Heading into the halfway point of the season, the 2010 Monster Energy/AMA Supercross Series has become a war of the Ryans. Points leader and winner of three main events so far this season is the rookie, Rockstar/Makita/Suzuki's Ryan Dungey. In the driver's seat, Dungey's a proven champion in the sport and currently enjoys a 20 point lead over the other Ryan, Villopoto, who's also a multi-time champion on his Monster Energy Kawasakis and is coming on strong as the marches towards it's inevitable conclusion.

The success of the Ryans is somewhat bittersweet, as this season's Supercross series premier class is depleted by the early season injuries of the sport's top two stars -- James Stewart and Chad Reed. Both multi-time champs, their absence has opened up the series to a host of other riders, igniting fires under a few, and allowing future superstars like Villopoto and Dungey to shine in their own light instead of riding in the shadow of Stewart and Reed. As the season has progressed, the Ryans have consistently been a notch above the remainder of the 20-rider field, rarely finishing outside of the top 5 in the first 8 rounds of the 17 race championship chase.



Last weekend's race, held within the infield of Daytona International Speedway, was representative of several other rounds where the winner was determined by which of the two Ryans got out front first, stayed out front to the finish. At Daytona it was Villopoto's turn. The week prior in Atlanta, it was Dungey's. The pace they set out front is just enough faster than the remaining 18 riders that, if they get out front, they are able to maintain a several second advantage to the finish line.

As far as the series goes, with a 20 point lead, Ryan Dungey is certainly in the driver's seat. The points payout difference for each round between first and second place is 3 points and, with 8 rounds to go, it will be a tall order for Ryan Villopoto to make up the deficit without everything going his way. That, and more than a little bad luck for Dungey. Adding to the uncertainty is just when exactly the two missing superstars of Reed and Stewart will rejoin the fray, as they'll certainly be in the mix up at the front of the pack from the moment they set a tire on the track. Teamwork may become a factor as well, since Villopoto will have Reed in his corner on the Monster Energy Kawasaki factory-backed effort, although Reed and Dungey were teammates last year on the Rockstar Makita Suzuki squad. How Stewart plays into this is anyone's guess, although many pundits predict he'll be out front of the battle for 2nd, and there are only two points between positions behind the top two.



This weekend, the Supercross class war resumes in the tour's only international stop - the Rogers Centre in downtown Toronto, Canada. Both Villopoto and Dungey are at the top of their games; they're injury free, racing at full capacity and, with it unlikely that any of the other riders have the speed to get between them, there will be a point gap heading into the next round of either 23 or 17 points. After that, it's anyone's guess as the return of the overlords will certainly have an effect.

The Monster Energy/AMA Supercross Series isn't only about the premier class, though, as the Supercross Lites division is also loaded with solid racing every weekend. While there isn't a battle for the points like there is in the Supercross class this season, the racing on the smaller displacement machines is often more intense and much less predictable than it has been in the sport's premier group. Divided up into regional championships - East and West - the East is heading into it's 4th of 8 rounds in Toronto, and the leader of this class is clear. France's Christophe Pourcel, aboard his Monster Energy/Pro Circuit Kawasaki KX250F is the cream of the crop. As the defending champion of last season's East regional championship, Pourcel is as superior to his competitors as the Ryans are in the premier class. In fact, Pourcel has been able to run faster lap times on his 250cc machine on occasion than his counterparts on their 450cc rides. Making the fights for the remaining podium spots interesting is a slew of rookies fresh out of the amateur ranks. Pourcel's teammate, Canadian rider Dean Wilson, finished on the final step of the podium in 3rd at Daytona last weekend. He finished just ahead of rival Blake Baggett, riding a Suzuki RMZ250 sponsored by Canidae pet foods and Rockstar Energy Drinks. One spot ahead of Wilson and 2nd place at Daytona (in fact, 2nd place at each round so far) is Rockstar Makita Suzuki's Austin Stroupe, who was also Pourcel's teammate last season on the Pro Circuit squad. Even though the top finisher for the remainder of the East region seems to be a foregone conclusion (Pourcel), the battles involving the entire top 5 have always made for some close and exciting racing.

This weekend's race in Toronto will be broadcast LIVE on SPEED TV this Saturday, March 13, at 7:30PM EST. Check back here at Grindtv.com/moto for the latest photos and race reports.