Geico Honda's Justin Barcia claimed the first win in the East Coast Lites class with an impressive performance in Dallas.
For the first time this season the 2012 Monster Energy
AMA Supercross series pointed its compass east with Geico
Honda’s
Justin Barcia snagging the early advantage in the Eastern Regional Lites Class. The 19-year-old didn’t have it easy though as a stacked field kept the defending champ on his toes. Monster Energy Pro Circuit
Kawasaki’s Darryn Durham posted a solid run in second after leading the first half of the contest, with Red Bull KTM’s Ken Roczen finishing third just five seconds off the pace of Barcia.
Durham seized the holeshot aboard his factory Kawasaki ahead of Rockstar
Suzuki’s
Blake Wharton and rookie Justin Bogle. Barcia had a decent start inside the top-five as Kawasaki’s
Blake Baggett and Star Valli Yamaha’s Kyle Cunningham both went down on the first lap. Wharton quickly snatched the lead from Durham, but just moments afterward crashed. Durham was there to reclaim the lead while Bogle and Barcia kept pace with the frontrunner. Meanwhile, Roczen was running fourth after a mediocre start ahead of JDR/Jstar
KTM’s Malcolm Stewart as TiLube Racing’s Matt Lemoine crashed out of the contest.
On Lap 3 Barcia made a harsh block pass on Bogle for third. Roczen also caught up with the rookie and began pressuring him as Bam Bam set his sights on Durham for second. After a few laps of cat and mouse, Barcia made a major error and was unable to triple – allowing Bogle to briefly get by. While Barcia and Bogle were battling for the runner-up spot, Roczen began losing contact with the frontrunners. After re-passing Bogle for second, Barcia then worked his way around Durham for the lead on Lap 8.
Pro Circuit Kawasaki's Darryn Durham had a great ride in Dallas where he finished second after leading the first half of the race.
The following lap the focus was on the battle for third as Bogle, Roczen and Stewart rode wheel to wheel. On Lap 10 Roczen snaked ahead as Stewart made a harsh block pass on Bogle. The move left both riders on the ground with Bogle’s leg caught in Stewart’s rear wheel. As the two riders remounted, Bogle’s frustration was visible as the rookie slapped Stewart over the helmet.
Heading into the final laps the order was Barcia, Durham, Roczen, privateer Phil Nicoletti and Wharton, with Wharton coming all the way back from his crash on the opening lap. The night continued to be a disaster for Baggett, who was being lapped down in 15th. Barcia eventually claimed the checkers 5.092 seconds ahead of Durham to strike first blood in the class.
“They didn’t make it easy on me tonight,” said Barcia. “I had a great night, and the team didn’t really have to make any major changes to the bike coming into tonight’s Main Event. I have learned a lot from the past few years, and it paid off tonight. I am going to Atlanta next weekend with the points lead.”
Durham’s second-place result in Dallas is proof he’s been hard at work in the off-season while recovering from a wrist injury. Roczen and Wharton also recorded strong performances, with the latter proving his speed by mounting a major comeback through the competition.
KTM's Ken Roczen held on for the final podium spot despite a tense opening round.
Rookie Justin Bogle's debut in supercross was tainted by a harsh pass that left him on the ground.
1. Justin Barcia (Honda)
2. Darryn Durham (Kawasaki)
3. Ken Roczen (KTM)
4. Blake Wharton (Suzuki)
5. Phil Nicoletti (Honda)
6. Malcolm Stewart (KTM)
7. Jake Canada (Suzuki)
8. PJ Larsen (KTM)
9. Cole Thompson (Honda)
10. Lance Vincent (KTM)
11. Alex Martin (Honda)
12. Hunter Hewitt (Suzuki)
13. Austin Politelli (Honda)
14. Justin Bogle (Honda)
15. Blake Baggett (Kawasaki)
2012 AMA Supercross Lites Championship Points:
1. Justin Barcia, 25
2. Darryn Durham, 22
3. Ken Roczen, 20
4. Blake Wharton, 18
5. Phil Nicoletti, 16
6. Malcolm Stewart, 15
7. Jake Canada, 14
8. PJ Larsen, 13
9. Cole Thompson, 12
10. Lance Vincent, 11
