned his eight podium of the season, now has 55 career 450SX Class podiums; he has now passed Jeff Stanton for ninth on the all-time 450SX Class podium list
- Justin Bogle, who earned his first-ever win, became the 95th different winner in the 250SX Class with his victory in Toronto; he is the third first time winner this season
- Matt Lemoine earned a career-best third place finish
- Cianciarulo, who had the points lead for the entire season, suffered an injury in St. Louis and dropped back to second place in season standings
To start the 20-lap 450SX Class Main Event, Red Bull KTM’s Ken Roczen won the Nuclear Cowboyz® Holeshot Award with Villopoto and Team Honda Muscle Milk’s Justin Barcia in tow. Roczen and Barcia took over the top two spots and engaged in a battle for the lead before Barcia made the pass stick on Lap 3. Stewart began the Main Event with a mid-pack start and crossed the line in ninth on the opening lap. He immediately began making a climb through the field, on a steady march to the front.
Barcia opened a comfortable margin on Roczen, who started to lose time to his teammate Dungey in third, as well as Stewart, who moved into fourth place on Lap 7. Stewart slipped by Dungey for third on Lap 11 and then made the pass on Roczen one lap later. Stewart then closed the deficit on Barcia and pressured him for a lap before making the winning pass on Lap 14. That same lap, Dungey passed Roczen for third.
Stewart pulled away in the closing laps to post back-to-back victories and become the winningest rider in the championship this season. Barcia grabbed a season-best result of second, holding off a hard-charging Dungey in third. Stewart’s 49 career wins breaks a tie with five-time Monster Energy Supercross Champion Ricky Carmichael on the all-time list. Stewart now sits 23 wins behind the record of 72 held by seven-time Monster Energy Supercross Champion McGrath.
“That was probably one of my best races ever, I’m speechless,” said Stewart. “To pass [Ricky] Carmichael and move into second on the all-time wins list is special. This hasn’t even set in yet. The fans kept me motivated tonight. I heard them through every pass, it was great.”
Current 450SX Class points leader Villopoto endured his toughest day of the season en route to a sixth-place finish. Villopoto did not log a single lap of afternoon practice after his team reported he was suffering from food poisoning. A top-10 ranking in the championship guaranteed Villopoto a provisional for the night show and he was able to transfer into the Main Event through the Semi. After starting second in the Main Event, Villopoto dropped to as far back as eighth but made a late charge to move into sixth and lose minimal ground in the championship.
“We made the best of a bad scenario [today],” said Villopoto. “I woke up in a lot of pain this morning and the Asterisk Mobile Medical Crew thought it was best I [go to the hospital] to get checked out. I got out of the hospital and was lucky to make it in time for the night show. We salvaged a lot of points and I’ll go to the doctor back [home] in California to make sure we’re ready for St. Louis next weekend.”
Villopoto lost just five points to Dungey in the 450SX Class standings, currently holding a 25-point lead with five races remaining.
Photo Credit: Hoppenworld
Bogle began the 15-lap Eastern Regional 250SX Class Main Event by racing to the Nuclear Cowboyz Holeshot Award, edging out Monster Energy/Pro Circuit/Kawasaki’s Cianciarulo. Bogle set a torrid pace out front in the opening laps while Cianciarulo attempted to keep pace. Earlier in the afternoon during practice, Cianciarulo’s left shoulder popped out of its socket while going through the whoops, and while running second behind Bogle on Lap 3 it occurred again as he navigated the same set whoops. After receiving medical attention, the 250SX Eastern Regional points leader and three-time winner this season attempted to re-enter the race, but ultimately pulled off and recorded a DNF.
While Bogle continued to pull away out front, Monster Energy/Pro Circuit/Kawasaki’s Davalos had moved into second after starting fifth. Davalos was slowly closing the gap but went down on Lap 9, dropping to third behind JAB Motorsports Kawasaki’s Matt Lemoine. One the following lap, Davalos reclaimed the position while Lemoine fell into the clutches of Monster Energy/Pro Circuit/Kawasaki’s Blake Baggett. Baggett looked to get alongside Lemoine for third, but lost control and crashed out of the race.
Bogle became the 94th different rider to win a 250SX Class Main Event, doing so one day before his 21st birthday.
“I finally got a good start, which made [racing for the win] a lot easier,” said Bogle, who led all 15 laps. “It’s crazy. I crossed the finish line and I didn’t even know what to do. I’ve thought so much about what I’d do when I got my first win, but I don’t know. I just turned the corner [after the finish] and dropped my bike. I’m just so overwhelmed right now.”
Davalos overcame his early misfortune to finish second and take over the 250SX Eastern Regional points lead, while Lemoine finished third.
“The track got really tough and I ended up making a mistake about halfway through,” said Davalos. “Luckily we were able to recover and still get a good finish, so I’ll take it. We gained a lot of points tonight, but there’s still a lot of racing left this season.”
Davalos overcame a 17-point deficit coming into Saturday to leave Toronto with a four-point lead over Cianciarulo with three races remaining in the 250SX Eastern Regional Championship.
Photo Credit: Hoppenworld
During the 2013 St. Louis stop, a record 60,178 fans packed the Edward Jones Dome to see Villopoto win his fourth consecutive 450SX Class race en route to his third-straight title. In the 250SX Class, GEICO Honda’s Wil Hahn captured his second consecutive win of the season before going on to win his first-ever championship.
