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4652
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9/22/2008
Location
Arlen, TX
US
Edited Date/Time
1/25/2012 10:51pm
A lot of my buddies keep saying how this title is Stewart's, and keep mentioning Stewart's fantastic ride coming from so far back in the pack to finish 3rd, but I just watched the race again, and from lap 5 on, Dungey was about four-seconds in-front of Stewart, and Stewart never caught him...
Lets think about this, you know Stewart had to notice where Ryan Dungey was with that red number one plate. Heck, he even said in an interview with Jim Holly how he thought he still had a shot at winning the race, and you know Dungey had to notice where Stewart was, because, well... it's James Stewart!
If I'm Ryan Dungey, I've got to be feeling pretty confident holding off the "fastest man on the planet" that race, because how many times in the past has Stewart not reeled in his competition with that kind of gap? ... And if I'm James Stewart, well... I'll let you guys fill in the blank on that one: __________________.
ps.
In case anybody missed it the first time, all three riders on the podium had an average lap time separation of 00:131 (1/10th of a second separation)!
http://www.amapromail.com/pdfresults/sx/data/2011/01/sxm1ind.pdf?utm_so…
my take on it all...i think he just got tired...i am pretty sure he could have kept laying down the 58 flat if he was 100%...and I am sure dungey turned it up when he realized 7 was in 3rd...got into 3rd 12 sec down and finished 3-5 seconds off the lead...didn't reel him in at all...i think 7 was being too careful...but w/e
A1 proved two things
1. 7 can still go fast and is far from 'washed up'
2. 2 is still strong and has to feel awesome about his recovery(good for him...)
Stewart passed Canard for 3rd on lap 12. From lap 12 through lap 16 Stewart's lap time was on average .619 seconds faster than Dungey every single lap. Ignoring the last two laps where both riders visibly slowed down a bit, from lap 12 to lap 18 Dungey's lead over Stewart was cut by 2.978 seconds (including the fact that Stewart slowed first and Dungey gained another .366 seconds on him on lap 18). If they start together, Dungey will have to find another gear to keep up with James.
And this is coming from a huge Dungey fan.
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I'm just pointing out the facts, bro! In all honesty, I look forward to seeing how James handles the competition this year. Never before in his life has he had to deal with competition like this (RC said in the race the only way he could beat him was to pressure him into a mistake, SX wise). He has always had the luxury of knowing he his faster than his competition, and ability to kick it into another gear the others don't have. Who knows, this is just one race. Maybe he still is light years ahead of the competition, but as of now, it sure doesn't look like it. I apologize, but to me this makes the season very exciting!
James is definitely not washed up, but his competition is stiffer than ever! I can't believe you think he got tired though. He probably just decided to settle for third, if anything, once he realized there was no catching Dungey.
He didn't seem too confident, or thrilled, in his podium interview. Perhaps this is why? Just speculating...
Bring on Round #2!!!
1) All the guys that JS7 used to come from the back of the pack and beat by 30 seconds are still racing (IT, Millsaps, Reed, Short, etc) he did it to them again. But that was then and this is now, the field has 3 new riders in the Ryans and Canard who can all flat out lay it down. JS7 won't be doing that to them. There is an upgrade in the competition now, JS7 fans must admit this.
2) James is not washed up, not sure who said that but they are dead wrong. He can still flat out scream on a bike.
3) Gotta respect the Ryan's, they are going to make it very interesting this year.
4) I know JS7 fans don't like hearing this, but while JS7 had to fight through some traffic early which hindered his laptimes, he was still pushing hard - make no mistake about it. He even made a mistake that could have bit him had he been just a little further hanging it all out - so he was on the edge and then backed it down. But he was pushing the whole race and is healthy. RV2 didn't have to fight through the pack, but he coasted a little too at the end to make sure he didn't make mistakes. Those two factors kind of cancel each other out - and their avg lap times were within 1/100 of a second. That's TIGHT competition.
5) Dungey is just as fast and as smart as he was last year. Will be a factor this year.
6) I think this is going to be a fantastic SX season and I pray that all of the top 5 keep it on 2 wheels and remain healthy all year.
7) Was very impressed with Trey, he's going to be a factor too.
8) I expect all of the top guys to get faster - RV2 showed he does that every year as did RD.
It's going to be a great season. Can't wait for Sat.
(above all in sarcastic font...that is yet to exist)
Stewie was flying. The positions and time he made up was impressive enough and says a lot. We have yet to see if either aforementioned racer can do the same.
I have yet to see Stewart not sprint off to a sizable lead when starting in 2nd or 1st.
Did you miss the heat the race where Stewie pass Villo and pulled away?
And please explain to me the average lap time of a rider in traffic and a rider with a clear track or one other rider ahead of them? What is the average for that?
Fun too watch.
So, do you think you can be better?
Oh, it’s going to get better. Like I said, I just needed to shake those cobwebs out before I really start turning it up.
Ricky talked about how the only chance he had was to pressure Stewie, I kind of feel like RV is the kind of gritty, confident competitor to tap into that weak spot. Just good to see new guys racing for the win again, for way too long Reed was the only one giving him a run.
I think James and Ryan would've stepped up their pace if they would've gotten better starts and had half the race to go after RV2.
I was kind of disappointed in Reeds performance though. Maybe he just settled for 5th and accepted it considering his start also.
Pit Row
One thing JS7 fans can be thankful for is his wrist is healed, or at least it was...if it wasn't in good shape, he'd be out right now after casing that triple.
Hopefully no damage was done on that landing.
Everthing this year is going to depend on the start. If RD started where RV did, he would have won and the same for Stewart. The one thing I think Stewart and RV have over RD is the aggressiveness to pass someone quickly. Dungey was behind Metcalfe for too long. He was clearly faster but seemed to take his time to pass him.
With 5 to go James could see Dungey and they would get kind of close in the tight stuff..the camera pans away and then come back with 2laps to go.They go to RD and nothing has changed (no closer maybe a small gain on gap from RD not James) and then it seemed like they both cruised from there- Not sure what happened but I find it hard to believe James stopped trying at 5 to go being soo close (within eye sight)
Reed said that track got really deceivingly slick maybe it got harder to real off those 58's for James-
and yes TC, and RV will get stronger...plus RD could win one as well=-bring on Phoenix-
Post a reply to: Dungey & Stewart: 4-sec gap nearly the entire race.