The streak continues and now hes got the points lead but can Reed grab it back or is Stewart unstoppable?
After seven consecutive Monster Energy® AMA Supercross, an FIM World Championship, race wins in ’09 James Stewart has tied his all-time consecutive win record. Tomorrow night, Stewart and his San Manuel Yamaha team bring their streak to the inaugural Monster Energy® Supercross race at the new Lucas Oil Stadium.
Stewart’s arch rival and two-time defending AMA Supercross class champion Chad Reed, who has six podium finishes and one victory in the AMA Supercross class, is one of two riders (Ricky Carmichael) to have won in Indianapolis in both the AMA Supercross Lites class and the AMA Supercross class. He’s currently winless in ’09 but remains in a close second place overall in AMA Supercross class standings.
“Indy is a cool race, and last year was awesome,” said Reed on his first-ever win in Indianapolis. “I actually helped design the track last year and that was our last year to race in the RCA Dome, so it was a unique weekend. I won the race last year, and, hopefully, I closed the place down right and now we’ll start off right at the new stadium with a win.”
While Reed is optimistic about this weekend’s race, he needs to put a stop to Stewart’s dominance if he wants to win the championship.
Also in the mix for the number-one position is Monster Energy® Kawasaki’s Ryan Villopoto. A rookie in the AMA Supercross class, Villopoto has three podiums and is fourth overall in points.
“Every week I’m getting better,” said Villopoto. “It has been one big learning curve this season and I just want to keep making progress. There are a lot of fast guys in the AMA Supercross class. I’m riding well right now and hopefully I can keep getting good finishes.”
Mike Alessi (800) taking second place out of the first corner close behind Stewart (7), showing hes got the speed out of the gate and according to the past few races he's starting to maintain that speed though out the race.
Reed’s Rockstar/Makita Suzuki teammate Mike Alessi scored the best finish of his ’09 season at San Diego and is ninth overall in season standings.
“I’m looking forward to the race in Indianapolis, with the new stadium and everything,” said Alessi. “This week, getting ready for that race, I’ll be working mostly on my corner speed and on my starts. Last weekend, I was a little off on those so I want to make sure I’m ready for Indy.”
Fellow Rockstar/Makita Suzuki rider Michael Byrne missed the first several races of AMA Supercross class championship this year and has been doing his best to get re-acclimated to supercross again.
“Getting ready for Indy, my plan is to, hopefully, keep doing what I’ve been doing -- trying to get my hand stronger, and get back into shape,” said Byrne. “I had a bad weekend at Atlanta, but I’m not going to change up my program -- though I may work on my starts a little bit.”
Nico Izzi started the 2009 Eastern Regional AMA Supercross Lites class championship strong by picking up a podium position in the season opener in Houston and another one at last weekend’s Atlanta race. He is currently second in the overall championship points standings.
“I’m working hard this week, getting ready for Indy,” said Izzi. “I had my first podium at Indy last year – and you always have good feelings for that certain race or town where you have a ‘first’ -- so maybe I’ll get my first win there this year and maybe get the ball rolling and work toward winning the championship.”
Even though the championship is starting its East-Coast swing, Ferry, who lives in Florida, flew out to California this week to test with his Monster Energy Kawasaki team.
“I’m feeling good,” said Ferry. “We decided to do some testing this week and try and find a little bit more. My results haven’t shown how well I’ve been riding so hopefully we’ve put all the bad luck behind us and I’ll get a podium spot in Indy.”
In the Eastern Regional AMA Supercross Lites class, Christophe Pourcel, who rides for the Monster Energy/Pro Circuit Kawasaki team, has won both of the East Coast races and he doesn’t see anything slowing him down.
Pourcel is going for the Championship win and with two wins already under his belt hes making sure everyone else knows it.
“I want to win the championship,” said Pourcel. “It has been a long road back to even racing. Now after winning the first two events I want to start thinking about the championship. We have a good bike and I know we can do it.”
Pourcel’s Monster Energy/Pro Circuit/Kawasaki teammate Austin Stroupe is looking to put together a complete main event and grab his first win of the season in Indianapolis.
“I know I can win,” said Stroupe. “It has been tough this season, I’ve made a couple of mistakes, but I know I have the speed to be on the top step of the podium.”
This weekend’s AMA Supercross class race will air on SPEED Sunday, March 1 at 5:00 p.m. EST. The Eastern Regional AMA Supercross Lites class will air on SPEED at 6:00 p.m. EST.
