Monster Energy Racers Roll Through Atlanta

Monster Energy Racers Roll Through Atlanta

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Heading into the sold-out round eight of the Monster Energy/AMA Supercross Series, Monster Energy Kawasaki?s defending SX champ Ryan Villopoto was riding a three-race winning streak, while the Monster Energy/Pro Circuit Kawasaki squad was hoping to repeat, or improve upon, the Lites East opener a week earlier. A reported 71,000 fans were on hand for the event.

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In the Lites class, round-one winner and defending champ Justin Barcia pushed KTM-mounted Lance Vincent wide in turn one to take the holeshot, while Monster Energy/Pro Circuit Kawasaki?s Blake Baggett filed into second. Baggett, who crashed really early on at Dallas a week earlier and finished well behind, spent the rest of the 15 laps playing accordion with Barcia, as Baggett would gain on Barcia, then Barcia would pull back out.

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Behind them, Baggett?s teammate Darryn Durham started third, but didn?t have the pace early and lost a few spots. He picked it up again as the race wore on, eventually fighting his way into fifth at the finish.

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?I haven?t really felt good yet in either of these races,? Durham said afterward. ?I know I led a while last week, but even then I didn?t really feel good. I?m sure I?ll get used to it soon and put it together.?

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Out front, though, Barcia took his second win in a row, this time leading Baggett home instead of Durham.

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?It feels like a win, compared to last week,? said Baggett, who was all smiles after the race. ?I still don?t like losing, but this is so much better than last week. I just can?t help it.?

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In the 450cc class, Cole Seely grabbed the holeshot with Ryan Dungey right on his tail. Behind him came Davi Millsaps, Justin Brayton, Monster-backed Josh Hansen, Villopoto, Brett Metcalfe, and Villopoto?s teammate Jake Weimer. Monster Energy/Pro Circuit Kawasaki?s Broc Tickle came around almost dead-last.

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Seely led the first seven laps before he gave way to former champ Dungey. By then, Villopoto had moved into third. It took Villopoto another three laps to get by Seely, and in that amount of time, Dungey put some time on him with the lead.

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Over the ensuing 10 laps, Villopoto steadily gained on Dungey, but once Villopoto was close enough to strike, Dungey picked up the pace to hold Villopoto off for the last couple of laps. Dungey took his second win of the year over points leader Villopoto. Then came James Stewart, who started outside the top 10, Millsaps, Brayton, Seely, and Weimer.

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?I had a tough time getting by those guys early,? Villopoto said. ?I can?t complain that much, but I was pushing to catch up to Dungey late in the race and I just couldn?t reel him in. And the lappers didn?t help very much, either.?

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Still, Villopoto carries a 10-point lead heading into round nine of the SX title chase in St. Louis this coming weekend.

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Lites Main: Atlanta

1. Justin Barcia, Ochlocknee, Ga., Honda

2. Blake Baggett, Grand Terrace, Calif, Monster Energy/Pro Circuit? Kawasaki

3. Justin Bogle, Cushing, Okla., Honda

4. Blake Wharton, Beaumont, Texas, Suzuki

5. Darryn Durham, Butler, Pa., Monster Energy/Pro Circuit Kawasaki

6. Ken Roczen, Germany, KTM

7. Kyle Cunningham, Aledo, Texas, Yamaha

8. Hunter Hewitt, Corona, Calif., Suzuki

9. Jake Canada, Sun City, Calif., Honda

10. Shane Sewell, Westville, Ind., KTM

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Lites Eastern Regional SX Season Standings

1. Justin Barcia, Ochlocknee, Ga., Honda ? 50

2. Darryn Durham, Butler, Pa., Monster Energy/Pro Circuit Kawasaki ? 38

3. Blake Wharton, Beaumont, Texas, Suzuki ? 36

4. Ken Roczen, Germany, KTM ? 35

5. Blake Baggett, Grand Terrace, Calif., Monster Energy/Pro Circuit Kawasaki ? 28

6. Justin Bogle, Cushing, Okla., Honda ? 27

7. Jake Canada, Sun City, Calif., Honda ? 26

8. Hunter Hewitt, Corona, Calif., Suzuki ? 22

9. PJ Larsen, Murrieta, Calif., KTM ? 21

10. Lance Vincent, Youngsville, La., KTM ? 16

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450 Main: Atlanta

1. Ryan Dungey, Belle Plaine, Minn., KTM

2. Ryan Villopoto, Poulsbo, Wash., Monster Energy Kawasaki

3. James Stewart, Haines City, Fla., Yamaha

4. Davi Millsaps, Cairo, Ga., Yamaha

5. Justin Brayton, Fort Dodge, Iowa, Honda

6. Cole Seely, Murrieta, Calif., Honda

7. Jake Weimer, Rupert, Idaho, Monster Energy Kawasaki

8. Kevin Windham, Centreville, Miss., Honda

9. Brett Metcalfe, Australia, Suzuki

10. Nick Wey, Dewitt, Mich., Kawasaki

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450 SX Season Standings

1. Ryan Villopoto, Poulsbo, Wash., Monster Energy Kawasaki ? 180

2. Ryan Dungey, Belle Plaine, Minn., Suzuki ? 170

3. James Stewart, Haines City, Fla., Yamaha ? 136

4. Chad Reed, Australia, Honda ? 128

5. Jake Weimer, Twin Falls, Idaho, Monster Energy Kawasaki ? 106

6. Kevin Windham, Centreville, Miss., Honda ? 105

7. Brett Metcalfe, Australia, Suzuki ? 100

8. Justin Brayton, Murrieta, Calif., Honda ? 96

9. Davi Millsaps, Cairo, Ga., Yamaha ? 94

10. Mike Alessi, Hilliard, Calif., Suzuki ? 90

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Source: http://www.monsterenergy.com/us/en/news/monster-energy-racers-roll-through-atlanta/

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