After the mud-soaked racing action that was last weekend's San Francisco Monster Energy AMA Supercross event, both riders and fans were anxious for some dry weather. Thankfully the weather Gods cooperated and finally gave Southern California a reprieve from the chilly wetness that has been hampering the area. With a heavy crowd, Round 5 of the Monster Energy AMA Supercross, an FIM Championship made its final stop of the year at Angel Stadium before heading south to San Diego, California in completely dry conditions.
Chad Reed is having an easy time of the 450 class.
With Monster Energy Kawasaki's number one rider, James Stewart out for the rest of the season with a lingering knee injury, his all-new '08 KX450F was gathering dust in the race team's transporter. Enter Travis Preston. Preston, who was ride-less up until this weekend's race seemed to be a perfect fit on the Kawasaki KX450F and even though he has had minimal practice time on the green machine, he showed decent speed in his Heat Race - finishing just under behind teammate Tim Ferry.
At the start of the 20-lap main event it was points leader, San Manuel Band of Mission Indians Yamaha rider Chad Reed, motoring off the gate in front of the 20-rider field. Behind, Torco Racing Fuels / Honda rider Kevin Windham was being pursued by Honda Red Bull rider Davi Millsaps with his teammate Andrew Short in tow. Within the first few laps, Ferry quickly moved past Short bringing Rockstar Makita Suzuki's Mike Alessi along with him.
Up front Windham, the veteran Honda rider was riding hard trying to make his away around Reed. Windham pulled close to Reedy in the tight, slow corners, but Reed would appear to get the better drive and blast through the faster sections on the dry track. Millsaps picked up the pace and made a move around Windham on Lap 9, but together the Honda pair couldn't meet the pace laid down by Reed. By mid-point of the race Reed had opened up a small but ever increasing lead over his 450cc competitors. Millsaps continued to push hard, proving that the hundreds of miles spent on his road bicycle during the week have drastically improved his conditioning. In the end, Reed wouldn't be denied as he went on to take the checkered flag, notching his fourth win of the season and extending his points lead into next weekend's final Southern California round.
"After last weekend, I set some goals for myself, and winning this race was definitely one of them," said Reed. "I knew that if I won the holeshot, I would be able to get this done. I had a lot in the tank after the race, so I was really happy tonight."
Supercross Results:
Travis Preston made his debut aboard James Stewart's vacant machine.
1. Chad Reed, Yam
2. Davi Millsaps, Hon
3. Tim Ferry, Kaw
4. Kevin Windham, Hon
5. Andrew Short, Hon
6. Mike Alessi, Suz
7. Nathan Ramsey, Yam
8. Nick Wey, KTM
9. Troy Adams, Hon
10 Manuel Rivas Gomez, Kaw
Supercross Overall Points Standings:
1. Chad Reed, 122
2. Kevin Winhdam, 96
3. Tim Ferry, 77
4. Mike Alessi, 69
5. Andrew Short, 56
Supercross Lites
In the Lites class, Yamaha of Troy's Jason Lawrence proved that he is more than just a one race wonder. Lawrence, who finished behind Torco Racing Fuels Honda's Jake Weimer in Heat Race 1 shot right past the $1,000 Progressive Holeshot winner, Austin Stroupe. Behind, series points leader, Rockstar Makita Suzuki's Ryan Dungey fell in Turn 1 but managed to keep his RM-Z250 lit and quickly remounted. Dungey tore through the 22-rider field but couldn't catch the front runners. Monster Pro Circuit Kawasaki's Brett Metcalfe, however had a fantastic race. Metcalfe moved into third place on Lap 12 and steadily gained time on both Lawrence and Stroupe. But, Lawrence couldn't be denied and went on to win the main by a slim margin followed by the Kawasaki's of Stroupe and Metcalfe.
It's no fluke. Jason Lawrence knocked off his second consecutive victory.
"I hope to be up here every weekend for the remainder of the season," said the ecstatic Lawrence. "I am so excited to get this win for my team."
Supercross Lites Results:
1. Jason Lawrence, Yam
2. Austin Stroupe, Kaw
3. Brett Metcalfe, Kaw
4. Billy Laninovich, Ktm
5. Kyle Cunningham, Hon
6. Thomas Hahn, Kaw
7. Justin Brayton, Ktm
8. Dan Reardon, Hon
9. Robert Kiniry, Hon
10. Gavin Gracyk, Hon
Supercross Lites Overall Points Standings:
1. Ryan Dungey, 96
2. Jason Lawrence, 88
3. Dan Reardon, 80
4. Brett Metcalfe, 78
5. Austin Stroupe, 74
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