Monster Energy Stewart & Villopoto Sweep Top Podium Spots At Southwick MX National
James Stewart (Monster Energy/Kawasaki) stays perfect through the penultimate round with a 1-1 finish, Ryan Villopoto (Monster/PC/Kawi) goes 1-1 as well

CORONA, Calif., (August 26, 2008) – Monster Energy/Kawasaki’s James Stewart (MX class) and Monster Energy/Pro Circuit/Kawasaki’s Ryan Villopoto (MX Lites class) were again atop their respective AMA Toyota Motocross Championship podiums, this past weekend sweeping 1st place at the season’s penultimate round – the Motocross 338 MX National in Southwick, Mass.

Also noteworthy in that Stewart and Villopoto have both already wrapped up titles was the fact Monster Energy/Pro Circuit/Kawasaki’s Brett Metcalfe wrapped up the third and final Lites class podium spot with a 3rd place finish at Southwick!

Stewart, who’s now two motos away from completing the third-ever perfect season (24 moto wins, 12-0 in overalls) was as dominant as he has been all season in winning both MX class motos by leading all 34 laps in the rugged, all sand race at what locals refer to as the ‘Wick.

“It definitely wasn’t smooth,” said Stewart. “I’ve won a moto here before, but that was it. I’ve gotten this far (with the perfect
season) so I want to win next weekend. But it hasn’t really hit me yet.” Note: Monster Energy’s Ricky Carmichael completed the first two perfect seasons, doing so in 2002 & 2004.

Stewart’s top lap time in the first moto was some 3.5 seconds faster than the next-best lap time (2:00.158 to 2:03.570) as he won by nearly a minute over Andrew Short. In the second moto he was equally as strong, putting up a time that was three seconds faster than the next- closest competitor and winning by 23 seconds.

Also on it at the ‘Wick for Monster Energy was Stewart’s Monster Energy/Pro Circuit/Kawasaki teammate Tim Ferry. Ferry, no stranger to sand riding - like Stewart and Carmichael – given his/their Florida roots, made the podium in 3rd place with a solid 4-4 finish on the day. Close by was Monster Energy-backed Sean Hamblin, who put up one of his best two moto performances of the summer – 6-6 – to take 5th place overall. And giving Monster Energy its fourth racer ranked in the top ten of the MX was Yamaha’s Josh Hill. Hill sketched in the first moto (DNF), but came blazing back in the second moto to make the podium and salvage a 9th place o/a (37-3).

In the Lites class Villopoto’s only difficulty (if you even want to call it that) was his start in the first moto. But a couple twists of the throttle and RV was right up there in the top three, then took over the lead from rookie Blake Wharton by lap four of the first moto and cruised to a ten-plus second win over Ryan Dungey. Villopoto’s best lap time was more than a second faster than the next fastest racer, clocking a 2:02.502 to top a 2:03.750. Teammate Metcalfe would come in 2nd place in the first moto.

The second moto was much of the same – and even better for Villopoto – as the Lites class champ grabbed the lead on the first lap and would lead all 17 laps through the checkers, putting up a top lap time almost two seconds faster than then next fastest guy. Metcalfe would put up his second podium finish of the day to secure 3rd place overall and 3rd place in the series championship.

“I always like to see both me and Brett making the overall Lites podium,” said Villopoto. “We did that a number of times this summer, more than any other team. Definitely cool to see that happen.”

Added Metcalfe: “I had some ups and downs this summer, so to wrap up 3rd place overall before the last race – and put two Monster Energy/ Pro Circuit/Kawasaki bikes on the overall podium – made for a great weekend.”

This weekend Stewart, Ferry, Hamblin, Hill, Villopoto, Metcalfe and Tucker Hibbert will hit the final MX race of the Outdoor National season when Steel City (Delmont, Pa.) hosts the 2008 AMA Toyota Motocross Championships AND the final round of the Monster Energy Triple Crown of Motocross. Both Stewart and Villopoto have a chance to win the overall Triple Crown bonus money in their respective classes.

Monster Energy supports the sport. Be it MX, SX road racing, supermoto, off-road, FMX, skate, MTB, wake, off-road, surf, snow, BMX – name it – the athletes are rockin’ Monster Energy more than anything these days. Check out all the types – Original Monster Energy, Monster Lo-Carb, Monster Assault, Monster Khaos, the new Monster/fruit juice hybrid called “M-80” and the ground-breaking Java Monster premium coffee & cream supercharged with our Monster Energy blend. Stewart, Ferry, Hill, Hamblin, Villopoto, Metcalfe, Lawrence & Hibbert dig ‘em – so will you. On the ‘Net at www.monsterenergy.com.