AURORA, Ill. (March 25, 2008) - After hosting the opening round of the Monster Energy Supercross, an FIM World Championship, for the past three years, the Toronto race is making a mid-season tour stop this Saturday, March 29 at Rogers Centre, serving as the 12th race of the season and the only international stop. Heading into Toronto this weekend, five different riders have won AMA Supercross class main events.
Monster Energy returns to CBS Sports this Sunday wit the AMA Supercross airing at Noon EST, and the AMA Supercross Lites class will air on SPEED Saturday April 5 at 6:00 p.m. EST.
Yamaha's Josh Hill, of Yoncalla, Ore., won the first Monster Energy Supercross race of his career in front of 40,982 fans at the last race inside Minneapolis' Metrodome.
"Getting second place is great, but winning is amazing," said Hill. "I do not know how to put it into words how excited I am. On lap 17, I knew I had the win. I had a good feeling all day, but I did not want to jinx myself by saying I was going to win."
In the Eastern Regional AMA Supercross Lites class main event at Minneapolis, Torco Fuels Honda's Josh Grant, of Riverside, Calif., won the $1,000 Progressive Holeshot Award, leading Villopoto through turn one. Grant held the lead until lap six when they traded spots for the number-one position. Grant held the lead until the last lap of the race, and in the track's final turn, he came together with Villopoto and crashed. Grant finished second overall, marking his first podium of the season.
"It was intense out there tonight," said Grant. "I led every lap, and in the final turn of the race, he was able to get by me. I am just happy to be on the podium."
"I felt great tonight," said Villopoto. "I passed him early in the race then he passed me back. I tried several different lines and was unable to get around him. On the last turn of the last lap, I moved into the lead."
Last season's race at Rogers Centre was one of the most intense of the season and a perfect way to kick off season. Honda's Nick Wey grabbed the Holeshot Award with Suzuki's Ricky Carmichael and Yamaha's Chad Reed in tow. Kawasaki's James Stewart was off the pace when the gate dropped, starting in 10th place.
Throughout the first lap Reed and Carmichael traded positions, but at the start of lap two, Carmichael hit a tuff block and crashed. Stewart, rebounding from the poor start, impressively moved into second place and put the charge on Reed.
Reed and Stewart swapped positions several times before they came together before the finish line jump on lap 17. Stewart went off the track and upon re-entering, he collided Honda's Travis Preston, causing both of them to crash. Reed went on to pick up the win. Carmichael battled back to finish second and Stewart finished third.
"I came here with an open mind, and here I am on the top of the podium," said Reed referencing last season's race in Toronto. "The first time James passed me, he almost knocked me over and that fired me up. It is a shame that he crashed, but that happens. Every time I made a pass, the crowd was so loud.
"I know I am the guy who is in the best shape out there. It would have been nice to have all three of us battling up there tonight. There are a lot of people that helped me put this team together, and I am very appreciative. I am excited to get a win for the team."
In AMA Supercross Lites racing, KTM's Martin Davalos led all 15 laps en route to the win last year.
Tickets are available at Rogers Centre - Gate 7, all Ticketmaster locations, www.SupercrossOnline.com or by phone at 416-870-8000. Adult tickets are $40; $30; $20 and all kids tickets are $15. Gates open at 12:30 p.m. and racing begins at 7:00 p.m.
Past Winners in Toronto
December 4, 2004 - Ricky Carmichael
December 3, 2005 - James Stewart
December 2, 2006 - Chad Reed
AMA Supercross Class Results, Minneapolis
1. Josh Hill, Yoncalla, Ore., Yamaha
2. Ryan Dungey, of Belle, Plaine, Minn., Suzuki
3. Kevin Windham, Centreville, Miss., Honda
4. Andrew Short, Smithville, Texas, Honda
5. Thomas Hahn, Alvord, Texas, Kawasaki
6. Davi Millsaps, Cairo, Ga., Honda
7. Chad Reed, Tampa, Fla., Yamaha
8. David Vuillemin, Murrieta, Calif., Suzuki
9. Travis Preston, Hesperia, Calif., Kawasaki
10. Nathan Ramsey, Menifee, Calif., Yamaha