Tickets are available at
www.SupercrossOnline.com, the Lucas Oil Stadium box office, Ticketmaster, Ticketmaster outlets,
www.ticketmaster.com, and participating Yamaha dealerships. Club Level seats are $45; Mid-level seats are $35; Level 3 tickets are $25; Treadhead seats are $10. All seats are $2 more on the day of the race.
Indianapolis AMA Supercross Class Stats
• The first race held in Indianapolis was March 21, 1992, and Jeff Stanton won on a Honda
• There not have been any first-time winners in Indianapolis
• This will be the first race at the new Lucas Oil Stadium after 17 years at the RCA Dome
• Indiana native Mike LaRocco won the last AMA Supercross class race of his career in Indianapolis back in 2004
• LaRocco won his first AMA Supercross class race 1991 and it was 14 seasons between his first win and last win race wins
• Jeremy McGrath has 6 wins here and Ricky Carmichael has 4 wins here.
AMA Supercross Class Wins By Brand in Indianapolis
Honda (8); last win 2004
Yamaha (4); last win 2008
Kawasaki (3); last win 2007
Suzuki (2); 2006
AMA Supercross Class Notables from Atlanta
• James Stewart earn his 32nd AMA Supercross win and 76th AMA career win
• Stewart’s win in Atlanta marked Yamaha’s 155th AMA Supercross class win
• Yamaha is 2nd on the all-time win by brand list behind Honda
• Stewart became the first Yamaha rider to win 7 consecutive AMA Supercross races, which ties his 2007 record of seven-consecutive wins
• Chad Reed earned another podium finish with a second-place finish. Reed is the only racer to finish on the podium in every race this season
• Broc Hepler finished a career-best 5th
Indianapolis AMA Supercross Lites Class Stats
• The first race was held March 21, 1992, and Jimmy Button won on a Yamaha.
• This is the 18th time the gate will drop in Indianapolis for an AMA Supercross Lites class race.
• Chad Reed, and Ricky Carmichael are the only riders to win in Indianapolis in both classes, can Davi Millsaps join them?
AMA Supercross Lites Class Wins by Brand in Indianapolis
Yamaha (5); last win 2004
Suzuki (5); last win 2007
Honda (4); last win 2008
Kawasaki (3); last win 1998
AMA Supercross Lites Class Notables from Atlanta
• Monster Energy/Pro Circuit Kawasaki earned their 5th AMA Supercross Lites class win of the season
• Nico Izzi earned moved into second place in overall points with a second-place finish last weekend
AMA Supercross Laps Led
James Stewart 127
Josh Grant 14
Kevin Windham 11
Chad Reed 5
Ryan Villopoto 3
AMA Supercross Lites Class Laps Led
Jake Weimer 42
Ryan Dungey 36
Christophe Pourcel 21
Austin Stroupe 9
Justin D. Brayton 7
Ryan Morais 4
Daniel Reardon 2
Holeshot Award (AMA Supercross Class)
James Stewart (Anaheim 1)
Josh Grant (Phoenix)
Mike Alessi (Anaheim 2)
Mike Alessi (Houston)
James Stewart (San Francisco)
James Stewart (Anaheim 3)
Mike Alessi (San Diego)
James Stewart (Atlanta)
Holeshot Award (AMA Supercross Lites Class)
Daniel Reardon (Anaheim 1)
Jake Weimer (Phoenix)
Ryan Morais (Anaheim 2)
Christophe Pourcel (Houston)
Jake Weimer (San Francisco)
