Two races left.
The 2014 Monster Energy Supercross series is quickly winding down with a champion likely crowned on Saturday in the penultimate race of the season.
MotoSport riders fared well against the competition considering the 40th anniversary of Supercross was widely believed to be the most stacked field in the history of the event. Injuries interrupted the flow of the season for some while others remained healthy and rode consistent throughout.
Weston Peick gets factory ride for Motocross
Weston Peick twice crossed the finish line in fifth place twice and three times in seventh place. He faced one of the most up-and-down seasons of any rider - registering six one-point races along with six Top 10 finishes. Though crashes ended many of Peick's races early, his ability to bounce back the following week simply added more fuel to his tough-man persona. Three times a crash sent Peick to the pits, he bounced back the following week with a Top 10 showing.
MotoSport says goodbye to Peick at the end of the season as RCH Racing Soaring Eagle signed him for the 2014 Lucas Oil Motocross series. A factory ride was widely expected for Peick, who turned pro in 2009, and eventually it no longer became a question of if, but when.
Jimmy Albertson ready to finish the year strong
MotoSport Crossland Racing rider Jimmy Albertson struggled early in the season and then mentioned in his widely popular "The Albertson Project" series a week before Toronto that he started a new exercise regimen. He grabbed a season high 13th place across the border and followed that up with a 14th place showing in St. Louis.
A rough outing in Houston left him too injured to race in Seattle where he had high hopes to finish in the Top 10. The week off should be enough to get Albertson mentally and physically ready to finish the season on a strong note before Nationals.
Kyle Regal joins MotoSport Crossland Racing team
The MotoSport Crossland Racing team welcomed a new team member late in the season as Kyle Regal joined Supercross in Houston a mere week after placing fourth in the AMSOIL Arenacross season. Regal impressed out the gate and raced well in two starts for the team.
Nick Wey getting closer to a Top 10 finish
Veteran rider Nick Wey missed the season opener but has been a model of consistency ever since. Wey has 10 Top 15 finishes and just missed the Top 10 in two of the last three races. Wey seems to be getting stronger as the season pushes on so look for him to reach that coveted placing in the final weeks of the season.
Cody Gilmore finds success in second-half of the season
Finally, Cody Gilmore returned from injury mid-season and reached the Main in Indianapolis. He's made it five straight in the night show including a career best 14th place in Houston.
Davi Millsaps was the missing ingredient for a chance at the title this year. Millsaps who rides for the MotoSport-sponsored Rockstar Energy KTM team injured his knee before Supercross started. The runner-up to last year's title sat out for the season in order to return healthy for Motocross. In his place, Ivan Tedesco rode well until a significant crash in Toronto put the remainder of his season in doubt.
Jason Anderson is one race away from 250SX West championship
Jason Anderson, who rides for the MotoSport-sponsored Rockstar Energy KTM team in the 250SX West class, races for the 250 crown in two weeks in Las Vegas. Anderson leads in points with eight over Cole Seely.
Overall, it is widely expected the three-time defending champion Ryan Villopoto will grab his fourth consecutive championship on Saturday in New Jersey. Villopoto wrapped up the championship last year in the second to last race, as well. Villopoto holds a commanding 48 point lead over James Stewart and three points by Villopoto or a second place win in any of the remaining races by Stewart hands the crown to Villopoto.
If not for a crash to open the season and a mishap at Daytona, Stewart would be right on Villopoto's rear fender in the point standings making for what could have been a season ending nail biter for fans. Stewart was the first to win five times this year including three in a row that propelled him into second place and a possible chase for the crown. However, Villopoto only missed the podium five times this year and his worst finish was sixth place.
Stewart and Ryan Dungey battle for second in the final two races. Rookie Ken Roczen who won the season opener is 18 points from a final podium finish.
Cole Thompson filling in nicely for Joey Savatgy in 250SX East class
In the 250SX East class, only eight points separates the top two riders for the crown. Martin Davalos and Justin Bogle, first and second respectively face off Saturday and likely will race for the crown in Las Vegas. Cole Thompson, who rides for the MotoSport-sponsored Rockstar Energy KTM team, has rode strong in place of the injured Joey Savatgy.
Metlife Stadium in East Rutherford, NJ gets Supercross for the first time and hosts Round 16 at 7 p.m. (EST) Saturday. Doors open for practice and qualifying events at 12:30 p.m. (EST). Buy tickets online or at the box office, 1 Metlife Stadium Dr. in East Rutherford, NJ.
2014 Monster Energy Supercross Season Standings
450SX Class Season Standings
- Ryan Villopoto (318)
- James Stewart(270)
- Ryan Dungey (267)
- Ken Roczen (249)
- Justin Barcia (214)
- Justin Brayton (196)
- Andrew Short (194)
- Broc Tickle (126)
- Josh Hill (124)
- Wil Hahn (122)
250SX West Class Season Standings
- Jason Anderson (178) - MotoSport rider
- Cole Seely (170)
- Justin Hill (139)
- Dean Wilson (138)
- Cooper Webb (121)
- Malcolm Stewart (121)
- Jessy Nelson (103)
- Zach Osborne (100)
- Shane McElrath (96)
- Jake Canada (72)
250SX East Class Season Standings
- Martin Davalos (149)
- Justin Bogle (141)
- Adam Cianciarulo (120)
- Blake Baggett (100)
- Vince Friese (100)
- Kyle Cunningham (94)
- Cole Thompson (89) - MotoSport rider
- James Decotis (65)
- Matthew Lemoine (74)
- Alex Martin (72)
