--  Georgia’s Own Davi Millsaps Leads Monster Energy Supercross Championship into the Georgia Dome
--  Wilson Strikes First in Eastern Regional 250SX Championship with Opening Race Win

After a record-setting 71,009 fans packed the Georgia Dome for last year’s Monster Energy AMA Supercross, an FIM World Championship, race, the world’s greatest racers are returning to the Georgia clay this Saturday night, led by points leader Davi Millsaps. Monster Energy/Pro Circuit Kawasaki’s Dean Wilson won the opening race of the Eastern Regional 250SX Class Championship last weekend and brings a three-point lead into this weekend’s race.

Two-time defending Monster Energy Supercross Champion Ryan Villopoto won his third race of the season last weekend at Cowboys Stadium, leading every lap of the Main Event. Villopoto moved around Millsaps, who won the Nuclear Cowboyz® Holeshot Award, shortly after the first turn and never looked back.

“Starts are definitely important,” said Villopoto, who now has the most wins in the championship. “I’ve had a target on my back this year, everyone knows that, and it’s stressful. I’m just trying to have fun with riding again. If we get third, it’s on the podium, and if it’s second, that’s good too. Davi (Millsaps) has been riding really good this year, so we have to just chip away at it. It’s going to take a while.”

The championship points race gives Rockstar Energy Racing’s Millsaps a 21-point lead over Ryan Dungey and a 24-point lead over Villopoto as the championship nears its halfway point. The key to Millsaps’ success this year has been his consistency; he has finished on the podium in six of seven races this season and has yet to finish outside of the top five.

“It was definitely a good 20 laps,” said Millsaps after the race at Cowboys Stadium. “I haven’t ridden all week because I’ve been sick, so it’s good to come away with a strong finish. Ryan (Villopoto) rode really well, so you have to give it to him.”

Red Bull KTM’s Dungey finished third overall. Bad luck continues to follow Team Yoshimura Suzuki’s James Stewart. After winning his Heat Race earlier in the evening, Stewart was unable to start the Main Event, citing a broken clutch. He dropped to ninth in the championship.

In the Eastern Regional 250SX Class Main Event of AG Motorsports Honda’s Kyle Peters who grabbed the Nuclear Cowboyz Holeshot Award. Chasing Peters through turn one was Wilson and Rockstar Energy Racing’s Blake Wharton assumed second and third place, respectively.

Wilson worked his way past Peters prior to the conclusion of the opening lap and then pulled away from the field to lead all 15 laps of the Main Event and claim his sixth-career 250SX Class victory.

“This feels so good,” exclaimed Wilson. “It’s been 10 months waiting for that. I knew I needed to get the start, so I fought for it and it went well. I saw the leader and I knew I was good in the whoops, so I just went on the outside around him. He raced clean and I respect that. From there I just rode my own race.”

Wharton held on for second and GIECO Honda’s Wil Hahn finished third.

During last year’s annual stop at the Georgia Dome, Dungey grabbed his second win of the season and the ninth of his career. GEICO Honda’s Kevin Windham, who retired earlier this season, made history by making his 200th career 450SX Class start. Last year’s Eastern Regional 250SX Class Main Event was won by Justin Barcia who is now racing in the premier class.

The first supercross race held in Atlanta was March 5, 1977, and Bob Hannah won on a Yamaha. On February 22, 1986 Honda rider Keith Turpin won the first-ever 250SX Class Main Event in Atlanta. To date, Ricky Carmichael sits on top of the 450SX Class’ all-time win list at the Georgia Dome with five wins. Carmichael, Brian Swink and Christophe Pourcel share the 250SX Class’ all-time win record with two.

--  Past Winners in Atlanta
450SX Class
February 25, 2012: Ryan Dungey
February 26, 2011: Ryan Villopoto
February 27, 2010: Ryan Dungey
February 21, 2009: James Stewart
February 23, 2008: Davi Millsaps
February 24, 2007: James Stewart
February 25, 2006: Ricky Carmichael
February 26, 2005: Ricky Carmichael
February 28, 2004: Chad Reed
February 22, 2003: Ricky Carmichael
February 23, 2002: Ricky Carmichael
February 24, 2001: Ricky Carmichael
February 26, 2000: Jeremy McGrath
February 20, 1999: Jeremy McGrath
February 21, 1998: Jeremy McGrath
February 22, 1997: Damon Huffman
February 24, 1996: Jeremy McGrath
February 25, 1995: Mike LaRocco
February 26, 1994: Jeremy McGrath
February 20, 1993: Damon Bradshaw
February 22, 1992: Damon Bradshaw
February 23, 1991: Damon Bradshaw
February 24, 1990: Jeff Ward
February 25, 1989: Jeff Stanton
February 22, 1986: Rick Johnson
February 23, 1985: Mark Barnett
February 25, 1984: Johnny O’Mara
March 5, 1983: Mark Barnett
February 27, 1982: Bob Hannah
February 28, 1981: Mark Barnett
March 1, 1980: Chuck Sun
March 3, 1979: Bob Hannah
March 4, 1978: Marty Tripes
March 5, 1977: Bob Hannah

