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Ryan Villopoto made history winning the inaugural Monster Energy Cup and becoming the first off-road mortorcycle racer to take home a $1 million prize.

When Ryan Villopoto crossed the finish line in the inaugural Monster Energy Cup he made history in more ways than one. The Monster Energy Kawasaki rider swept all three main events and became the first in off-road motorcycle racing history to take home a $1 million prize.

“It’s pretty unreal,” Villopoto said after the historic win.

Villopoto started both the first and second main events by taking the holeshot and remained in the lead until crossing the finish line. Suzuki’s Mike Alessi claimed the holeshot in the third and final main event, but Villopoto and Ryan Dungey were hot on his trail. It didn’t take long for Villopoto to take the lead. He passed Alessi in the opening lap. Alessi and Dungey traded positions on lap 2 before both Dungey and Brett Metcalfe passed Alessi. But neither was able to catch up to Villopoto.

Not one to rest on his laurels (especially after an amazing 2010 comeback from a 2009 knee injury) Villopoto is already eyeing a repeat sweep at next year’s Monster Energy Cup.

“To back it up next year would be hard, so if we do, it would be great,” he says. “I can’t thank my team enough for this amazing victory.”

E3 Spark Plugs congratulates Villopoto and all the other placers in the Monster Energy Cup. Looking forward to watching Villopoto aggressively defend his title in 2012. And remember to put some monster racing power into your motorcycle with a set of E3 spark plugs – “Born to Burn.”

Monster Energy Cup Class Results

1. Ryan Villopoto, Poulsbo, Wash., Kawasaki (1,1,1)
2. Ryan Dungey, Belle Plaine, Minn., KTM (3,2,2)
3. Brett Metcalfe, Lake Elsinore, Calif., Suzuki (4,3,3)
4. Martin Davalos, Cairo, Ga., Suzuki (7,7,5)
5. Eli Tomac, Cortez, Colo., Honda (5,4,10)
6. Kyle Chisholm, Valrico, Fla., Yamaha (9,9,7)
7. Nick Wey, Murrieta, Calif., Kawasaki (14,11,4)
8. Jimmy Albertson, Ozark, Mo., Yamaha (11,10,8)
9. Jake Weimer, Rupert, Idaho, Kawasaki (12,6,11)
10. Mike Alessi, Victorville, Calif., Suzuki (6,21,6)

Rockstar Makita Suzuki rider Ryan Dungey won the battle at Pala MX Raceway but Monster Energy Kawasaki's Ryan Villopoto won the war and claimed his first Lucas Oil AMA Pro MX outdoor championship in the 450cc class. Photo courtesy of http://www.suzukicycles.com/Racing/Motocross/Gallery.aspx.

In the 450cc class of the Lucas Oil AMA MX Pro Championship, the national title would not be decided until the final lap of the final moto of the 2011 season at Pala Raceway. Southern California race fans turned out in record numbers to watch the showdown between Suzuki’s Ryan Dungey, last year’s national champion, and Kawasaki’s Ryan Villopoto, this year’s AMA indoor Supercross champion. To keep the pair of title contenders honest, Honda had rookie rider, Justin Barcia, and a seasoned former-national champion, Chad Reed of Two-Two Motorsports, ready to compete for the event win. After losing points to Villopoto when his Rockstar Makita Suzuki did not show up on time for the start of the second race at Steel City MX, Dungey was confident that with a little luck he could still make up a fourteen-point deficit.

At the beginning of Moto One, both Dungey and Villopoto looked beatable. The duo were buried in mid-pack as KTM’s Mike Alessi pulled the holeshot and started to gap the field. Canadian national champion Colton Facciotti was running second with the big red machine of Justin Barcia in third. Realizing his opportunity for another moto win, Barcia quickly moved his Honda to the lead. However, the two Ryans were just getting started and collectively worked their way to the front of the pack. Villopoto was first to get by Barcia for the lead followed by Dungey. At one point, the two Ryans were literally swapping the lead between corners. Villopoto would eventually garner a three-second gap over his rival. Barcia held on for a well deserved third followed by Alessi in fourth place.

