Kawasaki's Ryan Villopoto reclaimed the points lead after Houston last weekend. Image: Hoppenworld.com.

Through six Monster Energy AMA Supercross, an FIM World Championship, races held so far this year, 31 points separate the top five riders in the Supercross class season point standings as the parity-driven championship heads to San Diego’s Qualcomm Stadium.

Monster Energy Kawasaki’s Ryan Villopoto leads the Supercross class points race and Josh Hansen leads the Western Regional Supercross Lites class points race.

Last weekend in Houston, before 45,859 fans, American Honda’s Trey Canard captured his first career Supercross class victory as Stewart relinquished his points lead following two crashes in the main event.

Canard came out on top after an exciting battle with defending Supercross class champion Ryan Dungey, which saw the two literally drag race to the finish line.

“I don’t know what to say,” said Canard. “It was an awesome race. I just tried to hang in there, because it was a tricky track. I made a mistake and Dungey gained a lot of time on me and from there I was just riding defensive.

“We had a bit of a rough week this week, but this makes it all better.”

Dungey finished second, almost clipping Canard at the line, and rebounded from his DNF one week ago.

“The championship isn’t over till it’s over,” said Dungey. “There’s still a lot of racing left. We came up a little bit shy and I just have to look forward to next weekend.”

Completing the podium was Villopoto, who overcame a bad start of his own, crossing the line in 12th on the first lap.

“That was a tricky first turn,” said Villopoto. “It was super tight but I got through there. There were definitely some close moments in that race. The name of the game when you’re at the top of the standings is consistency.”

Villopoto moved into the points lead, holding a nine-point lead over Stewart.

This weekend the Western Regional Supercross Lites class championship continues with Hansen, who broke bones in his left hand and fingers, protecting his eight-point lead over his teammate Broc Tickle in the championship.

Monster Energy Supercross made its debut in San Diego on October 25, 1980 when Mike Bell won on a Yamaha.

Seven-time supercross champion Jeremy McGrath and Australian Chad Reed share the all-time AMA Supercross win record at Qualcomm Stadium with five while Stewart owns two wins.

Kawasaki’s Todd Campbell won the inaugural Supercross Lites class on January 26, 1995. Stewart and McGrath are tied on the all-time win list with two in the Supercross Lites class.