Monster Energy Kawasaki's Ryan Villopoto, has clinched his second Supercross Class Championship tonight at the Monster Energy AMA Supercross, an FIM World Championship, at Reliant Stadium in front of 48,962 fans.
Davi Millsaps, aboard his JGRMX/Toyota/Yamaha's opened the Supercross Class with the Nuclear Cowboyzå¨ Holeshot Award but was quickly passed by Villopoto who held the lead all the way through to the chechured flag.
Millsaps picked up his second runner-up finish of the season finishing ahead of Monster Energy Kawasaki rider Jake Weimer.
The night and the championship however belonged to Villopoto who with four rounds still to be ran has wrapped up another series win.
"It's huge," said Villopoto. "There is a lot of hard work that went into this, and I am only one piece of the pie; the whole Monster Energy Kawasaki team has worked very hard all year to help me make this happen."
"This is what it is all about," continued Villopoto. "Winning championships is why every one of us lines up behind the gate and I am so happy to win my second Supercross title and to go back-to-back is unreal."
"I'm glad I got it out of the way early, I knew I had a good chance to clinch the title here in Houston and it feels good to have it behind me now. Everyone on the Monster Energy Kawasaki team has worked hard this year and we showed that hard work pays off." concluded the newly crowned champion
Millsaps moved into third place in Supercross Class point standings and was quick to congradulate Villopoto on his championship win.
"I want to congratulate Ryan (Villopoto) on his championship; he rode great all year," said Millsaps. "It was slippery out there all day, so you had to choose your lines wisely. I am excited to be back up on the podium."
In the Eastern Regional Supercross Lites Class Main Event, GIECO Honda's Justin Barcia, took the Nuclear Cowboyz Holeshot Award with Roczen and Rockstar Energy Racing's Blake Wharton, following in second and third, respectively. Roczen passed Barcia on the opening lap, and one lap later, Barcia re-passed him to take over the lead.
Barcia collided with another rider on the final lap of the race and crashed. He re-entered the race and finished second. This allowed Roczen to move into the lead and ride to the second victory of his career.
"This is so awesome," said Roczen. "This is not how I want to win a race. Justin rode a great race and was really fast tonight, so it is unfortunate that he crashed. I am super happy to be back on top of the box."
Barcia still leads the championship points race by 32 points over Wharton.
"I don't know what I can say," said Barcia. "There is nothing I could do about the crash. I will fight through this and be back in New Orleans." Barcia Concluded
Supercross Class Results: Houston
1. Ryan Villopoto., Kawasaki
2. Davi Millsaps, Yamaha
3. Jake Weimer, Kawasaki
4. Mike Alessi, Suzuki
5. Justin Brayton, Honda
6. Robert Kiniry, Yamaha
7. Broc Tickle, Kawasaki
8. Nico Izzi, Yamaha
9. Weston Peick, Kawasaki
10. Josh Grant, Kawasaki
Supercross Class Season Standings 1. Ryan Villopoto, , Kawasaki ‰ÛÒ 296
2. Ryan Dungey, KTM ‰ÛÒ 192
3. Davi Millsaps, Yamaha ‰ÛÒ 191
4. Justin Brayton, Honda ‰ÛÒ 181
5. James Stewart, Yamaha ‰ÛÒ 178
6. Jake Weimer, Kawasaki ‰ÛÒ 170
7. Kevin Windham, Honda ‰ÛÒ 166
8. Brett Metcalfe, Suzuki ‰ÛÒ 154
9. Mike Alessi, Suzuki ‰ÛÒ 154
10. Chad Reed, Honda ‰ÛÒ 128
Eastern Regional Supercross Lites Class Results: Houston
1. Ken Roczen, KTM
2. Justin Barcia, Honda
3. Blake Baggett, Calif., Kawasaki
4. Blake Wharton, Suzuki
5. Phillip Nicoletti, Honda
6. Alex Martin, Honda
7. Jake Canada, Honda
8. Darryn Durham, Kawasaki
9. Justin Bogle, Honda
10. Matthew Lemoine, Kawasaki
Eastern Regional Supercross Lites Class Season Standings
1. Justin Barcia, Honda ‰ÛÒ 167
2. Blake Wharton, Suzuki ‰ÛÒ 135
3. Ken Roczen, KTM ‰ÛÒ 127
4. Darryn Durham, Kawasaki ‰ÛÒ 118
5. Blake Baggett, Kawasaki ‰ÛÒ 106
6. Jake Canada, , Honda ‰ÛÒ 104
7. Justin Bogle, Honda ‰ÛÒ 87
8. Alex Martin, Honda ‰ÛÒ 65
Racing returns to action on Saturday, April 14 at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome in New Orleans.
