Dungey Puts KTM atop Podium for the First Time with Inaugural Win of 2012 Lucas Oil Pro Motocross Championship Season
Barcia Captures Second Career Victory in 250 Class
LAKEWOOD, Colo. (June 2, 2012) – Picturesque Thunder Valley MX Park hosted the third round of the Lucas Oil Pro Motocross Championship, sanctioned by AMA Pro Racing, on Saturday, producing two new winners for the 2012 season at the Toyota Thunder Valley National. Following back-to-back runner-up finishes to start the season, Red Bull KTM’s Ryan Dungey, of Belle Plaine, Minn., emerged victorious, capturing a 1-1 moto sweep to give the Austrian brand its first overall victory in the 450 Class. In the 250 Class, GEICO Honda’s Justin Barcia, of Monroe, N.Y., ended a 27-race winless streak to capture his second career win.
In the opening moto of the 450 Class, James Stewart, of Haines City, Fla., worked his way from a third-place start to take over the lead on Lap 2. However, just two laps later, the Team Yoshimura Suzuki rider went down as he looked to open a gap on the field, failing to finish the moto and appearing to favor his hand.
With Stewart out of action, Dungey took over the lead on Lap 4 and went on to take an easy moto win, his first of the season, and put himself in position for the overall.
The effects of his first moto crash forced Stewart to sit out Moto 2 as well, losing the points lead with no points recorded. As the gate dropped, Dungey grabbed the holeshot, quickly pulled away, and dominated en route to securing the overall victory.
“I hate to win like that,” said Dungey, who has won three consecutive races at Thunder Valley. “James and I have pushed each other to new levels and although he won the first four motos (this season), it’s been good. Hopefully he heals up and comes back (next week). My game plan is always the same, to take it one race at a time. You can’t focus on the end result and we saw that today. I just do my own thing, put my best foot forward, and never underestimate anyone.”
Monster Energy Kawasaki’s Jake Weimer, of Rupert, Idaho, recorded a career-best second place finish (2-4), while Colorado native Andrew Short, of Colorado Springs, gave Team Chaparral Honda its first podium finish in third (7-2).
Stewart dropped from first to third in the championship standings and his status for the remainder of the season is uncertain. He entered the weekend with an undefeated record, winning all four motos through the first two rounds.
“It’s not what we wanted, but that’s racing. It wasn’t worth risking anything in the second moto. I’m going to go through (next) week and test out how my hand feels and hopefully we’re ready to go at (High Point).”
Dungey currently holds a 35-point lead over Weimer in the championship standings.
In the 250 Class, Barcia started his day off strong by winning the first moto. Barcia took the lead from the start and ultimately stayed out front for all 16 laps, fending off the pressure of Red Bull KTM’s Ken Roczen, of Germany.
In Moto 2, Barcia asserted himself out front again, looking for the moto sweep. The Honda rider led the first six laps, but was passed by points leader Blake Baggett, of Grand Terrace, Calif., aboard his Monster Energy/Pro Circuit/Kawasaki. While Baggett pulled away, Barcia once again engaged in battle with Roczen, this time for second.
Roczen eventually worked his way past Barcia, putting Baggett in position to claim his second overall victory of the season. However, on the final lap, Roczen and Barcia battled again for second, ending with Roczen falling to the ground and allowing Barcia to retake the position and ultimately the overall win.
“Last weekend was tough on me, but today was awesome,” said Barcia, who last won as a rookie during the 2009 season. “The first moto couldn’t have gone any better and the second moto was good too. I knew what I had to do (in the second moto). I rode my own race a little bit, but then I put on a hard charge at the end. Ken and I may have touched a little bit, but I just kept going.”
With his second moto win, Baggett secured the runner-up spot for the second week in a row (3-1), while Roczen rebounded to round out the overall podium for the third consecutive round (2-4). Baggett holds a 16-point lead over Barcia in the championship standings.
In the Women’s Motocross Championship, Rockstar Energy Racing Suzuki’s Jessica Patterson, of Tallahassee, Fla., swept the day’s motos to claim her second overall win of the season and extend her points lead. Troy Lee Designs/Lucas Oil Honda’s Tarah Gieger, of Puerto Rico, finished second (3-2), while Team Honda Muscle Milk’s Ashley Fiolek, of St. Augustine, Fla., overcame a fall in the second moto to finish third (2-6).
The 2012 Lucas Oil Pro Motocross Championship continues next week, with round four from High Point Raceway in Mt. Morris, Pa., and the FMF High Point National, presented by United Bank, on Saturday, June 9.
