Kawasaki's Ryan Villopoto is in the box seat for his first AMA Supercross crown after taking victory in Salt Lake.

Monster Energy Kawasaki’s Ryan Villopoto won his sixth Monster Energy AMA Supercross, an FIM World Championship, race on Saturday night at Rice Eccles Stadium in front of 39,329 fans.

Team San Manuel Yamaha’s James Stewart opened the Supercross class main event with the Nuclear Cowboyz Holeshot with TwoTwo Motorsports/Bel-Ray Racing’s Chad Reed in tow.

Villopoto started fourth and moved into third place on lap two, before moving around Reed on lap eight to secure second place.

On the same lap, Stewart crashed and moments after remounting, he crashed again and lost several positions, handing the lead over to Villopoto.

Reed moved into second and Rockstar/Makita/Suzuki’s Ryan Dungey moved into third, where they would finish. Stewart finished 10th after entering the pit for repairs.

Villopoto has a nine-point lead over Reed heading into the finals next weekend at Las Vegas’ Sam Boyd Stadium.

“We have all done our work this year, and it is paying off,” said Villopoto. “It is a lot easier going into Vegas with a nine-point lead. Hopefully, I will be standing on top of the box next weekend.”

Of the other Aussies, Queenslander Michael Byrne was 13th on his BTOSPorts.com/BBMX Suzuki, while JDR/J-Star/KTM’s Tye Simmonds missed out on a main event start after finishing sixth in the LCQ.

GIECO Honda’s Eli Tomac rode a flawless 15 laps en route to his second Western Regional Supercross Lites class win of the season.

Tomac started the Western Regional Supercross Lites class main event with the Nuclear Cowboyz Holeshot and went from there.

Monster Energy/Pro Circuit/Kawasaki’s Josh Hansen, who came into tonight’s race two points out of the championship points race, and his teammate Broc Tickle following in second and third, respectively.

On lap two, Hansen attempted to make a pass on Tomac and crashed. Following the crash Hansen was stuck under his bike and lost valuable positions before re-joining the race near last place.

On lap seven, Red Bull/KTM Racing’s Ken Roczen moved around Tickle to assume second place. It was a special performance from Roczen, who also leads the MX2 Motocross World Championship after two rounds.

“Tonight’s track was technical, and it was hard to make passes,” said Tickle. “I am not happy because I wanted to win. I want to be strong heading into Las Vegas next weekend.”

Roczen finished second and Tickle finished third. Tomac moved within two points of Tickle’s championship points lead heading into next weekend’s season finale.

“That was out of control for me tonight,” said Tomac. “Hansen and I got into one another, and I had to lean into him – that’s just racing. I’ve dreamed of winning the championship as a rookie, and I am getting closer.”

The Monster Energy Supercross finals take place next weekend at Las Vegas’ Sam Boyd Stadium, where the Supercross class, Western/Eastern Regional Supercross Lites class champions will be crowned.

2011 Monster Energy AMA Supercross, an FIM World Championship
Round 16 – Salt Lake City, Utah

Supercross Class Results:
1. Ryan Villopoto, Poulsbo, Wash., Kawasaki
2. Chad Reed, Tampa, Fla., Honda
3. Ryan Dungey, Belle Plaine, Minn., Suzuki
4. Andrew Short, Smithville, Texas, KTM
5. Davi Millsaps, Carlsbad, Calif., Yamaha
6. Kevin Windham, Centreville, Miss., Honda
7. Jake Weimer, Rupert, Idaho, Kawasaki
8. Tommy Hahn, Decatur, Texas, Yamaha
9. Justin Brayton, Cornelius, N.C, Yamaha
10. James Stewart, Haines City, Fla., Yamaha

Supercross Class Season Standings:
1. Ryan Villopoto, Poulsbo, Wash., Kawasaki – 318
2. Chad Reed, Tampa, Fla., Honda – 309
3. Ryan Dungey, Belle Plaine, Minn., Suzuki – 306
4. James Stewart, Haines City, Fla., Yamaha – 295
5. Trey Canard, Shawnee, Okla., Honda – 255
6. Andrew Short, Smithville, Texas, KTM – 214
7. Kevin Windham, Centreville, Miss., Honda – 202
8. Davi Millsaps, Carlsbad, Calif., Yamaha – 172
9. Justin Brayton, Cornelius, N.C, Yamaha – 153
10. Nick Wey, Dewitt, Mich., Yamaha – 139

Western Regional Supercross Lites Class Results:
1. Eli Tomac, Cortez, Colo., Honda
2. Ken Roczen, Germany, KTM
3. Broc Tickle, Holly, Mich., Kawasaki
4. Cole Seely, Corona, Calif., Honda
5. Kyle Cunningham, Aledo, Texas, Yamaha
6. Tyla Rattray, Wildomar, Calif., Kawasaki
7. Ryan Morais, Murrieta, Calif., Suzuki
8. Martin Davalos, Cairo, Ga., Suzuki
9. Travis Baker, Temecula, Calif., Honda
10. Ben Evans, Garden City, Idaho, Kawasaki

Western Regional Supercross Lites Class Season Standings:
1. Broc Tickle, Holly, Mich., Kawasaki – 165
2. Eli Tomac, Cortez, Colo., Honda – 163
3. Josh Hansen, Elbert, Colo., Kawasaki – 151
4. Cole Seely, Corona, Calif., Honda – 131
5. Ryan Morais, Murrieta, Calif., Suzuki – 124
6. Tyla Rattray, Wildomar, Calif., Kawasaki – 111
7. Ken Roczen, Germany, KTM – 105
8. Kyle Cunningham, Aledo, Texas, Yamaha – 105
9. Martin Davalos, Cairo, Ga., Suzuki – 95
10. Ben Evans, Garden City, Idaho, Kawasaki – 68