Dallas Supercross Preview 2011

The 2011 Monster Energy AMA Supercross Championship is squeezing into its cowboy boots and riding into Texas for Round 13 in Dallas. A lot has happened since the series last visited the Lone Star State in Houston, including TwoTwo Motorsports’ Chad Reed finagling his way into the top of the championship by just three points ahead of Monster Energy Kawasaki’s Ryan Villopoto, and Rockstar Makita Suzuki’s Ryan Dungey finally obtaining his first win of the season. But perhaps the greatest development is the tightening of the series as only 22 points separate the top-five riders. Five race winners have surfaced so far, three of which have had repeat victories. The championship is pretty much wide open and there’s no telling at this point who could walk away with the crown.
 
Reed’s rise to the top of the standings has largely been courtesy of the last two races. Beginning in Jacksonville, both RV and San Manuel Yamaha's James Stewart began to struggle with staying on the bike and out of trouble. In Toronto things reached a head when the two stars tangled together on the third lap and crashed out. What seems a shock is the way Villopoto, with five wins under his belt in 2011, could have such a drastic turnaround in his performance. His recent downfall is happening at possibly the worst point in the series with just five rounds left.
 
Likewise, Stewart appears to be dropping the ball on his chance at regaining the lead in the championship. JS7’s last victory was seven rounds ago at Anaheim 2 - the longest winless streak of his professional career. The 25-year-old was also recently arrested in Orlando for impersonating an officer, causing significant headache for JS7 in the upcoming race. It is unclear at this point what ramifications may develop from Stewart’s questionable off-track behavior, but one has to look no further than Jason Lawrence’s arrest to see that breaking the law and Supercross don’t mix well.
 
But there’s light at the end of the tunnel for any of the top-five riders. The point stretch is still within one race, meaning any rider with a few breakaway performances stands an excellent shot at the title.
 
One rider who accomplished this in the last round is Dungey. The defending champ took an early lead in the contest and led nearly every lap. It was without a doubt his greatest ride of the season and could provide him with just the inspiration he needs to finish the year on top. He also comes to Dallas after winning the event last year, making it a perfect opportunity to earn two consecutive victories.
 
“I'm really looking forward to Dallas,” Dungey said. “I was able to get a win there last year and it's a great stadium; it's new and big. The fans there are great and it's always a good race."
 
Honda’s Trey Canard may be fifth in the standings, but he’s only two points down from Stewart and has two wins so far this season. The last time the series visited Texas Canard earned his first win. Canard has been having an impressive rookie season in the premier class, and for the past few rounds the 20-year-old has been a model of consistency with three podium finishes.
 
“I’d like to be a little closer to the leaders,” Canard said. “But these podiums still feel great!”
 
Only three rounds remain in the East Coast Lites Championship as Geico Powersports Honda’s Justin Barcia heads into the final stretch with a 16-point lead. In Toronto, Monster Energy Kawasaki’s Dean Wilson snared his second victory of the season, but it could prove too little too late as the Scotsman needs to make up 16 points in the next three events. Additionally, the field will have to go up against Barcia’s amazing consistency as the 19-year-old has yet to finish lower than second.
 
“We still have three races to go and I’m still far back in the points, but I’ll try my best,” said Wilson.
 
Yamaha’s Ryan Sipes is 23 points behind Barcia, but after finishing fifth in Toronto he’ll have to pick things up in Dallas if he wants ultimate bragging rights. Despite not making it to the podium in Canada, Sipes overcame an early collision with Honda’s Blake Wharton to finish inside the top-five after being dead last. In fact, the collision between Sipes and Wharton was not the first get together they’ve had in 2011. At Houston the pair also got mixed-up while battling for third, leaving Sipes in fourth and Wharton back in sixth. With three podiums and a victory to his name this season, the title may still swing his way, but he needs to stay out of trouble and on two wheels.
 
Currently fourth in the East division is Wilson’s Pro Circuit teammate, Blake Baggett. The 19-year-old seems to have hit a brick wall in the past two rounds, but Dallas may offer the youth a chance at redemption. In 2010 Baggett claimed the first win of his career there, making it great territory for him to seal his second victory of 2011.