This Week in Monster Energy® Supercross: Indianapolis

Stewart Snaps Points Race Tie with Reed

AURORA, Ill. (February 27, 2009) – After seven consecutive Monster Energy® AMA Supercross, an FIM World Championship, race wins in ’09 James Stewart has tied his all-time consecutive win record. Tomorrow night, Stewart and his San Manuel Yamaha team bring their streak to the inaugural Monster Energy® Supercross race at the new Lucas Oil Stadium.

James Stewart and Josh Grant are the only riders to pull off a win in 2009, who’s next? Photo Credit: Brian Robinette

Stewart’s arch rival and two-time defending AMA Supercross class champion Chad Reed, who has six podium finishes and one victory in the AMA Supercross class, is one of two riders (Ricky Carmichael) to have won in Indianapolis in both the AMA Supercross Lites class and the AMA Supercross class. He’s currently winless in ’09 but remains in a close second place overall in AMA Supercross class standings.

Reed is the only rider in the AMA Supercross class to finish on the podium at every race in 2009 Photo Credit: Brian Robinette

“Indy is a cool race, and last year was awesome,” said Reed on his first-ever win in Indianapolis. “I actually helped design the track last year and that was our last year to race in the RCA Dome, so it was a unique weekend. I won the race last year, and, hopefully, I closed the place down right and now we’ll start off right at the new stadium with a win.”


While Reed is optimistic about this weekend’s race, he needs to put a stop to Stewart’s dominance if he wants to win the championship.

AMA Supercross class rookie has three podium finishes in 2009 Photo Credit: Brian Robinette

Also in the mix for the number-one position is Monster Energy® Kawasaki’s Ryan Villopoto. A rookie in the AMA Supercross class, Villopoto has three podiums and is fourth overall in points.


“Every week I’m getting better,” said Villopoto. “It has been one big learning curve this season and I just want to keep making progress. There are a lot of fast guys in the AMA Supercross class. I’m riding well right now and hopefully I can keep getting good finishes.”


Reed’s Rockstar/Makita Suzuki teammate Mike Alessi scored the best finish of his ’09 season at San Diego and is ninth overall in season standings.

Nico Izzi moved into second place overall in the Lites class last weekend Photo Credit: Brian Robinette

“I’m looking forward to the race in Indianapolis, with the new stadium and everything,” said Alessi. “This week, getting ready for that race, I’ll be working mostly on my corner speed and on my starts. Last weekend, I was a little off on those so I want to make sure I’m ready for Indy.”


Fellow Rockstar/Makita Suzuki rider Michael Byrne missed the first several races of AMA Supercross class championship this year and has been doing his best to get re-acclimated to supercross again.

Martin Davalos picked up his first podium of ’09 last weekend Photo Credit: Brian Robinette

“Getting ready for Indy, my plan is to, hopefully, keep doing what I’ve been doing -- trying to get my hand stronger, and get back into shape,” said Byrne. “I had a bad weekend at Atlanta, but I’m not going to change up my program -- though I may work on my starts a little bit.”


Nico Izzi started the 2009 Eastern Regional AMA Supercross Lites class championship strong by picking up a podium position in the season opener in Houston and another one at last weekend’s Atlanta race. He is currently second in the overall championship points standings.

Christophe Pourcel lead the Lites class by eight points over Nico Izzi Photo Credit: Brian Robinette

“I’m working hard this week, getting ready for Indy,” said Izzi. “I had my first podium at Indy last year – and you always have good feelings for that certain race or town where you have a ‘first’ -- so maybe I’ll get my first win there this year and maybe get the ball rolling and work toward winning the championship.”


Even though the championship is starting its East-Coast swing, Ferry, who lives in Florida, flew out to California this week to test with his Monster Energy Kawasaki team.


“I’m feeling good,” said Ferry. “We decided to do some testing this week and try and find a little bit more. My results haven’t shown how well I’ve been riding so hopefully we’ve put all the bad luck behind us and I’ll get a podium spot in Indy.”


In the Eastern Regional AMA Supercross Lites class, Christophe Pourcel, who rides for the Monster Energy/Pro Circuit Kawasaki team, has won both of the East Coast races and he doesn’t see anything slowing him down.


“I want to win the championship,” said Pourcel. “It has been a long road back to even racing. Now after winning the first two events I want to start thinking about the championship. We have a good bike and I know we can do it.”


Pourcel’s Monster Energy/Pro Circuit/Kawasaki teammate Austin Stroupe is looking to put together a complete main event and grab his first win of the season in Indianapolis.


“I know I can win,” said Stroupe. “It has been tough this season, I’ve made a couple of mistakes, but I know I have the speed to be on the top step of the podium.”


This weekend’s AMA Supercross class race will air on SPEED Sunday, March 1 at 5:00 p.m. EST. The Eastern Regional AMA Supercross Lites class will air on SPEED at 6:00 p.m. EST.