Action-Packed Start for Monster Energy AMA Supercross

Stewart and Villopoto set the pace early on

Written By: Matt "Night" Rider
Race Results credited to: Anaheim (http://results.amasupercross.com/data/2011/01/sxboxscore.pdf) Phoenix (http://results.amasupercross.com/data/2011/02/sxboxscore.pdf) Los Angeles (http://results.amasupercross.com/data/2011/03/sxboxscore.pdf) Oakland (http://results.amasupercross.com/data/2011/04/sxboxscore.pdf)
AMA Supercross Points Standings credited to: http://www.amasupercross.com/
2011 Schedule credited to: http://www.amasupercross.com/events.aspx
Pictures credited to: Ryan Villopoto (http://www.ultimatemotorcycling.com/2010_Ryan_Villopoto_Supercross_Crash_Destroys_Title_Hopes?page=1) (http://video.lpmotocross.com/anaheim-1-the-450s)  James Stewart (http://www.mxlarge.com/news/2963-james-stewart-give-the-kid-a-break) (http://www.ultimatemotorcycling.com/authors?page=6)

Anaheim I (Angel Stadium) (January 8th)- The Monster Energy AMA Supercross Series kicked off it's action-packed seventeen race Championship season at Angel Stadium in Anaheim, CA. on January 8th.

Monster Energy Kawasaki rider Ryan Villopoto (Pictured Left) returned from a broken leg in 2010 to win the first round of the AMA Supercross season. Villopoto was followed by last year's rookie Champion Ryan Dungey in second and James Stewart in third. Stewart also came back from an injury in 2010. Honda newcomer Trey Canard finished fourth, while Chad Reed brought home a top five finish in the first race for his new race team Two Two Motorsports.

Sixth belonged to Kevin WIndham. Ivan Tedesco tuned in another solid run, finishing seventh in his first race with his new team Hart and Huntington. Supercross newcomer Brett Metcalfe finished eighth, while Joshua Grant came back from injury to finish nineth. Andrew Short rounded out the top ten finishers in tenth.

Phoenix (Chase Field) (January 15th)- The second race in the AMA Supercross season was in Phoenix's Chase Stadium.

After a strong third place showing in Anaheim, Yahama San Manuel rider James Stewart (Pictured Right) returned to victory  lane, winning his 38th career AMA Supercross feature. With the win, Stewart pulled into 3rd all time for AMA Supercross wins, tied with his rival Chad Reed. Second place belonged to Monster Energy Kawasaki rider Ryan Villopoto. Honda newcomer Trey Canard raced his way to third, while Chad Reed finished the night in fourth. Ryan Dungey grabbed fifth for Makita Tools Suzuki.

Justin Brayton turned in another solid sixth place run for Yamaha, while Andrew Short ended the night in seventh. Dungey's Makita Tools Suzuki teammate Brett Metcalfe raced his way to eighth, while nineth went to Kyle Chisholm. Kyle Regal rounded out the top ten feature finishers in Phoenix.

Los Angeles (Dodger Stadium) (January 22nd)- The third race was a first for the AMA Supercross Series. Dodger Stadium had never hosted the AMA Supercross Series until January 22nd, so each rider was eager to see if they could be the first winner in the legendary baseball venue.

Monster Energy Kawasaki's Ryan Villopoto started out the 20 lap finale in 9th, but stayed patient, working his way to the big win. Villopoto (#2 Pictured Left) was followed by James Stewart in second, and Ryan Dungey in third. Trey Canard finished fourth, while Justin Brayton took a strong fifth place showing.

Kevin Windham raced his way to sixth, while seventh belonged to Chad Reed. Brett Metcalfe ended his run with another solid top ten finish in eighth. Andrew Short and Kyle Chisholm rounded out the top ten in the first AMA Supercross feature at Dodger Stadium.


Oakland (Oakland Coliseum) (January 29th)- Yamaha San Manuel rider James Stewart (#7 Pictured Right) held off a hard-charging Chad Reed to pick up the twenty lap feature win. James and Villopoto are now even at two feature wins apiece early on in the seventeen race Championship season. Reed was followed by Ryan Dungey in third. Fourth went to two-time winner Ryan Villopoto. Brett Metcalfe continues to keep up with the front runners, finishing the night in fifth.

Trey Canard raced his way to sixth, while seventh belonged to Kevin Windham. David Millsaps took the checkers in eighth, while Andrew Short ended his run in nineth. Ivan Tedesco gave Hart and Huntington another top ten finish, ending the night in tenth.

After four races in the books, Yamaha San Manuel rider James Stewart holds a two point advantage over Monster Energy Kawasaki's Ryan Villopoto (90 points) and a fourteen point lead over third place Ryan Dungey (78 points), heading into the fifth race (Anahem II-Angel Stadium) on February 5th.

With four races down in the season, the AMA Supercross Series sets it's sights on Anaheim once more for the fifth race of the season on February 5th. After Anaheim, the Series will head to Houston, TX to race in Reliant Stadium on February 12th. February 19th marks a return trip to California, as the AMA Supercross Series races in Qualcomm Stadium in San Diego, CA. After racing in San Diego, the Series shifts to Georgia Dome in Atlanta, GA. on February 26th.  The always exciting Daytona International Speedway will follow the race in Atlanta, GA. Get your tickets now for all the Monster Energy AMA Supercross Series action this season. You can go to their website (http://www.amasupercross.com/) to check out their schedule and for ticket information!