Yoshimura Suzuki’s James Stewart breaks through for first win of 2014 at Qualcomm Stadium.
It had been nearly a year since Yoshimura Suzuki’s James Stewart’s 45th career Monster Energy AMA Supercross win at the Georgia Dome on February 3, 2013, and although he had yet to break through during the first six rounds of the 2014 season, Stewart finally landed career win number 46 at Qualcomm Stadium in San Diego, California, tonight.
Although the competition may be tougher and Stewart isn’t getting any younger, he looked like the Stewart of old as he aggressively stole the lead away from reigning series champion Ryan Villopoto early in the 20-lap 450cc main event and then rode a smooth race to earn the win with room to spare on a night in which the Supercross series was honoring the nation’s armed forces. Villopoto finished second, followed by Red Bull KTM’s Ken Roczen.
BTO Motorsports KTM’s Andrew Short claimed holeshot honors by leading Villopoto and Stewart through the first turn, but both riders quickly shot past Short to run one-two, with Villopoto leading Stewart.
Stewart attacked Villopoto and completed a pass for the lead over a double jump on the first lap. From there, the two pulled clear of a battle between TwoTwo Motorsports/Discount Tire Kawasaki’s Chad Reed and Ken Roczen for third place.
Stewart and Villopoto rode within a one bike length of each other for six laps until Villopoto made a mistake in the flat, left-handed sweeper and nearly low-sided. That gave Stewart a 1-second cushion. Villopoto managed to cut back into Stewart’s lead as the race reached its halfway point, but Stewart was clearly riding a strong race out front.
Meanwhile Roczen dogged Reed for a few laps before finally cutting underneath the two-time Supercross Champion in the flat left-handed sweeper to take over third place on lap eight.
Red Bull KTM’s Dungey inherited fourth place after Justin Barcia high-sided in a right-hand turn on lap 10, and Dungey ran down Reed by lap 14. The two riders also tightened the gap between them and Roczen.
Stewart was hindered by lapped riders with three laps to go, but Villopoto was also slowed by them, and that may have been the difference in the race, as Stewart stayed fluid for the final couple circuits to claim his first main event win of 2014.
“I’ve been riding really good, it’s just that I got a start, I got out front, and I didn’t make any mistakes that was costly,” Stewart said. “I knew I was physically in shape. It was a tough race. Ryan was right there, and I had to be patient but try to pick it up. Lappers kind of screwed me up.”
Villopoto’s runner-up finish was also his fourth podium finish of the season, and it helped him maintain the series points lead. Villopoto leads Roczen by nine points, 126-117.
“It was a great race,” Villopoto said. “James rode a great race. The track was tough. You know, it just seemed like I couldn’t make up a whole lot of time. We were running really close lap times. All I can say is that it was a really good race and I’m happy to leave here where we are. I just want to say, first off, thanks to all the troops. We’re here racing tonight because of everyone who has done and supported and fought for us. I want to say thank you to those guys and to all my team.”
The battle for third place heated up on the last lap, as Reed and Dungey were all over Roczen. However, it ended just as spectacularly as it began when Reed grabbed a handful of throttle at the start of a rhythm section while trying to pass Roczen, lost control and slammed into the race of a jump, nearly collecting Dungey in the process. Reed, who would be credited with 12th place, appeared to be favoring his right arm immediately.
Roczen was third, followed by Dungey. Like Villopoto, Roczen has made the podium four times this season, including his win at the Anaheim series opener.
“I’m really happy that I’m on the podium, but I’m actually really bummed about my riding tonight,” Roczen said. “It was definitely not good. I got really sketchy a few times, and I’m glad I kept it on two wheels.”
Roczen also expressed concern for Reed. In a genuine display of sportsmanship, Roczen went to Reed’s side after the finish to check on him while Reed was being attended to by the Asterisk Mobile Medical Team.
“I hope he didn’t clip my rear wheel and that’s why he crashed,” Roczen said. “[Nick] Wey was kind of in my way, and I got a little I squirrely. I really hope he [Reed] is okay. Overall, though, I am to get another podium. I definitely didn’t ride like I wanted to, but it’s all good. It’s good to go out of here healthy.”
It may have been a long time coming, but Stewart’s win now sees him trailing Ricky Carmichael by just two career Supercross wins. Stewart needs three more to surpass Carmichael for second place on the all-time Supercross winner’s list. Jeremy McGrath is still way out front with 72 wins.
“Please don’t bring up the year,” Stewart said. “It kind of makes me said. The cool part is that with the troops here and everything that’s going on, it just makes it that much more special.”
