Michael Bartovsky Photo
Monster Energy Supercross Celebrates 40 Years This Weekend in Anaheim
Villopoto and Anderson Sit Atop Championship Standings, as all 22 Champions from the Last 40 Years Will be in Anaheim
AURORA, Ill. (January 15, 2014) – Feld Motor Sports® announced today that Monster Energy AMA Supercross, an FIM World Championship, will celebrate its 40th anniversary this Saturday, January 18, as the world’s best riders return to Anaheim, Calif., and Angel Stadium for the third race of the 2014 season.
The 40th Anniversary Celebration Race will honor the champions of both past and present, in addition to celebrating the nostalgia and illustrious history of this one-of-a-kind sport. The track inside Angel Stadium will mimic the layout from the 2001 season, which signified the changing of the guard from one legend to another as Ricky Carmichael won his very first 450SX Class title and Jeremy McGrath completed his final full season of competition, winning one final time in Anaheim to set the landmark record of 72 victories.
The action from Anaheim kicks off Saturday, live on FOX Sports 1 at 10:30 p.m. ET .Media day is Thursday, January 16, from Noon-2:00 p.m. locally (PT). Supercross legends Pierre Karsmakers, Jimmy Ellis, Jeff Ward, Donnie Hansen and Johnny O’Mara will join Red Bull KTM riders Dungey, the 2010 Monster Energy Supercross Champion, and Ken Roczen, the winner of the first race of the 2014 season, at the pre-race press conference
Last weekend in front of nearly 50,000 fans inside Phoenix’s Chase Field, reigning three-time 450SX Class Champion Ryan Villopoto captured his first win of the 2014 season aboard his Monster Energy Kawasaki. Villopoto worked hard for his victory, passing eight riders en route to the lead and taking over the early points lead in doing so. Coming into Anaheim, Villopoto carries a slim one-point advantage over longtime rival and Red Bull KTM rider Ryan Dungey.
On the track in Phoenix last Saturday night, Toyota/Yamaha/N-Fab/JGRMX’s Justin Brayton turned heads with the best performance of his career. Brayton took over the early lead from Yoshimura Suzuki’s Matt Moss and held on to it for 13 laps, fending off the challenges of both Dungey and Team Honda Muscle Milk’s Justin Barcia before ultimately giving way to Villopoto late in the Main Event. Brayton pressured Villopoto on the final lap and almost made the pass that would have given him his first career win, but settled for duplicating his career-best finish of second.
“This feels so good,” said Brayton on the podium. “The new Yamaha is unbelievable. We did our homework this year. It’s been a lot of hard work, but being up [on the podium] pays off. I was trying to pay attention to what was going on behind me but still look ahead. I did all I could to stay up front, but Ryan (Villopoto) got by me.”
Villopoto began his Main Event in ninth place after getting shuffled towards the back in the first turn off the start. He immediately went to work on moving towards the front and passed his biggest challengers along the way in order to achieve his first win in Phoenix.
“Justin was riding a hell of a race,” said Villopoto on the podium. “I have to give it to him, he made it tough. I didn’t get the start I wanted because the [starting] gate was slippery, but I just needed to be patient. The Phoenix [track] gets really slick so I had to take my time and make sure my passes stuck.”
Dungey finished third, posting back-to-back podium results through the first two races.
In the Western Regional 250SX Class Main Event, MyPlash/Metal Mulisha/Star Racing Yamaha’s Cooper Webb grabbed his first career holeshot and led his first professional race before getting passed by both Cole Seely aboard his Troy Lee Designs/Lucas Oil Honda and Rockstar Energy Racing’s Jason Anderson.
Much like the opening race in Anaheim, Seely paced the field throughout the majority of the Main Event and appeared to be on his way to victory. However, as he navigated lapped riders in the late stages of the race, Seely’s advantage over Anderson shrunk dramatically. This allowed Anderson to close in on Seely’s rear fender on the final lap and make a last-lap pass for the win for the second-straight week.
“I was out for redemption tonight,” said Anderson, who failed to qualify for the Main Event in Phoenix the year prior. “I got a good start on my KTM, like I have been all season. I don’t plan on those last-lap passes, but it was there and I needed to take it. My goal is to keep control of the red number plate [signifying the points leader] so I’ll do whatever it takes to do that. I really want it.”
Anderson and Seely were joined on the podium by GEICO Honda’s Zach Osborne, which duplicated the top three finishers from the first race.
Anderson has won three of his last four Western Regional 250SX Class Main Events dating back to last season and carries a six-point lead over Seely into Anaheim.
Angel Stadium has played host to 61 races in the 450SX Class and 52 Western Regional 250SX Class races. Monster Energy Supercross has sold out Angel Stadium 28 times since the 1999 season when it began hosting multiple races in the championship.
