Monster Energy AMA Supercross, an FIM World Championship, returned to the West Coast for the 15th race of the season on Saturday night in front of a crowd of 53,862 inside Seattle‰Ûªs CenturyLink Field.
Team Honda Muscle Milk‰Ûªs Justin Barcia posted a wire-to-wire performance to win his second career 450SX Class Main Event. Red Bull KTM‰Ûªs Ken Roczen captured his third 250SX Class victory in four races in the Western Regional Championship‰Ûªs return to competition.
Barcia raced to the Nuclear Cowboyz Holeshot Award to begin the 450SX Class Main Event, with MotoConcepts Racing‰Ûªs Mike Alessi and Slaton Racing Honda‰Ûªs Vince Friese in tow. Ryan Villopoto positioned himself in the top five, while a first-turn pileup claimed both Red Bull KTM‰Ûªs Ryan Dungey and TwoTwo Motorsports Honda‰Ûªs Chad Reed.
Villopoto wasted little time in moving forward and was in second place by Lap 2, just a few tenths behind Barcia. Rockstar Energy Racing‰Ûªs Davi Millsaps followed Villopoto into third place.
Both Barcia and Villopoto slowly pulled away from Millsaps as the race progressed, setting the stage for a battle to the finish. The Seattle crowd cheered on Villopoto, their hometown rider, but as the duo encountered lapped riders, Barcia‰Ûªs lead began to increase.
Barcia led all 20 laps of the Main Event, mirroring the performance from his inaugural 450SX Class victory at the second race of the season in Phoenix.
‰ÛÏI tell you what, that holeshot is so key,‰Û
