Stewart’s Streak Stretches to Five as Monster Energy® Supercross Heads South to San Diego for Final California Race of ’09 Season

Reed’s Claimed Victory to 5 of the Last Six Races in San Diego

AURORA, Ill. (February 9, 2009) – Even in the rain-drenched conditions at Angel Stadium, Team San Manuel Yamaha’s James Stewart, of Haines City, Fla., prevailed, winning his fifth consecutive Monster Energy® AMA Supercross, an FIM World Championship, race Saturday night in Anaheim, Calif.. This Saturday, Stewart will once again take on the world’s top Monster® Energy Supercross racers as the championship heads south to San Diego’s Qualcomm Stadium. Defending Monster Energy® Supercross champion Chad Reed, of Tampa, Fla., leads Stewart by three points in the championship standings.

James Stewart won 2 of the 3 Races at Angel Stadium Photo Credit: Simon Cudby

In the Western Regional AMA Supercross Lites class, Monster Energy® Kawasaki’s Jake Weimer, of Rupert, Idaho, moved into the points lead with the win at Angel Stadium. Weimer, who has three wins and one additional podium this year, has a three-point lead over Rockstar/Makita Suzuki’s Ryan Dungey, of Belle Plaine, Minn., with three races left in the Western Regional AMA Supercross Lites class championship.

Jake Weimer Now Leads the Lites Class Points Race Photo Credit: Simon Cudby

To start last week’s main event in Anaheim, Stewart didn’t wait long to establish the lead as he pulled the holeshot, leading Honda Red Bull Racing’s Davi Millsaps, of Tallahassee, Fla., and JGRMX/Toyota/Yamaha’s Josh Grant, of Riverside, Calif., through turn one. Stewart controlled the lead for the next 20 laps. Once again, Reed didn’t get the start he wanted, but worked his way into the top five by lap two.

Chad Reed’s AMA Supercross Class Points Lead in Jeopardy Photo Credit: Simon Cudby

On lap seven, Reed moved into second place but was unable to challenge Stewart. Millsaps finished third and picked up the best finish of his 2009 season.

 

“Man it was crazy out there,” explained Stewart. “I was just riding out there and realized it was raining. We got one more race out here in California and so far it’s been good. The thanks really goes out to my team. Larry Brooks, San Manuel, and all the crew they’ve been awesome this year.”

 

This weekend is crucial for Reed’s points lead. Reed, who has five consecutive second place finishes, will be removed from the leader position with another second place finish and a win by Stewart. If Stewart wins, he will be awarded three points over the second place finisher. This will tie Stewart and Reed for the championship and according to AMA Pro Racing rules, Stewart will essentially be considered the points leader because he has more main event wins.

 

“It was sketchy,” said Reed. “I just tried to put in some consistent laps. I was happy to finish the race and be on the podium for the points race. The guys put the bike together for the mud and we just tried as hard as we could. Starts are part of the race. I just need to work on them. I really want to thank my team Rockstar/Makita Suzuki. I’m definitely feeling a lot better now than I have been.”

 

Weimer rallied back from a mid-pack start in the Lites class main event to challenge early leader Justin Brayton, of the MDK/KTM team, and the two engaged in a battled until Weimer made the pass for the lead and win.

 

“This is a huge win for sure,” said Weimer. “Once I got by Justin (Brayton) I just kept my head down and tried to ride consistent for the rest of the main. It feels great to take the points lead and the momentum into San Diego next weekend.”

 

Last year in San Diego, Reed overcame an up and down evening to win his fourth consecutive race of the season and fifth career win at Qualcomm Stadium. After passing Millsaps early in the main event, Reed crashed and was forced to once again chase and pass Millsaps. The victory gave Reed a clean sweep of all the California races.

 “I am so happy to get this win,” said Reed last year. “I knew I needed to catch Davi after I fell. I have never won all of the races in California, and with this win tonight, I accomplished a new goal. I get to leave the west coast with a big points lead.”

Given his past success, Reed looks for San Diego to be a chance to protect his points lead in the championship hunt.

Jason Lawrence led every lap of the 15-lap Western Regional AMA Supercross Lites class main event for what proved to be the turning point of the season and his run towards the championship last year.

“I came into the first turn and had an open track in front of me,” said Lawrence. “I am excited to take over the points lead heading into Houston next weekend.

CBS Sports will broadcast the AMA Supercross race on Sunday, February 15 at Noon EST and SPEED will broadcast the Western Regional AMA Supercross Lites class race on Sunday, February 15 at 6:00 p.m. EST.

 

Supercross made its debut in San Diego on October 25, 1980 when Mike Bell won on a Yamaha. Seven-time AMA Supercross champion Jeremy McGrath and Reed are tied on the all-time AMA Supercross win list at Qualcomm Stadium with five. Kawasaki’s Todd Campbell won the inaugural AMA Supercross Lites class on January 26, 1995.

 

Tickets are available at www.SupercrossOnline.com, participating Yamaha dealerships, all Ticketmaster outlets or by phone at 619-220-8497. Gold Circle seats are $35; Mid-Level seats are $30 for adults and $10 for kids; Treadhead seats are $10. A $5-off adult coupon is available at participating Express Tires (does not include $10 seats) Fans can also request the family section when purchasing. All tickets are $2 more on the day of the race.

