Monster Energy Kawasaki’s Stewart Wins in Come-From-Behind Fashion

March 26, 2007 4:13am

Ferry and Townley Also Podium at Indianapolis Supercross

INDIANAPOLIS (March 24, 2007) – Monster Energy Kawasaki rider James Stewart put in one of the season’s most dominating rides and captured the Amp’d Mobile Supercross victory at the RCA Dome in Indianapolis. Teammate Timmy Ferry also put in an impressive performance and rounded out the podium with a third place finish.

After a first turn tangle, Stewart made a valiant charge from the 20th position, and within 15 laps, took over the lead in one of the most intense races this season.

“We started almost dead last and I knew we had our hands full,” said Stewart. “At that point, we had to be smart and just protect the championship. You don’t want to go down with one of the guys in the back and lose too many points. But, once I caught up to second, I knew that if I caught him (Chad Reed) a little bit each lap that I would get in his head and let him know I was coming. Once I got within five seconds, I knew this was my race. I was able to drop the hammer putting down some 43-second lap times and get by him.”

He added, “Every weekend it feels really good to win, but tonight was special. It almost made a statement, not that I am here to do that, but it made me feel good to know that I can come from that far back and still win the race. It taught me a lot about the other riders. You begin to know their weaknesses, what lap they’re going to get tired and how much pressure to put on them.”

After a great start on his Kawasaki KX™450F, Ferry maintained a smooth and consistent pace to capture another top-three finish.

“I am typically a really good rut and soft track rider, but I struggled to find real speed today,” said Ferry. “Obviously, I made it work for the main event, but I felt that I was off the pace. Overall, it feels really good to be back on the podium and I am going to aim for it every weekend.”

With Stewart’s Victory in Indianapolis, he stretched the points lead in the AMA Supercross standings to 32 over Chad Reed. Ferry has extended his third-place points lead over the fourth-place points holder to 36.

In Eastern Region AMA Supercross Lites, Monster Energy/Pro Circuit/Kawasaki rider Ben Townley rode a remarkable race battling with Ryan Dungey the entire 15-lap main event finishing just shy of the top podium spot. Teammate Darcy Lange started strong before making a small mistake that resulted in a crash sending him to the ground. Fortunately, he was able to remount and ride to a respectable ninth-place finish.

With only two rounds remaining, the Eastern Regional AMA Supercross series is winding down and both Monster Energy/Pro Circuit/Kawasaki riders are sitting in great position to make a run for the championship. Townley is now in second-place, just 10 points off the lead, while Lange sits just 12 points behind in third.

MotoSport Kawasaki’s Matt Boni put in a solid ride and took home 11th place in the AMA Supercross Lites while teammate Bobby Kiniry finished in the 15th position at the RCA Dome.

Cernic’s Kawasaki rider Jeff Gibson rode to a strong 13th place finish in the AMA Supercross division. Teammate Paul Carpenter, after going down twice, came back and finished 15th.

RACE RESULTS

Amp’d Mobile Supercross
RCA Dome – Indianapolis
March 24, 2007

AMA Supercross Series
1. JAMES STEWART, HAINES CITY, FLA., MONSTER ENERGY KAWASAKI
2. Chad Reed, Tampa, Fla., Yamaha
3. TIMMY FERRY, LARGO, FLA., MONSTER ENERGY KAWASAKI
4. Grant Langston, Clemont, Fla., Yamaha
5. Ivan Tedesco, Murrieta, Calif., Suzuki
6. David Millsaps, Cario, Ga., Honda
7. David Vuillemin, Menifee, Calif., Honda
8. Andrew Short, Murrieta, Calif., Honda
9. Michael Byrne, Newnan, Ga., Suzuki
10. Josh Summey, Stanley, N.C., Honda

Eastern Regional AMA Supercross Lites
1. Ryan Dungey, Belle Plaine, Minn., Suzuki
2. BEN TOWNLEY, TALLAHASSEE, FLA., MONSTER ENERGY/PRO CIRCUIT/KAWASAKI
3. Branden Jesseman, New Brighton, Pa., Yamaha
4. Ryan Morais, Temecula, Calif., Yamaha
5. Justin Brayton, Fort Dodge, Iowa, Yamaha
6. Mike Alessi, Victorville, Calif., KTM
7. Matthew Goerke, Lake Helen, Fla., Yamaha
8. Thomas Hahn, Decatur, Texas, Honda
9. DARCY LANGE, HEMET, CALIF., MONSTER ENERGY/PRO CIRCUIT/KAWASAKI
10. Broc Tickle, Cary, N.C., Yamaha

World Supercross GP Season Standings
1. JAMES STEWART, HAINES CITY, FLA., MONSTER ENERGY KAWASAKI, 304
2. Chad Reed, Tampa, Fla., Yamaha, 278
3. TIMMY FERRY, LARGO, FLA., MONSTER ENERGY KAWASAKI, 222
4. Ricky Carmichael, Tallahassee, Fla., Suzuki, 185
5. David Vuillemin, Menifee, Calif., Honda, 175
6. Heath Voss, Mico, Texas, Honda, 159
7. Michael Byrne, Newnan, Ga., Suzuki, 153
8. Ivan Tedesco, Murrieta, Calif., Suzuki, 148
9. PAUL CARPENTER, ITHACA, N.Y., CERNIC’S KAWASAKI, 140
10. JEFF GIBSON, BLACKLICK, OHIO, CERNIC’S KAWASAKI, 125

AMA Supercross Series Season Standings
1. JAMES STEWART, HAINES CITY, FLA., MONSTER ENERGY KAWASAKI, 285
2. Chad Reed, Tampa, Fla., Yamaha, 253
3. TIMMY FERRY, LARGO, FLA., MONSTER ENERGY KAWASAKI, 203
4. Kevin Windham, Centreville, Miss., Honda, 167
5. Ricky Carmichael, Tallahassee, Fla., Suzuki, 160
6. Ivan Tedesco, Murrieta, Calif., Suzuki, 153
7. Michael Byrne, Newnan, Ga., Suzuki, 144
8. David Vuillemin, Menifee, Calif., Honda, 142
9. Heath Voss, Mico, Texas, Honda, 134
10. PAUL CARPENTER, ITHACA, N.Y., CERNIC’S KAWASAKI

Eastern Regional AMA Supercross Lites Season Standings
1. Ryan Morais, Temecula, Calif., Suzuki, 96
2. BEN TOWNLEY, TALLAHASSEE, FLA., MONSTER ENERGY/PRO CIRCUIT/KAWASAKI, 86
3. DARCY LANGE, HEMET, CALIF., MONSTER ENERGY/PRO CIRCUIT/KAWASAKI, 84
4. Branden Jesseman, New Brighton, Pa., Yamaha, 74
5. Mike Alessi, Victorville, Calif., KTM, 71
6. Matt Goerke, Lake Helen, Fla., Yamaha, 68
7. Justin Brayton, Fort Dodge, Iowa, Yamaha, 68
8. Billy Laninovich, Lake Elsinore, Calif., Honda, 59
9. Ryan Dungey, Belle Plaine, Minn., Suzuki, 53
10. Thomas Hahn, Decatur, Texas, Honda, 48