Even though he increased his points lead at the end of the first moto, Villopoto knew all too well how quickly you can end up on the ground, out of the race, and out of the championship. So, as the gate dropped on the most important race of the season, the two Ryans again prepared themselves for one last battle in 2011. The Honda of Chad Reed would lead Justin Barcia and the rest of the 450cc riders across the line at the end of lap one. It didn’t appear that either contender would be able to catch Reed or Barcia early on. But, as the race neared the half way mark, Barcia pressured Reed into a mistake and took over first place. As the championship contenders caught Reed, Dungey would slip by leaving Villopoto to battle with the former champion.

Dungey would catch and pass Barcia for the win but it was too little, too late. Villopoto’s third place was good enough to win the “450cc War” allowing the Kawasaki rider to claim both the indoor and outdoor motocross titles, just as Dungey had done in 2010. Ironically, or maybe rightfully so, Dungey and Villopoto have been chasing each other their entire lives and were fierce competitors throughout their amateur motocross and 250cc Pro careers. So, what’s upcoming for the two Ryans? Both riders will be teammates representing the United States in the Motocross Des Nations next weekend in Saint Jean D’Angely, France. A big shout-out from all of the E3 spark plug racing fans to all of the Mx teams and a special thanks to Lucas Oil for sponsoring another terrific AMA outdoor motocross season.

Chad Reed's Millville crash, which sent him flying more than 30 feet high, is one Motocross and E3 Spark Plugs racing fans will be talking about for a long time. Photo by Steve Cox.

E3 Motorcycle Spark Plug fans have lined the fences as TwoTwo Motorsport’s Chad Reed has been flying high all season. The Honda rider was literally without a ride for 2011 Lucas Oil AMA Pro MX National Championship when he decided to start his own race team. Since that time, Reed has proven that he is the rider to beat in the 450cc class. At the Spring Creek MX national, Reed grabbed an early lead in Moto One ahead of Rockstar Makita Suzuki’s Ryan Dungey, Honda’s Trey Canard and KTM rider Mike Alessi. Canard would have an impressive fifth place finish in his first outdoor national of year having missed half the season with a broken femur. Kawasaki’s Ryan Villopoto worked his way around Alessi late in the race to claim third behind Reed and Dungey, respectively.

In Moto Two, Villopoto would lead the way through turn one but Reed wasted no time and quickly regained the lead. Just as it looked as though Reed would pull away, his Honda cross-rutted on the face of a high speed jump (watch the video below) launching the rider over 30 feet in the air. Very few of the Millville fans expected to see what happened next. A determined Reed staggered to his bike, remounted and set his aim on a top-20 finish. Reed’s incredible effort would pay off as the Honda rider worked his way to fourteenth salvaging precious championship points. At the front of the pack, Villopoto had his hands full with a hard-charging Ryan Dungey. Dungey would put an aggressive pass on Villopoto late in Moto Two for the win giving the defending national champion the overall win in front an excited hometown crowd. Villopoto finished second overall for the day with a very happy Trey Canard claiming the final step on the podium.

As the 450cc race teams and riders travel to Washougal, WA for Round 8, Reed maintains a six-point lead over Villopoto and a seven-point lead over Dungey with five races remaining in the 2011 AMA Pro MX season. Before you head west, don’t forget to pick up a box of E3 Spark Plugs for your favorite ride. E3 replacement plugs are Born to Burn.

Australian-born Chad Reed has been a dominate force for the past eight seasons in AMA outdoor MX. He recently became the first motocross rider ever awarded the status of knighthood. Congrats to Sir Chad. Photo courtesy of TwoTwo Motorsports.