 

AMA Supercross Class Results, Anaheim 3

1. James Stewart, Haines City, Fla., Yamaha

2. Chad Reed, Tampa, Fla., Suzuki

3. Davi Millsaps, Tallahassee, Fla., Honda

4. Ivan Tedesco, Tallahassee, Fla., Honda

5. Josh Grant, Riverside, Calif., Yamaha

6. Andrew Short, Smithville, Texas, Honda

7. Kevin Windham, Centerville, Miss., Honda

8. Josh Hill, Murrieta, Calif., Yamaha

9. Kyle Chisholm, Valrico, Fla., Yamaha

10. Tim Ferry, Largo, Fla., Kawasaki 

 

AMA Supercross Class Season Standings

1. Chad Reed, Tampa, Fla., Suzuki, 130

2. James Stewart, Haines City, Fla., Yamaha, 127

3. Josh Grant, Riverside, Calif., Yamaha, 111

4. Andrew Short, Smithville, Texas, Honda, 102

5. Ivan Tedesco, Tallahassee, Fla., Honda, 91

6. Ryan Villopoto, Poulsbo, Wash., Kawasaki, 88

7. Kevin Windham, Centerville, Miss., Honda, 82

8. Davi Millsaps, Tallahassee, Fla., Honda, 75

9. Mike Alessi, Apple Valley, Calif., Suzuki, 68

10. Tim Ferry, Largo, Fla., Kawasaki, 67

 

Western Regional AMA Supercross Lites Class Results, Anaheim 3

1. Jake Weimer, Rupert, Idaho, Kawasaki

2. Ryan Morais, Murrieta, Calif., Kawasaki

3. Justin Brayton, Murrieta, Calif., KTM

4. Ryan Dungey, Belle Plaine, Minn., Suzuki

5. Jeff Alessi, Victorville, Calif., Honda

6. Ryan Sipes, Vine Grove, Ky., KTM

7. Dan Reardon, Menifee, Calif., Honda

8. P.J. Larsen, Stanley, N.C., Kawasaki

9. Chris Blose, Phoenix, Ariz., Honda

10. Eric McCrummen, Oakley, Calif., Honda

 

Western Regional AMA Supercross Lites Class Season Standings

1. Jake Weimer, Rupert, Idaho, Kawasaki, 113

2. Ryan Dungey, Belle Plaine, Minn., Suzuki, 110

3. Ryan Morais, Murrieta, Calif., Kawasaki, 102

4. Justin Brayton, Murrieta, Calif., KTM, 88

5. Ryan Sipes, Vine Grove, Ky., KTM, 69

6. Chris Blose, Phoenix, Ariz., Honda, 68

7. Dan Reardon, Menifee, Calif., Honda, 56

8. P.J. Larsen, Stanley, N.C., Kawasaki, 51

9. Jeff Alessi, Victorville, Calif., Honda, 39 

10. Eric McCrummen, Oakley, Calif., Honda, 38

 

 

Past Winners in San Diego

AMA Supercross

February 9. 2008:   Chad Reed

February 17, 2007: Chad Reed

February 11, 2006: James Stewart

February 19, 2005: Chad Reed

January 24, 2004: Chad Reed

February 08, 2003: Chad Reed

January 12, 2002: David Vuillemin

January 13, 2001: Ricky Carmichael

January 22, 2000: David Vuillemin

January 16, 1999: Ezra Lusk

February 07, 1998: Jeremy McGrath

February 10, 1996: Jeremy McGrath

February 11, 1995: Jeremy McGrath

February 05, 1994: Jeremy McGrath

February 06, 1993: Jeremy McGrath

February 08, 1992: Damon Bradshaw

February 09, 1991: Jean-Michael Bayle

February 10, 1990: Jeff Stanton

February 11, 1989: Rick Johnson

February 14, 1987: Rick Johnson

February 08, 1986: Rick Johnson

January 26, 1985: Johnny O’ Mara

November 16, 1982: Broc Glover

November 14, 1981: Broc Glover

October 25, 1980: Mike Bell

 

AMA Supercross Lites

February 9, 2008:   Jason Lawrence

February 17, 2007: Ryan Villopoto

February 11, 2006:   Andrew Short

February 19, 2005: Nathan Ramsey

January 24, 2004: Ivan Tedesco  

February 08, 2003: James Stewart

January 12, 2002: James Stewart

January 13, 2001: Justin Buckelew

January 22, 2000: Greg Schnell

January 16, 1999: Casey Johnson

February 07, 1998: John Dowd

February 10, 1996: Jeff Willoh

February 11, 1995: Damon Huffman

February 05, 1994: Ryan Hughes  

February 06, 1993: Mickael Pichon

February 08, 1992: Jeremy McGrath

February 09, 1991: Jeremy McGrath

February 10, 1990: Ty Davis

February 11, 1989: Jeff Matiasevich

February 14, 1987: Kyle Lewis

February 08, 1986: Donny Schmit

January 26, 1985: Todd Campbell

For more information on the Monster Energy® AMA Supercross an FIM World Championship please log on to www.SupercrossOnline.com. 

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