After a pair of dominating performances this past weekend, Rockstar/Makita/
Suzuki's Chad Reed and Monster Energy/Pro Circuit/
Kawasaki's Christophe Pourcel lead the charge into this Saturday's Monster Energy Motocross National, round 10 of the 12-race Lucas Oil AMA Pro Motocross Championship at legendary Budds Creek MX Park in Mechanicsville, Md.
The third and final round of the Monster Energy Triple Crown of Motocross will take place this weekend, providing an opportunity for Reed and Pourcel to take home $3,000 apiece. Monster Energy posted a $25,000 bonus for any rider that swept all three Triple Crown events, but wins by JGRMX/Toyota/
Yamaha's Josh Grant (450 Class) and Monster Energy/Pro Circuit/Kawasaki's Jake Weimer (250 Class) at Red Bud stopped Reed and Pourcel from taking home the award following their round one victories at High Point. While no one will win the $25,000 bonus in either the 450 or 250 class this season, Reed and Pourcel are in position to take the $3,000 award for acquiring the most points in the three races.
Situated in the shadow of the nation's capitol, Budds Creek is noted as one of the series' most prominent venues. The track has played host to two U.S. Motocross Grand Prix races along with the 2007 Motocross of Nations. Since 1989, it has hosted an annual stop on the Lucas Oil AMA Pro Motocross Championship. The passion and dedication of track owner Jonathan Beasley to deliver a world-class event to the racers, teams and the loyal fans is second to none. Beasley and his team will once again roll out the red carpet for enthusiasts from the entire Eastern seaboard. With such outstanding racing leading the way in each class, this Saturday's Monster Energy Motocross National is expected to attract tens of thousands from throughout the region.
The 450 Class will air LIVE on NBC, Saturday, August 22 at 3:00 p.m. EST, marking the final live broadcast of the season. The exposure from each race as a result of NBC's first class coverage has helped bring American Motocross to a whole new audience, helping push the sport into the mainstream. Coverage of the 250 Class will air on SPEED, Saturday, August 29 at 8 p.m. EST.
Last weekend at Unadilla, the premier 450 Class saw Reed, a two-time AMA Supercross Champion, notch his fourth win of the season and extend his series points lead to 82 over Honda Red Bull Racing's Andrew Short. In what has been a dominant season for Reed, he swept both motos for the third time this season.
En route to his third overall victory in the 250 Class, Pourcel collected two moto wins and moved ahead of Rockstar/Makita/Suzuki's Ryan Dungey. The duo was tied atop the standings heading into the event.
During the 2008 national at Budds Creek, both classes were dominated by eventual series champions. James Stewart won his 14th consecutive 450 Class moto and seventh overall of the season. In the 250 Class, Ryan Villopoto was on a dominating run of his own, winning his 13th consecutive moto and sixth overall of the season before going on to win his third 250 Class championship.
Tickets are available are available at the box office or online at
www.buddscreek.com and
www.allisports.com. Weekend tickets: Adults - $50, Children (6-12) - $30, 5 and Under - Free; Saturday tickets: Adults - $30, Children (6-12) - $10, 5 and Under - Free. Save $5 with advance purchase.
Lucas Oil AMA Pro Motocross Championship Standings
After 9 of 12 Rounds
450 Class Championship Standings
1. Chad Reed, Australia, Suzuki, 387
2. Andrew Short, Smithville, Texas, Honda, 305
3. Ivan Tedesco, Tallahassee, Fla., Honda, 286
4. Josh Grant, Riverside, Calif., Yamaha, 272
5. Michael Byrne, Australia, Suzuki, 245
6. Thomas Hahn, Decatur, Texas, Kawasaki, 198
7. Justin Brayton, Murrieta, Calif., KTM, 183
8. Nick Wey, Dewitt, Mich., Yamaha, 163
9. Cody Cooper, New Zealand, Yamaha, 161
10. Mike Alessi, Victorville, Calif., Suzuki, 142
250 Class Championship Standings
1. Christophe Pourcel, France, Kawasaki, 387
2. Ryan Dungey, Belle Plaine, Minn., Suzuki, 381
3. Brett Metcalfe, Australia, Honda, 287
4. Tommy Searle, Great Britain, KTM, 268
5. Jake Weimer, Rupert, Idaho, Kawasaki, 255
6. Justin Barcia, Cairo, Ga., Honda, 235
7. Broc Tickle, Holly, Mich., Yamaha, 227
8. Blake Wharton, Pilot Point, Texas, Honda, 214
9. Tyla Rattray, South Africa, Kawasaki, 175
10. Kyle Cunningham, Ft. Worth, Texas, Kawasaki, 162
For more information, log onto
www.allisports.com.