Justin Brayton (Anaheim 3)
Ryan Morais (San Diego)
Austin Stroupe (Atlanta)
MMI Top Tech Award
Mark Valcore (Anaheim 1)
Rich Simmons (Phoenix)
Mike Gosselaar (Anaheim 2)
Glenn Hobson (Houston)
Jon Mitcheff (San Francisco)
Carlos Rivera (Anaheim 3)
Craig Lyons (Atlanta)
US Smokeless Tobacco Company Pro Privateer Challenge
1. Heath Voss 51
2. Paul Carpenter 46
3. Nick Wey 44
Asterisk Medic Card
Cole Seely (Anaheim 1)
Derek Costella (Phoenix)
Alex Martin (Anaheim 2)
Fred Karrle (Houston)
Michael Hall (San Francisco)
Chris Gosselaar (Anaheim 3)
Justin Keeney (San Diego)
Spencer Dally (Atlanta)
Racer X Gas Card
Jacob Marsack (Anaheim 1)
Sean Hamblin (Phoenix)
Josh Summey (Anaheim 2)
Ben Lamay (Houston)
Nicholas A. Wey (San Francisco)
Ben Lamay (Anaheim 3)
Josh Hansen (San Diego)
Heath Voss (Atlanta)
AMA Supercross Class Results, Atlanta
1. James Stewart, Haines City, Fla., Yamaha
2. Chad Reed, Tampa, Fla., Suzuki
3. Ryan Villopoto, Poulsbo, Wash., Kawasaki
4. Andrew Short, Smithville, Texas, Honda
5. Broc Hepler, Kittanning, Pa., Yamaha
6. Kevin Windham, Centreville, Miss., Honda
7. Ivan Tedesco, Tallahassee, Fla., Honda
8. Timmy Ferry, Largo, Fla., Kawasaki
9. Josh Hill, Murrieta, Calif., Yamaha
10. Davi Millsaps, Tallahassee, Fla., Honda
AMA Supercross Class Season Standings
1. James Stewart, Haines City, Fla., Yamaha, 177
2. Chad Reed, Tampa, Fla., Suzuki, 174
3. Andrew Short, Smithville, Texas, Honda, 140
4. Ryan Villopoto, Poulsbo, Wash., Kawasaki, 126
5. Josh Grant, Riverside, Calif., Yamaha, 120
6. Ivan Tedesco, Tallahassee, Fla., Honda, 116
7. Kevin Windham, Centerville, Miss., Honda, 111
8. Davi Millsaps, Tallahassee, Fla., Honda, 102
9. Mike Alessi, Apple Valley, Calif., Suzuki, 93
10. Tim Ferry, Largo, Fla., Kawasaki, 87
Eastern Regional AMA Supercross Lites Class Results, Atlanta
1. Christophe Pourcel, Corona, Calif., Kawasaki
2. Nico Izzi, Murrieta, Calif., Suzuki
3. Martin Davalos, Cairo, Ga., KTM
4. Blake Wharton, Pilot Point, Texas, Honda
5. Branden Jesseman, New Brighton, Pa., Kawasaki
6. Wil Hahn, Decatur, Texas, KTM
7. Austin Stroupe, Lincolnton, N.C., Kawasaki
8. Matt Lemoine, Collinsville, Texas, Yamaha
9. Matthew Goerke, Lake Helen, Fla., Suzuki
10. Steven Clarke, Cairo, Ga., Suzuki
Eastern Regional AMA Supercross Lites Class Season Standings
1. Christophe Pourcel, Corona, Calif., Kawasaki, 50
2. Nico Izzi, Murrieta, Calif., Suzuki, 42
3. Martin Davalos, Cairo, Ga., KTM, 34
4. Blake Wharton, Pilot Point, Texas, Honda, 34
5. Austin Stroupe, Lincolnton, N.C., Kawasaki, 32
6. Wil Hahn, Decatur, Texas, KTM, 30
7. Branden Jesseman, New Brighton, Pa., Kawasaki, 25
8. Matthew Goerke, Lake Helen, Fla., Suzuki, 23
9. Brett Metcalfe, Lake Elsinore, Calif., Honda, 22
10. Steven Clarke, Cairo, Ga., Suzuki, 19
AMA Supercross Class Rider Finishes
James Stewart
Anaheim 1: 19
Phoenix: 1
Anaheim 2: 1
Houston: 1
San Francisco: 1
Anaheim 3: 1
San Diego: 1
Atlanta: 1
Chad Reed
Anaheim 1: 3
Phoenix: 2
Anaheim 2: 2
Houston: 2
San Francisco: 2
Anaheim 3: 2
San Diego: 2
Atlanta: 2
Ryan D. Villopoto
Anaheim 1: 5