The first race held in Anaheim was on December 4, 1976, and Mart Smith won on a Honda. This weekend will mark the 62nd time the gate will drop for a 450SX Class race in Anaheim and the 24th time the city has played host to the season opener. James Stewart, Ricky Carmichael and Jeremy McGrath are tied on the all-time 450SX Class win list at Anaheim with 8 victories. Ivan Tedesco holds the 250SX Class all-time win record in Anaheim with 5 victories. Angel Stadium is the only stop on the tour that will host three races – January 4, January 18 and February 1.
Tickets are available at the Angel Stadium Box Office, all Ticketmaster outlets, charge by phone (800) 745-3000, or online at www.SupercrossOnline.com or www.ticketmaster.com. Practice and qualifying begin at 12:30 p.m. and the Main Event starts at 7:00 p.m. Supervalue seats start at $20. Fans can also get in to the Pits for FREE from 12:30-6 p.m. Race Day when they recycle a MONSTER Energy Can at the stadium’s pit entrance (valid only with event ticket).
Previous race results:
Chase Field
Phoenix, Ariz.
January 11, 2014
250SX Class Results: Phoenix
1. Jason Anderson, Rio Rancho, N.M., KTM
2. Cole Seely, Lake Elsinore, Calif., Honda
3. Zach Osborne, Chesterfield, S.C., Honda
4. Dean Wilson, Wesley Chapel, Fla., Kawasaki
5. Malcolm Stewart, Haines City, Fla., Honda
6. Cooper Webb, Newport, N.C., Yamaha
7. Dean Ferris, Murrieta, Calif., KTM
8. Justin Hill, Yoncalla, Ore., Kawasaki
9. Jessy Nelson, Paso Robles, Calif., Honda
10. Cole Martinez, Rimrock, Ariz., Kawasaki
250SX Class Season Standings
1. Jason Anderson, Rio Rancho, N.M., KTM, 50
2. Cole Seely, Lake Elsinore, Calif., Honda, 44
3. Zach Osborne, Chesterfield, S.C., Honda, 40
4. Dean Wilson, Wesley Chapel, Fla., Kawasaki, 36
5. Cooper Webb, Newport, N.C., Yamaha, 31
6. Malcolm Stewart, Haines City, Fla., Honda, 29
7. Justin Hill, Yoncalla, Ore., Kawasaki, 28
8. Jessy Nelson, Paso Robles, Calif., Honda, 24
9. Darryn Durham, Butler, Pa., Kawasaki, 21
10. Dean Ferris, Murrieta, Calif., KTM, 21
450SX Class Results: Phoenix
1. Ryan Villopoto, Poulsbo, Wash., Kawasaki
2. Justin Brayton, Cornelius, N.C., Yamaha
3. Ryan Dungey, Belle Plaine, Minn., KTM
4. James Stewart, Haines City, Fla., Suzuki
5. Justin Barcia, Pinetta, Fla., Honda
6. Ken Roczen, Murrieta, Calif., KTM
7. Andrew Short, Smithville, Texas, KTM
8. Broc Tickle, Holly, Mich., Suzuki
9. Chad Reed, Dade City, Fla., Kawasaki
10. Wil Hahn, Menifee, Calif., Honda
450SX Class Season Standings
1. Ryan Villopoto, Poulsbo, Wash., Kawasaki, 43
2. Ryan Dungey, Belle Plaine, Minn., KTM, 42
3. Ken Roczen, Murrieta, Calif., KTM, 40
4. Justin Brayton, Cornelius, N.C., Yamaha, 37
5. Chad Reed, Dade City, Fla., Kawasaki, 32
6. Justin Barcia, Pinetta, Fla., Honda, 32
7. Andrew Short, Smithville, Texas, KTM, 26
8. Broc Tickle, Holly, Mich., Suzuki, 26
9. James Stewart, Haines City, Fla., Suzuki, 22
10. Wil Hahn, Menifee, Calif., Honda, 21
Past Winners in Anaheim
450SX Class
January 4, 2014
Ken Roczen
February 2, 2103
Ryan Dungey
January 19, 2013
Ryan Villopoto
January 5, 2013
Davi Millsaps
February 4, 2012
Ryan Villopoto
January 7, 2012
Ryan Villopoto
February 5, 2011
James Stewart
January 8, 2011
Ryan Villopoto
February 13, 2010
Ryan Villopoto
January 23, 2010
Ryan Dungey
January 9, 2010
James Stewart
February 7, 2009
James Stewart
January 17, 2009
James Stewart
January 3, 2009
Josh Grant
February 2, 2008
Chad Reed
January 19, 2008
Chad Reed
January 5, 2008
Chad Reed
February 3,2007
James Stewart
January 20, 2007
James Stewart
January 6, 2007
James Stewart
February 4, 2006
Ricky Carmichael
January 21, 2006
Ricky Carmichael
January 7, 2006
James Stewart
February 5, 2005
Ricky Carmichael
January 22, 2005
Ricky Carmichael
January 8, 2005
Kevin Windham
January 31, 2004
Kevin Windham
January 17, 2004
Chad Reed
January 3, 2004
Chad Reed
February 1, 2003
Ricky Carmichael
January 18, 2003
Ricky Carmichael