Lucas Oil Pro Motocross Championship
Toyota Thunder Valley National
Thunder Valley MX Park – Lakewood, Colo.
June 2, 2012
Round 3 of 12
450 Class (Moto Finish)
1. Ryan Dungey, Belle Plaine, Minn., KTM (1-1)2. Jake Weimer, Rupert, Idaho, Kawasaki (2-4)
3. Andrew Short, Smithville, Texas, Honda (7-2)
4. Nico Izzi, Rochester, Mich., Yamaha (5-5)
5. Brett Metcalfe, Mannum, Australia, Suzuki (3-10)
6. Mike Alessi, Victorville, Calif., Suzuki (4-9)
7. Justin Brayton, Fort Dodge, Iowa, Honda (9-6)
8. Michael Byrne, Rockhampton, Australia, Suzuki (12-7)
9. Billy Laninovich, Temecula, Calif., Honda (11-8)
10. Kyle Chisholm, Valrico, Fla., Kawasaki (10-11)
450 Class Championship Standings
1. Ryan Dungey, Belle Plaine, Minn., KTM, 1362. Jake Weimer, Rupert, Idaho, Kawasaki, 101
3. James Stewart, Haines City, Fla., Suzuki, 100
4. Mike Alessi, Victorville, Calif., Suzuki, 100
5. Andrew Short, Smithville, Texas, Honda, 97
6. Brett Metcalfe, Mannum, Australia, Suzuki, 84
7. Josh Grant, Riverside, Calif., Kawasaki, 73
8. Nico Izzi, Rochester, Mich., Yamaha, 71
9. Broc Tickle, Holly, Mich., Kawasaki, 63
10. Kyle Chisholm, Valrico, Fla., Kawasaki, 50
250 Class (Moto Finish)
1. Justin Barcia, Monroe, N.Y., Honda (1-2)2. Blake Baggett, Grand Terrace, Calif., Kawasaki (3-1)
3. Ken Roczen, Apolda, Germany, KTM (2-4)
4. Eli Tomac, Cortez, Colo., Honda (4-3)
5. Marvin Musquin, La Reole, France, KTM (5-5)
6. Malcolm Stewart, Haines City, Fla., KTM (8-6)
7. Blake Wharton, Pilot Point, Texas, Suzuki (6-9)
8. Wil Hahn, Decatur, Texas, Honda (10-7)
9. Kyle Cunningham, Fort Worth, Texas, Yamaha (9-10)
10. Jake Canada, Sun City, Calif., Honda (7-14)
250 Class Championship Standings
1. Blake Baggett, Grand Terrace, Calif., Kawasaki, 1392. Justin Barcia, Monroe, N.Y., Honda, 123
3. Ken Roczen, Apolda, Germany, KTM, 120
4. Eli Tomac, Cortez, Colo., Honda, 117
5. Marvin Musquin, La Reole, France, KTM, 84
6. Blake Wharton, Pilot Point, Texas, Suzuki, 82
7. Wil Hahn, Decatur, Texas, Honda, 71
8. Kyle Cunningham, Fort Worth, Texas, Yamaha, 65
9. Jake Canada, Sun City, Calif., Honda, 62
10. Ivan Tedesco, Murrieta, Calif., Kawasaki, 61
WMX Class (Moto Finish)
1. Jessica Patterson, Tallahassee, Fla., Suzuki (1-1)
2. Tarah Gieger, Aguadilla, Puerto Rico., Honda (3-2)
3. Ashley Fiolek, St. Augustine, Fla., Honda (2-6)
4. Sayaka Kaneshiro, Osaka, Japan, Honda (7-3)
5. Jacqueline Strong, Cottonwood, Ariz., KTM (4-5)
6. Mariana Balbi, Belo Horizonte, Brazil, Honda (6-4)
7. Sara Pettersson, Sweden, KTM (5-7)
8. Alexah Pearson, Sacramento, Calif., KTM (8-11)
9. Sade Allender, Sanford, Maine, Honda (12-9)
10. Amanda Brown, Baltimore, Md., Honda (11-10)
WMX Class Standings
1. Jessica Patterson, Tallahassee, Fla., Suzuki, 1412. Ashley Fiolek, St. Augustine, Fla., Honda, 125
3. Tarah Gieger, Aguadilla, Puerto Rico., Honda, 114
4. Sayaka Kaneshiro, Osaka, Japan, Honda, 99
5. Mariana Balbi, Belo Horizonte, Brazil, Honda, 88
6. Jacqueline Strong, Cottonwood, Ariz., KTM, 82
7. Meghan Rutledge, New South Wales, Australia, Kawasaki, 78
8. Sara Pettersson, Sweden, KTM, 76
9. Kasie Creson, Vallejo, Calif., Honda, 75
10. Sade Allender, Sanford, Maine, Honda, 52
Tickets for all 12 rounds of the 2012 Lucas Oil Pro Motocross Championship can be found atwww.allisports.com.
