Monster Energy Kawasaki’s Ryan Villopoto earned another win at a racing mecca, claiming his fourth straight win in Indianapolis in front of a sold out crowd at Lucas Oil Stadium. Villopoto worked his way to the front to earn his sixth victory of the season. His teammate Jake Weimer was involved in a first turn crash that forced him to retire in 20th place. Monster Energy/Pro Circuit/Kawasaki’s Justin Hill finished fifth in the 250SX Main event. Dean Wilson failed to make the main event after suffering injuries during a crash in his heat race.
Domination
Villopoto extended his points lead with a methodical run in Indianapolis. The Washington native worked his way up from third to the lead, holding off many charges from determined riders before claiming his fourth straight victory in a city known for its racing history.
“Tonight’s race was difficult,” said Villopoto. “The track was deteriorating on every lap and we were pushing it to its limits. It was a good race tonight and I was working hard to stay in the lead.”
Top Five
Hill earned another top five finish on the season, but the rookie still is not happy with his weekend results. With his supercross lineage paired with the power of the Monster Energy /Pro Circuit/Kawasaki team, Hill is determined to challenge for podium finishes on a weekly basis.
“A top five finish is good, “said Hill. “But I know I need to be contending for a podium at every race. I am working hard and each week is another learning experience. I want to get up on the box and show that I belong there.”
Hard Days Night
Weimer was in the midst of one of his best events of the year in Indianapolis. After having qualified third for the night show, Weimer rode a solid heat race to finish fourth and put himself squarely in the main event. Unfortunately, a crash in the first turn sidelined Weimer for the remainder of the main event.
“I felt great all day, and put in some really good lap times,” said Weimer. “ We worked hard to get to where we are and I’m disappointed we didn’t get the results we deserved. Everything is starting to click and I’m hoping I can start to see the results next week in Toronto.”
Big Get Off
Wilson set the fastest qualifying times of the day, but a aggressive move at the beginning of his heat race sidelined the Scottish rider. The heat race crash sent Wilson to the hospital for x-rays and evaluation and his status will be updated as information becomes available.
Multiple Time Winners
Villopoto joins an elite group of racers who have conquered Indianapolis. Even though the Indianapolis 500 has been run for more than 100 years, no driver has won the race more than 4 times. After his fourth consecutive victory in the Circle City, Villopoto joins the elite ranks of AJ Foyt, Al Unser, and Rick Mears as four time winners. In NASCAR competition, both Jeff Gordon and Jimmie Johnson also have won four times at The Brickyard. The only driver to win more times in Indianapolis is seven-time Formula 1 champion Michael Schumacher who has won five times in the city.
Technical Layout
Though the 20 lap main event at Indianapolis lasted nearly 10 minutes less than last week’s race at Daytona, the track made for an exhausting night for the riders.
“Tonight was one of the toughest races of the year,” said Villopoto. “We all had a really fast pace going and with the track breaking down we had to work hard to ride it as hard as we could without over doing it. I wasn’t able to pull away from the field and I had to run a faster pace throughout the main event.”
Great White North
Monster Energy AMA Supercross takes its only trip outside of the United States next Saturday, traveling to the Rogers Centre in Toronto, Ontario, Canada for Round 12.
Results
Monster Energy AMA Supercross – Round 11
Lucas Oil Stadium – Indianapolis, IN
March 16, 2013
450SX Main Event
1. RYAN VILLOPOTO, MONSTER ENERGY KAWASAKI
2. Ryan Dungey, KTM
3. James Stewart, Suzuki
4. Davi Millsaps, Suzuki
5. Justin Barcia, Honda
6. Chad Reed, Honda
7. Andrew Short, KTM
8. Matt Goerke, KTM
9. Eli Tomac, Honda
10. Weston Peick, Suzuki
20. JAKE WEIMER, MONSTER ENERGY KAWASAKI
450SX Points Standings
1. RYAN VILLOPOTO, MONSTER ENERGY KAWASAKI, 227
2. Davi Millsaps, Suzuki, 218
3. Ryan Dungey, KTM, 210
4. Chad Reed, Honda, 178
5. Justin Barcia, Honda, 168
6. Trey Canard, Honda, 165
7. James Stewart, Suzuki, 155
8. Andrew Short, KTM, 136
9. Justin Brayton, Yamaha, 112
10. Broc Tickle, Suzuki,109
13. JAKE WEIMER, MONSTER ENERGY KAWASAKI, 79
250SX Eastern Regional Main Event
1. Marvin Musquin, KTM
2. Kyle Peters, Honda
3. Wil Hahn, Honda
4. A.J. Catanzaro, Kawasaki
5. JUSTIN HILL, MONSTER ENERGY/PRO CIRUCIT/KAWASAKI
6. Vince Friese, Honda
7. Mitchell Oldenburg, Honda
8. Gavin Faith, Honda
9. Blake Wharton, Suzuki
10. P.J. Larsen, Yamaha
250SX Eastern Regional Points Standings
1. Wil Hahn, Honda, 112
2. Marvin Musquin, KTM, 103
3. Blake Wharton, Suzuki, 88
4. DEAN WILSON, MONSTER ENERGY/PRO CIRCUIT/KAWASAKI, 87
5. JUSTIN HILL, MONSTER ENERGY/PRO CIRUCIT/KAWASAKI, 67
6. Kyle Peters, Honda, 67
7. Vince Friese, Honda, 65
8. Jeremy Martin, Yamaha, 53
9. Gavin Faith, Honda, 53
10. James Decotis, Honda, 52
