Villopoto gains big ground with seventh win in Houston

Monster Energy AMA Supercross visited the state of Texas for the second time in 2010 in front of 44,624 fans from Houston’s Reliant Stadium. After a one week break, the world’s best supercross riders returned to action on Saturday night as Monster Energy Kawasaki’s Ryan Villopoto won his seventh AMA Supercross class race of the year.

Villopoto grabbed a great drive out of the gate in the premier class main event to take the Spike Holeshot Award with Rockstar/Makita Suzuki’s Ryan Dungey and San Manuel Yamaha’s Josh Hill in tow. As Villopoto quickly gapped the field, several heated battles ensued behind him. On lap 10, AMA Supercross class points leader Dungey stalled his bike coming off the main straight, dropping from fourth to eighth. He restarted and worked back through the field to salvage fifth place.

GEICO Powersports Honda’s Kevin Windham captured a season - best second place finish while Valli Motorsports/Rockstar Yamaha’s Ivan Tedescorounded out the podium in third.

Villopoto gained nine points on his championship rival with as the season heads into the final four, and currently sits just 12 points out of the lead. In his return to the series, Monster Energy Kawasaki’s Chad Reed finished fourth.

The 2010 Monster Energy AMA Supercross season continues next weekend from St. Louis, Mo., at the Edward Jones Dome.

Dan Reardon is still recovering from his first round crash, and did not compete in this round.