250SX Class
February 25, 2012: Justin Barcia
February 26, 2011: Dean Wilson
February 26, 2010: Christophe Pourcel
February 21, 2009: Christophe Pourcel
February 23, 2008: Trey Canard
February 24, 2007: Ryan Dungey
February 25, 2006: Josh Grant
February 26, 2005: Grant Langston
February 28, 2004: James Stewart
February 22, 2003: Brock Sellards
February 23, 2002: Chad Reed
February 24, 2001: Nathan Ramsey
February 26, 2000: Stephane Roncada
February 20, 1999: Ernesto Fonseca
February 21, 1998: Ricky Carmichael
February 22, 1997: Ricky Carmichael
February 24, 1996: John Dowd
February 25, 1995: Mickael Pichon
February 26, 1994: Ezra Lusk
February 20, 1993: Doug Henry
February 22, 1992: Brian Swink
February 23, 1991: Brian Swink
February 24, 1990: Denny Stephenson
February 25, 1989: Damon Bradshaw
February 22, 1986: Keith Turpin

450SX Class Results: Arlington

1. Ryan Villopoto, Poulsbo, Wash., Kawasaki
2. Davi Millsaps, Murrieta, Calif., Suzuki
3. Ryan Dungey, Belle Plaine, Minn., KTM
4. Chad Reed, Australia, Honda
5. Justin Brayton, Fort Dodge, Iowa, Yamaha
6. Justin Barcia, Ochlocknee, Ga., Honda
7. Trey Canard, Shawnee, Okla., Honda
8. Matt Goerke, Lake Helen, Fla., KTM
9. Andrew Short, Smithville, Texas, Honda
10. Broc Tickle, Holly, Mich., Suzuki

450SX Class Points

1. Davi Millsaps, Murrieta, Calif., Suzuki, 154
2. Ryan Dungey, Belle Plaine, Minn., KTM, 133
3. Ryan Villopoto, Poulsbo, Wash., Kawasaki, 130
4. Trey Canard, Shawnee, Okla., Honda, 119
5. Chad Reed, Australia, Honda, 115
6. Justin Barcia, Ochlocknee, Ga., Honda, 98
7. Andrew Short, Smithville, Texas, Honda, 95
8. Justin Brayton, Fort Dodge, Iowa, Yamaha, 83
9. James Stewart, Haines City, Fla., Suzuki, 75
10. Matt Goerke, Lake Helen, Fla., KTM, 69

Eastern Regional 250SX Class Results: Arlington

1. Dean Wilson, Scotland, Kawasaki
2. Blake Wharton, Pilot Point, Texas, Suzuki
3. Wil Hahn, Decatur, Texas, Honda
4. Kyle Peters, Greensboro, N.C., Honda
5. Justin Hill, Yoncalla, Ore., Kawasaki
6. Marvin Musquin, France, KTM
7. Gavin Faith, Fort Dodge, Iowa, Honda
8. Jimmy Decotis, Peabody, Mass., Honda
9. Vince Friese, Cape Girardeau, Mo., Honda
10. Lance Vincent, Youngsville, La., KTM

Eastern Regional 250SX Class Points

1. Dean Wilson, Scotland, Kawasaki, 25
2. Blake Wharton, Pilot Point, Texas, Suzuki, 22
3. Wil Hahn, Decatur, Texas, Honda, 20
4. Kyle Peters, Greensboro, N.C., Honda, 18
5. Justin Hill, Yoncalla, Ore., Kawasaki, 16
6. Marvin Musquin, France, KTM, 15
7. Gavin Faith, Fort Dodge, Iowa, Honda, 14
8. Jimmy Decotis, Peabody, Mass., Honda, 13
9. Vince Friese, Cape Girardeau, Mo., Honda, 12
10. Lance Vincent, Youngsville, La., KTM, 11

KTM Junior Supercross Challenge

1. Joseph Achatz, St. Augustine, Fla., KTM 50 SX
2. Rider Vrzak, Mesquite, Texas, KTM 50 SX
3. Ayden Smith, Lufkin, Texas, KTM 50 SX
4. Whispern Smith, Midwest City, Okla., KTM 50 SX
5. Bryan Prouty, Carlsbad, N.M., KTM 50 SX
6. Nate Moen, Harrison, N.Y., KTM 50 SX
7. Tristan McDonald, Texico, N.M., KTM 50 SX
8. Matthew LeBlanc, Breaux Bridge, La., KTM 50 SX
9. Colby Hardy, Livingston, La., KTM 50 SX
10. Tug Greenslet, Bennington, Vt., KTM 50 SX
11. Laney Cox, Hugo, Okla., KTM 50 SX
12. Ryan Billock, Franklinton, N.C., KTM 50 SX
13. Gavin Towers, Venetia, Pa., KTM 50 SX
14. Christian Allen, Mobile, Ala., KTM 50 SX
15. Nicholas Laurie, Waldorf, Md., KTM 50 SX
    
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