Seldom do you think about triple-digit temperatures when you’re headed to southern Michigan for a race but it was that hot at last week’s Lucas Oil 450cc AMA Outdoor Pro National in Buchanan, MI. But, as hot as the temperature was, the action on the track was even hotter. Ryan Villopoto came to Red Bud in hopes of making up ground in the 2011 points race but the Kawasaki rider almost saw all hopes of a national championship slip away earlier in Moto One. After a decent start, a hard over-the-bars crash dropped Villopoto to last place while his main competitors pulled away at the front of the pack.

What happened next was what legendary rides are all about. Gasping to get his breathe back, Villopoto remounted and pointed at his Monster Energy Kawasaki in the direction of race leaders Davi Millsaps, Chad Reed and Ryan Dungey. By mid-moto, Reed and Dungey were working their way around the Yamaha of Millsaps while Villopoto had made his way to mid-pack and was closing in on the ill-running bike of his teammate Jake Weimer. Up front, Dungey was pressuring Reed through the sandy whoops and deep-rutted Red Bud turns. Villopoto’s championship hopes were renewed with a ninth overall in Moto 1 – a performance that earned him the Ricky Carmichael “Hard Charger Award”.

The start of Moto 2 saw the Monster Energy Kawasaki of Villopoto lead Dungey, Reed and KTM rider Mike Alessi through the first turn. This time there was no stopping the Washington-state rider as he established a quick a lead and never looked back. Dungey maintained his pursuit but was losing precious seconds each lap. The surprise move came when Alessi forced his way past Reed for third proving he is still a contender in 450cc class. Villopoto’s impressive ride was good enough for third overall while Dungey claimed second. A late race pass on Alessi would give Sir Chad his fourth overall victory of the season.

With Round 6 of the 2011 AMA Championship in the books, teams take a week off to prepare for Spring Creek National in Millville, MN. However, there is no rest for E3 motorcycle spark plugs racing fans as every weekend means there’s another opportunity to ride. If you’re looking to improve the performance of your street bike or off-road motorcycle, find out for yourself why E3 Spark Plugs are Born to Burn. You can purchase our high-performance plugs in parts and discount stores across the country; or visit an authorized online dealer to buy replacement plugs for your favorite bike.

Honda Racing's Josh Grant had a successful return to the AMA Pro MX Championship this weekend with a tenth overall at Budds Creek, MD. Photo courtesy of www.joshgrant.com.

E3 motorcycle spark plug fans rolled out in record numbers for Round 4 of the 2011 National Championship held this weekend at Budds Creek MX track just south of Washington D.C. in Mechanicsville, MD. It is never a surprise to see the #800 plate of Mike Alessi’s factory KTM leading the 450cc class at any Lucas Oil AMA Pro MX race. This weekend’s event was no different as Alessi led the opening laps of Moto 1 followed closely by the red Honda of series points-leader Chad Reed.

On lap three of the 30 minute-plus event, Kawasaki’s Ryan Villopoto would slip past both Reed and Alessi to take over the top spot. Defending national champion Ryan Dungey picked up his mid-moto pace and quickly moved past Reed into second place. Villopoto would make an uncharacteristic mistake late in the race but rebounded in time to hold off a hard-charging Dungey who led Reed, Kevin Windham and Alessi to the finish line. American Honda Racing’s Josh Grant returned from early season supercross injuries to claim to a well-deserved eighth in Moto 1.

Surprise . . . surprise! Mike Alessi grabs the holeshot in Moto 2 but this time holds off Chad Reed until lap five when the Honda ace and Rockstar Makita’s Ryan Dungey both got by the big bore KTM. Villopoto would also pass Alessi on lap ten and held on for a 1-3 finish matching the championship points earned by overall race winner Chad Reed with his 3-1 finish. Dungey’s pair of 2-2 finishes were good enough for third overall and garnered the Suzuki rider one point less than Reed and Villopoto. Windham finished his duties as a Honda replacement rider with solid 4-4 finishes and fourth overall.