After celebrating his first AMA Western Region 250cc Supercross Series win at Anaheim III last weekend, Monster Energy Pro Circuit’s Dean Wilson was hoping to keep the momentum going when the 15-lap 250cc main event left the line at Qualcomm Stadium, and he pulled the holeshot and took the early lead while fellow series contenders Jason Anderson and Cole Seely rounded the first turn in seventh and ninth place respectively.
But then it all fell apart just three laps into the race when Wilson over the bars on lap three. Teammate Justin Hill was there to pick up the pieces, however, and he took over and built a four-second lead by the finish to claim his first career AMA Supercross win.
“This is what I’ve worked for,” Hill said. “I mean. I’ve been working hard. My team is behind me 100 percent. I did think I’d be a little bit more, like, emotional at this point, but I just think it’s because it has been long overdue. I’ve been feeling so good for so long. Hey, we got it done tonight. That’s all I can say.”
Hill did say that being able to win with his family in attendance was special. His older brother, Josh, rides for the RCH Soaring Eagle Suzuki team in the 450cc class, and their mother was also in attendance at San Diego.
“It [their support] means everything to me because it is a family sport,” Hill said. We grew up racing together, driving to the races in a motorhome as a family, doing my school work—home-schooled on the road. It’s a big deal to have everybody here who has helped me so far, to just help share this moment with me. It’s awesome.”
Just as he has all season, Anderson was fast and consistent, and he pulled off yet another last-lap pass, this one on Lucas Oil/Troy Lee Designs Honda’s Malcolm Stewart, to finish second in the race.
“I’m feeling really good with the points how it is,” Anderson said. “You know, I felt like I did damage control. I just got a little nervous out there because, you know, you think points, which is something you don’t want to do.”
Stewart ran with Hill early, and he appeared capable of challenging Hill early in the race before dropping back to run second. Although he would lose that spot to Anderson, Stewart still finished third to earn his second podium visit of the season.
“I was real confident, and I got a good start,” Stewart said. “It feels so good to be up here officially. Everybody has been riding really good. Congrats to Jason [Anderson], and congrats to Justin Hill—he really deserved it. But it’s a dream come true for me to finally be up here.”
The Monster Energy AMA Supercross Series heads east to Cowboys Stadium in Dallas, Texas, for round seven the series, which also mark the opener for the AMA Eastern Region 250cc Supercross Series.
Qualcomm Stadium
San Diego, California
Results: February 8, 2014 (Round 6 of 17)
450 Main
1. James Stewart-Suz
2. Ryan Villopoto-Kaw
3. Ken Roczen-KTM
4. Ryan Dungey-KTM
5. Weston Peick-Suz
6. Justin Barcia-Hon
7. Eli Tomac-Hon
8. Broc Tickle-Suz
9. Justin Brayton-Yam
10. Andrew Short-KTM
11. Josh Hill-Suz
12. Chad Reed-Kaw
13. Ivan Tedesco-KTM14.
14. Mike Alessi-Suz
15. Matt Goerke-KTM
16. Vince Friese-Hon
17. Nick Wey-Kaw
18. Kyle Chisholm-Yam
19. Jimmy Decotis-Hon
20. Phil Nicoletti-Yam
21. Chris Blose-Hon
22. Matt Moss-Suz
Monster Energy AMA Supercross Series Points Standings (After 6 of 17 rounds)
1. Ryan Villopoto-126/2 wins
2. Ken Roczen-117/1 win
3. Chad Reed-111/2 wins
4. James Stewart-105/1 win
5. Justin Brayton-98
6. Ryan Dungey-94
7. Justin Barcia-89
8. Andrew Short-72
9. Weston Peick-53
10. Wil Hahn-52
250 Main
1. Justin Hill-Kaw
2. Jason-Anderson-KTM
3. Malcolm Stewart-Hon
4. Cole Seely-Hon
5. Shane McElrath-Hon
6. Jessy Nelson-Hon
7. Michael Leib-Hon
8. Scott Champion-Yam
9. Jake Canada-Hon
10. Dean Ferris-KTM
11. Dakota Tedder-Kaw
12. Preston Mull-Yam
13. Zack Freeburg-Yam
14. Cooper Webb-Yam
15. Ruben Alanis-KTM
16. Valentin Teillet-Kaw
17. Topher Ingalls-Hon
18. Jean Marrone-Suz
19. Chris Howell-Yam
20. Brandon Scharer-Suz
21. Dean Wilson-Kaw
22. Michael Horban-KTM
AMA 250cc Western Region Supercross Series Points (After 6 of 8 rounds)
1. Jason Anderson-131/3 wins
2. Cole Seely-127/1 win
3. Justin Hill-107/1 win
4. Dean Wilson-98/1 win
5. Cooper Webb-92
6. Malcom Stewart-89
7. Jessy Nelson-76
8. Shane McElrath-71
9. Zach Osborne-69
10. Dean Ferris-63
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