Not Since 1976 Have There Been Four Different Winners Through Four Races

AURORA, Ill. (January 30, 2012) – Entering the 2012 Monster Energy AMA Supercross, an FIM World Championship, season, the attention surrounded the four former champions who were set to wage war inside the most storied and popular stadiums in North America. Monster Energy Kawasaki’s Ryan Villopoto – the reigning World Champion, TwoTwo Motorsports/Bel-Ray Honda’s Chad Reed, Red Bull KTM’s Ryan Dungey, and Toyota/Yamaha/JGRMX’s James Stewart had all reached the sport’s pinnacle over the past four seasons and were ready to provide the world with a sure-to-be-memorable 2012 championship. Now, after four races, each rider has taken his turn atop the podium and as the season makes its return to Anaheim’s Angel Stadium this weekend, the Supercross Class Championship is still wide open.

Press Day is Thursday, February 2, from Noon-2:00 p.m., featuring Monster Energy Kawasaki riders Ryan Villopoto and Jake Weimer, along with MotoConcepts Suzuki’s Mike Alessi, Jeff Alessi, and Vince Friese.

Stewart’s maiden victory of the 2012 season last weekend in Oakland also signified his first win as a member of the Joe Gibbs Racing team. The two-time Monster Energy Supercross Champion stayed on two wheels throughout the entire 20-lap main event for the first time this year, and was rewarded for it, passing Reed for the lead on Lap 9 and pulling away. While Stewart took the checkered flag, Reed secured the runner-up effort, fending off the challenges of Villopoto, who finished third. Dungey overcame a 10th-place start to finish off the podium for the first time in 2012, in fourth.

It was a special race for the entire Joe Gibbs Racing organization, which enjoyed just its second Monster Energy Supercross win in four years, and also signified a historic moment in the 39-year history of the sport.

For the first time since 1976 – when the Monster Energy Supercross Championship consisted of just six races – there are four different winners through the first four races of the season. Even more impressive yet, each of these four riders have claimed at least one Monster Energy Supercross title, which has only been achieved one previous time since the inception of the championship, during the 1985 season. However, never before have four former champions won consecutive races, particularly to start a season.

Despite being just a month into the 2012 schedule, this is the most parity in the history of Monster Energy Supercross and as a result, the championship is exceptionally close heading back to Anaheim. Currently, just 12 points separate these four riders, with Dungey and Reed sharing possession of the red number plate atop the standings. Villopoto sits a mere two points back of the leaders, while Stewart’s victory helped bring him to within a dozen points of the lead duo. Additionally, each of the four title favorites has captured at least two podium results through the first four races.

In the fourth race of the Western Regional Supercross Lites Championship, GEICO Honda’s Eli Tomac became the first rider in all of Monster Energy Supercross to become a repeat winner in 2012. The sophomore rider capitalized on a strong start, and the misfortune of Monster Energy/Pro Circuit/Kawasaki’s Dean Wilson and Rockstar Energy Racing Suzuki’s Martin Davalos, to maintain control of the red number plate as the championship leader, and extend his advantage in the standings to 15 points over Wilson.

Red Bull KTM’s Marvin Musquin tied a career-best finish with his second runner-up effort in three weeks, while Monster Energy/BikeIt/Cosworth Yamaha’s Zach Osborne rounded out the podium. Osborne has now posted back-to-back third-place finishes, vaulting him to third in the championship. Wilson recovered from his Lap 2 misfortune to climb from 19th to 10th in the main event.

Last year during the second visit to Anaheim, Stewart put forth his most convincing effort of the 2011 season to capture his third win of that championship. In the Supercross Lites Class, Josh Hansen overcame a broken hand suffered in practice earlier in the day, to take his third win of the season for Monster Energy/Pro Circuit/Kawasaki.

The first race held in Anaheim was on December 4, 1976. Marty Smith won on a Honda. Ricky Carmichael and Jeremy McGrath share the all-time Supercross Class win record at Angel Stadium with eight wins apiece. In the Western Regional Supercross Lites Class, three riders have swept each event at Angel Stadium: Hansen, Villopoto, Ivan Tedesco and Ernesto Fonseca. Villopoto, Stewart, Kevin Windham and McGrath are the only riders in history to win in the Supercross Lites Class and Supercross Class at Anaheim.

CBS will broadcast the Supercross class race at 12:00pm EST on Sunday February 5, 2012.

