Josh Hill has three-straight runner-up finishes and sits second in the points.
The Monster Energy AMA Supercross series heads back to Angel Stadium tomorrow for the final California round, before the series moves eastward, and it looks like we might finally have a dry race. The West Coast swing of the tour has been brutal for some of the top contenders, with Josh Grant, Chad Reed, James Stewart, and Andrew Short all suffering injuries, forcing them to miss several rounds.
After five rounds, Rockstar Makita Suzuki’s Ryan Dungey, San Manuel Yamaha’s Josh Hill, Monster Energy Kawasaki’s Ryan Villopoto, and Red Bull Honda’s Davi Millsaps appear to be the leading candidates for the series title, although there are still 12 races to go and look how much the complexion of the series has changed after only five rounds. Even in five races the momentum has changed several times, with Dungey getting off to a quick start (three-straight podiums, which includes two wins), before faltering in the last two rounds. Villopoto came on strong in San Francisco, getting the win when Dungey went down. All the while, Hill has been the most consistent – four podiums and three-straight runner-up finishes. Millsaps got off to off to a slow start but came on strong to win the San Diego round. Meanwhile, Honda’s Kevin Windham and Yamaha riders Ivan Tedesco and Justin Brayton are waiting in the wings should any of the top four stumble.
Andrew Short will miss about six weeks after injuries suffered in San Diego.
Hill is getting faster every week and led several laps in Phoenix, proving he has the speed to win an event, "I'm getting more and more confidence at every race," Hill said after the San Diego race. "And I think it will just be a matter of time before I get on top of the box. My team is behind me 100% and my bike is awesome. I just need to stay consistent and the wins will eventually come."
Villopoto also feels he's coming on strong after getting off a slow start. "It felt good to get the win in San Francisco and that gave me a lot of confidence," said Villopoto. "We made a few changes to the bike and I'm getting more confortable with it. I just want to keep trying to win races and get in Dungey's head. I just need to keep pressuring him."
Jake Weimer has four wins in five races.
In contrast, the West Regions Lites division has been pretty much a one-man show, with Monster Pro Circuit Kawasaki’s Jake Weimer the main attraction. Weimer has four wins in five rounds, and has proven he can go flag-to-flag, or get the win by coming from behind. GEICO Powersports Honda’s Trey Canard and Troy Lee Design’s Wil Hahn have been Weimer’s closest challengers, but neither has been very consistent, leaving Weimer with a 26-point lead with only three rounds left in the series.
After having to deal with rain and muddy conditions for the last three rounds, a dry Anaheim 3 will be a big relief for the team managers and mechanics, not to mention, the Dirt Wurx crew (who, by the way, have been working overtime the last few weeks and have done a masterful job of getting the racing surfaces in good condition under extremely difficult circumstances). A3 should be great for the spectators, as well – a chance to see who is going to step up and lead the charge into the eastern swing.
See ya’ll at the track.
