Race Report: AMA Supercross Rd 8 Atlanta, GA

Roczen Wins Second-Career Monster Energy Supercross Race at Georgia Dome
Davalos Dominates at Georgia Dome en Route to First-Ever 250SX Class Win

ATLANTA (February 22, 2014) – Red Bull KTM’s Ken Roczen won his second Monster Energy AMA Supercross, an FIM World Championship, of the season before 69,785 fans at the Georgia Dome. Monster Energy/Pro Circuit/Kawasaki’s Martin Davalos captured the first Eastern Regional 250SX Class win of his career.

 Smartop/Motoconcepts Racing’s Mike Alessi earned the Nuclear Cowboyz® Holeshot Award with Monster Energy Kawasaki’s Ryan Villopoto and Yoshimura Suzuki’s James Stewart following in second and third respectively. Stewart quickly moved into first place on the opening lap as Red Bull KTM’s Ken Roczen took over third. Stewart, who came into tonight’s race on a two-race win streak, crashed in a turn moments after taking over the lead position and remounted in last place.

Villopoto moved into second place on Lap 4 and passed Alessi for the lead on Lap 5. Alessi was also passed by Roczen and Red Bull KTM teammate Ryan Dungey for the second and third sports respectively. On Lap 14, Villopoto failed to jump the triple and, as a result, Roczen moved into the lead. Villopoto finished second and Dungey finished third.

“I don’t believe this,” said Roczen. “Getting on the podium is one thing but a win is another … such an awesome feeling. This proves that hard work pays off and helps build my confidence.”

Villopoto has a three-point lead over Roczen in season standings. Stewart finished 11th and is third in season standings.

Through eight races, there have been four different two-time winners, marking the first time this has happened in the sport’s history.

To open the Eastern Regional 250SX Class Main Event, Monster Energy Pro Circuit/Kawasaki’s Adam Cianciarulo, who came into tonight’s race as the points leader, led Davalos through Turn 1, winning the Nuclear Cowboyz Holeshot Award. It didn’t take long for Davalos to answer back and make the pass for the lead, and by Lap 7, he opened a 5.1 second advantage.

Near the halfway point of the race, GEICO Honda’s Justin Bogle took over the number-three position. Cianciarulo finished second and Bogle finished a season-best third place.

“At the beginning of the race, Martin [Davalos] started to pull away, but toward the second half of the race, I was able to catch up,” said Cianciarulo. “Then, I made a stupid mistake. I guess you live and learn.”

“I am just so happy to be able to give this win to my team,” said Davalos. “There have been so many people that have supported me, and this feels great.”

Cianciarulo has a two-point lead over Davalos in the season standings

Monster Energy Supercross heads to Indianapolis’ Lucas Oil Stadium next Saturday for the eighth race of the season.

Eastern Regional 250SX Class Results: Atlanta

1. Martin Davalos, Cairo, Ga., Kawasaki
2. Adam Cianciarulo, Port Orange, Fla., Kawasaki
3. Justin Bogle, Cushing, Okla., Honda
4. Bale Wharton, Beaumont, Texas, Honda
5. Blake Baggett, Grand Terrace, Calif., Kawasaki
6. Vince Friese, Cape Girardeau, Mo., Honda
7. James DeCotis, Peabody, Mass., Honda
8. Cole Thomson, Brigden, Canada, KTM
9. Matt Lemoine, Pilot Point, Texas, Kawasaki
10. Michael Oldenburg, Alvord, Texas, Honda

Eastern Regional 250SX Class Season Standings

1. Adam Cianciarulo, Port Orange, Fla., Kawasaki, 47
2. Martin Davalos, Cairo, Ga., Kawasaki, 45
3. Blake Baggett, Grand Terrace, Calif., Kawasaki, 38
4. Justin Bogle, Cushing, Okla., Honda, 36
5. Vince Friese, Cape Girardeau, Mo., Honda, 33
6. Blake Wharton, Beaumont, Texas, Honda, 32
7. Cole Thompson, Brigden, Canada, KTM, 28
8. Kyle Cunningham, Aledo, Texas, Honda, 22
9. Mitchell Oldenburg, Alvord, Texas, Honda, 22
10. Jimmy DeCotis, Peabody, Mass., Honda 20

450SX Class Results: Atlanta

1. Ken Roczen, Murrieta, Calif., KTM
2. Ryan Villopoto, Poulsbo, Wash., Kawasaki
3. Ryan Dungey, Belle Plaine, Minn., KTM
4. Wil Hahn, Menifee, Calif., Honda
5. Justin Brayton, Cornelius, N.C., Yamaha
6. Mike Alessi, Hilliard, Fla., Suzuki
7. Broc Tickle, Holly, Mich., Suzuki
8. Weston Peick, Wildomar, Calif., Suzuki
9. Josh Grant, Corona, Calif., Yamaha
10. Andrew Short, Smithville, Texas, KTM

450SX Class Season Standings

1. Ryan Villopoto, Poulsbo, Wash., Kawasaki, 166
2. Ken Roczen, Murrieta, Calif., KTM, 157
3. James Stewart, Haines City, Fla., Suzuki, 140
4. Ryan Dungey, Belle Plaine, Minn., KTM, 136
5. Justin Brayton, Cornelius, N.C., Yamaha, 130
6. Chad Reed, Dade City, Fla., Kawasaki, 111
7. Justin Barcia, Pinetta, Fla., Honda, 109
8. Andrew Short, Smithville, Texas, KTM, 94
9. Wil Hahn, Menifee, Calif., Honda, 83
10. Broc Tickle, Holly, Mich., Suzuki, 77

KTM Junior Supercross Challenge

1. Nicholas Romano, Bayside, N.Y., KTM
2. Peyton Crisp, Simpsonville, S.C., KTM
3. Daxton Bennick, Morganton, N.C., KTM
4. Logan Riggins, Easley, S.C., KTM
5. Jon Jon Carver, Cataula, Ga., KTM
6. Vincent Ardizzoni, Holland, Mass., KTM
7. Nathan Pendegrass, Yadkinville, N.C., KTM
8. Eric Adams, Roaring River, N.C., KTM
9. Chapell Brogdon, Sumter, S.C., KTM
10. Dash Mcmillin, Butler, Pa., KTM
11. Breyden Campbell, Altoona, Pa., KTM
12. Baxton Levi, Macclenny, Fla., KTM
13. Samantha Meyer, Kirkwood, Ill., KTM
14. Camryn Santacroce, Lancaster, S.C., KTM
15. Corbin Gatson, Richwood, Ohio, KTM

Toyota Triple Challenge Standings

1. James Stewart, Haines City, Fla., Suzuki, 39
2. Ryan Villopoto, Poulsbo Wash., Kawasaki, 38
3. Justin Barcia, Pinetta, Fla., Honda, 38
4. Ken Roczen, Murrieta, Calif., KTM, 37
5. Justin Brayton, Cornelius, N.C., Yamaha, 31
6. Chad Reed, Dade City, Fla., Kawasaki, 25
7. Andrew Short, Smithville, Texas, KTM, 23
8. Ryan Dungey, Belle Plaine, Minn., KTM, 22
9. Weston Peick, Wildomar, Calif., Suzuki, 16
10. Broc Tickle, Holly, Mich., Suzuki, 14