Irvine, Calif. (March 10, 2014) – It was nearly a perfect day and night for the Monster Energy Kawasaki and Monster Energy/Pro Circuit/Kawasaki teams at Daytona International Speedway as KX™ dominated the Daytona Supercross. Starting in qualifying, Kawasaki held down the top-three spots in the 250SX class as well as the top-two spots in the 450SX class. In the night show Blake Baggett and Martin Davalos each won a 250SX heat race while Ryan Villopoto and Discount Tire Racing/TwoTwo Motorsports Dean Wilson also swept the 450SX heats. In the Main events it was a Baggett who grabbed the 250SX win with his teammates Adam Cianciarulo and Davalos filing out the podium. In the 450SX main, Villopoto returned to his winning ways, leading wire-to-wire to grab his third win of the year.
King of the Beach
For the fourth time in five years, Villopoto has hoisted thewinners trophy at the Daytona Supercross, dominating both his heat and the mainevent. Villopoto rocketed to the holeshot and then never looked back as hecruised to the win with a margin of victory of more than 12 seconds. TheMonster Energy Kawasaki team had Villopoto’s KX™450F dialed in as he set thefastest lap of the race more than one-and-half seconds faster than his closestcompetitor. With the win, Villopoto also extended his championship points leadto 28.
“Daytona is always a little special,” said Villopoto. “Thetrack is always one of the most difficult we race on all year. Tonight the dirtwas softer than it usually is, which made for some big ruts and made it alittle difficult.”
First of the Season
Baggett came into Daytona looking to grab his first win of the season, and the veteran rider knew the supercross-motocross hybrid track would be a great spot to get on top of the podium. Baggett was fast all day and a crash in the second practice didn’t slow him down. In his heat race, the California native made quick work of his competition and in the main event, he grabbed the lead from Davalos on the second lap and pulled away for his second career win at Daytona.
“Tonight was a good race for me,” said Baggett. “There is something about racing at Daytona that I really like, I wish we had more races here. The track was difficult but I knew I had the speed to win tonight.”
Hometown Hero
Growing up in the shadows of Daytona International Speedway,Cianciarulo was primed for the event on Saturday night. Coming in riding agiant wave of momentum, the 17-year-old rider was looking to win his third racein four supercross starts. The pressure of racing at home didn’t effectCianciarulo as he was leading his heat race, when on the final lap he had a mechanicalissue that saw him drop to fifth. With a bad gate choice for the main event,the Florida native jumped out of the gate well and was battling for a top spot.He patiently worked his way around his teammate Davalos and held on for therunner-up finish.
“I was able to get out of the gate decent and tried to makea move super early in that first corner, but it didn’t quite work out for me,”said Cianciarulo. “I just tried to get around Martin then tried to rideconsistent laps, because obviously it’s Daytona and a really tough track. Itried to ride smart. Blake had everyone tonight so I wanted to get as manypoints as possible.”
Riding at the Front
On loan from the Monster Energy/Pro Circuit/Kawasaki team, Wilsoncame to Daytona with another week of riding the TwoTwo Motorsports KX450F underhis belt and he showed speed from the opening practice. In the finalqualifying, it was the Scottish born Wilson at the top of the scoring pylon andafter getting a great start in his heat, Wilson held off James Stewart for sixlaps to grab his first career 450SX heat race win. In the main event, Wilsongot another great start and settled in behind Villopoto for 14 laps. Wilsonwould eventually finish in seventh.
“Tonight is a good start for how I want to ride in the 450SXclass,” said Wilson. “I feel really comfortable on the bike and to get the heatrace win felt really good. Riding up front with these guys is tough but it feltreally good to be up there and I want to be up there next week.”
East Coast Proof
Since even before the 250SX Eastern Region season kicked offin Dallas, the Monster Energy Kawasaki team has been unstoppable. Saturdaynight’s podium sweep marked the sixth straight win for the team. Since Dallas,the team has won every heat race and main event as well as posting the fastesttime in qualifying.
Results
Monster EnergySupercross – Round 10
Daytona InternationalSpeedway – Daytona Beach, Florida
Saturday, March 8,2014
250SX Eastern Regional Main Event
1. Blake Baggett, Monster Energy/Pro Circuit/Kawasaki
2. Adam Cianciarulo, Monster Energy/Pro Circuit/Kawasaki
3. Martin Davalos, Monster Energy/Pro Circuit/Kawasaki
4. Blake Wharton, Honda
5. Justin Bogle, Honda
6. Jeremy Martin, Yamaha
7. Matt Bisceglia, Honda
8. Vince Friese, Honda
9. Kyle Cunningham, Honda
10. MattLemoine, Kawasaki
250SX Eastern Regional Points Standings
1. Adam Cianciarulo, Monster Energy/Pro Circuit/Kawasaki, 94
2. Martin Davalos, Monster Energy/Pro Circuit/Kawasaki, 87
3. Blake Baggett, Monster Energy/Pro Circuit/Kawasaki, 79
4. Justin Bogle, Honda, 72
5. Vince Friese, Honda, 61
6. Blake Wharton, Honda, 51
7. Cole Thompson, KTM, 48
8. Kyle Cunningham, Honda, 45
9. James Decostis, Honda, 43
10. MattLemoine, Kawasaki 37
450SX Main Event
1. Ryan Villopoto, Monster Energy Kawasaki
2. Ken Roczen, KTM
3. Ryan Dungey, KTM
4. Broc Tickle, Suzuki
5. Andrew Short, KTM
6. Wil Hahn, Honda
7. Dean Wilson, Monster Energy/Pro Circuit/Kawasaki
8. Matt Goerke, KTM
9. Justin Brayton, Yamaha
10. Josh Grant, Yamaha
450SX Championship Standings
1. Ryan Villopoto, Monster Energy Kawasaki, 209
2. Ryan Dungey, KTM, 181
3. Ken Roczen, KTM, 180
4. James Stewart, Suzuki, 157
5. Justin Brayton, Yamaha, 155
6. Andrew Short, KTM, 125
7. Justin Barcia, Honda, 118
8. Chad Reed, Kawasaki, 111
9. Broc Tickle, Suzuki, 111
10. Wil Hahn, Honda, 108