Phoenix: 7
Anaheim 2: 4
Houston: 3
San Francisco: 3
Anaheim 3: N/A
San Diego: 4
Atlanta: 3
Andrew T. Short
Anaheim 1: 2
Phoenix: 5
Anaheim 2: 6
Houston: 4
San Francisco: 5
Anaheim 3: 6
San Diego: 3
Atlanta: 4
Broc D. Hepler
Anaheim 1: N/A
Phoenix: N/A
Anaheim 2: N/A
Houston: N/A
San Francisco: N/A
Anaheim 3: N/A
San Diego: 19
Atlanta: 5
Kevin W. Windham
Anaheim 1: 15
Phoenix: 6
Anaheim 2: 3
Houston: 9
San Francisco: 6
Anaheim 3: 7
San Diego: 7
Atlanta: 6
Ivan Tedesco
Anaheim 1: 6
Phoenix: 4
Anaheim 2: 7
Houston: 6
San Francisco: 10
Anaheim 3: N/A
San Diego: 10
Atlanta: 7
Timmy M. Ferry
Anaheim 1: 4
Phoenix: 9
Anaheim 2: 8
Houston: 8
San Francisco: N/A
Anaheim 3: 10
San Diego: 14
Atlanta: 8
Joshua R. Hill
Anaheim 1: 16
Phoenix: 8
Anaheim 2: 12
Houston: 11
San Francisco 7
Anaheim 3: 8
San Diego: N/A
Atlanta: 9
David D. Millsaps
Anaheim 1: 12
Phoenix: 10
Anaheim 2: 10
Houston: 10
San Francisco: 8
Anaheim 3: 3
San Diego: 5
Atlanta: 10
Mike A. Alessi
Anaheim 1: 11
Phoenix: 11
Anaheim 2: 9
Houston: 7
San Francisco: 9
Anaheim 3: 11
San Diego: 6
Atlanta: 11
Matt Boni
Anaheim 1: 14
Phoenix: 20
Anaheim 2: 20
Houston: 15
San Francisco: N/A
Anaheim 3: 12
San Diego: N/A
Atlanta: 12
Joshua M. Grant
Anaheim 1: 1
Phoenix: 3
Anaheim 2: 5
Houston: 5
San Francisco: 4
Anaheim 3: 5
San Diego: 20
Atlanta: 13
Kyle P. Chisholm
Anaheim 1: N/A
Phoenix: N/A
Anaheim 2: N/A
Houston: 17
San Francisco: 14
Anaheim 3: 9
San Diego: 13
Atlanta: 14
Nicholas A. Wey
Anaheim 1: 9
Phoenix: 15
Anaheim 2: 13
Houston: N/A
San Francisco: N/A
Anaheim 3: 15
San Diego: 9
Atlanta: 15
Thomas K. Hahn
Anaheim 1: N/A
Phoenix: N/A
Anaheim 2: N/A
Houston: N/A
San Francisco: N/A
Anaheim 3: 19
San Diego: 12
Atlanta: 16
Troy K. Adams
Anaheim 1: N/A
Phoenix: 19
Anaheim 2: 15
Houston: N/A
San Francisco: 18
Anaheim 3: 20
San Diego: 16
Atlanta: 17
Tyler T. Bowers
Anaheim 1: N/A
Phoenix: N/A
Anaheim 2: N/A
Houston: N/A
San Francisco 16
Anaheim 3: N/A
San Diego: N/A
Atlanta: 18
Ben Coisy
Anaheim 1: 8
Phoenix: N/A
Anaheim 2: 17
Houston: 16
San Francisco: 12
Anaheim 3: N/A
San Diego: 18
Atlanta: 19
Charles J. Summey
Anaheim 1: 20
Phoenix: 12
Anaheim 2: N/A
Houston: 18
San Francisco: N/A
Anaheim 3: N/A
San Diego: 11
Atlanta: 20
Eastern Regional AMA Supercross Lites Class Rider Finishes
Christophe Pourcel
Houston: 1
Atlanta: 1
Nico A. Izzi
Houston: 3
Atlanta: 2
Martin Davalos
Houston: 7
Atlanta: 3
Blake Wharton
Houston: 5
Atlanta: 4
Branden L. Jesseman
Houston: 12
Atlanta: 5
Wil A. Hahn
Houston: 6
Atlanta: 6
Austin L. Stroupe
Houston: 4
Atlanta: 7
Matthew J. Lemoine
Houston: 18
Atlanta: 8
Matthew C. Goerke
Houston: 10
Atlanta: 9
Steven J. Clarke
Houston: 13
Atlanta: 10
Tyler A. Wharton
Houston: 16
Atlanta: 11
Levi W. Kilbarger
Houston: N/A
Atlanta: 12
Bradley J. Ripple
Houston: N/A
Atlanta: 13
Jacob Saylor
Houston: 11
Atlanta: 14
Vince A. Friese
Houston: 20
Atlanta: 15
Fred D. Karrle
Houston: N/A
Atlanta: 16
Darryn L. Durham
Houston: 8
Atlanta: 17
Sean L. Hackley
Houston: N/A
Atlanta: 18
Cody L. Gilmore
Houston: N/A
Atlanta: 19
Teddy P. Parks
Houston: 15
Atlanta: 20