January 4, 2003
Chad Reed
February 2, 2002
Ricky Carmichael
January 18, 2002
Mike LaRocco
January 5, 2002
David Vuillemin
February 3, 2001
Ricky Carmichael
January 20, 2001
Jeremy McGrath
January 6, 2001
Jeremy McGrath
January 15, 2000
Jeremy McGrath
January 8, 2000
Jeremy McGrath
February 6, 1999
Ezra Lusk
January 9, 1999
Ezra Lusk
January 27, 1996
Jeremy McGrath
January 28, 1995
Jeremy McGrath
January 29, 1994
Jeremy McGrath
January 23, 1993
Jeremy McGrath
January 25, 1992
Damon Bradshaw
January 26, 1991
Jeff Stanton
January 27, 1990
Damon Bradshaw
January 28, 1989
Rick Johnson
January 31, 1987
Jeff Ward
January 18, 1986
David Bailey
February 2, 1985
Broc Glover
January 28, 1984
Johnny O’Mara
January 29, 1983
David Bailey
January 30, 1982
Donnie Hansen
January 31, 1981
Kent Howerton
November 17, 1979
Kent Howerton
November 11, 1978
Gaylon Mosier
November 12, 1977
Bob Hannah
December 4, 1976
Marty Smith
250SX Class
January 4, 2014
Jason Anderson
February 2, 2013
Ken Roczen
January 19, 2013
Eli Tomac
January 5, 2013
Eli Tomac
February 4, 2012
Eli Tomac
January 7, 2012
Cole Seely
February 5, 2011
Josh Hansen
January 8, 2011
Josh Hansen
February 13, 2010
Trey Canard
January 23, 2010
Jake Weimer
January 9, 2010
Jake Weimer
February 7, 2009
Jake Weimer
January 17, 2009
Ryan Dungey
January 3, 2009
Jake Weimer
February 2, 2008
Jason Lawrence
January 19, 2008
Ryan Dungey
January 5, 2008
Ryan Dungey
February 3, 2007
Ryan Villopoto
January 20, 2007
Ryan Villopoto
January 6, 2007
Ryan Villopoto
February 4, 2006
Grant Langston
January 21, 2006
Grant Langston
January 7, 2006
Andrew Short
February 5, 2005
Ivan Tedesco
January 22, 2005
Ivan Tedesco
January 8, 2005
Nathan Ramsey
January 31, 2004
Ivan Tedesco
January 17, 2004
Ivan Tedesco
January 3, 2004
Ivan Tedesco
February 1, 2003
James Stewart
January 18, 2003
James Stewart
January 4, 2003
Travis Preston
February 2, 2002
Broc Sellards
January 19, 2002
David Pingree
January 5, 2002
Travis Preston
February 3, 2001
Ernesto Fonseca
January 20, 2001
Ernesto Fonseca
January 6, 2001
Ernesto Fonseca
January 15, 2000
Tallon Vohland
January 8, 2000
David Pingree
February 6, 1999
Nathan Ramsey
January 9, 1999
Casey Johnson
January 27, 1996
Kevin Windham
January 28, 1995
Damon Huffman
January 29, 1994
Damon Huffman
January 9, 1993
Damon Huffman
January 25, 1992
Jeremy McGrath
January 26, 1991
Jeremy McGrath
January 27, 1990
Michael Craig
January 28, 1989
Jeff Matiasevich
January 31, 1987
Jeff Matiasevich
January 18, 1986
Tyson Vohland
February 2, 1985
Mike Healy
For the first-time ever, the entire Monster Energy Supercross season will air live on FOX Sports. FOX Sports 1 will air 13 races live and FOX Sports 2 will air four races live, in addition to every race re-airing on FOX Sports 2. The live Monster Energy Supercross programming on FOX Sports 1 and FOX Sports 2 also includes live coverage on the authenticated FOX Sports Go app.
For more information on the Monster Energy AMA Supercross, an FIM World Championship, please log on towww.SupercrossOnline.com, the official website of Monster Energy Supercross. To follow Monster Energy Supercross on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram, log on to www.facebook.com/supercrossLivewww.Twitter.com/supercrosslive and www.instagram.com/SupercrossLive.com. Subscribe to our YouTube Channel at www.youtube.com.SupercrossLive. For all media requests, please contact Denny Hartwigdhartwig@feldinc.com or 630-566-6305.
About Feld Motor Sports®
Feld Motor Sports, Inc. is the world leader in specialized arena and stadium-based motor sports entertainment. Feld Motor Sports productions include Monster Jam®, Monster Energy Supercross, AMSOIL Arenacross and Nuclear Cowboyz®. Feld Motor Sports is a division of Feld Entertainment, the world’s largest producer of live family entertainment. For more information on Feld Entertainment, visit www.feldentertainment.com.