Villopoto has won the St. Louis Main Event during the past two seasons and has his sights set on his third-consecutive win in the premier class. Ricky Carmichael and Chad Reed share the all-time win record in St. Louis in the 450SX Class at four apiece. Current 450SX Class rider Barcia won three consecutive races in the 250SX Class races and holds the record for most wins in St. Louis.
Tickets are available at the Edward Jones Dome Box Office, all Ticketmaster outlets, charge by phone (800) 745-3000, or online at www.SupercrossOnline.com or www.ticketmaster.com. Practice and qualifying begin at 12:30 p.m. and the Main Event starts at 7:00 p.m. Club Seats are $55 Adult/Child; Gold Circle $40 Adult/Child; 400 Lower Level Loge $30 Adult/$10 Child; Upper View Sides $20 Adult/$10 Child; Treadhead $10 Adult/Child. Fans can also get in to the Pits for FREE from 12:30-6 p.m. Race Day when they recycle a MONSTER Energy Can at the stadium’s pit entrance (valid only with event ticket).
450SX Class Results: Toronto
- James Stewart, Haines City, Fla., Suzuki
- Justin Barcia, Pinetta, Fla., Honda
- Ryan Dungey, Belle Plaine, Minn., KTM
- Justin Brayton, Cornelius, N.C., Yamaha
- Ken Roczen, Murrieta, Calif., KTM
- Ryan Villopoto, Poulsbo, Wash., Kawasaki
- Weston Peick, Wildomar, Calif., Suzuki
- Dean Wilson, Wesley Chapel, Fla., Kawasaki
- Josh Hill, Yoncalla, Ore., Suzuki
- Matt Goerke, Temecula, Calif., KTM
450SX Class Season Standings
- Ryan Villopoto, Poulsbo, Wash., Kawasaki, 246
- Ryan Dungey, Belle Plaine, Minn., KTM, 221
- James Stewart, Haines City, Fla., Suzuki, 207
- Ken Roczen, Murrieta, Calif., KTM, 197
- Justin Brayton, Cornelius, N.C., Yamaha, 185
- Justin Barcia, Pinetta, Fla., Honda, 156
- Andrew Short, Smithville, Texas, KTM, 153
- Broc Tickle, Holly, Mich., Suzuki, 126
- Wil Hahn, Menifee, Calif., Honda, 122
- Chad Reed, Dade City, Fla., Kawasaki, 111
Eastern Regional 250SX Class Results: Toronto
- Justin Bogle, Cushing, Okla., Honda
- Martin Davalos, Cairo, Ga., Kawasaki
- Matthew Lemoine, Pilot Point, Texas, Kawasaki
- Jeremy Martin, Millville, Minn., Yamaha
- Cole Thompson, Brigden, Ontario, KTM
- Vince Friese, Cape Girardeau, Mo., Honda
- Alex Martin, Millville, Minn., Yamaha
- Kyle Cunningham, Aledo, Texas, Honda
- AJ Catanzaro, Portland, Conn., Honda
- James Decotis, Peabody, Mass., Honda
Eastern Regional 250SX Class Season Standings
- Martin Davalos, Cairo, Ga., Kawasaki, 124
- Adam Cianciarulo, Port Orange, Fla., Kawasaki, 120
- Justin Bogle, Cushing, Okla., Honda, 119
- Blake Baggett, Grand Terrace, Calif., Kawasaki, 100
- Vince Friese, Cape Girardeau, Mo., Honda, 90
- Kyle Cunningham, Aledo, Texas, Honda, 76
- Cole Thompson, Brigden, Ontario, KTM, 74
- Matthew Lemoine, Pilot Point, Texas, Kawasaki, 73
- James Decotis, Peabody, Mass., Honda, 65
- Alex Martin, Millville, Minn., Yamaha, 60
Past Winners in St. Louis
450SX Class
March 2, 2013: Ryan Villopoto
March 3, 2012: Ryan Villopoto
April 9, 2011: James Stewart
April 17, 2010: Ryan Dungey
March 21, 2009: Chad Reed
April 19, 2008: Kevin Windham
March 3, 2007: Ricky Carmichael
February 18, 2006: Chad Reed
March 5, 2005: Ricky Carmichael
March 13, 2004: Chad Reed
March 22, 2003: Chad Reed
April 6, 2002: Ricky Carmichael
March 31, 2001: Ricky Carmichael
March 18, 2000: Jeremy McGrath
March 27, 1999: Jeremy McGrath
March 28, 1998: Kevin Windham
April 5, 1997: Jeremy McGrath
April 27, 1996: Jeff Emig
250SX Class
March 2, 2013: Wil Hahn
March 3, 2012: Justin Barcia
April 9, 2011: Justin Barcia
April 17, 2010: Justin Barcia
March 21, 2009: Blake Wharton
April 19, 2008: Trey Canard
March 3, 2007: Ben Townley
February 18, 2006: Davi Millsaps
March 5, 2005: Grant Langston
March 13, 2004: James Stewart
March 22, 2003: Branden Jesseman
April 6, 2002: Chad Reed
March 21, 2001: Travis Pastrana
March 18, 2000: Travis Pastrana
March 27, 1999: Ernesto Fonseca
March 28, 1998: Ricky Carmichael
April 5, 1997: Stephane Roncada
April 27, 1996: Kevin Windham