Tickets are available at the Angel Stadium Box Office, all Ticketmaster Outlets, charge by phone at (800) 745-3000, SupercrossOnline.com, or online at http://www.ticketmaster.com. Practice and qualifying begin at 12:30 p.m., and the main event begins at 7:00 p.m. Club Level tickets are available for $75 Adult/Child; Diamond Club and Field $50 Adult/Child; Price Level 3 $40 Adult/Child; Price Level 4 $35 Adult/Child and Supervalue $20 Adult/Child. Fans can also get into the Pits for FREE from 12:30-6 p.m. Race Day when they recycle a MONSTER Energy Can at the stadium Pit Entrance (valid only with event ticket).

Supercross Class Results: Oakland

1. James Stewart, Haines City, Fla., Yamaha

2. Chad Reed, Dade City, Fla., Honda

3. Ryan Villopoto, Poulsbo, Wash., Kawasaki

4. Ryan Dungey, Belle Plaine, Minn., KTM

5. Andrew Short, Smithville, Texas, Honda

6. Kevin Windham, Centreville, Miss., Honda

7. Davi Millsaps, Murrieta, Calif., Yamaha

8. Jake Weimer, Rupert, Idaho, Kawasaki

9. Justin Brayton, Murrieta, Calif., Honda

10. Josh Hansen, Elbert, Colo., Kawasaki

Supercross Class Season Standings

Ryan Dungey, Belle Plaine, Minn., KTM – 85
Chad Reed, Dade City, Fla., Honda – 85
Ryan Villopoto, Poulsbo, Wash., Kawasaki – 83
James Stewart, Haines City, Fla., Yamaha – 73
Jake Weimer, Rupert, Idaho, Kawasaki – 61
Kevin Windham, Centreville, Miss., Honda – 58
Andrew Short, Smithville, Texas, Honda – 52
Josh Hansen, Elbert, Colo., Kawasaki – 47
Brett Metcalfe, Lake Elsinore, Calif., Suzuki – 45
Davi Millsaps, Murrieta, Calif., Yamaha – 42

Western Regional Supercross Lites Class Results: Oakland

1. Eli Tomac, Cortez, Colo., Honda

2. Marvin Musquin, Murrieta, Calif., KTM

3. Zach Osborne, Chesterfield, S.C., Yamaha

4. Ryan Sipes, Ekron, Ky., Yamaha

5. Matt Moss, Sussex Inlet, Australia, KTM

6. Travis Baker, Temecula, Calif., Honda

7. Nico Izzi, Menifee, Calif., Yamaha

8. Max Anstie, Hemet, Calif., Honda

9. Martin Davalos, Cairo, Ga., Suzuki

10. Dean Wilson, Menifee, Calif., Kawasaki

Western Regional Supercross Lites Class Season Standings

Eli Tomac, Cortez, Colo., Honda – 88
Dean Wilson, Menifee, Calif., Kawasaki – 73
Zach Osborne, Chesterfield, S.C., Yamaha – 67
Marvin Musquin, Murrieta, Calif., KTM – 64
Tyla Rattray, Wildomar, Calif., Kawasaki – 60
Cole Seely, Murrieta, Calif., Honda – 57
Jason Anderson, Edgewood, N.M., Suzuki – 53
Nico Izzi, Menifee, Calif., Yamaha – 46
Max Anstie, Hemet, Calif., Honda – 45
Ryan Sipes, Ekron, Ky., Yamaha – 43

