San Diego: Series round five preview

Wide Open Title Fight Highlights This Weekend's Monster Energy Supercross San Diego Invasion

Lites Class Leader Weimer Looks to Re-assert Dominance

AURORA, Ill (February 1, 2010) -- The race towards the 2010 Monster Energy AMA Supercross, an FIM World Championship, title got a little tighter heading into this weekend's race from San Diego's Qualcomm Stadium. AMA Supercross points leader Rockstar/Makita Suzuki's Ryan Dungey looks to rebound from his worst outing of the season last weekend while Monster Energy/Pro Circuit/Kawasaki's Jake Weimer aims to reassert himself as the rider to beat in the AMA Supercross Lites Western Regional Championship.

Last Saturday, Dungey, of Belle Plaine, Minn., brought his double-digit points lead and two-race winning streak into San Francisco's AT&T Park, but experienced problems while leading, allowing Villopoto, of Poulsbo, Wash., to steal his first win of the 2010 season and close in on his rival. Weimer, of Rupert, Idaho, was looking for his fourth consecutive win in the AMA Supercross Lites class, but was out-dueled by GEICO Powersports Honda's Trey Canard, of Shawnee, Okla.

Dungey captured the Spike Holeshot Award with Villopoto and Honda Red Bull Racing's Davi Millsaps, of Tallahassee, Fla., following in second and third respectively. Millsaps passed Villopoto on the first lap but crashed on lap four, giving second place back to Villopoto.

While leading on lap 10, Dungey crashed and dropped back to fourth place. This allowed Villopoto to move into the lead, San Manuel Yamaha's Josh Hill, of Yoncalla, Ore., to second and Millsaps to third.

"I lost my foot and went sailing," said Dungey. "It could have been a lot worse. I am glad I am not hurt."

The win for Villopoto marked the third in his career. Hill finished second and Millsaps finished third.

"The track was tough and slippery," said Villopoto. "It was hard to put in 20 perfect laps out there tonight. It wasn't the start that I wanted, so I played catch-up. It is a long season with a lot of racing left."

Troy Lee Designs/Lucas Oil/Honda's Cole Seely, of Newbury Park, Calif., won the Spike Holeshot Award in the AMA Supercross Lites main event, but it was Canard, who quickly stole the lead. Weimer moved into second with DNA Energy/Star Racing Yamaha's Broc Tickle, of Holly, Mich., in the number three position. The trio would stay that way throughout the remaining portion of the 15-lap main event.

"I had a rough start to this season, and I am finally starting to come around," said Canard. "This was great night for me and my team."

"I hate losing and I lost tonight, but I have the points lead and am thankful for everyone that has helped me get here," said Weimer.

Last season at Qualcomm Stadium, San Manuel Yamaha's James Stewart, of Dade City, Fla., extended his winning streak to six races and completely expunged the 23-point deficit from the season start at Anaheim. In the AMA Supercross Lites class, it was Dungey who reclaimed the Western Regional championship points lead with his third win of the season which was complimented by him leading every lap of the main event.

Monster Energy Supercross made its debut in San Diego on October 25, 1980 when Mike Bell won on a Yamaha. Seven-time AMA Supercross champion Jeremy McGrath and Reed share the all-time AMA Supercross win record at Qualcomm Stadium with five while Stewart owns two wins. Kawasaki's Todd Campbell won the inaugural AMA Supercross Lites class on January 26, 1995. Stewart and McGrath are tied on the all-time win list with two in the AMA Supercross Lites class.

SPEED will air the AMA Supercross Lites class race on Sunday, February 7 at Noon EST while coverage of the AMA Supercross class follows at 1:00 p.m. EST.

Tickets for the event are available at all Ticketmaster outlets, online at www.ticketmaster.com, charge by phone at 800-745-3000 or at the Qualcomm Stadium Box Office located at Gate F. The Qualcomm Stadium box office is open Monday-Friday from 10am -- 6pm. For fans looking to purchase adult mid-level seats at a discount, log onto www.ticketmaster.com and enter the code SAND20 and pay just $10 for mid-level adult seats! That's a savings of $20! Valid now thru Friday, February 5th. Discount valid online only with code.

-source: ama