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Sunday, February 17, 2013 | 3:00 AM
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PrintThe series may have packed its bags and headed out east, but the track conditions—and layout in some regards—tagged along for the ride from San Diego to Arlington. By the time the night show rolled around, the soil was so hard it made concrete feel soft. Dallas is usually hard packed, but last year’s track was a little bit softer than this year’s. All of the riders had to deal with the lack of traction and one-lined corners, but an unlucky few had to experience how firm the racing surface was the hard way.
Most notably, Zach Bell’s debut supercross heat race ended with a red flag after he lost control on the face of a triple while leading. Surprisingly, he got up under his own power and was able to line up for the LCQ after passing two concussion tests. We saw him after the race and he remembered the entire incident and says he was not knocked out. His wrists and hands where hurting though. In that LCQ, Blake Wharton—who failed to qualify after spinning out one turn before the checkered flag in his heat—led Bell en route to the main, securing the last two transfer spots. Rookie Jeremy Martin was unable to qualify through the LCQ after getting a poor jump on the start.
Bell’s wild ride continued in the main, where he had a DNF resulting crash at the end of the rhythm section following the whoops. Almost simultaneously, Cole Thompson was ejected over his bars at the end of a different rhythm section while running towards the front of the pack. Thompson did half of a front flip and landed directly on his back into the face of a landing. It was an awful crash, but after collecting himself for a moment, he too walked off under his own power. The track may have been close to concrete, but these 250 riders must be made of rubber. Bell was spotted at the end of the night sporting a bruised eye and a few wrapped up fingers—banged up but not broken.
Not even a visit from a UFO could stop Villopoto on this night.
Barcia crashed in his heat and had to make the main via an LCQ win. He blew the start in the main and finished sixth.
Another top ten for Matt "Beef" Goerke. You can pretty much lock that in every week.
Cudby photos
Dean Wilson and Wharton had excellent main event rides up front, but Marvin Musquin’s ride from last to sixth place through traffic was impressive. The Frenchman went down in the first turn and made the most out of a track with limited passing options. Wilson will be tough to beat outright in the series—as he proved by dominating the opening round—but efforts like this will keep Musquin’s title chances alive.
Another set of top tens from Andrew Short and Matt Goerke. And now they're teammates! The big news from the pits is Andrew Short moving to the BTOSports.com KTM team starting next weekend in Atlanta. The team Short rode for the last few weeks, Kranyak Racing, is not going to make the rest of the races this year.
Much like the 450 racing from last weekend, one rider grabbed an early lead, took advantage of the single-lined track and checked out. This time it was Ryan Villopoto who used the fast and limited track to his advantage, while Millsaps, Reed and Dungey battled for runner-up position behind the defending champ. Villopoto was able to gain more time on the trio as they continued to battle each other. In fact, Justin Barcia appeared to have enough momentum to possibly make a charge up to that group after clearing mid-pack traffic from a poor start. He caught Justin Brayton—who was in fifth place—and trailed him for a few laps, and then the Barcia/Brayton dup started to close on the Reed/Dungey/Millsaps trio. But a couple mistakes by Barcia took the wind out of his sails and he finished out the race in sixth. Brayton hung on for fifth.
Meanwhile, Dungey—who was in fourth for quite a ways—bumped up his level of speed and aggression during the closing laps. He checked Reed up a little bit in a corner to move into third. He set his sights on Millsaps, but it was too late in the race for Dungey to make it happen.
Millsaps keeps digging deep. He told us he was sick all week, didn't ride, and could barely breathe through the second half of the main event. But he held strong under Dungey's pressure down the stretch.
Dungey said he didn't change a single setting on his bike all day, which is the first time he has ever done that in his 450SX career. He likes his bike that much right now.
So, Reed, Dungey and Millsaps were very close on speed, while Villopoto was able to edge away. What does that mean? It means Millsaps is still increasing his points lead, but Villopoto hopes to keep the ball rolling and slowly chip away at that gap—consistency is the game at this point. And with the tracks turning out so simple lately, and the lead pack trying to push the edge to find an advantage, minimizing the mistakes is the most critical part of the game right now.
Even the mohawks are bigger in Texas!
The Reed and Millsaps battle early in the 450 main was darned good.
Cudby photos
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Check out WHEN DAYLIGHT BREAKS
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When the lights go off on supercross and racing hits the daylight with the launch of the Lucas Oil Pro Motocross Championship, everyone gets to start over. Page 110.
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Just a couple things you didn't see... Before opening ceremonies I made my way down into the entrance tunnel. Barry Weiss, from Storage Wars, (my wife's fav show) came by and was greeted warmly by Erin Bates with a big ole hug, which put a smile on his face. He then stood back and got ready to enjoy the festivities.
The riders all started showing up in the tunnel getting ready, WIndam stood in front of me joking with a friend, while Dungey and Stewart were walking around warming up. On my right, Hahn and Larocco were talking, Mike looking serious, as Wilbur wore his constant smile. Soon, the area was packed and I was clicking pictures when the Star Spangled Banner began. It was so cool to see Windham take of his cap and cover his heart, Dungey and Stewart stop turn and put their hand over there heart and look out at the flag, as did almost everyone in the tunnel. Here were all the nights combatants standing, giving tribute to our flag and country.
