by Chase Stallo
Sign of the Lap Times: Atlanta
Tuesday, February 28, 2012 | 2:15 PM
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When Chad Reed announced last week that a torn ACL and other injuries would keep him from contesting the remainder of the 2012 SX season, and possible the outdoor season as well, many were expecting the once five-man army of Monster Energy Supercross Championship contenders to dwindle to one. But Ryan Dungey had other ideas in Atlanta. He held off a furious charge from Ryan Villopoto to capture his second win of the season and cut Villopoto’s points lead to ten.
In the Lites class, the boys showed a little more respect for each other than they did in Dallas, but the results remained the same as Justin Barcia took home his second win of the season. Blake Baggett rebounded nicely from a disastrous opening round to finish second with rookie Justin Bogle capturing his first career podium with a third.
Now onto the lap charts to see how it all broke down.
AMA Supercross
| Lap Rank | Finish | Best Lap | In Lap | Avg Lap Time | Rider |
| 1 | 2 | 50.713 | 12 | 52.045 | Ryan Villopoto |
| 2 | 3 | 51.073 | 15 | 52.809 | James Stewart |
| 3 | 1 | 51.257 | 20 | 52.066 | Ryan Dungey |
| 4 | 6 | 51.816 | 2 | 53.984 | Cole Seely |
| 5 | 4 | 52.528 | 3 | 53.717 | Davi Millsaps |
| 6 | 5 | 52.635 | 8 | 53.780 | Justin Brayton |
| 7 | 7 | 52.706 | 6 | 53.752 | Jake Weimer |
| 8 |
8 | 53.056 | 6 | 54.123 | Kevin Windham |
| 9 | 15 | 53.064 | 10 | 57.308 | Josh Hansen |
| 10 | 11 | 53.155 | 4 | 55.476 | Kyle Chisholm |
| 11 | 10 | 53.391 | 4 | 54.755 | Nick Wey |
| 12 | 12 | 53.467 | 5 | 55.733 | Mike Alessi |
| 13 | 9 | 53.470 | 11 | 55.211 | Bret Metcalfe |
| 14 |
16 | 54.010 | 6 | 57.464 | Broc Tickle |
| 15 | 13 | 54.245 | 6 | 56.053 | Matt Goerke |
| 16 | 20 | 54.357 | 6 | 1:02.959 | Weston Peick |
| 17 |
14 | 54.442 | 4 | 55.998 | Bobby Kiniry |
| 18 | 17 | 54.876 | 7 | 1:03.211 | Kyle Partridge |
| 19 | 19 | 55.322 | 3 | 1:10.391 | Justin Sipes |
| 20 | 18 | 56.203 | 4 | 1:05.731 | Jeff Alessi |
After a two-week hiatus, Ryan Villopoto reclaimed the throne of “King of the Lap Charts” with a scorching 50.713 on lap 12, which helped him reel in Ryan Dungey. Late mistakes would cost RV the win, but he reined King of the Charts in the ATL.
Although Ryan Dungey didn’t set the fastest lap of the night, he did put down a blistering 51.257 on the final lap, yes the FINAL lap, to hold off the advances of a hard charging RV. While Dungey wasn’t in a must-win situation, yet, this win did provide Dungey with a fist full of confidence heading into St. Louis.
When Cole Seely was announced as a replacement rider for an injured Trey Canard, many were expecting a couple of top ten finishes before heading back to the West Region Lites series. But Seely dug into his bag of tricks and snagged a holeshot. Seely would go onto to hold Dungey at bay for seven laps before giving way and dropping back to sixth before the night was over. It was a breakout SX class ride for Seely and one many around the industry took notice of.
Villopoto would set the fastest lap of the night, but Dungey walked away with the win.
