The Monster Energy Girls braved the frigid temps of Indy in their short skirts and fishnets. The thermometer dropped down into the thirties outside the stadium.
This Monday’s Supercross Insider literally comes from the inside since most teams and privateers tried to escape freezing temperatures under the Lucas Oil Stadium dome or by shutting themselves in race transporters. Seeking protection from outdoor temps, the paddock was an absolute ghost town Saturday night except when a surge of riders scurried into the stadium’s underground tunnel just before the qualifiers, heats and mains. While the action in the pit area was slow, 60,019 fans packed the home of the Colts football franchise.
Most of the privateer teams had set-ups underneath the main level while the factory superstars took shelter from the freezing drizzle and light snow inside their heated and well-stocked race rigs. No midriff-bearing, tanned hotties were to be found at this venue. The fashion of the evening was large padded coats, Ugg boots and knitted beanies.
Jason Lawrence proved he still knows how to shake things up by kicking off the drama early in afternoon practice. Towards the end of the first timed session, the 22-year-old rider from Lake Elsinore, California got into an on-track tussle with Ryan Dungey. The drama began when Lawrence, intentionally or not, blocked the Rockstar Makita Suzuki pilot while on a hot lap. The two then brake checked each other in a series of turns and straights until Dungey lost his cool and slammed into the side of J-law. The two bitter rivals then exchanged another volley of brake checks and angry looks, ultimately receiving the black flag for their antics. Both racers were then penalized with the last gate pick for their heat races later that night.
Jason Lawrence rode to a top-10 finish at Indy. The Yamaha rider was involved in a squabble with Ryan Dungey earlier in the day.
The usually calm and collected Suzuki rider was visibly agitated as he stomped back to the Rockstar Makita team transporter. After the main event he commented on the altercation, “I maybe made a wrong move taking matters into my own hands. I shouldn’t have done it; I realize that now. I don’t know; I’m just out there trying to do my best.”
Lawrence's words on live television were much more harsh, having this to say about Dungey. “The kid is already born mentally messed up. I mean he’s not stable, and I mean, that shows in the past couple of races with Josh (Hill) already catching him. Maybe a little more of this today and he’ll probably just fold again today, and Josh will come out with the points lead.”
Once the racing got underway the penalty gate picks became a non-issue with Dungey getting second in his heat, and then riding a solid race to finish second behind Villopoto. Lawrence finished 49 seconds behind in 10th place. It will be interesting to see if the two can stay out of each other’s way for the rest of the season, or will the long-standing feud between the two intensify? With Dungey being tied for the points lead, it may be in his best interest to take the high road and give J-law a wide berth.
Due to the freezing temps the pits were located inside of the Lucas Oil Stadium.
Ryan Villopoto is the man who shares that top championship spot with the Rockstar Makita Suzuki rider. RV is building steam like a freight train aboard his Monster Energy Kawasaki KX450F with Indy marking his third win of the season. Somebody needs to stop the former multi-time 250F champion before he gets out in front and starts to sprint away. If anything, Villopoto proved that it will take more than a bad start and one-lined track to stop him. The way he powered through the night program was impressive. He finally figured out the clutch/throttle/timing thing and got a decent start in the main event and that was all she wrote.
“Starting on the outside there killed me,” he said. “I was able to make something of it, which was awesome.” Awesome indeed. They say the best defense is a good offense, so somebody better give this guy a figurative punch in the nose and slow his roll. Dungey? You seem to be up for a scrap lately, how about it?
Christophe Pourcel was made to race Supercross. The Frenchman’s smooth, effortless riding style highlights natural skill that makes him absolutely amazing to watch. He stayed ahead of the rest of the Eastern Region Lites riders and leaves the icy climate for next week’s voyage to Atlanta.
Christophe Pourcel (top) and Austin Stroupe (bottom) have established themselves as the ones to watch in the East Lites division.
“I just felt pretty good on my Monster Energy/Pro Circuit/Kawasaki,” said Pourcel after 15 laps in Indy. “Everything was ok today for me so I am just really happy to win the race tonight. The track was pretty tight tonight and I needed to win the race so coming into the main event I just gave my best.”
There was some wonder about Austin Stroupe after the Rockstar Makita Suzuki rider faded during his final faces out west aboard the borrowed RM-Z450. Now that he’s back on his regular steed, the fuel-injected RM-Z250, the North Carolina native put any worry to rest as he looked like the most likely opponent to raise hackle with the current top dog, Pourcel.
Third-place finisher, rookie Justin Barcia, is exactly the opposite of the French leader. Wild and hyper-aggressive, this GEICO Powersports Honda rider will probably be the most entertaining to watch. He was more than happy to get on the podium with a last-ditch pass on Ryan Sipes, but time will tell if he falls victim to the rollercoaster tendencies of first-time pro racers. That starts next week as the teams roll into Atlanta, Georgia for Round 8 of the 2010 AMA Supercross Series. Stay tuned to see who will grab the points lead before going into the toughest Supercross of the year in Daytona Beach, Florida where Ricky Carmichael will throw in some nasty surprises for man and machine.
