James Stewart (Yamaha), who only had to finish third in Saturday's finale in Las Vegas, has won the 2009 Monster Energy AMA Supercross Championship, while local hero (And SX rookie) Ryan Villopoto (Kawasaki) took his second victory in the last three races.
Suzuki's Mike Alessi got the holeshot at the start of the 20-lap final, just ahead of Stewart and Villopoto. Chad Reed (Suzuki), who needed a win to have a shot at the championship, blew his start and came out of the first turn seventh. By the end of lap one, Stewart had moved into the lead while Villopoto stayed close.
Villopoto brought the more than 39,000 fans to their feet when he passed the 11-time winner on lap 2 and never looked back. Meanwhile, Reed made a tremendous comeback and, with a heavy-contact pass on Stewart on lap 15, moved into second and brought home his twelfth runner-up finish of 2009, just ahead of Stewart who won the season championship with a four point margin after seventeen races.
AMA Supercross Results, Las Vegas (Final round of 2009)
1. Ryan Villopoto Kawasaki
2. Chad Reed Suzuki
3. James Stewart Yamaha
4. Kevin Windham Honda
5. Ivan Tedesco Honda
6. Mike Alessi Suzuki
7. Josh Grant Yamaha
8. Andrew Short Honda
9. Nathan Ramsey Yamaha
10. Davi Millsaps Honda
AMA Supercross Final Season Standings -
1. James Stewart 377
2. Chad Reed 373
3. Andrew Short 270
4. Josh Grant 237
5. Kevin Windham 236
6. Ryan Villopoto 233
7. Ivan Tedesco 226
8. Davi Millsaps 219
9. Mike Alessi 218
10. Josh Hill 146
photo:Yamaha
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| James Stewart (Yamaha) has won the 2009 Monster Energy AMA Supercross Championship. |
Suzuki's Mike Alessi got the holeshot at the start of the 20-lap final, just ahead of Stewart and Villopoto. Chad Reed (Suzuki), who needed a win to have a shot at the championship, blew his start and came out of the first turn seventh. By the end of lap one, Stewart had moved into the lead while Villopoto stayed close.
Villopoto brought the more than 39,000 fans to their feet when he passed the 11-time winner on lap 2 and never looked back. Meanwhile, Reed made a tremendous comeback and, with a heavy-contact pass on Stewart on lap 15, moved into second and brought home his twelfth runner-up finish of 2009, just ahead of Stewart who won the season championship with a four point margin after seventeen races.
AMA Supercross Results, Las Vegas (Final round of 2009)
1. Ryan Villopoto Kawasaki
2. Chad Reed Suzuki
3. James Stewart Yamaha
4. Kevin Windham Honda
5. Ivan Tedesco Honda
6. Mike Alessi Suzuki
7. Josh Grant Yamaha
8. Andrew Short Honda
9. Nathan Ramsey Yamaha
10. Davi Millsaps Honda
AMA Supercross Final Season Standings -
1. James Stewart 377
2. Chad Reed 373
3. Andrew Short 270
4. Josh Grant 237
5. Kevin Windham 236
6. Ryan Villopoto 233
7. Ivan Tedesco 226
8. Davi Millsaps 219
9. Mike Alessi 218
10. Josh Hill 146
photo:Yamaha