JDR/J-Star/KTM Race Report - Atlanta‏

Atlanta, GA – The JDR/J-Star/KTM Team had an unpleasant experience at
the second round of the AMA East Lites Supercross Series held at the
Georgia Dome after crashes kept Malcolm Stewart out of the main event
and PJ Larsen from finishing inside the top ten.

Team
rider Malcolm Stewart looked impressive during the early afternoon
practice sessions where he qualified 6th fastest. Stewart was placed in
the first heat alongside teammate Larsen. Stewart had a great jump off
the line and after following Blake Wharton for the first lap he was able
to capitalize on Wharton’s second lap crash and take over the lead. On
the third lap of the heat, Stewart came up short while tripling into a
rhythm section causing him to crash over the bars and not finish the
race. Luckily, Stewart was not injured in the crash but it cost him a
qualifying position in the heat. Larsen went on to finish 7th to
transfer into the main.

Larsen remarked, “The heat race
was tough tonight. I had a bad start and just had to watch out for
downed riders all over the track and people crossing lines in front of
me. Luckily, I was able to avoid any crashes and a got my KTM into a
qualifying position.”

While Larsen headed back to the
truck to prep for the main event, Stewart headed back down to the track
to line up for the LCQ. Unfortunately, right before the gate dropped the
team encountered a problem with his bike that appeared to be a result
from his earlier crash which caused Stewart to miss the gate drop. He
was unable to compete in the LCQ and did not get a chance to qualify for
the main event.

“I am bummed out on my night tonight,”
remarked Stewart. “I was very happy to not be injured in my crash but to
find out that we have a mechanical issue was not what we wanted to
hear. Now we just have to move on and regroup and come back stronger and
ready to be on the podium for next weekend.”

In the
main event, Larsen managed to pull a mid-pack start from a poor gate
pick. “I had to start two gates outside of the box on the main event
which was not the best place to start,” stated Larsen. “My starts are
definitely going to be a high priority in my training this week as I
have had two bad starts so far this season.”

On the
second lap Larsen had moved into 10th position and by lap eight he had
climbed up to 8th and looked to be closing in on the 7th place ride. A
crash on the tenth lap cost Larsen four positions but he recovered and
completed the lap in 12th place. “After my crash I lost my groove and
wasn’t able to make the passes I needed to get back inside the top ten,”

remarked Larsen. The JDR/J-Star/KTM rider eventually finished
the race in 12th place. “I am definitely not satisfied with my race
tonight. I made some small mistakes that cost me a lot of time. I am
planning to head back west to work with my team in the next week and
feel that with their help I can get where I need to be and hopefully
break into the top five.”

Next Round: St. Louis, MO – March 3, 2012

Overall Results –

1. Justin Barcia

2. Blake Bagget

3. Justin Bogle

4. Blake Wharton

5. Darryn Durham

6. Ken Roczen – KTM

7. Kyle Cunningham

8. Hunter Hewitt

9. Jake Canada

10. Shane Sewell – KTM

11. Lance Vincent – KTM

12. PJ Larsen – KTM

13. Matt Lemoine

14. Les Smith – KTM

15. Shawn Rife

16. Levi Kilbarger

17. Daniel Herrlein

18. Angelo Pellegrini

19. Austin Politelli

20. Bradley Ripple

Overall Point Standings –

1. Justin Barcia – 50

2. Darryn Durham – 38

3. Blake Wharton – 36

4. Ken Roczen – 35

5. Blake Baggett – 28

6. Justin Bogle – 27

7. Jake Canada – 26

8. Hunter Hewitt – 22

9. PJ Larsen – 21

10. Lance Vincent – 21