Ryan Dungey Leads Monster Energy Supercross into Houston with Opportunity to Secure Second 450SX Class Title
Western Regional 250SX Class Returns to Action After Two-Month Break
Monster Energy AMA Supercross observed its lone break of the 2015 season last weekend. After 13 consecutive Saturdays of grueling competition, the world’s best riders took advantage of the opportunity to rest. They are refreshed and ready to close out the season with its stretch run to Las Vegas. The final four races of the season kick off this Saturday, April 11, inside Houston’s NRG Stadium. As a result of his dominant consistency and nine-race reign as the holder of the red plate signifying the points leader, Red Bull KTM’s Ryan Dungey enters the weekend with the opportunity to clinch the second 450SX Class championship of his career.
450SX Class Highlights from St. Louis
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250SX Class Highlights from St. Louis
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Some key insights to watch heading into this Saturday night’s race include:
- Can Ryan Dungey clinch his second career championship? He needs to take the checkered flag 75 points or more ahead of Eli Tomac, who currently sits 80 points out of the lead.
- Who will seize control in the battle for third in the 450SX Class standings between Cole Seely and Chad Reed?
- Will one of the 450SX Class rookies – Seely, Jason Anderson or Blake Baggett – break through with the first victory of his career?
- How will the hopeful returns of Ken Roczen and Justin Barcia impact Houston and the rest of the 2015 season?
- Despite not having raced for two months, can Cooper Webb maintain his lead in the Western Regional 250SX Class Championship and clinch the first title of his pro career? Webb currently holds a 30-point lead over Jessy Nelson and needs to take the checkered flag with a lead of at least 25 points or more.
- Can title contenders Nelson, Tyler Bowers or Zach Osborne force the championship to be decided at the final race next weekend?
At the most recent stop of the Monster Energy Supercross season in St. Louis, Dungey set a personal record for wins in a season, claiming his sixth of the 2015 campaign. Since earning his first win of the season at the third race in Anaheim, the fifth stop on the schedule, Dungey has gone on to win five of the next eight races, finishing on the podium in all eight of those races to extend his podium streak to an incredible 12 races. With just one finish outside the top-three all season, in fourth, Dungey has amassed what is arguably the most statistically dominant season since Monster Energy Supercross expanded to 17 races during the 2008 season.
As a result of his historic consistency, Dungey has built a healthy 80-point lead over GEICO Honda’s Tomac, who has done well to match his rival’s pace the past two races with a win and runner-up effort. Unfortunately for Tomac, it might be too little, too late, even if he is able to earn his third victory of the season. Considering the clinching scenarios, Dungey would need to finish at third or better if Tomac were to take the win. Considering the string of results he’s amassed this season, that is as close to a certainty as someone like Dungey could have.
While a title may be on Dungey’s mind coming into Houston, the rest of the 450SX Class field will be looking for opportunity. While Dungey, Tomac, Discount Tire Racing/TwoTwo Motorsports’ Reed, Team Honda HRC’s Trey Canard and Suzuki Racing’s Roczen have all been victorious this season, many other elite contenders are still hoping for their breakthrough wins. Leading this group is the rookie trio of Team Honda HRC’s Seely, Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing’s Anderson and Team Yoshimura Suzuki’s Baggett. All three riders have finished on the podium this season and each believes he has the speed to win before the season comes to an end. Another rider with aspirations of winning is Monster Energy Kawasaki’s Davi Millsaps, who has battled through illness to start hitting his groove as the season winds down.
While the battle for victory, and potentially the title, will no doubt garner the most attention, many will be watching to see if both Roczen and Yamaha’s Barcia will be able to return to action following injuries. Both riders are considered two of the best in the world and their presence in the field only adds to the intrigue surrounding the race.
