Supercross Qualifying
In the Supercross class, Davi Millsaps grabbed the holeshot and an early lead in heat one with Andrew Short and Josh Hill close in tow. Just a little further back, Justin Brayton, Ryan Villopoto, and Kevin Windham all jockeyed over fifth just behind Kawasaki-mounted Manuel Rivas. Windham made quick work of the number 23 and set his eyes further forward. K-Dub worked his way past Hill, Rivas, and eventually past Short where he would finish second, just behind Millsaps who led the race wire-to-wire. Ryan Villopoto’s race didn’t go as smoothly, however, as he stalled his bike in the first turn and finally got it going after dropping back to ninth place. Ryan mounted a late charge and eventually worked his way up to fifth, right behind Short and Hill who finished third and fourth respectively.
When the gate hit the dirt for the second heat, Ryan Dungey grabbed the holeshot and never looked back. Behind Dungey, Ivan Tedesco found himself in second with Chad Reed breathing down his neck. Tedesco rode a very wide bike and managed to keep Reed at bay until Chad appeared to encounter bike problems. Reed’s problems dropped him off the back of Tedesco’s tire and into striking range for Tommy Hahn. Though riding strong, Hahn was never able to pull the trigger and make a pass on Reed. Jason Lawrence put in a strong, but quiet ride and crossed the finish line a respectable fifth.
After putting in solid practice times, Kyle Chisholm had some bad luck in his heat race and had to earn his spot in the main event through the Last Chance Qualifier. Kyle Regal was able to secure the final transfer spot, making a clean “Kyle” sweep of the LCQ.
Supercross Main Event
The flames lit and the gates dropped for the 450 class in Reliant Stadium, and Ryan Villopoto snagged the Spike Holeshot just in front of Josh Hill, Ryan Dungey, and Kevin Windham. Reed was unable to replicate his heat race start and found himself deep within the pack outside of the top ten. Up front, Windham was a man on a mission and methodically worked his way past Dungey and Hill in hopes of catching Villopoto who was quickly sprinting away from the field. Tedesco, who had been fast all day began to pressure Dungey for third and made a pass stick on the fourth lap. The duo battled past Hill with Dungey refusing to let Tedesco go. Just as Dungey had Tedesco back in his sights, he stalled his bike on the Dragon’s back, allowing Tedesco some breathing room on his way to third. Once restarted, Dungey found himself back in seventh with his points lead dwindling. He was able to salvage a solid fifth place, but gave up valuable championship points to the winner, Villopoto. Unable to make up enough ground on RV, Windham settled in for a season best second. Chad Reed sliced his way through the pack after his bad start and managed to claw his way all the way up to fourth, missing the podium in Houston for the first time in his career.
AMA Supercross Class Results
1. Ryan Villopoto (Kaw)
2. Kevin Windham (Hon)
3. Ivan Tedesco (Yam)
4. Chad Reed (Kaw)
5. Ryan Dungey (Suz)
6. Tommy Hahn (Suz)
7. Davi Millsaps (Hon)
8. Andrew Short (Hon)
9. Justin Brayton (Yam)
10. Josh Hill (Yam)
AMA Supercross Season Standings
1. Ryan Dungey (277)
2. Ryan Villopoto (265)
3. Josh Hill (217)
4. Davi Millsaps (203)
5. Kevin Windham (201)
6. Ivan Tedesco (179)
7. Justin Brayton (176)
8. Nick Wey (141)
9. Tommy Hahn (128)
10. Kyle Chisholm (123)
TAGS: Christophe Pourcel, dirt bike, houston, Race Report, ryan villopoto, supercross, SX