For additional information please visit AlliSports.com/motocross also, “like” the American Motocross Facebook page, “follow” @AmericanMX on Twitter and Instagram for exclusive content and information on the latest Lucas Oil Motocross news and developments.
For media information about the Lucas Oil Pro Motocross Championship, please contact MX Sports Pro Racing via email at media@mxsportsproracing.com.
MX Sports Pro Racing
MX Sports Pro Racing manages and produces the world's most prestigious motocross series - the Lucas Oil Pro Motocross Championship, sanctioned by AMA Pro Racing. The industry leader in off road powersport event production and management, its mission is to showcase the sport of professional motocross competition at events throughout the United States. Through its various racing properties, partnerships and affiliates, MX Sports Pro Racing organizes events for thousands of action sports athletes each year and attracts millions of motorsports spectators. Visit www.mxsportsproracing.com.
Alli Sports
Alli Sports, is an action sports lifestyle brand whose mission is to connect fans with athletes and brands through best in class events, media, and authentic branded products. Alli Sports includes: the Dew Tour, Lucas Oil Pro Motocross Championship and the Red Bull Signature Series; Alli Media, which creates, produces, and distributes original content; Alli RideShop, an online retailer carrying top skate and BMX consumer products; and Alli MotoShop an online retailer carrying top moto consumer products. Alli Sports is owned by NBC Sports. More information can be found at www.allisports.com.
AMA Pro Racing
AMA Pro Racing is the premier professional motorcycle racing sanctioning body in the United States, operating a full schedule of events and championships for a variety of motorcycle disciplines. From its Daytona Beach headquarters, the organization sanctions professional motorcycle racing competition, which includes, AMA Pro Motocross, AMA Pro Road Racing, and AMA Pro Flat Track. Visit www.amaproracing.com.
NBC Sports Group
When the Comcast-NBCUniversal transaction was completed in January of 2011, the broad reach and storied history of NBC Sports united with Comcast's 24/7 ability to super-s erve fans to create the NBC Sports Group. The new sports media company consists of an array of broadcast television, cable television and digital sports assets, including NBC Sports & Olympics, Golf Channel, Versus, 11 SportNets (regional sports networks) and their respective websites. Together, the new combined assets of the NBC Sports Group possess an unparalleled collection of television rights agreements, partnering with some of the most prestigious sports properties in the world: the Olympics, NFL, NHL, PGA TOUR, PGA of America, USGA, IndyCar, Lucas Oil Pro Motocross Championship, Wimbledon, French Open, Tour de France and Kentucky Derby.
FUEL TV
FUEL TV is the only cable and satellite television network that features the exciting world of adrenaline and thrill-seeking sports including UFC, surfing, motocross, snowboarding and more. This new generation of sports provides a rich landscape of some of the most vibrant and action-packed television entertainment in the world. With more hours of UFC coverage than any other network, FUEL TV is the place to be for live fights, weigh-ins, prelims, pre- and post-fight coverage, specials and events you won’t see anywhere else. See why adrenaline sports fans call FUEL TV the channel they never turn off. FUEL TV, part of FOX Sports Media Group, was launched July 1, 2003 and is seen in more than 36 million U.S. homes and can be accessed by broadband, mobile devices and other digital platforms such as iTunes®. FUEL TV programming is available in more than 50 countries around the world with 24/7 channels operating in Australia and Europe. To subscribe to FUEL TV, call 877-4 FUEL-TV. For program times and other information, visit www.fuel.tv.
Lucas Oil Products
Lucas Oil is a worldwide leader in the production of oils, lubricants and additives. Based in Corona, Calif., Lucas Oil Products is one of the fastest-growing additive lines in the consumer automotive industry, featuring a premium line of oils, lubricants and problem-solving performance additives. Through innovative product research and development, along with aggressive marketing programs, Lucas Oil Products has established itself as the top-selling additive line in the American truck-stop industry. Lucas Oil is involved in an array of motorsports sponsorships, including the "Official Motor Oil of the Pro Motocross Championship." Visit www.LucasOil.com.
6/3/2012 11:31pm
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