Detroit Practice Report

Practice has concluded here at the first-ever Detroit Supercross in Ford Field, which is the very same stadium that the Pittsburgh Steelers won Superbowl XL back in February. It's a beautiful facility and the riders and teams seem to like the new venue so far.

Less than an hour drive from the Pontiac Silverdome, the track here at Ford Field got a bit dusty today in practice, which is unusual since they’re using the same dirt as they used in Pontiac. The whoops seems to be rather tame, but there are a few tricky sections on the track.

As far as lap times in practice, Team Kawasaki’s James Stewart threw down the fastest practice time with a 48.9. Ricky Carmichael was second fastest with a 49.3. The difference seems to be a tricky 10-jump rhythm section where Stewart is going 3-3-3-1, a combination which RC has yet to figure out on a consistent basis.

Team Yamaha’s Chad Reed gutted out the third-fastest lap time with 51.068 and Carmichael’s Makita Suzuki teammate, Ivan Tedesco, recorded a 51.4. Sobe/Samsung Mobile Honda’s Kevin Windham looked a bit off the pace as he was eighth fastest with a 52.951.

In the 250F class, Sobe/Samsung Mobile Honda’s Josh Grant had a 50.7 in the first practice session, which is faster than most of the 450 riders. Honda’s Davi Millsaps is nipping at his heels with a 51.1 and if he can take a win here tonight he can clinch his first-ever championship as a professional. He also plans on racing a CRF450 at the remaining west coast rounds and possibly outdoors this year. Chris Gosselaar and Branden Jesseman are next in line, but a nice surprise is to see Motosport Outlet’s Bobby Kiniry laying down some times in the low 53s.

Make sure you tune in to the live webcast tonight on www.supercross.cc.com and watch tomorrow at 6 p.m. EST on Speed.