It struck me, that they do this at each and every round, out of sight of everyone in stands and they don't take it for granted. They are for that moment, all united, in paying respect to the flag. This may not seem like a big deal, but I have been in attendance a many an event, were the people in the stands did not show as much respect to the flag as these riders did. So, to all those in the tunnel, for displaying their patriotism, Helmets off and a Big Thumbs Up!!! Very classy by all!!!
"The Reed and Millsaps battle early in the 450 main was darned good."
Please DM just rode around for a couple laps and went past CR and left him, sorry no battle there. Then RD swooped under CR and took off. I like CR, but man did he fad. Most uneventful night of racing so far and stop with these one line, slippery tracks.
After all these years of designing tracks you would think they know what works and what doesnt but only one or two tracks have been sorta decent this year. Very boring race, everyone doing the same thing and nothing to seperate the men from the boys. And what ever happened to a real set of whoops? They either make them hard but short in length or easy and longer in length, or two really easy whoop sections. Very disappointing.
Need the over and under bridge POLKA DOT style !
Jordan Roberts you said, "So, Reed, Dungey and Millsaps were very close on speed, while Villopoto was able to edge away." You sure did see this a whole lot different than I did. I don't think those 3 were very close in speed at all. RV got away from everybody because CR was a road block on a course that was difficult to pass on. RV rode really good--unchallenged--but I thought RD showed more speed than DM. I think RD could have challenged RV with a better start. But as you correctly pointed out, "...one rider grabbed an early lead, took advantage of the single-lined track and checked out," obviously this is what it takes to win a race against a talent heavy roster of riders. If I was RD, JB, CR, or TC I might hire a holeshot artist for some help.
Dungey was showing some good speed and riding a little more agressive. I thought it was said that his lap times were better than Villopoto towards the end. We will have to wait for the Sign of Lap Times to come around. I still think Dungey standing Reed up in the corner was finally showing some ballz.
I think its funny how every weekend you have people b*$@# about the track and constantly chastise the Dirt Wurx crew. Take a minute to step back and think about the whole supercross race weekend process for a minute. The track is usually done by thursday fro press day. So of the top riders get to take a few laps around the track and get a feel for the dirt. Fast forward to saturday.. Every team gets to partake in the track walk in which the track is dissected by everyone to the Nth degree. and then the riders get three practice sessions on the track.. So as soon as one rider dials in a fast line, other teams and riders pick up on it, and so and and so forth, until the track is figured out. By the time the night show rolls around the riders know the track inside and out. Im sure dirt wurx busts their a#$ in trying to provide the fans with an exciting event, as well as keep the challenging for the riders. My only critique would be to utilize the floor space in the football stadiums better, how is it that the two football stadiums have yielded the fastest tracks?
@CZ - If you don't want to wait for RX to break the info down, it's usually posted on the AMA Supercross site not too long after the race. Agreed it was good to see RD make an aggresive pass.
http://results.amasupercross.com/xml/SX/events/S1335/S1F1RID.pdf
So if S.D. or Dallas have poor dirt-can it be corrected?-Or are they stuck with it from now on-Or does Feld care?
I wouldnt say it was "great battle" between Saps and Reed...but it was entertaining...If only JS7 was there to stir it up more... I was thinking Reed was holding them up as well while RV was just cruising out front... Dungey is riding great - He is almost a full race down like RV is and its going to be those 3 (RV, Dungey , Saps) coming down to Vegas pending any disasters... Dungey knows that RV is still a clip above he and Milsaps and when they all get great starts, the odds are in RV's favor to make up those points....So Dungey looks to be riding like he has nothing to lose...I see some more wins coming for RV while Dungey is going to be stuck battling with Saps, Barcia , Stewart and Reed and not gainig much ground while RV slowly eats a way...
I think DM18 should be nervous. I have a feeling RV2-RD5-CR22 know when to peak for the home stretch drive for the Championship. The grind of the grueling schedule is wearing on DM18, him getting sick is the tip of a long second half when the body starts breaking down.
@pizza - Its possible but Davi has Ezra in his corner though and I think he is mentally ready for the months ahead....Davi was ill and he has been around long enough to know how grueling the series is. RV and the others have all had that "sick" issue to deal with... But true, Davi hasnt had the pressure of being points leader, so we'll have to see how he does....so far so good....Reed is almost 2 full races out of the hunt and is pretty much out of contention at this point....so for Reed - peak or no peak, after Saturday performance in Dallas, he has a lot of work to do.....
@pizza--I disagree, we have all seen RV get sick at the beginning of the year, and right when the outdoors started once, it happens.. After everything Millspas has been through in his life, with his Mom, and all the injuries he has overcome, I would say he is probably one of the most mentally strong guys out there...
@KilloMoto--Davi has won a title before in the 250 class, its not the Premier class, but he has been a points leader before..time will tell how he holds up, but I doubt it will be a mental mistake if he loses the lead, it will be a crash or just a big run on wins from Rv or Dungey..
I am the guy with the "Monster Mohawk." The races were a lot of fun to go to. Haven't had a chance to go in the last two years. I wish I would've had a chance to see Stewert race. I'm working on heading down to the Houston SX. Maybe I will see everyone out there.