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2013 Supercross Schedule Announced
After nearly six seasons of racing in the Monster Energy AMA Supercross Class, L&MC Racing Honda’s Andrew Short captured his first career win in the premier division, leading every lap on Saturday night at CenturyLink Field.
Short was the first rider out of the gate in the Supercross Class Main Event, securing the Nuclear Cowboyz Holeshot Award with Team Honda Muscle Milk’s Justin Brayton and Red Bull KTM’s Ken Roczen in tow. Behind them, 2012 Monster Energy Supercross Champion Ryan Villopoto went down following a mid-pack start, appearing to favor his leg while on the ground. The Monster Energy Kawasaki rider walked off the track under his own power, but did not complete a lap of competition in front of his hometown crowd.
“Ryan didn’t get such a good start,” said Reid Nordin, Monster Energy Kawasaki Team Manager. “He was charging through the pack and lost the front end and ended up getting a handle bar to the gut, which knocked the wind out of him, and he got a stinger when the foot peg came down on him. He’s really bummed out and upset with himself with what happened. He really wanted to do well for the fans here.”
Out front, Short and Roczen began a spirited battle for the lead on Lap 6, shifting momentum back-and-forth for several laps. Eventually, Short asserted himself in the top spot and took the win comfortably.
“It doesn’t feel real,” exclaimed Short, who missed seven races earlier this season to injury. “My team has been through some challenges, but we stuck together. There are so many people who have helped me in 11 years of doing this. I’m getting old. I didn’t believe (I could win) too much until the end and I think that’s been one of my problems in the past. All I wanted to do was be out here and to win is unreal.”
Roczen posted a career-best runner-up finish in first race in the Supercross Class this season. Monster Energy Kawasaki’s Jake Weimer, rounded out the podium in third.
Following a two-month break from Western Regional Supercross Lites Class competition, Star/Valli Yamaha’s Ryan Sipes grabbed his first win of the season.
As the gate dropped on the Western Regional Supercross Lites Class Main Event, Monster Energy/Pro Circuit/Kawasaki’s Dean Wilson edged out both Sipes and GEICO Honda’s Eli Tomac to grab the Nuclear Cowboyz Holeshot Award, only to have Sipes assert himself in the lead shortly thereafter.
As Sipes opened a margin over the field, Wilson and Tomac went head to head in a heated battle for the runner-up spot. The class’ two top contenders for the championship traded the position a few times, before coming together on Lap 8, causing Wilson to fall to the ground.
Tomac looked to close in on Sipes, but was ultimately caught by Red Bull KTM’s Marvin Musquin on the final lap. Sipes led all 15 laps of the main event, bouncing back from an injury he suffered earlier in the season.
“I worked really hard to come back here and didn’t think I’d be able to,” said Sipes, who has won just two points-paying races in his career. “I tried not to push. I tried to conserve and flow. I didn’t go fast, but I didn’t go slow either. The first five races (this season) were so tough. I felt good, but I was pushing too hard. It just feels so good to come back form (my) injury like this.”
Musquin held on for second, while Tomac finished third, taking over the points lead from Wilson, who recovered to finish seventh following his crash.
“I wasn’t happy with my heat race, but it was go time in the main event,” said Tomac, who holds a four-point lead in the championship standings. “Dean (Wilson) put some block passes on me and I said, ‘let’s play.’ I got into him there, but I guess that’s racing. I was rusty in practice but I gave it my all tonight. When we made contact, my clutch was bent, so I was riding in third gear. I’m looking forward to Salt Lake City because it’s like a home race for me.”
52,731 fans were in attendance at CenturyLink Field.
Monster Energy Supercross continues next weekend, hosting the 16th race of the 2012 season from Salt Lake City’s Rice Eccles Stadium.
Feld Motor Sports announced today the 2013 Monster Energy AMA Supercross schedule for the world’s premier indoor, off-road motorcycle racing circuit.
The championship will once again feature a 17-race season, visiting the country’s most recognizable stadiums in 10 different states, in addition to an international stop in Canada’s largest city, Toronto.
