Round 1 of the 2008 Monster Energy AMA Supercross championship got underway in conditions that were a surprise to all. Despite the wet weather that had slowly crept into Southern California, the Anaheim track stayed together well and although track conditions were sloppy, it was not a total mud-fest reminiscent of Anaheim 1 '05. When the plastic tarps covering the track were finally peeled off and the 30,000-plus fans started packing in, all in attendance were treated to cool weather and clear rain free skies.

Supercross

Going into the 20-lap Supercross main event, all eyes were on Monster Kawasaki's James Stewart and San Manuel Band of Mission Indians Yamaha rider Chad Reed. The current and former SX champs stole the show in their respective heat races and were the favorites before the gate dropped. 2005 Anaheim 1 Supercross winner and mud expert, Torco Racing Fuels/Honda Kevin Windham, was also on the gas and is always a favorite when track conditions are messy.

When the gates dropped it was 2007 MX champ, Yamaha's Grant Langston, with the holeshot. Behind Langston, another rider crashed collecting Red Bull Honda's Ivan Tedesco, Windham and Stewart. Stewart was second to last after the first turn carnage, setting up yet another spectacular come from behind effort.

Up front Reed went to work immediately passing Langston. But GL would come right by when Reed stalled his YZ450F on Lap 3. Reed recovered quickly, worked his way back up to his fellow Yamaha rider and put a move on him after Langston stumbled two laps later.

Out back, Stewart was charging hard through the 450cc field - methodically picking off the riders in front of him with amazing speed. By Lap 6, Reed had a sixteen-second lead over Stewart, who was now running in sixth. The following lap, Stewart set the race's fastest lap, proving that he was a man on a mission. Stewart finally made his way past Langston and into second place, but that was all he could muster with Reed already long gone.

"Someone clipped my wheel in the first turn, and I went down," said Stewart. "It was very slick out there. I felt really good out there, but Chad was just better. I mean, obviously on this race track you can't make a mistake. I'm excited. It makes a good season for the fan. We'll be back in Phoenix."

With five to go, Monster Kawasaki's Tim ferry made a move past Langston in the rhythm section for the final podium position. Ferry, who managed to stay upright the entire weekend, was satisfied with his result.

"One of the toughest tracks I've ever rode on. It was a long race, I'm glad to have that one behind me for sure," said the likeable Kawasaki rider.

This was Reed's 27th career Supercross win, ending Stewart's own three-race Anaheim win streak.

"I have been thinking about this race since last May," explains Reed, who led for 17 of 20 muddy laps. "The track was really tough. I knew I needed a good start tonight and had to fight. I have been working really hard, and this win shows that hard work pays off."

Supercross Results:

1. Chad Reed, Yam
2. James Stewart, Kaw
3. Tim Ferry, Kaw
4. Grant Langston, Yam
5. Kevin Windham, Hon
6. Mike Alessi, Suz
7. Davi Millsaps, Hon
8. Andrew Short, Hon
9. Nick Wey, KTM
10. David Vuillemin, Suz

Supercross Lites

With the absence of reigning Supercross Lites champion, Ryan Villopoto (who will be challenging the Lites East series) all eyes were on the Monster/Pro Circuit/Kawasaki duo of Brett Metcalfe and Austin Stroupe to pick up where RV left off. But coming to try and spoil the party were Rockstar Makita Suzuki's Ryan Dungey and Yamaha's Jason Lawrence, who showed that they had speed by winning their respective Lites' heats.

When the 15-lap Supercross Lites event got underway, it was Torco Racing Fuels/Honda's Dan Reardon with a spectacular holeshot, forcing the other 21 riders to funnel in behind him. Hot on the Australian's trail was Stroupe, followed by Dungey. Stroupe and Dungey banged bars early before the Suzuki rider finally moved past the young Kawasaki rider on Lap 4.

Up front, a six bike freight train was on the move, peeling away from the rest of the field. Yamaha of Troy's Jason Lawrence was on the throttle though and used the power of his YZ250F to sneak into the lead on Lap 5.

Two laps later, Stroupe had a get off but quickly remounted, even though he was no longer in position for a podium finish.

But the real action took place on Lap 8 when Dungey passed J-Law on a triple for the lead. He never looked back and went on to win the first race of the West Lites season.

"This is awesome," said Dungey. "Coming from Minnesota, this is a huge win for me. I could not do this without my entire family. It was a great race, and we will see who comes out on top at the end of the season."

With six laps to go, J-Law took a tumble but was quick to remount and brought his Yamaha in second. On the podium, Lawrence seemed unsatisfied with his performance.

"I'm definitely not upset, but I definitely think I could have won that race," said Lawrence. "I'm going to come back next weekend a little stronger."

MDK KTM rider Justin Brayton took the final podium position, proving that his linkage-less KTM has what it takes to run up at the front in Supercross. "Man this is everything I dreamed of," said the KTM rider. "I've been working my tail off. Been hitting the track everyday. All this work really pays off."

Supercross Lites Results:

1. Ryan Dungey, Suz
2. Jason Lawrence, Yam
3. Justin Brayton, KTM
4. Daniel James Reardon, Hon
5. Austin Stroupe, Kaw
6. Thomas Hahn, Kaw
7. Gavin Gracyk, Hon
8. Andrew Mcfarlane, Kaw
9. Chris Blose, Suz
10. Will Hahn, Yam

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