Photo: Simon Cudby
AMA Supercross Lites
| Lap Rank | Finish | Best Lap | In Lap | Avg Lap Time | Rider |
| 1 | 1 | 52.125 | 2 | 53.543 | Justin Barcia |
| 2 | 2 | 52.172 | 5 | 53.567 | Blake Baggett |
| 3 | 4 | 52.404 | 4 | 54.149 | Blake Wharton |
| 4 | 6 | 52.450 | 10 | 53.867 | Ken Roczen |
| 5 |
3 | 52.510 | 7 | 53.888 | Justin Bogle |
| 6 |
5 | 53.055 | 6 | 54.453 | Darryn Durham |
| 7 | 7 | 53.532 | 7 | 56.244 | Kyle Cunningham |
| 8 | 13 | 54.778 | 6 | 57.199 | Matt Lemoine |
| 9 | 9 | 54.945 | 3 | 55.959 | Jake Canada |
| 10 | 11 | 54.958 | 3 | 57.584 | Lance Vincent |
| 11 | 12 | 55.345 | 7 | 57.500 | PJ Larsen |
| 12 | 8 | 55.399 | 4 | 56.582 | Hunter Hewitt |
| 13 | 10 | 56.116 | 3 | 57.167 | Shane Sewell |
| 14 | 14 | 56.135 | 5 | 57.777 | Les Smith |
| 15 | 16 | 56.456 | 3 | 58.958 | Levi Kilbarger |
| 16 | 15 | 56.617 | 7 | 58.084 | Shawn Rife |
| 17 | 19 | 56.693 | 4 | 1:01.268 | Austin Politelli |
| 18 | 17 | 57.533 | 3 | 1:00.098 | Daniel Herrlein |
| 19 | 18 | 58.503 | 6 | 1:00.792 | Angelo Pellegrini |
| 20 | 20 | 58.991 | 2 | 1:03.874 | Brad Ripple |
GEICO Honda’s Justin Barcia continues to show a newfound sense of control on the track and it showed in Atlanta, as he captured his second straight victory at his home away from home race. Although he had Blake Baggett nipping at his heels he also set the fastest lap of the night in the Lites class with a 52.125, edging out Baggett’s 52.172.
Interesting stat of the week: While the East Region may not stack up depth wise with the West; the top contenders are all very close in speed, with the top five finishers in the Lites class all putting down their fastest lap times in the 52-second range. So while Barcia may be setting the pace early, don’t count out the host of contenders that are laying in wait.
Barcia would top the charts in the Lites class en route to his second straight win.
Photo: Simon Cudby
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I like to wear a helmet and goggles when i read this section
interesting the fastest laps for RV, RD and JS7 were all after the half way mark...lap 12 for RV....lap 15 for james (the light-gate drama was on lap 16) and then RD does his on lap 20.....James knew he had 3rd by a mile and cruised the last few laps....i wouldnt say its "giving up"....but a sign he is using his head more....Leaders who have 20+ second leads cruise the last few laps all the time .....St Louis should be a good one as well...Good rides for all 3 guys in ATL.....and even Milsaps made an appearence for his hometown fans.....
Way to go Baggett! Kick some butt!
Did I miss something? The light-gate drama was actually lap 13, I thought it was later and maybe an explanation for JS throwing anchor and finishing so far back. But........JS would have only been a few more seconds back than he already was by rolling which is unfortunate, but with 7 laps remaining I'm surprised he shut er down. As someone else pointed out in another thread, if RV and RD had a mishap together JS could have still been in the race no problem towards the end. There is no such thing as a "wrap" on lap 13 just because of rolling one obstacle.
And also before someone calls me a hater I'm saying this on the basis that JS looked really good Saturday night and appeared to be gaining on the top two more than anything. You never know what can happen, personally I think he should have kept his head down. Maybe it was a good excuse for not being in the race so he took it instead of giving it his all and still coming up short?
Eyebrow raiser with Roczen.. Average lap time eliminates his 1st lap, was just a little slower than 1st and 2nd while getting balked and having to pass 13 guys. Couldn't turn his fastest until lap 10. Pretty good for a guy who has raced maybe 6 SXs. Don't care much about SX, just want to see him healthy for the outdoors (aka REAL MX).
Retardcross.. you "hater"...hahaha...Just Kiddin...that word is lame and only used by 12 year olds..
Sorry,...Maybe I am incorrect on what lap light-gate was......James had his fastest lap on lap 15....so he was still charging hard if the light-gate drama was on 13....I dunno....I thought he only dropped the anchor on the last lap or so...which I was suprised to see as well, but can understand why he may have cruised too with the season he is having...rather than push, he sucked it up and took a 3rd rather than risk it....4th place was pretty far back....I dunno.......
Retardcross, yer right. Laptimes showed he lost about 2 seconds to RD and 1.5 to RV on lap 13. He either quit or gave up on the idea that one of them would have a problem. Would like to think that deciding to back-off was a new, mature JS. But other, earlier, situations seemed like better candidates for that strategy than this one. As you said, it rather appears he found an excuse to back off and save face. I am agnostic on JS, but if the above is true it is an unhealthy development. I think it's the Yamaha. Millsaps is no measure as he is a mild head case and his results have always been all over the board regardless of bike.
