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Ryan Villopoto wins third Daytona Supercross By Honda
March 11, 2013
The following is an industry press release...
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. — Ryan Villopoto, riding the No. 1 Monster Energy Kawasaki, captured his third career Daytona Supercross By Honda victory on Saturday night at Daytona International Speedway.
Villopoto passed KTM rider Ken Roczen on Lap 4 and drove to a convincing 5.287-second win in the 20-lap 450 Supercross Main Event.
“Daytona is a unique place to race,” Villopoto said. “To win it is pretty awesome. It’s not like any other racing. If you can get a win here, it shows you are definitely one of the best. Sometimes it doesn’t go as planned but I’ll take it. It feels really good.”
Villopoto’s fifth AMA Supercross win of the year puts him atop the championship standings with a two-point lead over Suzuki’s Davi Millsaps, who finished 10th.
“It’s not much but it’s at least leading,” Villopoto said. “There’s still a lot of racing left and we have to keep focused and keep pushing forward.”
Villopoto joins Bob Hannah, Mike Kiedrowski, Jeremy McGrath and Chad Reed as three-time Daytona Supercross By Honda champions. Ricky Carmichael owns a record five Daytona Supercross By Honda triumphs followed by Jeff Stanton with four wins.
Rounding out the 450 class podium was KTM’s Ryan Dungey and Honda’s Justin Barcia.
“I tried to close that gap as much as I could each lap but he was riding a good race,” Dungey said of Villopoto.
“In the 250 class it was always pretty hard but this was definitely tough,” said Barcia about his first 450 class race at Daytona. “It felt like an outdoor race. I rode the best I could and had a lot of fun.”
Frenchman Marvin Musquin aboard the No. 25 Red Bull KTM captured the 250 main event in dominating fashion. Musquin took the hole shot and led all 15 laps for a margin of victory of 8.072 seconds.
“I just stayed really calm and tried to have fun,” said Musquin, who captured his first 250 class win on his 15h career start. “I was pulling away from them every lap and I was having so much fun playing with the track. I don’t want to say it was easy but I had so much fun.”
Rounding out the podium was Will Hahn on the No. 19 GEICO Honda and Jeremy Martin riding the No. 77 Yamaha.
For the sixth straight year, Carmichael returned as the course designer and Bomber Built, owned by three-time AMA 125cc National Motocross Champion Mark Barnett, built the Supercross course.
Carmichael retired from Supercross in 2007 as the most decorated rider in history with 15 AMA championships and 150 wins.
The Ricky Carmichael Signature Design Course was designed nearly identical to last year’s layout and the placement of the starting gate remained on pit road providing fans with a great view of the first turn.
About the American Motorcyclist Association
Since 1924, the AMA has protected the future of motorcycling and promoted the motorcycle lifestyle. AMA members come from all walks of life, and they navigate many different routes on their journey to the same destination: freedom on two wheels. As the world's largest motorcycling rights organization, the AMA advocates for motorcyclists' interests in the halls of local, state and federal government, the committees of international governing organizations, and the court of public opinion. Through member clubs, promoters and partners, the AMA sanctions more motorsports competition and motorcycle recreational events than any other organization in the world. AMA members receive money-saving discounts from dozens of well-known suppliers of motorcycle services, gear and apparel, bike rental, transport, hotel stays and more. Through its support of the Motorcycle Hall of Fame Museum, the AMA preserves the heritage of motorcycling for future generations. For more information, please visit
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