The annual visit to Houston also signifies the highly anticipated return of the Western Regional 250SX Class Championship, which has not raced since the sixth race of the season in San Diego in February. The near two-month break in competition provides the opportunity for virtually the entire field to get back to full strength and close out the season on a high note. Prior to the break, Yamaha’s Webb had been on a tear, capturing four wins in five races. Thanks to his dominant stretch, Webb opened up his points lead to 30 over KTM’s Nelson. Like Dungey, Webb has the opportunity to clinch the title in Houston, which would signify the first of his professional career. He needs to maintain a 25-point lead over the field when the checkered flag falls, giving him at least a five-point margin to work with. Should Nelson win, Webb needs to finish third or better to wrap up the title one race prior to the Western Regional finale. Kawasaki’s Bowers and Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing’s Osborne are also within mathematical contention, sitting third (-32) and fourth (-34), respectively.
During last year’s 450SX Class Main Event in Houston, Monster Energy Kawasaki’s Ryan Villopoto dominated the 450SX Class Main Event to secure his fourth win of the season and extend his point lead on a path to becoming a four-time Monster Energy Supercross Champion. In the return of the Western Regional 250SX Class Championship, Rockstar Energy Racing’s Anderson captured his fourth win of the season to extend his point lead, en route to earning his first career professional title.
Previous Race Results: Edward Jones Dome – St. Louis, Missouri March 28, 2015
450SX Class Results
1. Ryan Dungey, Belle Plaine, Minn., KTM
2. Eli Tomac, Cortez, Colo., Honda
3. Jason Anderson, Edgewood, N.M., Husqvarna
4. Cole Seely, Laguna Beach, Calif., Honda
5. Weston Peick, Menifee, Calif., Yamaha
6. Josh Grant, Wildomar, Calif., Kawasaki
7. Davi Millsaps, Murrieta, Calif., Kawasaki
8. Chad Reed, Dade City, Fla., Kawasaki
9. Broc Tickle, Holly, Mich., Suzuki
10. Blake Baggett, Grand Terrace, Calif., Suzuki
450SX Class Season Standings
1. Ryan Dungey, Belle Plaine, Minn., KTM, 296
2. Eli Tomac, Cortez, Colo., Honda, 216
3. Trey Canard, Edmond, Okla., Honda, 204
4. Cole Seely, Laguna Beach, Calif., Honda, 198
5. Chad Reed, Dade City, Fla., Kawasaki, 183
6. Jason Anderson, Edgewood, N.M., Husqvarna, 165
7. Blake Baggett, Grand Terrace, Calif., Suzuki, 165
8. Ken Roczen, Clermont, Fla., Suzuki, 156
9. Broc Tickle, Holly, Mich., Suzuki, 146
10. Andrew Short, Smithville, Texas, KTM, 137
Eastern Regional 250SX Class Results
1. Marvin Musquin, Corona, Calif., KTM
2. Jeremy Martin, Millville, Minn., Yamaha
3. Joey Savatgy, Thomasville, Ga., Kawasaki
4. Justin Bogle, Cushing, Okla., Honda
5. Anthony Rodriquez, Cairo, Ga., Yamaha
6. Jimmy Decotis, Peabody, Mass., Honda
7. Luke Rezland, Hewitt, N.J., Yamaha
8. Kyle Cunningham, Aledo, Texas, Honda
9. Jace Owen, Mattoon, Ill., Honda
10. Kyle Peters, Greensboro, N.C., Honda
Eastern Regional 250SX Class Season Standings
1. Marvin Musquin, Corona, Calif., KTM, 169
2. Justin Bogle, Cushing, Okla., Honda, 149
3. Jeremy Martin, Millville, Minn., Yamaha, 125
4. Joey Savatgy, Thomasville, Ga., Kawasaki, 113