The action is certain to heat up next weekend as the Lucas Oil AMA MX teams head west to Colorado for Round 5 of 2011 outdoor championship at Thunder Valley MX in Lakewood. Reed holds a slim 15-point lead over Villopoto with Dungey just 28 points to the rears. If you’re looking to make up ground on the road or in the dirt, visit our website and watch the Dyno Tech Shootout for E3 Spark Plugs. Find out for yourself why E3 motorcycle spark plugs are “Born to Burn”.

Red Bull KTM rider Mike Alessi grabbed the 450cc holeshot at Round 3 of the Lucas Oil AMA MX National Championship at High Point Raceway. Photo courtesy of www.alessiracing.com.

Over the weekend, E3 Motorcycle Spark Plug racing fans turned out in record numbers to line the Pennsylvania hillside for the first East Coast round of the 2011 Lucas Oil AMA Pro MX Championship. Over the past thirty five years of outdoor motocross, High Point Raceway has become the measuring stick that determines which riders and teams are ready to make a run at the national championship title. This year, Kawasaki rider Ryan Villopoto would use Moto One to make a solid statement about his intentions to compete for the 450cc title.

Defending national champion Ryan Dungey grabbed an early lead but Villopoto wasted little time in passing the Rockstar Makita Suzuki rider and pulling away to a huge lead. Current points leader Chad Reed had a bad start but would quickly begin picking off riders on his way to a fifth place finish in the opening moto. After recovering from early season injuries, Red Bull KTM’s Mike Alessi had an impressive ride at Mount Morris with a third in Moto One but was docked one position for jumping the gate at the start. Dungey would finish in second place with Yamaha’s Davi Millsaps in third.

Steep off-chamber turns, deep ruts and mud (lots of mud) would put a damper on Villopoto’s dominant performance in the day’s first race. To no one’s surprise, Mike Alessi’s big bore KTM pulled the holeshot in Moto Two but gave up the lead to a hard-charging Chad Reed. Villopoto and Dungey started working their way through the pack to a second and third place finish. Alessi would hold on for 4-4 finishes and fourth overall for the day. Dungey and Reed would round out the National podium with Villopoto claiming his first overall win of the season.

There is no rest for the weary as the Lucas Oil Pro MX Championship continues next weekend with Round 4 in Mechanicsville, MD, at the famed Budds Creek MX Park. With less than 35 points separating the top four riders in the 450cc class, E3 Spark Plug motorcycle race fans are expected to line the fences once again. If you’re looking for a spark plug that was “Born to Burn”, pick up an E3 replacement plug for your motorcycle at an authorized online dealer, or your favorite auto parts or discount store.

E3 Motorcycle Spark Plugs fans salute Rockstar Makita Suzuki rider Ryan Dungey on setting yet another AMA Lucas Oil MX Pro National record. The cream of the 450cc crop throughout 2010 became the first rookie motocross racer in history to win 10 of the 12 championship rounds. Week after week, Dungey defeated the world’s best riders in the world’s most prestigious motocross championship. He certainly left little doubt that he is currently the “Best of the Best” by winning the final national at Pala MX Raceway Park outside San Diego, CA, this past weekend.

Rockstar Makita Suzuki's Ryan Dungey claimed another AMA Lucas Oil MX Pro record becoming the first rookie in series history to win 10 rounds in the same National Championship season. Photo courtesy of www.ryandungey.com

Red Bull Honda rider Andrew Short is always a sure bet for the holeshot at the start of any AMA national. Once again, it was Short out front early with Yamaha/MotoConcepts rider Ryan Sipes in second ahead of Dungey and Honda’s Brett Metcalfe. Once again, Dungey would twist the throttle and take the lead. Metcalfe would protect his second place in the 450cc point’s championship by passing Short later in Moto One dropping the Red Bull Honda rider to third. Sipes would hold on to fourth after battling with an aggressive young Texan, Kyle Regal.

