Monster Energy Kawasaki Atlanta Race Report

February 26, 2007, 6:10am

Monster Energy Kawasaki James Stewart Cleans House at the Georgia Dome; Lange Takes Second in AMA Supercross Lites

ATLANTA (February 24, 2007) – Monster Energy Kawasaki’s James Stewart took the win after a spectacular race at the Amp’d Mobile Supercross before 70,649 people at the Georgia Dome. Monster Energy/Pro Circuit/Kawasaki Darcy Lange takes home second at the opening round of the Eastern Regional AMA Supercross Lites class, proving he is a top contender in the division.

The Atlanta race marked the return of Ricky Carmichael, but Stewart was able to buckle down in the heat of action and pull off the impressive win.

“When he (Carmichael) is racing, he keeps you honest,” said Stewart. “He brings out the best in everybody and I know for sure he was trying his heart out because this is a hometown race. He had a lot of fans here and a lot of people supporting him. It was the last time he was racing Atlanta and he wanted to win this, but I didn’t want him to have it.”

Stewart will head into round nine in St. Louis with a 17-point lead in the AMA Supercross points and a 16-point advantage in World GP points. Teammate Timmy Ferry, after crashing on the start, came from behind to finish in sixth-place and maintains third position in both the AMA Supercross and World GP standings.

Lange, who recently won the BooKoo Arenacross champion, took home second place in his debut ride for the Monster Energy/Pro Circuit/Kawasaki team.

“I don’t know how to explain it. It’s awesome,” said Lange. “Getting second the way I got it with a bad start and all. Now I know I have the speed. I just have to put my head down and get some starts. I want to thank Mitch (Payton) and Kawasaki for having faith in me and putting me on the best team out there.”

Teammate Ben Townley, in his first-ever supercross race, was on the gas posting some of the fastest lap times of the night. In the AMA Supercross Lites main event, Townley was in second and on his way to catching the leader when unfortunate bike problems forced him to head back to the pits.

MotoSport Kawasaki’s rider Matt Boni, put in an impressive debut performance finishing eighth in his first AMA Supercross Lites main event. Teammate Bobby Kiniry, who was running in the top five for most of the race, finished in 13th position after a crash.

Cernic’s Kawasaki rider Jeff Gibson rode a solid race finishing 10th in the AMA Supercross division, while teammate Paul Carpenter was unable to finish the race due to a main event crash.

RACE RESULTS

Amp’d Mobile Supercross
Georgia Dome – Atlanta
February 24, 2007

AMA Supercross Series
1. JAMES STEWART, HAINES CITY, FLA., MONSTER ENERGY KAWASAKI
2. Ricky Carmichael, Tallahassee, Fla., Suzuki
3. Chad Reed, Tampa, Fla., Yamaha
4. Ivan Tedesco, Murrieta, Calif., Suzuki
5. Kevin Windham, Centerville, Miss., Honda
6. TIMMY FERRY, LARGO, FLA., MONSTER ENERGY KAWASAKI
7. Bryan Johnson, Cairo, Ga., Honda
8. David Vuillemin, Menifee, Calif., Honda
9. Heath Voss, Mico, Texas, Honda
10. JEFFGIBSON, BLACKLICK, OHIO, CERNIC’S KAWASAKI

Eastern Regional AMA Supercross Lites
1. Ryan Dungey, Belle Plaine, Minn., Suzuki
2. DARCY LANGE, HEMET, CALIF., MONSTER ENERGY/PRO CIRCUIT/KAWASAKI
3. Matt Goerke, Lake Helen, Fla., Yamaha
4. Ryan Morais, Temecula, Calif., Suzuki
5. Branden Jesseman, New Brighton, Pa., Yamaha
6. Justin Brayton, Fort Dodge, Iowa, Yamaha
7. Zach Osborne, Abingdon, Va., KTM
8. MATT BONI, GENEVA, FLA., MOTOSPORT KAWASAKI
9. Ryan Sipes, Vine Grove, Ken., Honda
10. Kelly Smith, Ludington, Mich., Suzuki

World Supercross GP Season Standings
1. JAMES STEWART, HAINES CITY, FLA., MONSTER ENERGY KAWASAKI, 232
2. Chad Reed, Tampa, Fla., Yamaha, 216
3. TIMMY FERRY, LARGO, FLA., MONSTER ENERGY KAWASAKI, 180
4. Ricky Carmichael, Tallahassee, Fla., Suzuki, 138
5. David Vuillemin, Menifee, Calif., Honda, 127
6. Heath Voss, Mico, Texas, Honda, 121
7. Travis Preston, Hesperia, Calif., Honda, 120
8. Michael Byrne, Newnan, Ga., Suzuki, 120
9. Nicholas Wey, Murrieta, Calif., Honda, 108
10. Ivan Tedesco, Murrieta, Calif., Suzuki, 108

AMA Supercross Series Season Standings
1. JAMES STEWART, HAINES CITY, FLA., MONSTER ENERGY KAWASAKI, 188
2. Chad Reed, Tampa, Fla., Yamaha, 171
3. TIMMY FERRY, LARGO, FLA., MONSTER ENERGY KAWASAKI, 145
4. Kevin Windham, Centreville, Miss., Honda, 119
5. Michael Byrne, Newnan, Ga., Suzuki, 108
6. Ivan Tedesco, Murrieta, Calif., Suzuki, 101
7. Travis Preston, Hesperia, Calif., Honda, 96
8. Heath Voss, Mico, Texas, Honda, 94
9. Ricky Carmichael, Tallahassee, Fla., Suzuki, 91
10. David Vuillemin, Menifee, Calif., Honda, 86

Eastern Regional AMA Supercross Lites Season Standings
1. Ryan Dungey, Belle Plaine, Minn., Suzuki, 25
2. DARCY LANGE, HEMET, CALIF., MONSTER ENERGY/PRO CIRCUIT KAWASAKI, 22
3. Matt Goerke, Lake Helen, Fla., Yamaha, 20
4. Ryan Morais, Temecula, Calif., Suzuki, 18
5. Branden Jesseman, New Brighton, Pa., Yamaha, 16
6. Justin Brayton, Fort Dodge, Iowa, Yamaha, 15
7. Zach Osborne, Abingdon, Va., KTM, 14
8. MATT BONI, GENEVA, FLA., MOTOSPORT KAWASAKI, 13
9. Ryan Sipes, Vine Grove, Ken., Honda, 12
10. Kelly Smith, Ludington, Mich., Suzuki, 11