Monster Energy Supercross at Cowboys Stadium

ARLINGTON -- Anyone who doubts the popularity of the Monster Energy AMA Supercross series was not a part of the 53,952 fans on hand for the festivities at Cowboys Stadium. It can also be factored in that (as with many of the larger sporting events at Jerry Jones' palace), that the weather was horrific as temps hovered in the 40s while Arlington was soaked with 1.89 inches of rainfall.

The weather may have tempered the pre-event outdoor activities, but inside the stadium with the roof closed, the action heated up for the huge crowd. A few of the fans inside the Cowboys Club located on the stadium's ground level mentioned that they had driven from as far as Wichita, KS and Memphis, TN. Their reasons for attending varied from a chance to visit Cowboys Stadium to seeing superstar riders such as Ryan Villopoto, Chad Reed and James Stewart.

Miss Supercross 2012 Dianna Dahlgren was in the house to keep the action moving between the early heats and the Last Chance Qualifiers leading up to the Main Event. When all was said and done, Monster Energy Kawasaki's Ryan Villopoto was practically unchallenged as he won the 450 cc class race by a full eight seconds ahead of Red Bull KTM's Ryan Dungey. It was Villopoto's fourth win in seven events this season. His main competition came from Chad Reed prior to a horrific crash on Lap 7. The accident ended Reed's 2012 season as the initial scans revealed the popular Australian suffered a torn anterior cruciate ligament, broken tibia and fibula and two broken ribs. James Stewart drew big cheers from the crowd when he arrived in Dallas Cowboys No. 94 DeMarcus Ware jersey but saw his chances disappear following a collision with teammate Dave Millsaps early in the race.

For further information on upcoming Monster Energy Supercross events, visit here.

FOLLOW JAY BETSILL ON TWITTER @THEFAMOUSJAY