The start of Moto Two was “almost a surprise” in that Short was outraced through the first corner by a determined Brett Metcalfe. The Aussie has often had the speed this season at the start and the finish but hasn’t always stayed upright during the middle of the moto. Short would stay in the chase but both he and Metcalfe would watch Dungey pull away, yet again. Several factory teams have brought in former World Champions (even Yamaha’s Bubba Stewart) to challenge Dungey’s dominance but the Rockstar Makita rider has shown them all the backside of his Suzuki.

Dungey would cruise home for the win leaving the pair of Honda riders to battle amongst themselves for second on the day and second place in the AMA Lucas Oil 450cc national points standing. Although Short would pass Metcalfe, the Geico Powersports rider would finish third ahead of fellow Aussie, Ben Townley. Yamaha riders Kyle Chisholm and Ryan Sipes would finish fifth and sixth respectively. Metcalfe’s third overall at Pala allowed the Honda rider to maintain a 3-point lead for second place in the 450cc MX national championship.

Dungey’s historic win put the crowning touches on what was the most surprising 450cc outdoor MX national season in years. Suzuki’s Dungey will join fellow American racers Trey Canard (Geico Powersports Honda) and Andrew Short (Red Bull Honda) as the United States team tries to sweep the Trophy Des Nations at Lakewood MX in Denver, CO, in two weeks. If you are looking for a winning combination for your car, truck or motorcycle engine, insist upon E3 car spark plugs as an eco-friendly option for your favorite ride. Our patented DiamondFire Technology will deliver the Energy, Efficiency and Ecology that you need.

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E3 Motorcycle Spark Plugs fans love an upset win especially when the winner is one of the legends of the sport. Red Bull Honda rider Kevin Windham had the 450cc MX field covered at the Steel City Raceway for Round 11 of the Lucas Oil AMA Pro MX National Championship. The veteran motocross racer, who had not won an AMA outdoor national since 2007, has always been a fan favorite. After having retired from outdoor competition, Windham got “the call” from the factory Honda team to replace injured Red Bull rider Davi Milsaps. Some thought Red Bull’s move was just an easy way to add a popular rider under the tent to sign autographs for loyal motocross fans. Undoubtedly, Windham had different aspirations.

Veteran Honda rider Kevin Windham (and daughter) hold a post-race press conference. Windham showed the same speed at Delmont that won him the AMA National at Steel City Raceway back 2001 Photo courtesy of Geico Powersports http://powersports.honda.com/

The biggest news came earlier in the week when Rockstar Makita Suzuki team manager Roger DeCoster announced that he would be leaving after 15 years at the helm of the factory’s MX racing program. The shocking press release appeared just days after Ryan Dungey became the first rookie motocross racer in history to capture the AMA Supercross and Motocross national championships in an inaugural season. DeCoster hasn’t confirmed his plans for the 2011 AMA Lucas Oil season but rumors have it that the former multi-time World Motocross Champion may be headed to KTM. In keeping with “Silly Season” news, it was also rumored that Dungey may want out of his 2011 contract with Suzuki to take a long-term deal with another team.

To nobody’s surprise, Honda/Red Bull rider Andrew Short pulled the holeshot in Moto One with Geico Powersports’s Brett Metcalfe close behind. However, the other Red Bull rider, Kevin Windham, was already working his way to the front. Windham left no doubt in the fans’ mind as to why he was Honda’s first choice as the replacement for the factory ride. After Dungey crashed on the opening lap, Windham would pass Short and Metcalfe on his way to one of the most popular wins of his stellar career. Metcalfe would hold on for second place and his hard-charging teammate and fellow Aussie, Ben Townley, would finish in third place ahead of Short. Yamaha’s Justin Brayton continued to show improvement finishing fifth in the opening moto at Steel City Raceway.

