MotoSport riders took a bit of a backseat to Ryan Villopoto's historic night for Round 16 of the 2014 Monster Energy Supercross series on Saturday in East Rutherford, NJ.
The first ever Supercross race held at MetLife Stadium brought more than 62,000 fans who saw a dominating performance by Villopoto from start to finish giving him the 2014 Supercross championship.
MotoSport rider Weston Peick finished in 10th place, his seventh Top 10 finish of the season. Peick moved ahead of the injured Chad Reed in the point standings and with a solid effort next week in Las Vegas should secure a Top 10 finish in points for the season. He trails only Wil Hahn who is also out for the season because of injury.
Weston Peick rides to a 10th place finish
MotoSport Crossland Racing rider Jimmy Albertson bounced back from an injury in Houston that prevented him from racing in Seattle with a 19th place finish. He won the holeshot of the LCQ on his way to winning his third LCQ of the season, the most of any rider this year. He was followed in the Main by MotoSport rider Cody Gilmore, who took 20th for the night. MotoSport Crossland Racing rider Kyle Regal was involved in a first turn pile up in the LCQ and did not qualify for the Main.
Jimmy Albertson wins third LCQ of the season
Nick Wey continued his late season push for points with another 13th place finish, his fifth on the year after a second-place finish in the LCQ. Wey has reached the Top 13 in five straight races. Wey remains in good position to finish in the Top 15 overall in points for the season. Wey broke a tie with Chad Reed with his 171st career start in the 450SX class, the most among active riders.
Nick Wey has 171 career 450SX starts
Overall, Villopoto became just the second rider in Supercross history to win four straight championships joining Jeremy McGrath as the only rider to do so. Villopoto also notched his 40th career 450SX win and is now in third place on the all-time Supercross championship wins list breaking a tie with Jeff Stanton and Bob Hannah. The Round 16 win was Villopoto's third straight and sixth overall for the season.
"It's been an awesome day here at MetLife Stadium," Villopoto said after the race. "We had a little bit of rain, but I couldn't believe how well the track held up. It feels great to lock in my fourth-consecutive championship. It's been a hard-fought season with a few ups and downs, but it was obviously my most consistent, so I'm glad to be able to close it out on top."
Cody Gilmore rides sixth straight Main
Villopoto's lone competition for the crown heading into Round 16 was James Stewart who needed two race wins and an absent Villopoto for the remainder of the season to get his third championship. But, not only did Villopoto cruise to a win, Stewart jammed his knee in a corner and pulled out of the race for a last place finish. No word yet on the extent of the injury but it's the same knee Stewart injured that kept him out a full season in 2007-2008.
Stewart fell out of second place and now trails Ryan Dungey, who rode to a sixth place finish, by 11 points. Rookie Ken Roczen took fifth place and trails Stewart by six points for the final spot on the overall podium.
Round 16 also marked the third and final race for the Toyota Triple Challenge. Stewart led the points race for a new Toyota Tundra going into the race but Villopoto took the lead and the new car with his win.
In the 250SX East class, points leader Martin Davalos suffered a broken ankle in a practice accident keeping him from competing. Justin Bogle, who ran eight points behind Davalos in the standings, won the race and takes a commanding 17 point lead for the 250SX East crown. The 250SX East and West champions will be decided on Saturday in Las Vegas.
The final round of the 2014 Supercross season takes place Saturday at Sam Boyd Stadium in Las Vegas. Doors open to practice and qualifying events at 12:30 p.m. at the Main event starts at 7 p.m. Buy tickets online or at the box office, 7000 East Russell Road in Las Vegas.
2014 Monster Energy Supercross Seattle Results
East Rutherford 450SX Class Results
- Ryan Villopoto
- Eli Tomac
- Josh Hill
- Justin Barcia
- Ken Roczen
- Ryan Dungey
- Mike Alessi
- Andrew Short
- Trey Canard
- Weston Peick - MotoSport rider
East Rutherford 250SX East Class Results
- Justin Bogle
- Jeremy Martin
- Vince Friese
- Matt Bisceglia
- Matthew Lemoine
- Kyle Cunningham
- Alex Martin
- Mitchell Oldenburg
- James Decotis
- Jackson Richardson
2014 Monster Energy Supercross Season Standings
450SX Class Season Standings
- Ryan Villopoto (343) - 2014 Supercross Champion
- Ryan Dungey (282)
- James Stewart (271)
- Ken Roczen (265)
- Justin Barcia (232)
- Andrew Short (207)
- Justin Brayton (196)
- Josh Hill (144)
- Broc Tickle (126)
- Wil Hahn (122)
250SX East Class Season Standings
- Justin Bogle (166)
- Martin Davalos (149)
- Adam Cianciarulo (120)
- Blake Baggett (120)
- Vince Friese (120)
- Kyle Cunningham (109)
- Matthew Lemoine (90)
- James Decotis (90)
- Cole Thompson (89) - MotoSport rider
- Alex Martin (86)
