Ryan Dungey wrapped up his second Monster Energy Supercross 450SX championship Saturday night, finishing second at NRG Stadium in Houston, Texas.
Dungey needed to finish third or better to clinch the title, and was able to do one better despite a rough start in the main event.
“To win in 2010 was awesome, but this time I felt we really earned it and deserved it,” said Dungey. “It’s hard to know what to say, there’s just so much running through my mind right now.
“KTM brought me here four years ago to win a championship and we finally accomplished it. I pictured tonight going a little differently in my mind, but we caught a few breaks and kept it on two wheels. We had to work for it tonight.”
To cap off the night, KTM and Dungey announced that they reached a two-year extension which will keep Dungey with the team through 2017.
“I’m extremely happy that Ryan has chosen to commit another two years to the Red Bull KTM team,” said Red Bull KTM Team Manager Roger De Coster. “I have worked with Ryan for many years and can honestly say he’s is in the best shape of his career right now.
“The level of commitment he has shown to his training program in Florida, our race team and toward the development of the KTM 450 SX-F race bike has made him a better racer showcasing his full potential.”
Dungey won his first title with Suzuki back in 2010, but was unable to defeat four-time champion Ryan Villopoto from 2011-2014. However, Villopoto elected to leave Supercross for MXGP this year, making Dungey the championship favorite.
Seely moved into third in the championship standings after his dominant performance Saturday night. The Honda rookie led all 20 laps en route to his first career 450SX victory.
In the 250SX West Class, North Carolina-native Cooper Webb raced to his fifth victory of the season to capture his first professional title.
“This is unreal,” said Webb. “I dedicated my whole life for this moment right here and it paid off. I was a four-year-old chasing a dream and it came true.
“I put my head down [after finishing seventh at the first race of the season] because I knew I wasn’t a seventh place guy. I knew I belonged up here so I never quit. I kept fighting and here we are.”
Webb’s closest rivals – Jeremy Nelson and Tyler Bowers – suffered injuries prior to race and were unable to score points in Houston. Although this made it easier on Webb, he still went out and pulled off a stunning victory to capture the title.