In Moto Two, all eyes would be on the newly-crowned national champion Dungey (who had finished 40th in Moto One after breaking a brake rotor and retiring early). Andrew Short would again put his Red Bull factory Honda out front at the start. However, this day belonged to Windham who passed his teammate Short to take the lead in Moto Two. Around mid-race, Dungey would pass Windham for the moto win. But, Windham’s second place was good enough to claim the overall win ahead of Metcalfe, Brayton and Short. Eighteen-year old Nick Paluzzi, was given an opportunity to race the last two AMA outdoor nationals with the Muscle Milk/Toyota Team (after Josh Grant elected to have season-ending shoulder surgery) and finished a respectable seventh overall in his debut aboard the Joe Gibbs Racing Yamaha.

The 450cc MX teams travel to the west coast for next weekend’s final round of the 2010 outdoor season at Pala Raceway. Located just east of San Deigo, CA, the Pala motocross facility features one of the first tracks in the nation that was built to the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) standards. As E3 Spark Plugs Racing fans know, the EPA lists E3 car spark plugs as an eco-friendly option. If you are looking for a greener alternative for your car, truck or motorcycle engine, insist upon E3 replacement spark plugs for your favorite ride. Our patented DiamondFire Technology will deliver the Energy, Efficiency and Ecology that you need.

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After only nine and a half rounds of the Lucas Oil AMA Pro MX National Championship, Rockstar Energy/Makita Suzuki rookie rider Ryan Dungey clinched the 2010 crown. The 20-year old Minnesota native won the opening moto to claim his first 450cc championship at the Moto-X 338 track outside Southwick, Massachusetts, over the weekend. Dungey became the only motocross racer in history to win both the AMA Supercross title and the AMA outdoor national championship during his inaugural season. E3 Motorcycle Spark Plugs salutes Ryan Dungey for his stellar performance throughout the Lucas Oil championship.

Rockstar/Makita Factory Suzuki team manager Roger DeCoster was very fast in the sand, so is his protégé the newly crowned 2010 AMA Lucas Oil MX Pro National Champion Ryan Dungey. (photo courtesy of Photobucket)

Geico Powersports Honda rider Brett Metcalfe took the lead in Moto One with fellow Aussie Ben Townley in second aboard his Troy Lee Designs/Lucas Oil Honda. Both riders adapted well to the sandy hills of Southwick and showed they had the speed to win at Moto-X 338. But, a couple of laps into the first moto, Townley would clip the rear wheel of Metcalfe and go down. Townley recovered and was racing with Red Bull’s Andrew Short when the two Honda riders hooked handlebars sending both racers over the berm. Metcalfe was out front with a hard charging Dungey in second place.

As most E3 Spark Plugs Racing fans know, there are two things that are for certain when you race a track like Southwick Moto-X 338. First, it is going to get rough, very rough. Secondly, it is going to take more fuel to race 30 minutes on a hilly, sandy racetrack. Unfortunately, for Metcalfe, the pit crew for his Geico Powersports Honda did not remember part two. With less than a lap to go, Metcalfe’s Honda was out of gas and coasted to a stop. The Australian’s misfortune handed the lead and the 2010 Lucas Oil AMA Pro MX 450cc National Championship to Suzuki’s Ryan Dungey.

In Moto Two, the loyal Southwick crowd lined the fences as Townley grabbed an early lead ahead of newly crowned class champion Dungey in second followed by Red Bull Honda veteran Kevin Windham, Jagermeister KTM rider Mike Alessi and 2009 Southwick winner Matt Goerke. With twenty minutes to go, Dungey began to stalk Townley watching for the New Zealand rider to make a mistake. Once Townley did, Dungey railed an outside sand berm and took the lead for good. Goerke would pass Alessi and Windham to take over the third spot with a couple of laps to go. Alessi’s 3-4 finishes would give the KTM ace second overall for the day ahead of Goerke, Kyle Chisholm and Kevin Windham.