“The 2013 Monster Energy AMA Supercross, an FIM World Championship, schedule will once again showcase what will arguably be the sport’s deepest field ever inside the world’s premier stadiums,” said Charlie Mancuso, President, Feld Motor Sports. “After reaching milestones in 2012, with sell-outs at the two races at Angel Stadium and the Georgia Dome, Monster Energy Supercross also posted record numbers at the Edward Jones Dome and the tour is on pace to garner the highest attendance figures in the sport’s history. This success clearly identifies that the growing popularity of the sport and will serve as a springboard for 2013. From returning veterans like Ryan Villopoto, Ryan Dungey, James Stewart and Chad Reed to Supercross Class rookie Justin Barcia, who will make his premier class debut, fans will be treated to an epic season to look forward to in 2013. Cross Club Members should take advantage of the May 7-8 exclusive on-sale date to ensure they have the best seats for this highly anticipated season.”
"In 2012, Monster Energy AMA Supercross, an FIM World Championship, has delivered competitive racing, several surprises and superlative highs, culminating with Ryan Villopoto's successful defense of his AMA No. 1 plate," said AMA President and CEO Rob Dingman. "We are looking forward to working with Feld Motor Sports to produce another brilliant year of racing, and the 2013 schedule is perfectly suited to showcase what has become the most fan-friendly stadium-based motorsport event in the world. For many amateur racers around the country, Monster Energy AMA Supercross, an FIM World Championship, represents the pinnacle of their professional dreams, and we're proud of our work with Feld Motor Sports to elevate this professional championship, as well as our support of the AMA-sanctioned amateur competition that will get them there."
"I had the pleasure of attending the Houston race of the 2012 Monster Energy AMA Supercross, an FIM World Championship, and can easily understand why this championship keeps the many fans around the world thrilled," said FIM President Mr Vito Ippolito. "Monster Energy Supercross offers great entertainment and top sport to all its aficionados. Ryan Villopoto was the dominant rider this year and has secured the championship at an early stage this season. But it did not stop the fans from attending the remaining races. This says it all about the Monster Energy AMA Supercross, an FIM World Championship. A total of 17 races are on next year's calendar that will start off again in Anaheim on January 5, 2013. Save the date!"
For the 22nd time in four decades of competition, Angel Stadium, in Anaheim, Calif., will serve as the site of the opening race of the 2013 Monster Energy Supercross season. The proverbial home of supercross will host two of the 17 races, on January 5 and February 2, signifying the first and fifth stops, respectively.
The most significant change for the 2013 Monster Energy Supercross season is the championship’s return to the legendary Metrodome in Minneapolis, ending a four-year hiatus from the venue. The home of the NFL’s Minnesota Vikings has been a staple of Monster Energy Supercross, and with the emergence Belle Plaine’s Ryan Dungey in recent years, will surely be one of the most popular stops on the schedule.
In total, the 2013 Monster Energy Supercross Championship will challenge the world’s best riders with 17 races over the span of 18 weeks. The schedule will run through all but one weekend in January, February, March, and April, before coming to a dramatic conclusion the first weekend in May inside Las Vegas’ Sam Boyd Stadium, where three champions will be crowned across the Supercross Class, Supercross Lites Western Regional Class, and Supercross Lites Eastern Regional Class.
In addition to the aforementioned stops, Monster Energy Supercross will make stops at familiar cities such as Phoenix (1/12), Los Angeles (1/19), Oakland (1/26), San Diego (2/9), Arlington (2/16), Atlanta (2/23), St. Louis (3/2), Indianapolis (3/16), Toronto (3/23), Houston (4/6), Seattle (4/20), and Salt Lake City (4/27).
Following his historic title run in 2012, back-to-back champion Ryan Villopoto will lead the field into action aboard his Monster Energy Kawasaki, fending off the likes of former champions Ryan Dungey, James Stewart, and Chad Reed, along with past race winners Kevin Windham, Trey Canard, Davi Millsaps, and more.
Date Venue City
January 5 Angel Stadium Anaheim, Calif.
January 12 Chase Field Phoenix
January 19 Dodger Stadium Los Angeles
January 26 O.Co Coliseum Oakland, Calif.
February 2 Angel Stadium Anaheim, Calif.
February 9 Qualcomm Stadium San Diego
February 16 Cowboys Stadium Arlington, Texas
February 23 Georgia Dome Atlanta
March 2 Edward Jones Dome St. Louis
*March 9 Daytona International Speedway Daytona Beach, Fla.
March 16 Lucas Oil Stadium Indianapolis
March 23 Rogers Centre Toronto
April 6 Reliant Stadium Houston
April 13 Metrodome Minneapolis
April 20 CenturyLink Field Seattle
April 27 Rice-Eccles Stadium Salt Lake City
May 4 Sam Boyd Stadium Las Vegas
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