Las Vegas hosts Supercross championship this weekend

By Case Keefer (contact)

Saturday, May 8, 2010 | 2:05 a.m.

Davi Millsaps bruised his ribs, pulled a groin and hip, and injured his shoulder a month ago.

Those were Millsaps' minor injuries from the 2010 Monster Energy AMA Supercross Championship season. He also woke up one morning with bursitis in his right elbow, which doctors had to drain nearly 15 times in less than a month.

In the process, he picked up a nasty staph infection that doctors had to scrape out. Oh yeah, he also pinched all the nerves in his lower back in a race in Toronto and hit his head pretty bad in Indianapolis.

"You've got to suck it up if you want to be in front," Millsaps said. "That's what this sport is all about."

That's what Millsaps has done this year as he enters the final race of the 17-week season Saturday at Sam Boyd Stadium fourth in the point standings.

Although rookie Ryan Dungey already has clinched the championship, all of the sport's top healthy riders are in town for the annual season-ending competition.

Staying healthy is an achievement itself for supercross riders. Neither of the sport's top finishers from last year, James Stewart and Chad Reed, are in contention in 2010 as they've battled injuries all season.

"It's a tough sport," Dungey said. "I've got to be thankful that I've been healthy through the whole thing and able to enjoy the races."

Dungey became just the second rookie to ever win the title in the sport's 36-year history.

"It's been a dream," Dungey said. "I didn't think I'd accomplish it this early, but nothing is impossible if you believe."

At 20 years old, he represents the power of youth in supercross. Most of the top competitors turn pro before their 18th birthday and peak in their mid-20s. A lot of racers don't make it past that.

Kevin Windham, a 32-year-old and 17-year veteran, didn't abide by those standards. Windham enters this weekend's race second in the point standings.

"The thought of retirement never crossed my mind," Windham said. "That's a testament to the sport."

Windham said he would try to race until 2014. The ability to withstand injuries will be a major factor in accomplishing his goal.

All has gone well in 2010.

"I've been really blessed this season and have not had injuries," Windham said. "Knock on wood with one to go, I'm hoping I can keep it on two wheels."

A run of mishaps like Millsaps' could prove devastating to Windham at this point in his career.

But it's always a possibility. That's life in supercross.

"I'm just pumped to be here," Millsaps said. "It's been a long year."