The AMA 450cc Pro MX teams head to Steel City Raceway, located just outside of Pittsburgh in Delmont, Pennsylvania, for the penultimate round of the 2010 AMA Lucas Oil MX Pro Championship on Labor Day Weekend. After announcing his retirement from motocross earlier this summer, former factory Kawasaki, Suzuki and Yamaha rider Tim Ferry has been asked to serve as the honorary Grand Marshall for the FMF Steel City National on September 4th. If you are looking for championship performance from your street or dirt bike, insist upon E3 Motorcycle Spark Plugs for your motorcycle. Our patented DiamondFire Technology will deliver the Energy, Efficiency and Ecology that you need.

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The AMA Lucas Oil Pro MX Championship traveled to the leatherneck country of central New York State over the weekend for the 450cc MX pro national championship. Perfect weather. . HOT and perfect track conditions . . ROUGH awaited a world-class field of challengers for Round 9 of the 2010 season at the famed Unadilla motocross track. For the last 40 years, the same classic layout, has played host to the greatest outdoor motocross racers to ever race a dirt bike. This weekend was no exception and many had predicted this would be the best outdoor motocross race of the series.

Belgian Clement Desalle (riding for Rockstar Teka Suzuki) finished 2-2 for second overall at Unadilla in his only appearance at the Lucas Oil AMA MX Pro series. Desalle is currently second in points for the World Championship chase. (Photo Courtesy of Suzuki Racing.)

E3 Car Spark Plugs racing fans know that a rookie 450cc motocross racer is never supposed to win both the AMA MX Pro Championship and the AMA Supercross Championship in their maiden season. In fact, it has never happened in the history of professional motocross. Plus, the decked was stacked against Rockstar Makita’s Ryan Dungey. After all, San Manuel Yamaha rider James “Bubba” Stewart was making his return to outdoor motocross after a two-year hiatus. Plus, Belgium’s Clement Desalle, currently second in the World Grand Prix MX Championship, was scheduled to race in his only 450cc AMA motocross event of the season.

In Friday’s practice, Stewart let everyone know that he hasn’t lost any of his speed by clocking the fastest lap times of the day. But, in Saturday’s opening moto, Bubba’s timing was a tick off. After working his way around Red Bull Honda’s Andrew Short for second place, Stewart went down and had to work his way back through a talented field of the world’s best riders. Desalle had a solid ride and would finish in second. Late in the race, Stewart had passed the Belgian but crashed a second time and had to settle for third. Once again, somebody forgot to tell Ryan Dungey he was not supposed to win. So, he did.

The stage was set for Moto Two and neither Desalle nor Dungey would disappoint the Unadilla fans. At the start, It was yellow bikes out front and Stewart’s Yamaha was buried somewhere in the middle of the 40-rider field. A few laps later, Bubba would pull off the track and call it a day. Meanwhile, Desalle and Dungey put on a show. Desalle was in the lead and had been running the fastest lap times of the day, when Dungey picked up the pace and passed his Suzuki teammate. At the checkered flag, it would be Dungey’s win with Desalle in second. Geico Powersports’s Brett Metcalfe and Red Bull’s Kevin Windham would work past Andrew Short for third and fourth place finishes. Short would cross the line in fifth.

The win was Dungey’s eighth in a row and allowed “the rookie” to extend his point’s lead in the Lucas Oil AMA 450cc MX national championship series to triple digits. The teams will have two weeks off and a little time to regroup before heading to Massachusetts for Round 10 of the Lucas Oil AMA Pro MX Championship at the famed Southwick Moto-X 338 track. Don’t forget to follow your favorite rider on the E3 Spark Plugs Racing blog and, for peak performance from your bike, always ask for E3 Motorcycle Spark Plugs. Our patented DiamondFire technology is designed to deliver Energy, Efficiency and Ecology for all of your engines.
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