SuperX: Series Atlanta round eight preview

Villopoto and Stewart Separated by Three Points as Monster Energy Supercross Heads to Atlanta's Georgia Dome

AURORA, Ill. (February 22, 2011) -- As the annual Monster Energy AMA Supercross, an FIM World Championship, heads to Atlanta's Georgia Dome Saturday night, just three points separate Monster Energy Kawasaki's Ryan Villopoto and Team San Manuel Yamaha's James Stewart in the championship points race.

Media day is Thursday, February 24 from Noon-2:00, featuring BTO Sports Racing, Rockstar/Makita Suzuki, and Rock River Yamaha. Riders will be available for interviews and will ride the track for the media.

Last weekend before 53,342 fans TwoTwo Motorsports' Chad Reed, of Dade City, Fla., captured his first win of the season and his sixth-career win in San Diego. GEICO Honda's Eli Tomac, of Cortez, Colo., captured his first career win in the Western Regional Supercross Lites class.

"This is incredible," said Reed. "I've put so much work into this team to make it the best it can be. To win with your name on your chest makes everything so much better. This one is emotional. I just followed Trey because he was showing me some lines. When he went down, it became just about putting together 20 clean laps."

Supercross class points leader Ryan Villopoto, of Poulsbo, Wash., crashed on the opening lap, but fought through the field to secure a seventh place effort aboard his Monster Energy Kawasaki.

Tomac dominated the Supercross Lites class main event, leading wire-to-wire.

"The first five laps I just put my head down and pulled away. It was kind of crazy," said Tomac, who won by over 10 seconds. "The track was really tricky and slippery. I got a little nervous out (front), but overall it was really good. I've learned a lot this season and I've gotten a lot better in recent weeks."

Monster Energy/Pro Circuit/Kawasaki's Josh Hansen, the class points leader, finished sixth. The Elbert, Colo., native is still on the mend from a hand injury suffered at the Anaheim 2 stop. His advantage over teammate Tickle dwindled to three points as the Western Regional Supercross Lites class Championship takes a midseason break until April 16 in Seattle.

After a week off, the Eastern Regional Supercross Lites class championship resumes with Geico Honda's Justin Barcia leading the championship points race. Barcia scored the first win of the season at Houston's Reliant Stadium, beating rival Dean Wilson of the Monster Energy/Pro Circuit/Kawasaki team.

Defending Supercross class champion Ryan Dungey won last year's main event in Atlanta in a hotly contested 20-lap main event.

-source: ama