Track preview.
Vegas! That’s where I was on October 19, 2013, for the Monster Energy Cup, as it was just a few hours drive from Orange County, CA. It was a gorgeous day for racing.
My boyfriend, Josh, and I had the opportunity to meet the KTM Factory Riders and cruise around the pro pits before the race. According to SupercrossOnline.com, 33,845 fans packed into Sam Boyd Stadium for the event.
The racing was intense to say the least. Ten laps in each main event, practically an all-out sprint. The Joker Lane did not appear to be the riders’ friend this year, as many riders failed to take the lane at least once and costs them several positions.
Main Event #1
Monster Energy Kawasaki’s Ryan Villopoto grabbed the holeshot in main event #1. Red Bull KTM rider Ryan Dungey grabbed second, while Monster Energy Kawasaki’s Jake Weimer took third out of the gates. Monster Energy Kawasaki’s Dean Wilson and Red Bull KTM’s Marvin Musquin rounded out the top five out off of the start. It wasn’t long before Musquin got past Wilson and Weimer to take the third place spot.
Meeting Marvin Musquin.
Josh and I meeting Ryan Dungey.
Villopoto took the Joker Lane on lap 9, while Dungey advanced to the lead. On the final lap, Dungey completely blew past the Joker Lane and was docked five spots following the conclusion of the race. It was apparent that Dungey didn’t even realize his mistake when he crossed the finish line cheering…that is until Villopoto pulled up next to him and appeared to inform Dungey of his mistake. The crowd then saw Dungey put his head down on his handlebars in anguish. It was Villopoto who earned the win with Musquin taking second and Weimer taking third.
A packed stadium the night of the event.
Main Event #2
Yoshimura Suzuki’s James Stewart snatched the holeshot. Villopoto was on Stewart’s tail and Dungey captured the third place spot in turn one, only to be passed by Justin Barcia.
Dungey’s teammate, Ken Roczen moved past him on lap 2, while Stewart and Villopoto were dicing it out for the first place spot. Stewart was able to hold onto the first place spot once he got it and crossed the finish line for his first-ever Monster Cup main event win. Villopoto wrecked on the final lap and didn’t finish the race. Second place went to Barcia and third place to Dungey.
Behind me stands the Monster Energy Cup trophy.
Main Event #3
Roczen raced out of the gates to capture the holeshot, while Stewart quickly passed Dungey for the second place spot. Four laps into the race, Roczen was passed by Stewart, who took the win for main event #3. Dungey took second and GIECO Honda’s Eli Tomac was able to manage third.
Monster Energy Cup Winner
Yoshimura Suzuki’s James Stewart won two of the three main events, which gave him his first Monster Energy Cup Championship and earned him the $100,000 prize.