An ecstatic Ryan Villopoto celebrates another Main Event win in Las Vegas. Image: Simon Cudby.

Monster Energy Kawasaki’s Ryan Villopoto capped off his title-winning season by racing to a 10th win of 2012 at the Monster Energy Supercross Finale at Sam Boyd Stadium in Las Vegas.

Teammate Jake Weimer opened the 450SX class with the holeshot, though Villopoto was able to rebound following a mid-pack start to take over the lead from Weimer as the opening lap ticked over.

The newly-crowned champion set about executing a perfect race, wrapping up another dominant season as he greeted the finish line first to the applaud of close to 40,000 fans.

While the Monster Energy Kawasaki rider already had his title locked down, there was a frenetic race for second in the championship involving protagonists Ryan Dungey and Davi Millsaps.

The Red Bull KTM-mounted Dungey went into the race trailing Rockstar Suzuki’s Millsaps by three points, and would need to put a rider between them in order to climb to second.

Dungey cut through to second by lap five but Millsaps, placed third, would prove unflappable as he held on tight to the runner-up position in the championship.

For Villopoto, it was an ideal result, and a strong way to end a season that started in disastrous fashion in Anaheim back in January.

“This is a great way to cap the season off,” said Villopoto. “We rebounded this year from a bad start at the season opener and won the title. There is no better way to end a season than like this.”

Weimer held his ground for fourth on the night, followed home by Justin Barcia, Australia’s Chad Reed, Weston Peick, Justin Brayton, Andrew Short and Broc Tickle.

While the 450SX title was already decided prior to the Las Vegas finale, there was plenty to play for in the 250SX ranks, with the Eastern Regional and Western Regional titles up for grabs.

In the Eastern Regional 250SX class race, it was Gavin Faith with the holeshot, leading Wil Hahn through turn one. Tyler Bowers moved into second before taking the lead on lap two.

Hahn re-took second place on lap five, as his closest pursuer in the championship, Marvin Musquin, moved into third.

Musquin then ranged up on and passed Hahn, staging a late race charge on leader Bowers and missed the win by inches.

Hahn was relieved to hold onto a slender advantage and lock down the 2013 title after a hard-fought season.

“Right now, I do not know what to say,” said Hahn. “Marvin [Musquin] has been making a strong comeback on me, and coming into this race, I may not have been in the most ideal situation, but I am glad I pulled it off.”

For Arenacross regular Bowers, the result could not have been better. Not in the title fight, he had nothing to lose in chasing victory in Vegas.

“This was an amazing race for me,” said Bowers. “I had a great Arenacross season and come into Supercross ready to put in some good races. This is the perfect way to close out the season.”

The Western Regional title fight was a thriller, too, with the predicted battle between KTM’s Ken Roczen and Honda’s Eli Tomac going down to the wire.

Honda’s Zac Osborne took the holeshot and early advantage, before Martin Davalos relieved him of the lead by the end of the opening lap.

After starting in fifth, Roczen was soon through to third, and by lap four, he was eyeing leader Davalos. Tomac was charging too, moving forward from sixth place, and catching and passing Roczen on lap nine and Davalos on lap 11.

Roczen mounted a charge, moving by Davalos on lap 14, the deciding move in the Western Regional 250SX championship battle.

Tomac took the main event win but, by virtue of his second-place finish, German Roczen was crowned series victor.

“I am so happy right now,” said Roczen. “This was a close race and the championship was intense.

“I really hope that the fans enjoyed tonight’s race. I was riding with a lot of weight [on my shoulders], but I am so excited right now.”

Tomac lost out to Roczen by just two points in the end, and was philosophical despite the defeat.

“It was a year of ups and downs,” said Tomac. “This is going to make me better as I make the transition to the 450SX Class next year.”

Roczen, riding the high of his title win, went on to win the Dave Coombs Senior East/West Shootout, battling for much of the race for teammate Musquin before moving forth and sealing top spot.

Yamaha rider Kyle Cunningham split the KTMs on the podium with second place, while Davalos rode to a solid fourth and Blake Wharton rounded out the top five.

2013 Monster Energy Supercross
Round 17 – Las Vegas, NV
450SX main event results:
1. Ryan Villopoto
2. Ryan Dungey
3. Davi Millsaps
4. Jake Weimer
5. Justin Barcia
6. Chad Reed
7. Weston Peick
8. Justin Brayton
9. Andrew Short
10. Broc Tickle

Western Regional 250SX main event results:
1. Eli Tomac
2. Ken Roczen
3. Martin Davalos
4. Kyle Cunningham
5. Ryan Sipes
6. Jason Anderson
7. Malcolm Stewart
8. Cole Seely, Murrieta
9. Tyla Rattray
10. Joey Savatgy

Eastern Regional 250SX main event results:
1. Tyler Bowers
2. Marvin Musquin
3. Wil Hahn
4. Blake Wharton
5. Gavin Faith
6. Vince Friese
7. Lance Vincent
8. Cole Thompson
9. Daniel Herrlein
10. AJ Catanzaro

Click here for detailed results