5. RJ Hampshire, Hudson, Fla., Honda, 84
6. Anthony Rodriguez, Cairo, Ga., Yamaha, 84
7. Jimmy Decotis, Peabody, Mass., Honda, 84
8. Kyle Peters, Greensboro, N.C., Honda, 76
9. Martin Davalos, Cairo, Ga., Husqvarna, 63
10. Kyle Cunningham, Aledo, Texas, Kawasaki, 60
Western Regional 250SX Class Season Standings
1. Cooper Webb, Newport, N.C., Yamaha, 136
2. Jessy Nelson, Paso Robles, Calif., KTM, 106
3. Tyler Bowers, Corona, Calif., Kawasaki, 104
4. Zach Osborne, Chesterfield, S.C., Husqvarna, 102
5. Shane McElrath, Canton, N.C., KTM, 86
6. Aaron Plessinger, Hamilton, Ohio, Yamaha, 81
7. Justin Hill, Yoncalla, Ore., KTM, 79
8. Josh Hansen, Elbert, Colo., Kawasaki, 79
9. Alex Martin, Millville, Minn., Yamaha, 75
10. Malcolm Stewart, Haines City, Fla., Honda, 69
Past Winners in Houston – 450SX Class
- April 5, 2014 Ryan Villopoto
- April 6, 2013 Ryan Villopoto
- March 31, 2012 Ryan Villopoto
- February 12, 2011 Trey Canard
- April 10, 2010 Ryan Villopoto
- January 24, 2009 James Stewart
- February 16, 2008 Kevin Windham
- February 10, 2007 James Stewart
- April 1, 2006 James Stewart
- April 30, 2005 James Stewart
- February 14, 2004 Chad Reed
- March 29, 2003 Chad Reed
- March 23, 2002 Ricky Carmichael
- March 24, 2001 Ricky Carmichael
- February 5, 2000 Jeremy McGrath
- March 13, 1999 Jeremy McGrath
- January 17, 1998 Ezra Lusk
- March 22, 1997 Jeff Emig
- March 16, 1996 Jeremy McGrath
- March 25, 1995 Jeremy McGrath
- march 22, 1994 Jeremy McGrath
- March 16, 1993 Damon Bradshaw
- march 18, 1992 Damon Bradshaw
- January 19, 1991 Jean-Michel Bayle
- February 3, 1990 Damon Bradshaw
- March 18, 1989 Jeff Stanton
- March 6, 1988 Jeff Ward
- February 7 , 1987 Jeff Ward
- February 2, 1986 Jeff Ward
- April 20, 1985 Jeff Ward
- March 24, 1984 David Bailey
- March 19, 1983 Bob Hannah
- March 20, 1983 Mark Barnett
- March 19, 1982 Mark Barnett
- March 20, 1982 Mark Barnett
- March 13, 1981 Mark Barnett
- March 14, 1981 Mark Barnett
- March 14, 1980 Mike Bell
- March 15, 1980 Broc Glover
- March 16, 1979 Bob Hannah
- Marcy 17, 1979 Bob Hannah
- March 17, 1978 Bob Hannah
- March 18, 1978 Bob Hannah
- March 18, 1977 Tony DiStefano
- March 19, 1977 Jim Ellis
- March 12, 1976 Jim Weinert
- March 14, 1975 Jim Ellis
- March 15, 1974 Jim Pomeroy
Past Winners in Houston – 250SX Class
- April 5, 2014 Jason Anderson
- April 6, 2013 Blake Wharton
- March 31, 2012 Ken Roczen
- February 12, 2011 Justin Barcia
- April 10, 2010 Christophe Pourcel
- January 14, 2009 Christophe Pourcel
- February 16, 2008 Austin Stroupe
- February 10, 2007 Ryan Villopoto
- April 1, 2006 Davi Millsaps
- April 30, 2005 Andrew Short
- February 14, 2004 James Stewart
- March 29, 2003 Brock Sellards
- March 23, 2002 Matt Walker
- March 24, 2001 Travis Preston
- February 5, 2000 Derrick Shae Bentley
- March 13, 1999 Nathan Ramsey
- January 17, 1998 David Vuillemin
- March 22, 1997 Kevin Windham
- March 16, 1996 Kevin Windham
- March 25, 1995 Damon Huffman
- January 22, 1994 Ezra Lusk
- January 16, 1993 Jimmy Gaddis
- January 18, 1992 Brian Swink
- January 19, 1991 Tallon Vohland
- February 3, 1990 Jeff Emig
- March 18, 1989 Mike LaRocco
- February 6, 1988 Jeff Matiasevich
- February 7, 1987 Keith Turpin
- February 2, 1986 Willie Surratt
- April 20, 1985 Eddie Warren
