Villopoto Rolls On In Indy

Shan Moore | March 16, 2013
Ryan Villopoto held off a late charge by Ryan Dungey to take his sixth win of the year in Indy.  Photography By: Shan Moore

Ryan Villopoto held off a late charge by Ryan Dungey to take his sixth win of the year in Indy.  Photography By: Shan Moore

Indianapolis, Indiana, March 16, 2013 – Ryan Villopoto held off a late charge by Ryan Dungey to claim his second-straight and sixth victory of the season at round 11 of the Monster Energy AMA Supercross Series, an FIM World Championship, held in Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Indiana. The win also marked the Monster Energy Kawasaki rider’s 30th career win and it extended his lead in the championship points to nine. 

Davi Millsaps kicked off the main event by grabbing the holeshot to start the 20-lapper, however, the Rockstar Energy Racing Suzuki rider was quickly passed by Yoshimura Suzuki’s James Stewart. On lap six, Villopoto passed Millsaps to over second place. On the same lap, Stewart stalled his bike and Villopoto took over the lead.

On lap seven, Dungey also passed Millsaps and started cutting into Villopoto’s lead, closing into striking distance near the end of the race. Villopoto managed to pick up the pace over the final five laps and ended the race with just over six seconds to spare.

“Dungey was able to make up some time on me here and there, but I just kept pushing hard and tried to be consistent,” said Villopoto. “I think we’re where we need to be right now, we just need to keep it going.”

Dungey finished in the runner-up position, the Red Bull KTM rider having one of his best races of the year.

 Millsaps looked to have the final podium spot all wrapped up, but a tip-over on the final lap gave the spot away to Stewart, while Millsaps settled for fourth.

Muscle Milk Honda’s Justin Barcia edged TwoTwo Motorsport’s Chad Reed for fifth, while BTO Sports KTM teammates Andrew Short and Matt Goerke rounded out the top eight.

In the 250 East Regional division, Red Bull KTM’s Marvin Musquin won his second consecutive main event, coming from 16th on the opening lap to do so.

 Blake Wharton led the first 14 laps of the 15-lap race after grabbing the holeshot. However, a crash on the final lap dropped the Rockstar Energy Racing rider to ninth at the finish.

Musquin and GEICO Honda’s Wil Hahn were both caught up in a Tuf Block at the start of the race and were both at the rear of the pack on the opening lap, with Musquin in 16th and Hahn in 19th.

Musquin eventually moved up into second on the next to last lap of the race and then took over the lead on the final lap when Wharton crashed.

 AG Motorsports’ Kyle Peters grabbed his first-ever podium finish, claiming the runner-up position, while Hahn managed to move into fourth by the next to last lap and then inherited third after Wharton’s misfortune.

 Hahn now has a nine-point lead over Musquin in season point standings.

 “I gave it away here tonight,” said Hahn. “I have to go home and do my homework to get back on top of the box. I am happy that I was able to work my way back to third, but need to win races.”

 “We have been talking about confidence, and tonight I had it,” said Musquin. “I fought really hard, and I believed in myself. Anything can happen out there, and tonight was kind of lucky but I got the win.”

 Dean Wilson missed the main event after crashing in his heat race. The Monster Energy Pro Circuit Kawasaki rider was taken to the hospital for evaluation but there was no word on his condition at the time of this posting.

 450SX Class Results:
1. Ryan Villopoto (Kaw)
2. Ryan Dungey (KTM)
3. James Stewart (Suz)
4. Davi Millsaps (Suz)
5. Justin Barcia (Hon)
6. Chad Reed (Hon)
7. Andrew Short (KTM)
8. Matt Goerke (KTM)
9. Eli Tomac (Hon)
10. Weston Peick (Suz)

 Eastern Regional 250SX Class Results:
1. Marvin Musquin (KTM)
2. Kyle Peters (Hon)
3. Wil Hahn, Decatur, Texas, Honda
4. AJ Catanzero (Kaw)
5. Justin Hill (Kaw)
6. Vince Friese (Hon)
7. Mitchell Oldenburg (Hon)
8. Gavin Faith (Hon)
9. Blake Wharton (Suz)
10. Peter Larsen (Hon)

 

Shan Moore | Contributing Editor

Moore covers all facets of off-road racing for Cycle News – from AMA Supercross and Motocross to GNCC and National Hare Scrambles events.