2011 AMA Supercross

With only nine points separating the top four riders heading into the penultimate round of the 2011 AMA Supercross Championship, the racing was expected to be intense.

And intense is exactly how to describe Salt Lake Supercross, which was held in Rice Eccles Stadium before 39,329 fans Saturday evening.

The points leader heading into Utah Supercross extended that lead after taking his sixth victory. Monster Energy Kawasaki's Ryan Villopoto raced smartly, and gradually went from fourth to first throughout the race to take the checkered flag.

Joining him on the podium was Two-Two Motorsports Honda's Chad Reed and Rockstar Makita Suzuki's Ryan Dungey, respectively.

Ryan Villopoto (Monster Energy Kawasaki KX450F) says: "We have all done our work this year, and it is paying off. It is a lot easier going into Vegas with a nine-point lead. Hopefully, I will be standing on top of the box next weekend."

Two-time Supercross Champion James Stewart would get the Nuclear Cowboyz holesot, followed by Reed. Villopoto started in fourth, but would be in third by the second lap.

On lap eight, Villopoto grabbed second from Reed, and began chasing down Stewart. But the San Manuel Yamaha rider crashed not once, but twice, giving the lead to Villopoto. Stewart would finish 10th.

Villopoto now has a nine-point lead over Reed as the series heads to Sam Boyd Stadium in Las Vegas next weekend for the 2011 Supercross Final.

Supercross Class Results: Salt Lake City
1. Ryan Villopoto, Poulsbo, Wash., Kawasaki
2. Chad Reed, Tampa, Fla., Honda
3. Ryan Dungey, Belle Plaine, Minn., Suzuki
4. Andrew Short, Smithville, Texas, KTM
5. Davi Millsaps, Carlsbad, Calif., Yamaha
6. Kevin Windham, Centreville, Miss., Honda
7. Jake Weimer, Rupert, Idaho, Kawasaki
8. Tommy Hahn, Decatur, Texas, Yamaha
9. Justin Brayton, Cornelius, N.C, Yamaha
10. James Stewart, Haines City, Fla., Yamaha

Supercross Class Season Standings
1. Ryan Villopoto, Poulsbo, Wash., Kawasaki - 318
2. Chad Reed, Tampa, Fla., Honda - 309
3. Ryan Dungey, Belle Plaine, Minn., Suzuki - 306
4. James Stewart, Haines City, Fla., Yamaha - 295
5. Trey Canard, Shawnee, Okla., Honda - 255
6. Andrew Short, Smithville, Texas, KTM - 214
7. Kevin Windham, Centreville, Miss., Honda - 202
8. Davi Millsaps, Carlsbad, Calif., Yamaha - 172
9. Justin Brayton, Cornelius, N.C, Yamaha - 153
10. Nick Wey, Dewitt, Mich., Yamaha - 139