ANAHEIM, Calif. (January 7, 2012) – Monster Energy Kawasaki’s Ryan Villopoto, of Poulsbo, Wash., won the Anaheim opener of the Monster Energy AMA Supercross, an FIM World Championship, before a sold-out crowd of 45,050 fans at Angel Stadium. Troy Less Designs/Lucas Oil/Honda’s Cole Seely, of Murrieta, Calif., dominated the opening race of the Western Regional Supercross Lites Class race en route to victory.
Villopoto, the defending class champion, opened the Supercross Class main event with the Nuclear Cowboyz® Holeshot with Dodge/Sycuan Casino/Hart and Huntington/Bel-Ray Racing’s Ivan Tedesco, of Marietta, Calif., and TwoTwo Motorsports/Bel-Ray/Honda’s Chad Reed, of Dade City, Fla., following in second and third, respectively. Red Bull/KTM’s Ryan Dungey, of Belle Plaine, Minn., shot past Tedesco on the second lap as Toyota/Yamaha/JGRMX’s James Stewart, of Haines City, Fla., made up for a mid-pack start to secure fourth place.
While riding in third place, Dungey crashed and gave Stewart third place, but on lap 11, Dungey swung back around Stewart. Stewart once again found his way around Dungey on lap 14 before crashing on the following lap. Villopoto cruised to his second consecutive Anaheim opener win with a 12.2-second victory. Reed finished second and Dungey finished third.
“Villopoto made us look silly out here tonight,” said Reed. “I am just happy to get second place tonight in this field of riders.”
“It was a phenomenal night for me,” said Villopoto. “I didn’t have the heat race I wanted, so I didn’t have a great gate pick. Once I was out front I wanted to lay down fast laps and make no mistakes. I did make one small one, but overall, it was a great race for me.”
As the gates dropped on the Western Regional Supercross Lites Class, Motoconcepts Suzuki’s Vince Friese, Cape Girardeau, Mo., won the Nuclear Cowboyz Holeshot but was quickly passed by Monster Energy/Pro Circuit/Kawasaki’s Tyla Rattray, of Wildomar, Calif. The following lap Dean Wilson, of Menifee, Calif., pushed his Monster Energy/Pro Circuit/Kawasaki past Rattray.
Seely secured the lead on lap 2 and rode to the third win of his career and sits as the class’ points leader. On the last lap, GEICO Honda’s Eli Tomac, of Cortez, Colo., passed Wilson, who subsequently crashed, losing several positions before returning to racing.
“I couldn’t think of a better way to start the season,” said Seely. “To get a win here tonight in front of my family and friends is huge. I learned last year that consistency is key, and I hope to be on the podium at every race.”
Supercross Class Results: Anaheim Race 1
1. Ryan Villopoto, Seattle, Wash., Kawasaki
2. Chad Reed, Dade City, Fla., Honda
3. Ryan Dungey, Belle Plaine, Minn., KTM
4. Justin Brayton, Murrieta, Calif., Honda
5. Jake Weimer, Wildomar, ID., Kawasaki
6. James Stewart, Haines City, Fla., Yamaha
7. Andrew Short, Smithville, Texas, Honda
8. Kevin Windham, Centreville, Miss., Honda
9. Mike Alessi, Hilliard, Calif., Suzuki
10. Josh Hansen, Elbert, Colo., Kawasaki
Supercross Class Season Standings
1. Ryan Villopoto, Seattle, Wash., Kawasaki – 25
2. Chad Reed, Dade City, Fla., Honda – 22
3. Ryan Dungey, Belle Plaine, Minn., KTM – 20
4. Justin Brayton, Murrieta, Calif., Honda – 18
5. Jake Weimer, Wildomar, ID., Kawasaki – 16
6. James Stewart, Haines City, Fla., Yamaha – 15
7. Andrew Short, Smithville, Texas, Honda – 14
8. Kevin Windham, Centreville, Miss., Honda – 13
9. Mike Alessi, Hilliard, Calif., Suzuki – 12
10. Josh Hansen, Elbert, Colo., Kawasaki – 11
Western Regional Supercross Lites Class Results: Anaheim Race 1
1. Cole Seely, Murrieta, Calif., Honda
2. Tyla Rattray, Wildomar, Calif., Kawasaki
3. Eli Tomac, Cortez, Colo., Honda
4. Marvin Musquin, Murrieta, Calif., KTM
5. Ryan Sipes, Ekron, KY, Yamaha
6. Dean Wilson, Menifee, Calif., Kawasaki
7. Jason Anderson, Edgewood, NM, Suzuki
8. Wil Hahn, Decatur, Texas, Honda
9. Zach Osborne, Chesterfield, SC, Yamaha
10. Travis Baker, Temecula, Calif., Honda
Western Regional Supercross Lites Class Season Standings
1. Cole Seely, Murrieta, Calif., Honda – 25
2. Tyla Rattray, Wildomar, Calif., Kawasaki – 22
3. Eli Tomac, Cortez, Colo., Honda – 20
4. Marvin Musquin, Murrieta, Calif., KTM – 18
5. Ryan Sipes, Ekron, KY, Yamaha – 16
6. Dean Wilson, Menifee, Calif., Kawasaki – 15
7. Jason Anderson, Edgewood, NM, Suzuki – 14
8. Wil Hahn, Decatur, Texas, Honda – 13
9. Zach Osborne, Chesterfield, SC, Yamaha – 12
10. Travis Baker, Temecula, Calif., Honda – 11
Racing head’s to Phoenix’s Chase Field next Saturday for the second stop of the Monster Energy Supercross Championship.
