When Ryan Villopoto entered Sam Boyd Stadium in Las Vegas on Saturday night, he knew that he didn’t need a race win to clinch the AMA Supercross title. All Villopoto needed was a fifth place finish. RV got that and more when he scored one final podium to end a fantastic season, earning him the Supercross crown.
Villopoto rode a quick but conservative race in Las Vegas. But for the rest of the Supercross field, it was an all or nothing race.
James Stewart gave it his all in Las Vegas, but a poorly timed trip through the whoops sent Stewart over the handlebars, successfully ending his bid for the championship.
Villopoto took the lead after Stewart’s crash, and held the top spot until lap 12, when he got a challenge from Chad Reed. But instead of engaging in a duel in the dirt, Villopoto allowed Reed, and then Dungey, to pass.
Dungey tried to get the better of Reed, but he could never find his way in front of the TwoTwo Honda rider, and would eventually have to settle for third in the race and third in the season.
Supercross Race Results - Las Vegas
- Chad Reed - Honda
- Ryan Dungey - Suzuki
- Ryan Villopoto - Kawasaki
- Chris Blose - Kawasaki
- Andrew Short - KTM
- Jake Weimer - Kawasaki
- Austin Stroupe - Yamaha
- Nick Wey - Yamaha
- Kyle Regal - Yamaha
- Tye Simmonds - KTM
Supercross Final Standings
- Ryan Villopoto
- Chad Reed
- Ryan Dungey
- James Stewart
- Trey Canard
- Andrew Short
- Kevin Windham
- Davi Millsaps
- Justin Brayton
- Nick Wey