What does JGR do it this pattern continues (including outdoors)? Can they change bikes?
I just found it odd for him to call it a wrap and give up on lap 13 if that's what happened (I haven't beat the lap charts up so I don't have the exact play by play to the millisecond), he really wasn't that far behind. And especially considering he was gaining, which he had to know on track as well. Bizarre......
My biggest thought about the whole situation goes back to ATL last year on the last lap. I'm sure RV is glad he never pulled the chute in the last 25% of that race, that exact situation could have presented itself again this year with JS being the one to benefit for a win like RV did last time.
I think it was good that JS backed it off ( if he did ). He is out of the championship, unless something drastic happens to RV and RD. There is no sense in going balls out in one race because he is too far behind in points. Just imagine if he would have been going balls out, and crashed and missed the MX season ?? Then what would people say ? I'm predicting a win in St. Loooeee and Daytona for JS, but, wont do much good unless RV and RD dnf, or get like 15th..
Chase I don't understand why you think the West is stacked more than the East lites class.I personally think Barcia,Roczen and Baggett would smoke Tomac,Wilson and Musquin.
The East Coast 250 class seems way faster than the West. Barcia waxed Wilson last year, and Wilson is now leading that coast. I think Barcia is head and shoulders the fastest 250 supercross guy anyway. Just hope he stays up outdoors, the 250 class will be stacked for the Nationals, cant wait for that one.
I feel Stewie backed down some, he knew he wasnt going to catch the leaders anyway. Stewie may run up front a few of the remaining races, but he isnt going to run with the top guys for a season anymore. Hate to say it, but his prime has passed, he was a 4th place guy until Reed went out and gifted him 3rd. Everyones time finally comes to pass, and his is coming soon.. But he will be a spoiler I think at a few races this year, he may get in between Dungey and RV1 at a few, and jumble up some points.
Be interesting to compare lap times vs the 450's from both the east and west. I know Tomac had the one race where he was fastest time overall! I know it's not that simple to just compare 250 to 450 but it's my impression the boys in the west were closer!
The East does seem like ther are more contenders,but Tomac was putting down lap times with the top 450's and Barcia is not.
I think if Tomac wouldn't have gone down and given up so many points to Wilson in the West's last race that whole "West Coast has more depth" comment would not exist. Ya, Barcia is on a 2 race streak with a pretty big lead already, but the last 2 races (heats and mains) have had some of the best racing we've seen all year out of the Lites class! I'm headed to STL Saturday and I'm sure it won't disappoint!
ST Louis = RV1 Holeshot, Fastest Lap Times, Wire to wire 20 lap victory stretches points lead!
Enter Daytona with a comfortable points lead, where we will see the best Daytona race in many years! Track is always awesonme but always seems to be a comfortable victory for somebody. Last yeareStewie has a big lead, Epic endo and RV wins comfortably Was it the year before that Reed chases down J-Law who cuts track on the start?
no way barcia, baggett an roczen would smoke tomac in supercross, or wilson..musquin, maybe. guess well see come vegas. but i wouldnt count on anyone in the 250 class smoking tomac,
I have to disagree that the east is way faster, maybe the dirts better in the east and they're just hooking up better? I think Wilson and Tomac would give the east boys fits! I hope this is Deans last year racing indoors against 135 lb runts on 250's. Wilson waxed Barcia and the Boy's outdoors last year and may have to defend his title for 2012 then look out 450 Class Deanos coming! Barcia better move to 450's for 2013 outdoors, he will need the head start.
If Tomac doesnt go down in his race, we wouldnt even be mentioning Wilson, he was down over 20 points. He is great outdoors, but he isnt the best at supercross. Tomac was laying waste to the entire west coast before his crash.
If if if........if Dean hadn't made mistakes He would'nt have been 20 points down. Mistakes are part of racing and so is luck. I think you are missing what I'm trying to get at I believe and it's only my opinion that Dean's size is a disadvantage in the Lites class, but will be an advantage in the 450 class. I do agree He is a better outdoor Rider for sure, but when he's on it indoors He sure looks good.
WOW and I got ripped on another thread for useing the word "IF" but I guess its ok on this thread??
