Minneapolis: Round 11 summary

Hill Wins First Monster Energy® Supercross Race of his Career at Metrodome
Villopoto Pulls out Win on Last Lap

MINNEAPOLIS (March 15, 2008) -- Yamaha's Josh Hill, of Yoncalla, Ore., won the first Monster Energy® AMA Supercross, an FIM World Championship, race of his career in front of 40,982 fans at the Metrodome. It was the first race at the Metrodome since 2004. Pro Circuit Kawasaki's Ryan Villopoto, of Poulsbo, Wash., won his first Eastern Regional AMA Supercross Lites class race of the season.

Rockstar Makita Suzuki's Ryan Dungey, of Belle Plaine, Minn., won the $1,500 Progressive Holeshot Award to open the AMA Supercross class main event. Following Dungey through turn one was Torco Fuels Honda's Kevin Windham, of Centerville, Miss., and the championship points leader Chad Reed, of Tampa, Fla., was fifth.

On lap three Hill moved past Dungey for the lead and began to pull away. Reed, who rides for Team San Manuel Yamaha, moved into second place and on lap eight, while on the back wheel of Hill, he crashed and re-started in ninth place.

Dungey, who competes in the Western Regional AMA Supercross Lites class championship, moved up to compete in the AMA Supercross class and finished second. Tonight's race, before his hometown crowd, was his best finish since moving into the premier class.

"I ripped out of the gate tonight and had a good lead," said Dungey. "The crowd was behind me 100%, and I could hear them on every lap. This is only my third race in this class, so I very happy.

"Getting second was amazing a few races ago," said Hill. "I do not know how to put it into words this win. The season has had its ups and downs, but this is huge for me. Yamaha put faith in me, and I am grateful for that."

In the Eastern Regional AMA Supercross Lites class main event, Torco Fuels Honda's Josh Grant, of Riverside, Calif., won the $1,000 Progressive Holeshot Award, leading Villopoto through turn one. Grant held the lead until lap six when they traded positions for the number-one position. Grant held the lead until the last lap of the race, and in the track's final turn, he came together with Villopoto and crashed. Grant finished second overall.

"I came here ready to race tonight," said Villopoto. "I am still behind in the points, so I have a lot of catching up to do.

"This is how I should be racing," said Grant. "I have been having a tough season so far, but I am really proud of the way the I rode tonight."

Torco Fuels Honda's Trey Canard, of Elk City, Okla., remains in the Lites class points lead after finishing fourth.

Tonight's AMA Supercross class race will air on SPEED Sunday, March 16 at 6:00 p.m. The AMA Supercross Lites class race will air on SPEED Saturday, March 22 at 6:00 p.m.

-credit: ama