Past Winners in Anaheim

Supercross Class

February 5, 2011: James Stewart

January 8, 2011: Ryan Villopoto

February 13, 2010: Ryan Villopoto

January 23, 2010: Ryan Dungey

January 9, 2010: James Stewart

February 7, 2009: James Stewart

January 17, 2009: James Stewart

January 3, 2009: Josh Grant

January 5, 2008: Chad Reed

January 19, 2008: Chad Reed

February 2, 2008: Chad Reed

January 6, 2007: James Stewart

January 20, 2007: James Stewart

February 3, 2007: James Stewart

January 7, 2006: James Stewart

January 21, 2006: Ricky Carmichael

February 4, 2006: Ricky Carmichael

January 8, 2005 Kevin Windham

January 22, 2005 Ricky Carmichael

February 5, 2005 Ricky Carmichael

January 3, 2004 Chad Reed

January 17, 2004 Chad Reed

January 31, 2004 Kevin Windham

January 4, 2003: Chad Reed

January 18, 2003: Ricky Carmichael

February 1, 2003: Ricky Carmichael

January 5, 2002: David Vuillemin

January 19, 2002: Mike LaRocco

February 2, 2002: Ricky Carmichael

January 6, 2001: Jeremy McGrath

January 20, 2001: Jeremy McGrath

February 3, 2001: Ricky Carmichael

January 8, 2000: Jeremy McGrath

January 15, 2000: Jeremy McGrath

January 9, 1999: Ezra Lusk

February 6, 1999: Ezra Lusk

January 27, 1996: Jeremy McGrath

January 28, 1995: Jeremy McGrath

January 29, 1994: Jeremy McGrath

January 23, 1993: Jeremy McGrath

January 25, 1992: Damon Bradshaw

January 26, 1991: Jeff Stanton

January 27, 1990: Damon Bradshaw

January 28, 1989: Rick Johnson

January 31, 1987: Jeff Ward

January 18, 1986: David Bailey

February 2, 1985: Broc Glover

January 28, 1984: Johnny O’Mara

January 29, 1983: David Bailey

January 30, 1982: Donnie Hansen

January 31, 1981: Kent Howerton

November 17, 1979: Kent Howerton

November 11, 1978: Gaylon Mosier

November 12, 1977: Bob Hannah

December 4, 1976: Marty Smith

Supercross Lites Class

February 5, 2011: Joshua Hansen

January 8, 2011: Joshua Hansen

February 13, 2010: Trey Canard

January 23, 2010: Jake Weimer

January 9, 2010: Jake Weimer

February 7, 2009: Jake Weimer

January 17, 2009: Ryan Dungey

January 3, 2009: Jake Weimer

January 5, 2008: Ryan Dungey

January 19, 2008: Ryan Dungey

February 2, 2008: Jason Lawrence

January 6, 2007: Ryan Villopoto

January 20, 2007: Ryan Villopoto

February 3, 2007: Ryan Villopoto

January 7, 2006: Andrew Short

January 21, 2006: Grant Langston

February 4, 2006: Grant Langston

January 8, 2005 Nathan Ramsey

January 22, 2005 Ivan Tedesco

February 5, 2005 Ivan Tedesco

January 3, 2004 Ivan Tedesco

January 17, 2004 Ivan Tedesco

January 31, 2004 Ivan Tedesco

January 4, 2003: Travis Preston

January 18, 2003: James Stewart Jr.

February 1, 2003: James Stewart Jr.

January 5, 2002: Travis Preston

January 19, 2002: David Pingree

February 2, 2002: Brock Sellards

January 6, 2001: Ernesto Fonseca

January 20, 2001: Ernesto Fonseca

February 3, 2001: Ernesto Fonseca

January 8, 2000: David Pingree

January 15, 2000: Tallon Vohland

January 9, 1999: Casey Johnson

February 6, 1999: Nathan Ramsey

January 27, 1996: Kevin Windham

January 28, 1995: Damon Huffman

January 29, 1994: Damon Huffman

January 9, 1993: Damon Huffman

January 25, 1992: Jeremy McGrath

January 26, 1991: Jeremy McGrath

January 27, 1990: Michael Craig

January 28, 1989: Jeff Matiasevich

January 31, 1987: Jeff Matiasevich

January 18, 1986: Tyson Vohland

February 2, 1985: Mike Healy

Tune into the enhanced exclusive weekly video content from Supercross LIVE! during the entire 2012 season on SupercrossOnline.com, the Official Website of Monster Energy Supercross.

Weekly Supercross LIVE! Video Content Schedule

The Official Supercross LIVE! Pre-Show Race Days at 11 AM Local Race Time
Behind the Scenes with Supercross LIVE! All Day on Race Days
2 Minutes on the Track Race Days at 3:30 & 5:30 PM Local Race Time
And on the Podium Tonight Following Each Round’s Main Events
The Official Supercross LIVE! Post-Show Saturday Nights at Each Round
Toyota Tailgate Talk Wednesdays at 5 PM ET
After The Checkered Flag Thursdays at 5PM ET

For more information on the Monster Energy AMA Supercross, an FIM World Championship, please log on to http://www.SupercrossOnline.com, the official website of Monster Energy Supercross. For all media requests, please contact Denny Hartwig dhartwig@feldinc.com or 630-566-6305. To follow Monster Energy Supercross on Facebook and Twitter, log on to http://www.facebook.com/supercrosslive and http://twitter.com/supercrosslive.

About Feld Motor Sports®
Feld Motor Sports®, Inc. is the world leader in specialized arena and stadium-based motor sports entertainment. Feld Motor Sports, Inc. productions include Advance Auto Parts Monster Jam®, Monster Energy Supercross, AMA Arenacross Series, Nuclear Cowboyz®, and IHRA® Nitro Jam®. Feld Motor Sports, Inc. is a division of Feld Entertainment, the world’s largest producer of live family entertainment. For more information on Feld Entertainment, visit http://www.feldentertainment.com.