2013 AMA Supercross Phoenix Race Report

Justin Barcia led all 20 laps to earn his first career victory in the 450cc class of the AMA Supercross Championship. The Team Honda Muscle Milk rider took the holeshot and never looked back to take his maiden win in front of 50,109 fans at Chase Field in Phoenix, Ariz.

“I can’t tell you how excited I am right now,” says Barcia. “I didn’t think this win would come so soon. I kept it smooth out there, but the track was super slick. It was a great night for me.”

Following Barcia out of the first corner were Anaheim 1 winner Davi Millsaps of Rockstar Energy Suzuki and TwoTwo Motorsports Honda rider Chad Reed, an order they would maintain for the opening 11 laps. Monster Energy Kawasaki‘s Ryan Villopoto was also among the early front-runners but slid out on a corner, dropping him from fourth to eighth.

Barcia’s teammate Trey Canard passed Reed to move into the top three on Lap 12, and then passed Millsaps on Lap 15 to sit second. It looked like a double-podium finish for the Honda Muscle Milk team until the final lap when Canard crashed under pressure from Villopoto.

Class rookie Barcia was first across the finish by 4.065 seconds to become the 56th person to win a AMA Supercross 450 class race. The reigning champion Villopoto finished second for his first podium finish of the season, while Millsaps finished third to continue being the surprise of the 2013 season.

“For how bad the day was, coming out and establishing a third was good,” says Millsaps. “If I can make these days my worst and my best days last weekend, I’ll be good.”

After two rounds, Millsaps sits on top of the standings with 45 points followed by Barcia at 39 points and his teammate Canard at 38 points.

2013 AMA Supercross Top Five Standings After Two Rounds

[Source: AMA Supercross]

By Dennis Chung