Ha Ha BillC, I slipped up a while ago and did the same thing, and got called out on it! I didn't even realize I was doing it, until I posted, it just rolled off my fingers! The if thing is definatley a card that shouldn't be played as there really is no way to know what might have been. AE: if he wouldn't have ran out of gas-he may have crashed later and even had a career ender. Or the chain broke-he may have simply caught a lapper and went down. In this sport ANYTHING can happen, and that is what keeps it interesting! Looks like Ripdown will be making the Milllville natiional this year. Hopiing to meet him face to face and hook him up as he has never been to a national race. Gotta hook up with him and get it goin' but so far, I can't seem to get to him on his email address.But we won't give up! Ya hear me Ripdown?? I won't let you down! Promise! Anyway, Bill we're gettin' big snow up in the Wi. areas where I ride, so looks like it's time to load up and take the 200 mile drive to ride one more time this year. This will be my third time this year! Hopin' for a better season next year!
@bd200,, JS's "prime has passed?" hahahah,, dude, you are clueless.. We'll see if his prime has passed these next two races...
Cole Seely jumps on a 450 and is 2 seconds a lap faster than Alessi. haha. I believe that hype... This new generation is fast.....
@mxmofo--He may be up there in a few races, I even said that in my thread. But I said he will never challenge for a title again. It took two full races for him to pass Reed and Reed to score NO POINTS, just for Stewie to catch up. He was in a distant 4th place. Does that sound like a title contender to you?? I never said he wont get a win here or there, I even said he would get a win a few times. I said he wont contend for a title. And it looks like I am right. If in the next couple races he runs well or even gets a win, I'm sure you will go off spouting your suckhole like you were right. But you will be saying what I said also, Stewie will probably get a win here soon. But my point was titles, and he wont contend for one very strongly anymore.
@mofo--Its kinda funny that you even said in your post that "he is out of the championship", but if I say it, you say I'm clueless--Again you are simply fishing for an argument, you really need to find a life..
@ mxmofo1.........Let's try this, you explain how exactly JS is in his prime using race results. Keep it recent as we're talking about right now. Oh ya, that's right........gotta go back a few years to find anything to back that up.
Wait for it, wait for it, wait for ittttttt, GO, cue up the bike excuses again lol.
I think its fair to say nobody can predict what James will do or can do..... Is the dude awesome on a bike, yes....does it always show in the results column, no.....Is he in is prime?....obviously not with the results he is having the past 2 years..but then you look at Reed, he is 29 and still seems to find a way to turn it up and be a threat and I would think james being 26 could do the same.......Now we need to see if James can do that...Like Reed said, James is used to blowing the doors off guys, now he needs to become a "grinder" and really work for it.....can he and will he is out of our knowledge...I would like to see him get back to being a top guy every week and battle for titles...he has the speed...just not the complete package....time will tell.....
Stewart being so inconsistant and his contant crashing is probably why JGR offered a contract to Dungey way before they offered one to Stewart.. I think they liked Dungeys work ethic and being there every race until the end of the season being in the hunt.
@bd200,, I meant that just because JS is not in title contention, does not mean he is out of his prime... Is Canard out of his prime then ??? Out of your "prime" and not in a title hunt are two different things.. To many other variables that can arise..
Snowing here today Bucky!! Could get a foot they say. But looks like rain for Sat
@mxmofo--was Stewie a 4th place rider in his prime?? Was he getting his tail whipped by Reed in his prime?? My opinion Stewie is past his prime, because I remember him being alot faster before, And you fo course have to throw out insults like "you are clueless" when someone gives an opinion.. I think I am right. Stewie was not a 4th place guy when he was in his prime..
Ride while you can BillC, this could be it! Gonna be in the 50's next week and that's gonna kill it in our region. Next year will have to be better as it can't get worse-one poor ride, out the door at home, all year-a whole ten miles. Can't rememer that happening before.
@bd200 ,, I didnt think you would see my point, or answer my question.. We all know you never insult anyone, right ??
@ mxmofo1............I think you're missing his point that JS hasn't been in title contention since 2009. I can see what you're saying maybe if just 2012 SX sucked. As of right now and last year he's the 4th place guy, like it or not that's the results.
.......and to me 4th place isn't JS riding like he's in his prime at all.
@Retardcross, I agree with the 4th place thing, but I don't think its because he's out of his prime. I think the Yam is junk. Ever notice when JS rides well, Milsaps rides well also ? I just think he's afraid of that Yam doing something that it's not suppose to.. But, him not riding MX is his biggest problem I think..
Not to bag on Yami, JS you should have gone Zook though.
Looks like the tuning, adjustments, specialty parts for JS is also benefiting Millsaps.